2011 CHEVROLET CORVETTE engine

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-7
Racing or Other
Competitive Driving
Racing or competitive driving
may affect the vehicle warranty.
See the warranty book before
using the vehicle for racing or
other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use the vehicle
for racing or other competitive
driving, the engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use.
Low oil levels can damage the
engine. For information on how
to add oil, see Engine Oil on
page 10‑15.
Z06, ZR1, and Grand Sport Only:
Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other
competitive driving and keep the
level at or near the upper mark
that shows the proper operating
range on the engine oil dipstick. Except Z06, ZR1, and Grand
Sport: Be sure to check the oil
level often during racing or other
competitive driving and keep the
level at or near 1 L (1 quart) above
the upper mark that shows the
proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. After the
competitive driving, remove
excess oil so that the level on
the dipstick is not above the
upper mark that shows the
proper operating range.
Z06, ZR1, and Grand Sport
Only: For racing or competitive
driving, it is recommended that
the brake fluid be replaced with a
high performance brake fluid that
has a dry boiling point greater than
279°C (534°F). After conversion to
the high performance brake fluid,
follow the brake fluid service
recommendations outlined by the
fluid manufacturer. Do not use
silicone or DOT‐5 brake fluids.Z06, ZR1, and Grand Sport Only:
For racing or competitive driving, it
is recommended that the loading of
the vehicle be limited to the driver
only, with no other cargo, and that
tires be inflated to 180 kPa (26 psi)
for a maximum speed of 230 km/h
(143 mph).
If the vehicle is a Z06, ZR1,
or Grand Sport model, it has
greaseable outer ends on both
of the rear toe‐links. Under
normal use, lubrication should
be performed as described in
the maintenance schedule.
See
Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2 andRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 11‑6.
If using the vehicle for racing,
lubrication should be performed
at the end of each racing day.
See your dealer for lubrication
and make sure any needed
repairs are made at once. Proper
procedures for performing these
services can be found in the service
manual. See Service Publications
Ordering Information on page 13‑15.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
9-8 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle is used for racing or
other competitive driving, the rear
axle fluid temperatures may be
higher than would occur in normal
driving. We recommend that the
rear axle fluid be drained and
refilled with new fluid after every
24 hours of racing or competitive
driving. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑6 for
what fluid to use.
ZR1 Brake Burnish Procedure
Notice: These procedures are
specific to the ZR1 with ceramic
brake rotors. These procedures
should not be run on other
Corvette models as damage
may result.
Notice: The new vehicle break‐in
period should be completed
before performing the brake
burnish procedure or damage
may occur to the powertrain/
engine. See New Vehicle Break-In
on page 9‑18. When performed as instructed,
these procedures will not damage
the brakes. During the burnishing
procedure, the brake pads will
smoke and produce an odor.
The braking force and pedal travel
may increase. After the procedure
is complete, the brake pads may
appear white at the rotor contact.
Street High Performance Brake
Burnishing Procedure
Run this procedure in a safe
manner and in compliance with all
local and state ordinances/laws
regarding motor vehicle operation.
Run this procedure only on dry
pavement.
1. From a stop, accelerate as
rapidly as possible without
activating traction control to
a speed of 97 kph (60 mph).
2. Use enough pedal force to completely stop the vehicle in
4 to 5 seconds. If ABS activates,
braking is too hard. 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2, 5 times.
This should take about
10 minutes.
4. After completing the 50 stops, cool the brakes by driving
for 8 km (5 miles) at 97 kph
(60 mph).
As with all high performance brake
systems, some amount of brake
squeal is normal.
Racing/Track Brake Burnish
Procedure
To prepare the ZR1 brake system
for track events and racing, the
Street High Performance Brake
Burnish as described previously
should be completed.
In addition to completing the Street
High Performance Brake Burnishing
Procedure, the following additional
procedure needs to be completed to
make the ZR1 brake system ready
for track events and racing.
This procedure should only be
run on a track and only on dry
pavement.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
9-10 Driving and Operating
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires on
page 10‑58.
.Turn off cruise control.
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention
to your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find
a safe place to park your vehicle
and rest. Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep interior temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving
—scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{WARNING
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
{WARNING
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will
have to do all the work of slowing
down and they could get so hot
that they would not work well.
You would then have poor braking
or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in
gear when going downhill.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
9-12 Driving and Operating
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program (United States
and Canada) on page 13‑8 or
Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑10. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
Carbon Monoxide (CO) which
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the instrument
panel.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside
the vehicle and set the fan
speed to the highest setting.
See Climate Control System
in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑26.
