Page 280 of 432

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
10-4 Vehicle Care
Lifting the Vehicle
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle can cause an
injury. The vehicle can slip off the
jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be
badly injured. Find a level place
to lift your vehicle. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First)
or R (Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the
vehicle won't move, put blocks in
front of and behind the wheels.
{WARNING
Getting under a vehicle when it
is lifted on a jack is dangerous.
If the vehicle slips off the jack,
you could be badly injured or
killed. Never get under a vehicle
when it is supported only by
a jack.
{WARNING
Raising the vehicle with the
jack improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle or the vehicle
may fall and cause you or others
injury.
If you ever use a jack to lift your
vehicle, follow the instructions that
came with the jack, and be sure to
use the correct lifting points to avoid
damaging your vehicle. Notice:
Lifting your vehicle
improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered by your
warranty. To lift your vehicle
properly, follow the advice in
this part.
To help prevent vehicle damage:
.Be sure to place a block or
pad between the jack and the
vehicle.
.Make sure the jack you are
using spans at least two
crossmember ribs.
.Lift only in the areas shown
in the following pictures.
For additional information, see
your dealer and the Chevrolet
Corvette service manual.
Page 311 of 432

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-35
Notice:Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Wear (ZR1, Z06, and
Grand Sport Only)
The ZR1, Z06, and Grand Sport
models do not have built-in brake
pad wear indicators and periodic
visual inspection of the brake pads
is required to determine when to
replace the brake pads. Notice:
Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair.
.Make sure that the brakes have
been given sufficient time to cool
and then set the park brake.
Rear
Front
.Brake pads can be visually
inspected through the wheel by
inspecting the outer brake pads
at each wheel.
.Brake pads should be replaced
when worn to 2 mm of pad
thickness. New pads are 10 mm
thick.
.In addition, brake pad inspection
is required any time the tires are
removed.
Page 312 of 432

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
10-36 Vehicle Care
The ZR1, Z06, and Grand Sport
models also have an electronic
brake pad wear sensor system.
When pads are worn, the CHANGE
BRAKE PADS message displays
in the Driver Information Center.
SeeBrake System Messages on
page 5‑36. Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Rotor Wear
ZR1 models have, and Z06 and
Grand Sport models may have,
ceramic brake rotors. Rotors should
be visually inspected whenever the
brake pads are replaced. Rotors
also need to be weighed before
brake pads are replaced to confirm
that the rotor mass is greater than
the wear‐out mass printed on the
rotor. The rotor can be reused if the
weight of the rotor is above the
mass limit. Rotor inspection and
weighing methods can be found in
the service manual. See
Service
Publications Ordering Information
on page 13‑18. Brake Rotor Protector
{WARNING
Ceramic rotors will be very hot
after operation and touching them
may cause burns. Be sure brake
system is completely cool prior to
installation of protector, or coming
in contact with them.
Notice: Rotors may be chipped
if hard contact is made with the
wheel during wheel installation or
removal. Always use the rotor
protectors. Be sure to carefully
follow wheel removal and
installation instructions.
Page 313 of 432

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-37
A rotor protector should always be
installed before any wheel removal.
The protector can be installed by
feeding it through the wheel spokes
and slipping it over the outer edge
of the rotor. Leave the protector in
place, over the rotor edge, until
the wheel is re‐installed. Rotor
protectors are available through
your dealer.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be
required.
Brake Adjustment
Every brake stop, the disc brakes
automatically adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle
is complex. Its many parts have to
be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have
really good braking. The vehicle
was designed and tested with
top-quality brake parts. When
parts of the braking system are
replaced—for example, when the
brake linings wear down and new
ones are installed —be sure to get
new approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
if someone puts in brake linings
that are wrong for the vehicle, the
balance between the front and rear
brakes can change —for the worse.
The braking performance expected
can change in many other ways if
the wrong replacement brake parts
are installed.
Page 321 of 432
Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-45
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking
Lamps
A. High-beam Headlamp
B. Low-beam Headlamp
C. Front Parking/Turn Signal
If the low-beam headlamp needs
to be replaced, see your dealer.
SeeHigh Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting on page 10‑44 for more
information. To replace a high-beam or front
parking/turn signal bulb:
1. Turn the wheel to allow access
to the wheel well.2. Remove the three outerfasteners to move the access
panel back.
3. Remove the outer cover to expose the high-beam headlamp
bulb socket.
4. Remove the headlamp bulb byreleasing the outer tabs from the
socket.
5. Remove the front parking/turn signal bulb by turning the bulb
socket counterclockwise.
6. Replace the high-beam headlamp bulb with a new bulb
and reattach to the bulb socket.
Replace the front parking/turn
signal bulb by turning the bulb
socket clockwise.
7. Reverse the Steps 2 through 4 to reinstall.
Page 328 of 432

