2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 lock

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-25
See if you can move the shift lever
away from P (Park) without first
pushing the button on the lever.
If you can, it means that the shift
lever was not fully locked into
P (Park).
Torque Lock
(Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you
do not shift the transmission into
P (Park) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may find it
difficult to pull the shift lever out of
P (Park). This is called“torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the
parking brake and then shift into
P (Park) properly before you leave
the driver seat. To find out how, see
“Shifting Into P (Park)” previously in
this section. When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of P (Park) before
you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may
need to have another vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the transmission
parking pawl, so you can pull the
shift lever out of P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
Shift lock release prevents shifting
out of P (Park) unless the vehicle is
running or in accessory mode and
the brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9‐volt) battery. See
Jump Starting
on page 10‑78 for more information. To shift out of P (Park) use the
following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Release the parking brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑36.
3. Press the shift lever button.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out
of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift lever
button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from P (Park), consult your
dealer or a professional towing
service.

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-26 Driving and Operating
Parking (Manual
Transmission)
Before you get out of the vehicle,
move the shift lever into R (Reverse)
and firmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been
placed into R (Reverse) with the
clutch pedal pressed in, you can
turn the ignition off and release the
clutch.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{WARNING
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{WARNING
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation (parking
garages, tunnels, deep snow
that may block underbody
airflow or tail pipes).
.The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or different.
.The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.The vehicle exhaust system
has been modified, damaged
or improperly repaired.
.There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or aftermarket
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle:
.Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-27
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running. But if you ever have
to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation.
For more information, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 9‑26.
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out
of the vehicle if the automatic
transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure
the vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 9‑24.
Automatic
Transmission
There are several different positions
for the shift lever.
P (Park): This position locks the
rear wheels. It is the best position
to use when starting the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-28 Driving and Operating
{WARNING
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 9‑24.
Be sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. You have to fully apply the brakes and then press the shift lever
button before you can shift from
P (Park) when the vehicle is
running. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever and push the shift lever all the
way into P (Park) as you maintain
brake application. Then press the
shift lever button and move the shift
lever into another gear. See
Shifting
out of Park on page 9‑25.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only
after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see
If the Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9‑13. N (Neutral):
In this position, the
engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine when
the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only. If the vehicle needs
towing, see Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑82.
{WARNING
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Notice: Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission.

Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-32 Driving and Operating
Manual Transmission
This is the shift pattern for the
six-speed manual transmission.
Here is how to operate the
transmission:
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal
and shift into 1 (First). Then slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal. You can shift into 1 (First) when
you are going less than 64 km/h
(40 mph). If you come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into
1 (First), put the shift lever in Neutral
and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift
into 1 (First).
2 (Second):
Press the clutch pedal
as you let up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth) and
6 (Sixth): Shift into 3 (Third),
4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth) the
same way you do for 2 (Second).
Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake
pedal, and shift to Neutral. Neutral:
Use this position when
you start or idle the engine.
The shift lever is in Neutral when
it is centered in the shift pattern,
not in any gear.
R (Reverse): To back up, press
down the clutch pedal and shift into
R (Reverse). Just apply pressure to
get the lever past 5 (Fifth) and
6 (Sixth) into R (Reverse). Let up on
the clutch pedal slowly while
pressing the accelerator pedal.
The six-speed manual transmission
has a feature that allows you to
safely shift into R (Reverse) while
the vehicle is rolling at less than
5 km/h (3 mph). You will be
locked out if you try to shift into
R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving faster than 5 km/h (3 mph).

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-35
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on, and it might
even be noticed that the brake
pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 5‑22. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.

Black plate (52,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-52 Driving and Operating
There is also a manual fuel door
release tab. It is located against the
upper trim in the rear compartment
on the driver side of the vehicle.
Pull the tab to release the fuel door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it
slowly counterclockwise.
While refueling, let the cap hang by
the tether below the fuel fill opening.
{WARNING
Fuel can spray out on you if you
open the fuel cap too quickly.
If you spill fuel and then
something ignites it, you could be
badly burned. This spray can
happen if the tank is nearly full,
and is more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly and
wait for any hiss noise to stop.
Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not
top off or overfill the tank and wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible.
See Exterior Care on page 10‑82. When replacing the fuel cap,
turn it clockwise until it clicks.
Make sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed.
This would allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere.
See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑19.
The CHECK GAS CAP message
displays on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) if the fuel cap is not
properly installed. See Fuel System
Messages on page 5‑41 for more
information.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Lifting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-22
Cooling System (Engine) . . . 10-25
Cooling System
(Intercooler) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-30
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-32
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-41
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-42
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Windshield Replacement . . . 10-43
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57