Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Chevrolet Corvette Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-2 Instruments and Controls
. . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-55
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-64
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7 Driving and Operating
. . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-18
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-28
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-36
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-54
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-58
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-82
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer
to the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-3
A.Air Vents on page 8‑6.
B. Head-Up Display (HUD) on
page 5‑31 (If Equipped).
C. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals (Auto Signal) on
page 6‑4.
Cruise Control on page 9‑44.
Fog Lamps on page 6‑5.
Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
D. Manual Shift Paddles (If Equipped). See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑28.
E. Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑25.
F. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑9.
G. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑4.
H. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑25.
I. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑4. J.
AM-FM Radio on page 7‑5.
K. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1.
L. Fuel Door Release Button. See Filling the Tank on page 9‑51.
Hatch/Trunk Release Button.
See “Hatch/Trunk Lid Release”
under Hatch on page 2‑10.
M. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑5.
N. Data Link Connector (DLC). See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 5‑18.
O. Power Folding Top Switch (If Equipped). See Convertible
Top on page 2‑22.
P. Bluetooth on page 7‑18
(If Equipped).
Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑3 (If Equipped).
Q. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
R. Horn on page 5‑4. S. Telescopic Wheel Button
(If Equipped). See Steering
Wheel Adjustment on page 5‑2.
T. Ignition Positions on page 9‑20.
U. Heated Front Seats on page 3‑8
(If Equipped).
V. Shift Lever (Automatic Shown). See Automatic Transmission on
page 9‑28 orManual
Transmission on page 9‑32.
W. Active Handling System on
page 9‑37.
X. Power Outlets on page 5‑6.
Y. Selective Ride Control on
page 9‑42.
Z. Cupholders on page 4‑1.
AA. Ashtrays on page 5‑8.
Cigarette Lighter on page 5‑7.
AB. Parking Brake on page 9‑35.
AC. Glove Box on page 4‑1.
AD. Instrument Panel Fuse Block on
page 10‑55.
Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-9
Storing Memory Positions
To save into memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat, bothoutside mirrors, and the
telescopic steering column.
2. Press and hold “1”until
two beeps sound.
3. Repeat for a second driver position using “2.”
To recall a memory position:
.On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, press and release
“1” or“2.”
If the vehicle is in P (Park), a
single beep sounds and the
memory position is recalled after
a brief delay.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park),
three beeps sound and the
memory position is not recalled.
.On vehicles with a manual
transmission, when the vehicle
is on, the parking brake must be
set to recall a memory position.
Press and release “1”or“2.”
A single beep sounds and the
memory position is recalled after
a brief delay.
If the vehicle is on and the
parking brake is not set,
three beeps sound and the
memory position is not recalled.
See “Memory Seat, Mirrors, and
Steering Wheel” underPower Seat
Adjustment on page 3‑3 for more
information.
Easy Exit Driver Seat
The easy exit driver seat feature
can move the seat rearward and the
telescopic steering column out of
the way to allow extra room to exit
the vehicle.
B: Press to save and recall the
easy exit seat position. To save into memory:
1. Recall the desired driving
position by pressing “1.”
2. Adjust the seat and the telescopic steering column
to the desired exit position.
3. Press and hold Buntil
two beeps sound.
4. Repeat for a second driver position using “2.”
To recall an exit position, press
and release B. The vehicle must
be in P (Park) for an automatic
transmission or the parking
brake must be set for a manual
transmission. A single beep sounds.
The seat and telescopic steering
column will move to the position
previously stored for the identified
driver.
See “Memory Seat, Mirrors, and
Steering Wheel” underPower Seat
Adjustment on page 3‑3 for more
information.
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 (23,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-23
Car Wash Guidelines
Automatic car washes are not
recommended for this vehicle.
Some car washes cause damage
to the vehicle, the wheels, and the
convertible top, if the vehicle is so
equipped.
If you drive the vehicle through an
automatic car wash that does not
have enough clearance for the
undercarriage and/or wide rear tires
and wheels, you could damage the
vehicle. Verify with the manager of
the car wash that the vehicle will fit
before entering the car wash or use
a touchless car wash. See“Washing
Your Vehicle” underExterior Care
on page 10‑86.Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle
use and displays a DIC message
when it is necessary to change the
engine oil and filter. The oil life
system should be reset to 100%
only following an oil change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Press the TRIP button so the OIL LIFE percentage is
displayed.
2. Press RESET and hold for two seconds. OIL LIFE
REMAINING 100% will appear.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑22.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving
tips to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control, if equipped.
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
2-4 Keys, Doors and Windows
Keyless Locking
The doors lock after
several seconds if all doors
are closed and at least one
keyless access transmitter
has been removed from the
interior of the vehicle. To customize
whether the doors automatically
lock when exiting the vehicle,
see“Passive Door Locking”
under Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑55 for additional information.
Keyless Trunk Opening
Press the hatch/trunk release
button located on the rear of
the hatch/trunk lid above the
license plate to open the trunk
if the keyless access transmitter
is within range. See Hatch on
page 2‑10 for additional information. There are other conditions that
can affect the performance of the
transmitter. See
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2‑3.
This vehicle comes with two
transmitters.
Q(Lock): Press once to lock the
doors. When
Qis pressed twice,
the lights flash and the horn sounds
to confirm locking.
K(Unlock): Press once to unlock
only the driver door. Press
Ktwice
within five seconds to unlock both
doors. The interior lamps may
come on.
Pressing
Kalso recalls the memory
settings. See “Memory Seat, Mirrors
and Steering Wheel” underPower
Seat Adjustment on page 3‑3 for
more information.
}(Hatch/Trunk): Press and
hold for about one second to
unlock the hatch/trunk. If the
engine is running, the shift lever
must be in P (Park) for an automatic
transmission. For a manual
transmission, the shift lever must
be in NEUTRAL with the parking
brake set.
Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-7
13. A beep sounds onceprogramming in complete.
The DIC displays READY
FOR FOB #2.
To program additional
transmitters, take transmitter 1
out of the transmitter pocket
and place transmitter 2 in
the pocket. Up to four
transmitters can be
programmed. The DIC then
displays MAXIMUM NUMBER
OF FOBS LEARNED and exits
the programming mode.
Press Acc. on the ignition
switch to complete the process.
14. Press Acc. on the ignition switch if programming is
complete.
15. Press
Kon each newly
programmed transmitter to
complete the process.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
If the transmitter battery is weak,
the DIC may display NO FOBS
DETECTED when trying to start the
vehicle. To start the vehicle, place
the transmitter in the glove box
transmitter pocket with the buttons
facing the passenger side. Then,
with the vehicle in P (Park) for an
automatic transmission, press the
brake pedal and
/. If the vehicle
has a manual transmission, press
the clutch and
/. Replace the
transmitter battery as soon as
possible. Change the transmitter
battery if the DIC displays
FOB BATTERY LOW.
Battery Replacement
Notice: When replacing the
battery, do not touch any of
the circuitry on the transmitter.
Static from your body could
damage the transmitter.
1. Separate the transmitter with a
flat, thin object inserted into the
slot on the side or back of the
transmitter.
2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.
3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
4. Reassemble the transmitter.