Black plate (52,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
10-52 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
BTSI
SOL/STR
WHL LCK Brake
Transmission
Shift Interlock,
Steering Wheel
Column Lock
CLSTR/HUD Cluster,
Heads-Up Display
CRUISE
SWTCH Cruise Control
Switch
CTSY/LAMP Courtesy Lamp
DR LCK Door Locks
DRIV DR
SWITCH Driver Door Switch
ECM Engine Control
Module (ECM)
EXH MDL Exhaust Module
(Z06 & ZR1),
Spare (Coupe and
Convertible) Fuses
Usage
FUSE PLR Fuse Puller
GM LAN
RUN/CRNK GM LAN Devices
HTD SEAT/
WPR RLY Heated Seat,
Wiper Relays
HVAC/
PWR SND Heating Ventilation/
Air Conditioning,
Power Sounder
IGN SWTCH/
INTR SNSR Ignition Switch,
Intrusion Sensor
ISRVM/HVAC Electric Inside
Rearview Mirror,
Heating,
Ventilation, Air
Conditioning
ONSTAR OnStar
(if equipped)
RDO/
S-BAND Radio, S-Band Fuses
Usage
REAR FOG/
ALDL/TOP
SWTCH Rear Fog Lamp,
Assembly Line
Diagnostic Link
Connector,
Convertible Top
Switch
REVERSE
LAMPS Reverse Lamps
RUN CRNK Run/Crank Relay
SDM/AOS
SWTCH
AIRBAG Sensing and
Diagnostic Module,
Automatic
Occupant Sensing
Module, Airbag
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
STOP LAMP Stop Lamp
SWC DM Steering Wheel
Dimming
Page 330 of 432

Black plate (54,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
10-54 Vehicle Care
Wheels and Tires
Tires
Every new GM vehicle has
high-quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer.
See the warranty manual for
information regarding the tire
warranty and where to get
service. For additional
information refer to the tire
manufacturer.
{WARNING
.Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous.
.Overloading the tires can
cause overheating as a
result of too much flexing.
There could be a blowout and
a serious crash. SeeVehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑14.
.Underinflated tires pose the
same danger as overloaded
tires. The resulting crash
could cause serious injury.
Check all tires frequently to
maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure
should be checked when the
tires are cold.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Overinflated tires are
more likely to be cut,
punctured, or broken by a
sudden impact—such as
when hitting a pothole. Keep
tires at the recommended
pressure.
.Worn or old tires can cause a
crash. If the tread is badly
worn, replace them.
.Replace any tires that have
been damaged by impacts
with potholes, curbs, etc.
.Improperly repaired tires can
cause a crash. Only the
dealer or an authorized tire
service center should repair,
replace, dismount, and mount
the tires.
(Continued)
Page 331 of 432

Black plate (55,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-55
WARNING (Continued)
.Do not spin the tires in
excess of 56 km/h (35 mph)
on slippery surfaces such
as snow, mud, ice, etc.
Excessive spinning may
cause the tires to explode.
SeeTire Pressure for
High-Speed Operation on
page 10‑64 for inflation pressure
adjustment for high-speed
driving.
Winter Tires
Consider installing winter tires on
the vehicle if frequent driving on
snow or ice covered roads is
expected. All season tires provide
good overall performance on most
surfaces, but they may not offer
the traction or the same level of
performance as winter tires on
snow or ice covered roads.
Winter tires, in general, are
designed for increased traction on
snow and ice covered roads. With
winter tires, there may be decreased
dry road traction, increased road
noise, and shorter tread life. After
changing to winter tires, be alert for
changes in vehicle handling and
braking. See your dealer for details
regarding winter tire availability and
proper tire selection. Also, see
Buying New Tires on page 10‑70.
If using snow tires:
.Use tires of the same brand and
tread type on all four wheel
positions.
.Use only radial ply tires of the
same size, load range, and
speed rating as the original
equipment tires.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment tires
may not be available for H, V, W, Y,
and ZR speed rated tires. If winter
tires with a lower speed rating are
chosen, never exceed the tire's
maximum speed capability.