Snow can trap exhaust gases
under your vehicle. This can
cause deadly CO (Carbon
Monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill
you. You cannot see it or smell it,
so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking the
exhaust.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-13
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm, but
be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine
runs faster than the idle speed.
This keeps the battery charged to
restart the vehicle and to signal for
help with the headlamps. Do this
as little as possible to save fuel.If the Vehicle is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method.
{WARNING
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and
you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat,
causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and
avoid going above 55 km/h
(35 mph) as shown on the
speedometer.
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains on page 10‑80.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around
the front wheels. Turn off any
traction system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a forward
gear, or with a manual transmission,
between 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and
R (Reverse), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few
tries, it might need to be towed out.
If the vehicle does need to be towed
out, see Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑86.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-19
For the first 80 km (500 miles):
.Avoid full throttle starts and
abrupt stops.
.Do not exceed 4,000 rpm.
.Avoid driving at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
including the use of cruise
control.
.Avoid downshifting to brake
or slow the vehicle when the
engine speed will exceed
4000 rpm.
.Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine in high
gear at low speeds. With a
manual transmission, shift to
the next lower gear. This rule
applies at all times, not just
during the break-in period.For the first 2 414 km (1,500 miles):
.Do not participate in track
events, sport driving schools,
or similar activities during the
first 2 414 km (1,500 miles).
.Check engine oil with every
refueling and add if necessary.
Oil and fuel consumption may be
higher than normal during the
first 2 414 km (1,500 miles).
Front Air Dam
The vehicle is equipped with a front
air dam which has minimal ground
clearance.
Vehicles with the ZR-1 package,
or Z‐06 vehicles with RPO ULZ,
also come with a splitter made from
carbon fiber.
{WARNING
ZR‐1s, and Z‐06s with RPO ULZ,
contain parts made from carbon
fiber.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
When damaged, the exposed
edges can be very sharp.
A person could be injured
by these sharp edges. Use
caution when washing the
vehicle, coming in contact with,
or removing damaged carbon
fiber parts. See your dealer for
replacement.
Under normal operation, these
components will occasionally
contact some road surfaces
(speed bumps, driveway
ramps, etc.). This can be heard
inside the vehicle as a scraping
noise. This is normal and does
not indicate a problem.
Use care when approaching bumps
or objects on road surfaces and
avoid them when possible.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
9-20 Driving and Operating
Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an electronic
keyless ignition with a push-button
start.
In order to shift out of P (Park),
the vehicle must be running or in
Acc. mode and the regular brake
pedal must be applied.
/(START):Press this button
while your foot is on the brake for
an automatic transmission, or while
pressing in the clutch for a manual
transmission, to start the engine.
If the vehicle is in OFF or Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) mode, the
keyless access transmitter must
be inside the vehicle to start the
engine.
9Acc. (STOPPING THE ENGINE/
OFF/ACCESSORY): When the
vehicle is stopped with the engine
on, press the button once to turn
the engine off.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags. In an emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady
pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to neutral. This can be done while the vehicle is
moving. After shifting to neutral,
firmly apply the brakes and steer
the vehicle to a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with
an automatic transmission, the
shift lever must be in P (Park)
to turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 9‑35

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-21
When the engine is on or the
vehicle is in accessory power
mode, it is recommended that a
manual transmission be placed
in R (Reverse). An automatic
transmission must be placed in
P (Park). Then press the Acc. button
to turn the engine off and place
the vehicle in RAP. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 9‑21 for more information.
If an automatic vehicle is not
correctly placed in P (Park) a
SHIFT TO PARK message will
display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
For more information, see
Transmission Messages on
page 5‑53.
When the engine is off, press
this button to place the vehicle in
accessory mode. ACCESSORY
MODE ON will display on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
This mode allows you to use things
like the radio and the windshield wipers while the engine is off.
Use accessory mode if you must
have the vehicle in motion while the
engine is off, for example, if the
vehicle is being pushed or towed.
After being in accessory mode for
about 10 minutes, the vehicle will
automatically enter RAP or OFF,
depending on if the doors are
opened or closed.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be
used for up to 10 minutes after the
engine is turned off:
.Audio System
.Power Windows
These features continue to work up
to 10 minutes after the engine is
turned off or until either door is
opened. If a door is opened, the
power windows and audio system
will shut off.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park)
or N (Neutral) for an automatic
transmission. For a manual
transmission the vehicle can be
started in Neutral or any other
gear as long as the clutch pedal is
pressed. To restart a vehicle with a
manual transmission when you are
already moving, use the Neutral
position only. To restart a vehicle
with an automatic transmission
when you are already moving,
use N (Neutral).
Notice: Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
The keyless access transmitter must
be inside the vehicle for the ignition
to work.