2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 engine

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-15
English—Z06 and ZR1 Models
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced. Notice:
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine
oil low can also damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Check the oil level as soon as
possible. Add oil if required,
but if the oil level is within the
operating range and the oil
pressure is still low, have the
vehicle serviced. Always follow
the maintenance schedule for
changing engine oil.
The engine oil pressure gauge
shows the engine oil pressure
in kPa (kilopascals) or psi (pounds
per square inch) when the engine is
running. Oil pressure should be 140 to
550 kPa (20 to 80 psi). In certain
situations such as long, extended
idles on hot days, it could read as
low as 40 kPa (6 psi) and still be
considered normal. Oil pressure
may exceed 689 kPa (100 psi)
when first started or when
accelerating. It may vary with
engine speed, outside temperature
and oil viscosity, but readings above
the shaded area show the normal
operating range. Readings in the
shaded area tell you that the engine
is low on oil, or that you might have
some other oil problem. See
Engine
Oil on page 10‑14.
The engine oil pressure can also
be displayed using the GAGES
button on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑26.

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-16 Instruments and Controls
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge
Metric
English
This gauge shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the gauge
pointer moves into the shaded area,
the engine is too hot.
This means that the engine coolant
has overheated. If the vehicle has
been operating under normal driving
conditions, pull off the road, stop the
vehicle and turn off the engine as
soon as possible.
See Engine Overheating on
page 10‑30 for more information.
Voltmeter Gauge
Base and Z06
The voltmeter shows the voltage
output of the battery. It shows the
voltage output of the charging
system while the engine is running.
The reading changes as the rate of
charge changes (with engine speed,
for example), but if the voltmeter
reads at 9 volts or below, the
instrument panel cluster and other
systems may shut down. The Driver
Information Center (DIC) reads
BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW when
the vehicle is at 10 volts or below.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-17
Have it checked right away.
Driving with the voltmeter reading at
10 volts or below could drain the
battery and disable the vehicle.
Safety Belt Reminders
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, a chime
sounds for several seconds to
remind a driver to fasten the safety
belt, unless the driver safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light comes on and
stays on for several seconds, then
flashes for several more.
This chime and light are repeated if
the driver remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion. If the driver
safety belt is already buckled,
neither the chime nor the light
comes on.
Airbag Readiness Light
The system checks the airbag's
electrical system for possible
malfunctions. If the light stays on,
it indicates there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes
the airbag sensor(s), passenger
sensing system, the pretensioners,
the airbag modules, the wiring, and
the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the
airbag system, seeAirbag System
on page 3‑15.
The airbag readiness light flashes
for a few seconds when the engine
is started. If the light does not come
on then, have it fixed immediately.
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inflate in a
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag
system, an airbag Driver Information
Center (DIC) message can also
come on. See Vehicle Messages on
page 5‑35 for more information.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-19
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors the operation
of the vehicle to ensure emissions
are at acceptable levels, to produce
a cleaner environment. This light
comes on when the vehicle is
placed in Service Only Mode, as a
check to show it is working. If it
does not, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer. SeeIgnition
Positions on page 9‑20 for more
information.
If the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on and stays on while the
engine is running, this indicates that
there is an OBD II problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem is
apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage
to the vehicle. This system assists
the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:
If the vehicle is
continually driven with this light
on, 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 10‑3.
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.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-20 Instruments and Controls
If the light continues to flash, stop
and park the vehicle. Turn the
vehicle off, 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.
The following may correct an
emission system malfunction:
.Check that 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.
.Check that good quality fuel is
used. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and may
cause: stalling after start-up,
stalling when the vehicle is
changed into gear, misfiring,
hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these
conditions occurs, change the
fuel brand used. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑48.
If none of the above have made
the light turn off, your dealer can
check the vehicle. The dealer has
the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any
mechanical or electrical problems
that might have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some local governments may have
programs to inspect the on-vehicle
emission control equipment.
For the inspection, the emission
system test equipment is
connected to the vehicle’s Data
Link Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. See your dealer if assistance
is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
.The malfunction indicator lamp is
on with the engine running, or if
the vehicle is placed in Service
Only Mode and the malfunction
indicator lamp does not come

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-21
on. See your dealer for
assistance in verifying proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp.
.The OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics) system
determines that critical emission
control systems have not been
completely diagnosed. The
vehicle would be considered not
ready for inspection. This can
happen if the 12-volt battery has
recently been replaced or run
down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems during
normal driving. This can take
several days of routine driving.
If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the
inspection for lack of OBD II
system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for
inspection.
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.
MetricEnglish
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 9‑36 to
see if it is set. If the parking brake
is not set, have the brake system
inspected right away.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-22 Instruments and Controls
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. SeeTowing the
Vehicle on page 10‑82 andBrake
System Messages on page 5‑36 for
more information.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light comes on
briefly when the engine is started. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the
ignition off. If the light comes on
while driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition
off. Then start the engine again to
reset the system. If the ABS light
stays on, or comes on again while
driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning
light is not on, the vehicle still has
brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, the vehicle does not
have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes.
See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑21.
One-to-Four Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)
When this light comes on, the
vehicle can only be shifted from
1 (First) to 4 (Fourth) instead of
1 (First) to 2 (Second).
The shift must be completed into
4 (Fourth) to turn off this feature.
This helps the vehicle get the best
possible fuel economy.
After shifting to 4 (Fourth), the
vehicle can be downshifted to a
lower gear.
Notice: Forcing the shift lever
into any gear except 4 (Fourth)
when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT light
comes on may damage the
transmission. Shift only from
1 (First) to 4 (Fourth) when the
light comes on.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-23
This light comes on when:
.The engine coolant temperature
is higher than 76°C (169°F).
.The vehicle is going 24 to
31 km/h (15 to 19 mph).
.The vehicle is at 21 percent
throttle or less.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the traction control button.This light and the Active Handling
light come on when Active Handling
is turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheelspin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
See
Active Handling System on
page 9‑38 andTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑36 for
more information.
StabiliTrak®OFF Light
This light comes on briefly as the
engine is started. If the light does
not, have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer. If the system is working
normally the light goes off. This light also comes on while the
vehicle is in the Competitive
Driving Mode.
For the ZR1 this light comes on
when Performance Traction mode is
activated, along with DIC messages
for the five traction modes.
This light comes on when the
Active Handling system is turned
off. If Active Handling is off, the
Traction Control System (TCS) is
also off.
If the TCS is off, the system does
not assist in controlling the vehicle.
Turn on the TCS and the Active
Handling systems and the warning
light turns off.
See
Active Handling System on
page 9‑38 andTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑36 for
more information.