Page 230 of 432

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-8 Driving and Operating
ZR1 and Z06 with Z07
Performance Package Brake
Burnish Procedure
Notice:These procedures are
specific to the ZR1 and Z06
Performance Package with
ceramic brake rotors. These
procedures should not be run on
other Corvette models as damage
may result.
Notice: The new vehicle break‐in
period should be completed
before performing the brake
burnish procedure or damage
may occur to the powertrain/
engine. See New Vehicle Break-In
on page 9‑18.
When performed as instructed,
these procedures will not damage
the brakes. During the burnishing
procedure, the brake pads will
smoke and produce an odor.
The braking force and pedal travel
may increase. After the procedure is
complete, the brake pads may
appear white at the rotor contact. Street High Performance Brake
Burnishing Procedure
Run this procedure in a safe
manner and in compliance with all
local and state ordinances/laws
regarding motor vehicle operation.
Run this procedure only on dry
pavement.
1. From a stop, accelerate as
rapidly as possible without
activating traction control to a
speed of 97 kph (60 mph).
2. Use enough pedal force to completely stop the vehicle in
four to five seconds. If ABS
activates, braking is too hard.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2, five times. This should take
about 10 minutes.
4. After completing the 50 stops, cool the brakes by driving for
8 km (5 mi) at 97 kph (60 mph).
As with all high performance brake
systems, some amount of brake
squeal is normal. Racing/Track Brake Burnish
Procedure
To prepare the ZR1 and Z06 with
Z07 Performance Package brake
system for track events and racing,
the Street High Performance Brake
Burnish as described previously
should be completed.
In addition to completing the Street
High Performance Brake Burnishing
Procedure, the following procedure
needs to be completed to make the
ZR1 and Z06 with Z07 Performance
Package brake system ready for
track events and racing.
This procedure should only be
run on a track and only on dry
pavement.
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 352 of 432

Black plate (76,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
10-76 Vehicle Care
Tightening Wheel Lug Nuts
{WARNING
Never use oil or grease on studs
or the threads of the wheel nuts.
The wheel nuts might come loose
and the wheel could fall off,
causing a crash.
{WARNING
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause
the wheel to become loose and
even come off. This could lead
to a crash. Be sure to use the
correct wheel nuts. If you have to
replace them, be sure to get
new GM original equipment
wheel nuts.Notice:
Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to the
proper torque specification.
Tighten the wheel lug nuts firmly in
a crisscross sequence.
Tire Chains
{WARNING
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause loss of
control and a crash. Use another
type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for
the vehicle's tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions.
To avoid vehicle damage, drive
slowly and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels.
If traction devices are used, install
them on the rear tires.