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 (13,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-13
Arming the System
To arm the system:
.PressQon the keyless access
transmitter.
.Open the door and lock the
door with the power door lock
switch. The security light should
flash. Remove the keyless
access transmitter from inside
the vehicle and close the door.
The security light stops flashing
and stays on. After 30 seconds,
the light should turn off.
The vehicle can be programmed
to automatically lock the doors
and arm the theft-deterrent
system when you exit the
vehicle. See Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑55.
If a door or the hatch/trunk is
opened without using the keyless
access transmitter, the alarm
goes off. The horn sounds for
two minutes, then goes off to save battery power. The vehicle will not
start without a keyless access
transmitter present.
The theft-deterrent system does not
arm if the driver door is locked with
the power door lock switch after the
doors are closed.
If the keyless access transmitter is
removed from the vehicle while a
passenger is in it, have them lock
the doors after they are closed.
The alarm will not arm, so the
passenger will not set it off.
Testing the Alarm
To test the system:
1. Make sure the trunk lid/hatch is
latched.
2. Lower the window on the driver door.
3. Manually arm the system.
4. Close the doors and wait 30 seconds. 5. Reach through the open window
and manually pull the release
lever on the floor.
6. Press the unlock button on the transmitter to turn off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound, check
to see if the horn works. The horn
fuse may be blown. See Fuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 10‑51.
If the horn works, but the alarm
does not go off, see your dealer.
Disarming the System
Press the unlock button on the
keyless access transmitter or
squeeze the door handle sensor
while the transmitter is near the
vehicle to unlock a door. Unlocking
a door any other way sets off the
alarm. If the alarm sounds, press
the unlock button on the keyless
access transmitter to disarm it.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
3-4 Seats and Restraints
Storing Memory Positions
To save into memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat, bothoutside mirrors, and the
telescopic steering column,
if equipped.
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.
Memory Remote Recall
(Automatic Transmission)
The memory feature can recall
the driver seat, outside mirrors,
and telescopic steering column,
if equipped, to stored positions
when entering the vehicle.
To activate memory remote recall,
enter the vehicle and start the
engine. The driver seat, outside
mirrors, and telescopic steering
column will move to the memory
position associated with the
transmitter used to unlock the
vehicle. The automatic recall feature can be
turned on or off using the vehicle
personalization menu. See
“Auto
Memory Recall” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑55 for
more information.
To stop recall movement, press one
of the power seat controls, power
mirror or memory buttons, or the
telescopic steering column switch.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling a memory
position, the recall may stop.
Remove the obstruction; then
press and hold the appropriate
manual control for the memory item
that is not recalling for two seconds.
Try recalling the memory position
again by pressing the appropriate
memory button. If the memory
position is still not recalling,
see your dealer for service.
Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
3-6 Seats and Restraints
Lumbar Adjustment
Power Lumbar and Side
Bolsters
On vehicles with power lumbar and
side bolsters, the controls are on the
outboard side of the seat.
To adjust the support:
.Move (A) forward or rearward to
adjust lumbar support.
.Move (B) up or down to adjust
the side bolsters.
Reclining Seatbacks
{WARNING
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
{WARNING
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.The seats have manual reclining
seatbacks. The lever used to
operate them is on the outboard
side of the seats.
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the lever.
2. Move the seatback to the
desired position, and then
release the lever to lock the
seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-5
Heavy snow or ice can overload
the wipers. If this occurs, a circuit
breaker will stop the wipers until the
motor cools. Clear all ice and snow
from the wiper blades before using
them. If frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen them or thaw them.
Damaged wiper blades should
be replaced. SeeWiper Blade
Replacement on page 10‑46.
Windshield Washer
The lever on the right side of the
steering column also controls the
windshield washer. There is a
button at the end of the lever.
To spray washer fluid on the
windshield, press the button and
hold it. The washer will spray until
you release the button. The wipers
will continue to clear the window for
about six seconds after the button
is released and then stop or return
to your preset speed.
{WARNING
In freezing weather, do not
use your washer until the
windshield is warmed. Otherwise
the washer fluid can form ice on
the windshield, blocking your
vision.
If the fluid in the windshield washer
fluid reservoir is low, the message
CHECK WASHER FLUID will
appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) display. It will take
15 seconds after the bottle is
refilled for this message to turn
off. For information on the correct
washer fluid to use, see Washer
Fluid on page 10‑37 and
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6.
Compass
Compass Operation
With the compass feature on, each
time the vehicle is started, the
compass will take a few seconds
to adjust and display the current
compass heading. For example,
NE is displayed for north-east.
Compass Calibration
PressPonce to turn the compass
display on or off.
If after several seconds the display
does not show a compass heading,
there may be a strong magnetic
field interfering with the compass.
Interference can be caused by a
magnetic antenna mount, note
pad holder or similar object. If the
letter C or CAL appears in the
compass window, the compass
needs calibration.
Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-19
Notice:If the vehicle is
continually driven with this
light on, after a while, the
emission controls might not
work as well, the vehicle fuel
economy might not be as good,
and the engine might not run
as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Notice: Modifications made to
the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of the vehicle or the replacement
of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can
affect the vehicle's emission
controls and can cause this light
to come on. Modifications to
these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. This
could also result in a failure
to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
See Accessories and
Modifications on page 10‑4. This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:
A misfire condition
has been detected. A misfire
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard accelerations.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
If the light continues to flash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle.
Find a safe place to park the
vehicle. Turn off the vehicle, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps and see
your dealer for service as soon as
possible. Light On Steady:
An emission
control system malfunction has
been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be
required.
An emission system malfunction
might be corrected by doing the
following:
.Make sure the fuel cap is fully
installed. See Filling the Tank on
page 9‑51. The diagnostic
system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn
the light off.
.If the vehicle has been driven
through a deep puddle of water,
the vehicle's electrical system
might be wet. The condition
is usually corrected when the
electrical system dries out.
A few driving trips should turn
the light off.
Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-21
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle brake system
consists of two hydraulic circuits.
If one circuit is not working, the
remaining circuit can still work to
stop the vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working.
EnglishMetric
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not
come on, have it fixed so it is ready
to warn if there is a problem.
{WARNING
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
If this warning light stays on after
the engine is started, the parking
brake may still be set or there
could be a brake problem. Refer
to Parking Brake on page 9‑35 to
see if it is set. If the parking brake
is not set, have the brake system
inspected right away. If the light comes on while driving
and a CHECK BRAKE FLUID
message shows on the DIC, pull
off the road and stop carefully.
The pedal may be harder to push
or the pedal may go closer to the
floor. It may take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See
Towing the Vehicle on page 10‑86
and
Brake System Messages on
page 5‑36 for more information.