2011 CHEVROLET CORVETTE TPMS

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
1-22 In Brief
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS warning light alerts you
to a significant loss in pressure of
one of the vehicle's tires. If the
warning light comes on, stop as
soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeVehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑14. The warning
light will remain on until the tire
pressure is corrected.
During cooler conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light may appear
when the vehicle is first started and
then turn off. This may be an early indicator that the tire pressures are
getting low and the tires need to be
inflated to the proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. It is the
driver
’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 10‑68.Z06, Z16, and ZR1
Features
Checking Engine Oil
ZO6, ZR1, and manual transmission
Z16 (Grand Sport) coupe models
have a high performance dry sump
lubrication system. This system
operates differently than a standard
engine lubrication system.
See Engine Oil on page 10‑15.
You should check the oil level
only after the engine has been
thoroughly warmed up and then
shut off for at least five minutes.
This ensures that the oil level
reading obtained will be accurate. Jump Starting the Battery
The battery of ZO6, ZR1, and
manual transmission Z16 (Grand
Sport) coupe models is in the rear
of the vehicle. You do not need to
access the battery for jump starting.
There are remote positive (+) and
negative (−) terminals under the
hood for this purpose. See
Battery
on page 10‑43 andJump Starting
on page 10‑82.
Brake Noise
Under certain weather or operating
conditions, occasional brake noise
might be heard with the vehicle's
performance braking system.
This brake system is designed
for superior fade resistance and
consistent operation using high
performance brake pads. Brake
noise is normal and does not affect
system performance. See Braking
on page 9‑3.

Black plate (52,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
5-52 Instruments and Controls
SeeRun-Flat Tires on page 10‑59,
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑14,
Tire Pressure on page 10‑66, and
Tire Pressure Monitor System on
page 10‑68. The DIC also shows
the tire pressure values. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑25.
To acknowledge the message, press
the RESET button. A message
reappears every 10 minutes until the
condition is corrected.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
This message displays if a part
on the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) is not working
properly. The tire pressure light
also flashes and then remains
on during the same ignition cycle.
See Tire Pressure Light on
page 5‑24. Several conditions may
cause this message to appear. See
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 10‑69 for more information.
If the warning comes on and stays
on, there may be a problem with the
TPMS. See your dealer.
TIRE FLAT
{WARNING
When the LOW TIRE
PRESSURE or TIRE FLAT
message is displayed on the
Driver Information Center, your
vehicle's handling capabilities
will be reduced during severe
maneuvers. If you drive too fast,
you could lose control of your
vehicle. You or others could be
injured. Do not drive over 55 mph
(90 km/h) when the LOW TIRE
PRESSURE or TIRE FLAT
message is displayed. Drive
cautiously and check your tire
pressures as soon as you can. This message displays when
one or more of the tires is flat.
This message also displays LEFT
FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT
REAR, or RIGHT REAR to indicate
which tire is affected. Multiple
chimes sound and the tire pressure
light on the instrument panel cluster
comes on when this message is
displayed. See
Tire Pressure Light
on page 5‑24.
This message is followed by
the MAXIMUM SPEED 90 km/h
(55 MPH) message, and then by the
REDUCED HANDLING message.
The Active Handling System will
intervene more quickly when a flat
tire has been detected. Adjust your
driving accordingly.

Black plate (59,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-59
Winter Tires
If you expect to drive on snow or ice
covered roads often, you may want
to get winter tires for your vehicle.
All season tires provide good overall
performance on most surfaces but
they may not offer the traction you
would like or the same level of
performance as winter tires on
snow or ice covered roads.
Winter tires, in general, are
designed for increased traction
on snow and ice covered roads.
With winter tires, there may be
decreased dry road traction,
increased road noise, and shorter
tread life. After switching to winter
tires, be alert for changes in
vehicle handling and braking.
See your dealer for details
regarding winter tire availability
and proper tire selection. Also, see
Buying New Tires on page 10‑73.If you choose to use winter tires:.Use tires of the same brand and
tread type on all four wheel
positions.
.Use only radial ply tires of the
same size, load range, and
speed rating as the original
equipment tires.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as your original equipment
tires may not be available for H, V,
W, Y, and ZR speed rated tires.
If you choose winter tires with a
lower speed rating, never exceed
the tire's maximum speed capability.
Run-Flat Tires
This vehicle, when new, had run-flat
tires. There is no spare tire, no tire
changing equipment, and no place
to store a tire in the vehicle. Run-flat
tires perform so well without any air
that a Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) is used to alert you if a tire
has lost pressure.
{WARNING
When the low tire warning light is
displayed on the instrument panel
cluster, your vehicle's handling
capabilities will be reduced during
severe maneuvers. If you drive
too fast, you could lose control
of your vehicle. You or others
could be injured. Do not drive
over 55 mph (90 km/h) when the
low tire warning light is displayed.
Drive cautiously and check your
tire pressures as soon as
you can.
If a tire goes flat, you will not
need to stop on the side of the
road to change the tire. You can
keep driving, however, if driven
too far or too fast, the tire may
be permanently damaged and
you might not be able to continue
driving on the tire. The tire can
be driven with no air pressure for
up to 105 km (65 miles) at speeds
slower than 90 km/h (55 mph).

