Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-24 In Brief
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 theOIL 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 10‑19.
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.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Premium Fuel
This vehicle's engine was designed
to use premium unleaded gasoline.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑48.
Battery
This vehicle has a maintenance free
battery. See Battery on page 10‑40
and Jump Starting on page 10‑78.
For Z06, ZR1, and manual
transmission Z16 (Grand Sport)
coupe models the battery is
located in the rear hatch/trunk
area. Access to the battery is
not necessary to jump start the
vehicle. There are positive (+) and
negative (−) terminals in the engine
compartment.
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-5
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
The vehicle can be reprogrammed
so that lost or stolen transmitters
no longer work. Each vehicle can
have up to four transmitters
programmed to it.
Programming with a Recognized
Transmitter
A new transmitter can be
programmed to the vehicle when
there is one recognized transmitter.
For vehicles sold in Canada, two
recognized transmitters are required
to program a new transmitter.
1. The vehicle must be off.
2. Both the recognized and newtransmitters must be with you. 3. Insert the vehicle key into the
key cylinder located above the
license plate.
4. Open the hatch/trunk.
5. Turn the key five times within five seconds.
6. The DIC displays READY FOR FOB #2, 3 or 4.
7. Place the new transmitter inthe glove box transmitter pocket
with the buttons facing the
passenger side. 8. A beep sounds when
programming is complete.
The DIC displays READY FOR
#3 or 4, or MAXIMUM NUMBER
OF FOBS LEARNED.
9. To program additional transmitters, repeat Step 7.
Press Acc. on the ignition switch
if programming is complete.
10. Press
Kon each newly
programmed transmitter to
complete the process.
Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
2-6 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Programming without a
Recognized Transmitter
This procedure requires three
10-minute cycles to complete the
programming process. United
States owners are permitted to
program a new transmitter to
their vehicle when a recognized
transmitter is not available.
The Canadian immobilizer
standard requires that Canadian
owners see their dealer for
programming new transmitters
when two recognized transmitters
are not available.1. The vehicle must be off.
2. Place the new transmitter in
the glove box transmitter pocket
with the buttons facing the
passenger side.
3. Insert the vehicle key into the key cylinder located above the
license plate.
4. Open the hatch/trunk. 5. Turn the key five times within
five seconds.
6. The DIC message displays OFF-ACCESSORY TO
LEARN.
7. Press Acc. on the ignition switch.
8. The DIC reads WAIT 10 MINUTES and counts
down to zero.
9. The DIC displays OFF-ACCESSORY TO
LEARN again.
10. Press Acc. on the ignition switch.
11. Steps 8, 9, and 10 will be repeated two more times.
12. A beep sounds and the DIC reads READY FOR FOB #1.
All previously known
transmitter programming has
been erased.
Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
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.
Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
2-30 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Lowering the Power
Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface.Start the engine. Shift an
automatic transmission into
P (Park) and set the parking
brake. Shift a manual
transmission into Neutral, and
set the parking brake.
2. Make sure the trunk is closed, the rear trunk partition in the rear
storage area is in the fastened
upright position, and no objects
are forward of the divider.
See “Rear Trunk Partition” under
Rear Storage on page 4‑1.
3. Release the convertible top front latch, located above
the inside rearview mirror, by pulling and turning it
clockwise. Push upward on the
front edge. The windows will
automatically lower.
4. Return the convertible top front latch to the closed position.
5. Push and holdªon the
convertible top switch. The convertible top will lower into
the rear of the vehicle. A chime will
sound when the convertible top has
lowered completely. If the radio is
on, the sound may be muted for a
brief time due to a new audio
system equalization being loaded.
If the convertible top is operated
multiple times, the engine should be
running to prevent drain on the
vehicle's battery. Under certain
conditions, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) may display a
message regarding the convertible
top. See
Convertible Top Messages
on page 5‑37 for more information.
Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
2-32 Keys, Doors, and Windows
1. Open the tonneau cover bypulling the manual release
cable.
The tonneau cover manual
release cable is located behind
the passenger seat head
restraint, on the underside
forward edge of the tonneau
cover.
Be careful when opening the
tonneau cover by hand. If the
tonneau cover is opened
quickly, damage can occur to
the hinging mechanism, which
can prevent proper operation of
the convertible top. 2. Pull back the carpet liner on
the passenger side to access
the hydraulic pump.
3. Locate the pressure release
bolt on the front side of the
hydraulic pump.
4. Use the wrench, located in the center console, and turn
the pressure release bolt
counterclockwise one revolution,
to relieve pressure to the
hydraulic pump. This will allow
the manual raising of the
convertible top. 5. Then follow the steps under
raising the manual convertible
top. See “Manual Operation” or
“Power Operation” in this
section.
When power is restored to the
vehicle, the hydraulic bolt must be
tightened, by turning it clockwise.
The convertible top switch can
then be used to lower or raise the
convertible top.
If the convertible top is operated
multiple times, the engine should be
running to prevent drain on the
vehicle's battery. Under certain
conditions, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) may display a
message regarding the convertible
top. See Convertible Top Messages
on page 5‑37 for more information.
If the battery has been
disconnected, the power windows
must be initialized for the power
convertible top to operate. See
Power Windows on page 2‑18 for
more information.
Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
4-2 Storage
Rear Trunk Partition
For vehicles with the power
convertible top option only, there is
a trunk partition to keep cargo from
getting in the way of the convertible
top. The trunk partition must be in
place for the convertible top to
move. If the trunk partition is not
properly in place, a message will
display. SeeConvertible Top
Messages on page 5‑37 for more
information.
The trunk partition is a flat carpeted
board with a horizontal flap that can
be attached to the top of the trunk to
divide the storage compartment.
It can be stored flat when not in use.
Pull the divider up and snap it onto
place on both sides of the trunk.
Center Console Storage
To use this storage area, pull the
cover up on the driver side front
edge of the center console and
swing it to the passenger side.
Some vehicles might also have
input jacks for auxiliary audio
devices. See Auxiliary Devices on
page 7‑16.
Additional Storage
Features
Cargo Cover
For vehicles with this feature, the
security shade can provide hidden
storage in the rear area of the
vehicle. The shade is also helpful
in blocking the glare from the
removable roof when it is stored in
the rear compartment.
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-3
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-4
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12 Boost Gauge (ZR1) . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-17
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-17
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
One-to-Four Shift Light (Manual Transmission) . . . . . 5-22
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
StabiliTrak®OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-23
Active Handling System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-25
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . 5-31
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Battery Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . 5-35
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-36
Convertible Top Messages . . . 5-37
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-38
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-40
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-41
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-41
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-42
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Safety Belt Messages . . . . . . . 5-48
Anti-theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49