Page 57 of 428

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-25
If the vehicle has lost battery
power, the tonneau cover (C)
can still be opened using the
manual release cable.
The tonneau cover emergency
manual release cable is located
underneath the carpeting behind
the passenger's seat head
restraint, on the underside
forward edge of the tonneau
cover. To access the cable,
lift and pull back the carpeting.
Also, seeHatch on page 2‑10
for information on the
emergency trunk release
handle.
Notice: If you lower the
convertible top into the storage
compartment and the rear edge
of the top is not in the full-down
position, you could damage the
top. Always verify that the rear
edge of the convertible top is in
the full-down position before
lowering the top into the storage
compartment.
8. Pull the cable to release the tonneau cover.9. Push forward on the frontedge (A) of the convertible top
to allow the rear edge (B) of the
convertible top to be moved to
its full-down position.
Page 58 of 428

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
2-26 Keys, Doors and Windows
10. Then move the top rearward toits fully-stored position.
11. After the top is stored, apply one even push on the center
of the front edge (A) of the
convertible top to assure that
the top is fully retracted.
12. Close the tonneau cover (B) by pressing down on it with a
swift, firm motion. Raising the Manual
Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface. Shift
an automatic transmission into
P (Park) and set the parking
brake. Shift a manual
transmission into N (Neutral)
and set the parking brake.
2. Lower both windows.
3. Make sure the ignition is off.
4. Tilt the driver's seat forward and press the tonneau cover
release button, or use the
manual release cable if battery
power has been lost. See Step 6
under “Lowering the Manual
Convertible Top” in this section.
After pressing the release
button, the driver's and
passenger's door glass should
retract to the full-down position,
if they have not already been
lowered.
5. Lift the tonneau cover.6. Pull the convertible top up by firmly gripping the front edge (A)
near the center and applying a
brisk upward and forward motion
to get the top in the full-up
position.
Page 59 of 428
Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-27
7. Lift the rear edge (B) of theconvertible top to its full-up
position by first raising the front
edge (A). 8. Close the tonneau cover (C) by
pushing it down with a swift, firm
motion.
9. Lower the rear edge (B) of the convertible top by first slightly
pushing the front edge (A) of the
convertible top forward.
10. Push the front edge (A) of the convertible top down from
the outside of the vehicle,
or pull the front edge (A) of
the convertible top down from
the center pull-down handle
located in the inside of the
vehicle.11. Pull the top front latch
handle down and turn it
counterclockwise to lock
the convertible top.
Page 60 of 428

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
2-28 Keys, Doors and Windows
Power Operation
For care and cleaning of the
convertible top see“Cleaning the
Convertible Top” in this section.
High pressure car washes may
cause water to enter the vehicle.
To operate the power convertible
top use the following steps.
Notice: Leaving the convertible
top down and exposing the
interior of your vehicle to outdoor
conditions may cause damage.
Always close the convertible top
if leaving your vehicle outdoors.
Notice: Lowering the convertible
top when there are objects in the
storage area could damage it or
break the glass rear window.
Always verify that no objects
are in the storage area before
lowering the convertible top.
Notice: Lowering the top if it is
damp, wet, or dirty can cause
stains, mildew, and damage to the
inside of your vehicle. Dry off the
top before lowering it. Notice:
If you lower the top on
your vehicle in cold weather
(0°F/-18°C or lower), you may
damage top components. Do not
lower the top in cold weather.
Notice: If you raise or lower the
convertible top while the vehicle
is in motion, you could damage
the top or the top mechanism.
The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always put
an automatic transmission
in (P) Park or a manual
transmission in (N) Neutral
before raising or lowering the
convertible top.
Lowering the Power
Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface. Start the engine. Shift an automatic
transmission into P (Park) and
set the parking brake. Shift
a manual transmission into
N (Neutral), and set the parking
brake. 2. Make sure the trunk is closed
and the rear trunk partition in
the rear storage area is in the
fastened upright position, and
that no objects are forward of
the divider. See “Rear Trunk
Partition” underRear Storage on
page 4‑1.
3. Release the convertible top front latch, located above the inside
rearview mirror, by pulling and
turning it clockwise toward the
driver's door. Push upward on
the front edge. The windows will
automatically lower.
Page 61 of 428