Black plate (60,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
10-60 Vehicle Care
The shorter the distance you drive
and the slower the speed, the
greater the chance that the tire will
not have to be replaced. As soon
as possible, contact the nearest
authorized GM or run-flat servicing
facility for inspection and repair or
replacement. When a tire is filled
with air, it provides a cushion
between the road and the wheel.
Because you will not have this
cushion when driving on a deflated
run-flat tire, try to avoid potholes
and other road hazards that could
damage the tire and/or wheel
beyond repair. When a tire has been
damaged, or if you have driven any
distance on a run-flat tire, check
with an authorized run-flat tire
service center to determine whether
the tire can be repaired or should be
replaced. To maintain your vehicle's
run-flat feature, all replacement tires
must be run-flat tires.To locate the nearest GM or run-flat
servicing facility, call Roadside
Assistance. For phone numbers
and Roadside Service details see
Roadside Assistance Program
(United States and Canada) on
page 13‑8
orRoadside Assistance
Program (Mexico) on page 13‑10.
The valve stems on your run-flat
tires have sensors that are part of
the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS). See Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 10‑68. These
sensors contain batteries which are
designed to last for 10 years under
normal driving conditions. See your
dealer if you ever need to have a
wheel replaced, or if the sensors
ever need replacement. Notice:
Using liquid sealants
can damage the tire valves and
tire pressure monitor sensors
in the vehicle's run-flat tires.
This damage would not be
covered by warranty. Do not use
liquid sealants in the vehicle's
run-flat tires.
Low-Profile Tires
Low‐Profile Performance Tire
The original equipment tires on
your vehicle are classified as
low‐profile performance tires.
These tires are designed for
very responsive driving on wet
or dry pavement. You may also
notice more road noise with
low‐profile tires and that they
tend to wear faster.

Black plate (68,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
10-68 Vehicle Care
Example:
You will find the maximum load and
inflation pressure molded on the
tire's sidewall, in small letters,
near the rim flange. It will read
something like this: Maximum load
690 kg (1521 lbs) 300 kPa (44 psi)
Max. Press.
For this example, you would set the
inflation pressure for high‐speed
driving at 38 psi (265 kPa).
Racing or other competitive driving
may affect the warranty coverage
of your vehicle. See your warranty
booklet for more information.Tire Pressure Monitor
System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure
levels. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in your tires and
transmit tire pressure readings to a
receiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare
(if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly
under‐inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure. Driving on
a significantly under‐inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under‐inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the
vehicle's handling and stopping
ability.

Black plate (69,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-69
Please note that the TPMS is
not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct
tire pressure, even if under‐inflation
has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure
telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start‐ups as
long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMSmalfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 10‑69 for
additional information.
Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and
Industry Canada
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑19 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn the
driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors
are mounted onto each tire and
wheel assembly on your vehicle.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air
pressure in the vehicle's tires and
transmits the tire pressure readings
to a receiver located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure
condition is detected, the
TPMS illuminates the low tire
pressure warning light, located
in the instrument panel cluster.

Black plate (70,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
10-70 Vehicle Care
If the warning light comes on, stop
as soon as possible and inflate
the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the tire loading
information label. SeeVehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑14.
At the same time a message to
check the pressure in a specific tire
appears on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) display. The low tire
pressure warning light and the DIC
warning message appear at each
ignition cycle until the tires are
inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed by
the driver. For additional information
and details about the DIC operation
and displays see Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑25 andTire
Messages on page 5‑51. The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as you start to drive. This
could be an early indicator that the
air pressure in the tire(s) are getting
low and need to be inflated to the
proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information
label, attached to your vehicle,
shows the size of your vehicle's
original equipment tires and the
correct inflation pressure for your
vehicle's tires when they are cold.
See
Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑14, for an example of the
Tire and Loading Information label
and its location on your vehicle.
Also see Tire Pressure on
page 10‑66 for additional
information. Your vehicle's TPMS can warn you
about a low tire pressure condition
but it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. See
Tire Inspection
on page 10‑72, Tire Rotation on
page 10‑72, When It Is Time for
New Tires on page 10‑72, and Tires
on page 10‑58.
Notice: Tire sealant materials are
not all the same. A non-approved
tire sealant could damage the Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
sensors. TPMS sensor damage
caused by using an incorrect tire
sealant is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use only
the GM approved tire sealant
available through your dealer
or included in the vehicle.

Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-71
TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the
low tire warning light flashes for
about one minute and then stays
on for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. A DIC warning message is
also displayed. The low tire warning
light and DIC warning message
come on at each ignition cycle until
the problem is corrected. Some of
the conditions that can cause the
malfunction light and DIC message
to come on are:
.The TPMS sensor matching
process was not done or not
completed successfully. The DIC
message should go off after
successfully completing the
sensor matching process.
.One or more TPMS sensors
are missing or damaged. Under
these conditions the TPMS
malfunction light (low tire
warning light) comes on, and at
the same time the DIC message
is displayed. The DIC message
and TPMS malfunction light
should go off once the TPMS
sensors are installed and the
sensor matching process is
performed successfully.
.Replacement tires or wheels do
not match your vehicle's original
equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those
recommended for your vehicle
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. SeeBuying
New Tires on page 10‑73.
.Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction. If the TPMS is not functioning it
cannot detect or signal a low tire
condition. See your dealer for
service if the TPMS malfunction
light and DIC message comes on
and stays on.
TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. Any time you
replace one or more of the TPMS
sensors or rotate your vehicle's
tires, the identification codes will
need to be matched to the new
tire/wheel position. The sensors
are matched to the tire/wheel
positions in the following order:
driver side front tire, passenger side
front tire, passenger side rear tire,
and driver side rear tire using a
TPMS diagnostic tool. See your
dealer for service.