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-29
4. Return the convertible top frontlatch to the closed position.
5. Push and hold the bottom of thepower convertible top button,
located to the left of the steering
wheel, on the instrument panel. The convertible top will lower into
the rear of the vehicle. A chime will
sound when the convertible top has
lowered completely. If the radio is
on the sound may be muted for a
brief time due to a new audio
system equalization being loaded.
If the convertible top is operated
multiple times, the engine should
be running to prevent drain on the
vehicle's battery. Under certain
conditions, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) may display a
message regarding the power
convertible top. See
Convertible
Top Messages on page 5‑37 for
more information. Raising the Power Convertible Top
Notice:
If you raise or lower
the convertible top while the
vehicle is in motion, you could
damage the top or the top
mechanism. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty.
Always put an automatic
transmission in (P) Park
or a manual transmission
in (N) Neutral before raising or
lowering the convertible top.
1. Park on a level surface. Start the engine. Shift an automatic
transmission into P (Park) and
set the parking brake. Shift
a manual transmission into
N (Neutral) and set the parking
brake.
2. Make sure the trunk lid is closed and the rear trunk partition in
the rear storage area is in the
fastened upright position, and
that no objects are forward of
the divider. See “Rear Trunk
Partition” underRear Storage on
page 4‑1.
Page 62 of 428

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
2-30 Keys, Doors and Windows
3. Push and hold the top of thepower convertible top button.
The top will raise and the
windows will lower if they were
in the raised position. A chime
will sound when the top is raised
completely.
4. After the convertible top is completely raised, release the
power convertible top button.
5. Pull the convertible fronttop latch down and turn it
counterclockwise to lock
the convertible top. If the radio is on the sound may be
muted for a brief time due to a new
audio system equalization being
loaded.
If the vehicle has lost power, the
convertible top can still be raised
by releasing pressure on the
hydraulic pump, located under the
passenger's side of the tonneau
cover, by using the following steps.
The carpet liner on the passenger's
side must be pulled back to access
the hydraulic pump.
Never attempt to open or close
the power top manually without
releasing pressure first.
Manual operation of the power
convertible top cannot be attempted
for five minutes from the last time
the convertible top button was
pressed if the top is not completely
stowed, with the top down and the
tonneau latched, or closed, with the
front top latch locked in place, at the
time the convertible top button was
released.
1. Open the tonneau cover by
pulling the emergency release
cable.
The tonneau cover emergency
release cable is located behind
the passenger's seat head
restraint, on the underside
forward edge of the tonneau
cover. Also, see Hatch on
page 2‑10 for information on the
emergency trunk release handle.
Page 63 of 428

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-31
Be careful when opening
the tonneau cover by hand.
If the tonneau cover is opened
quickly, damage can occur to the
hinging mechanism, which can
prevent proper operation of the
convertible top.
2. Pull back the carpet liner on the passenger's side to access the
hydraulic pump.
3. Locate the pressure releasebolt on the front side of the
hydraulic pump. 4. Use the wrench, located in the
console, and turn the pressure
release bolt counterclockwise
one revolution, to relieve
pressure to the hydraulic pump.
This will allow you to manually
raise the convertible top.
5. Then follow the steps under raising the manual convertible
top. See “Manual Operation”
or “Power Operation” in this
section.
When power is restored to the
vehicle, the hydraulic bolt must be
tightened, by turning it clockwise.
The power convertible top button
can then be used to lower or raise
the convertible top. If the power convertible top is
operated multiple times, the engine
should be running to prevent
drain on the vehicle's battery.
Under certain conditions, the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
may display a message regarding
the power top. See
Convertible Top
Messages on page 5‑37 for more
information.
If the battery has been
disconnected, the power windows
must be initialized for the power top
to operate. See Power Windows on
page 2‑17 for more information.
Page 64 of 428

Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
2-32 Keys, Doors and Windows
Cleaning the Convertible Top
The vehicle's convertible top should
be cleaned often. However, high
pressure car washes may cause
water to enter your vehicle.
When you hand wash the top, do it
in partial shade. Use a mild soap,
lukewarm water and a soft sponge.
A chamois or cloth may leave lint on
the top, and a brush can chafe the
threads in the top fabric. Do not use
detergents, harsh cleaners, solvents
or bleaching agents.Wet the entire vehicle and wash the
top evenly to avoid spots or rings.
Let the soap remain on the fabric
for a few minutes. When the top is
really dirty, use a mild foam-type
cleaner. Thoroughly rinse the entire
vehicle, then let the top dry in direct
sunlight.
To protect the convertible top:
.After you wash the vehicle,
make sure the top is completely
dry before you lower it.
.Do not get any cleaner on the
vehicle's painted finish; it could
leave streaks.
.If you decide to go through an
automatic car wash, ask the
manager if the equipment could
damage your top.