2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE fuel cap

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-13
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows how much
fuel the vehicle has left while the
engine is on.
An arrow on the fuel gauge
indicates the side of the vehicle the
fuel door is on.
When the needle approaches the
low fuel symbol, a chime sounds
and LOW FUEL appears on the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
display. There is still a little fuel left,
but the vehicle's fuel tank should
be filled soon.Press the RESET button to
acknowledge a DIC message(s).
Pressing the RESET button also
turns off a DIC message but the
LOW FUEL message comes on
again in 10 minutes if fuel is not
added to the vehicle.
Here are five things that some
owners ask about. All these things
are normal and do not indicate
that anything is wrong with the
fuel gauge.
.At the service station, the gas
pump shuts off before the gauge
reads the full.
.It takes a little more or less fuel
to fill up than the gauge
indicated. For example, the
gauge may have indicated half
full, but it took a little more or
less than half of the tank's
capacity to fill the tank.
.The gauge pointer may move
while cornering, braking or
speeding up.
.The gauge may not indicate the
tank is empty when the ignition
is turned off.
.The gauge reading may change
slightly within the first several
minutes after starting the
vehicle.
See “DIC Operation and Displays”
in Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑28 for more information.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-20 Instruments and Controls
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 10‑4.
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.
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.

Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-43
Fuel System Messages
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel
cap has not been fully tightened.
Check the fuel cap to make sure
that it is on properly. Once
tightened, it takes at least one
overnight park to reset or clear this
message. If both the CHECK GAS
CAP message and the malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument
panel cluster are on, you may
need to see your dealer for service.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑19 for more information.
LOW FUEL
This message displays when the
fuel tank is less than 10 percent full
and the display is turned off.
A sound will be heard when this
message is displayed. Refill the fuel
tank as soon as possible. See Fuel
Gauge on page 5‑13.
SERVICE FUEL SYSTEM
This message displays if the
Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
has detected a problem within the
fuel system. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. This
message also displays when the
cluster is not getting fuel information
from the PCM.
Key and Lock Messages
FOB AUTOLEARN WAIT
XX MINUTES
See “Matching Transmitter(s) to
Your Vehicle” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.
FOB BATTERY LOW
See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
KNOWN FOB
See “Matching Transmitter(s) to
Your Vehicle” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF FOBS
LEARNED
See “Matching Transmitter(s) to
Your Vehicle” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.
NO FOBS DETECTED
This message displays if the vehicle
does not detect the presence of a
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter when you have
attempted to start the vehicle or a
vehicle door has just closed.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
8-4 Climate Controls
^(Air Conditioning Off):Press to
turn the air conditioning compressor
off. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation. When in
AUTO, the air conditioning
compressor comes on automatically,
as needed.
Air conditioning does not operate at
temperatures below about 2°C to
4°C (35°F to 40°F). In temperatures
above 4°C (40°F), the air
conditioning cannot be turned off in
defrost and defog, as it helps to
remove moisture from the vehicle.
It also helps to keep the windows
clear.
You may notice a slight change in
engine performance when the air
conditioning compressor shuts off
and turns on again. This is normal.
The system is designed to make
adjustments to help with fuel
economy while still maintaining the
selected temperature.
On hot days, open the windows to
let hot inside air escape; then close
them. This helps to reduce the time it takes for the vehicle to cool down.
It also helps the system to operate
more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days
press the AUTO button and adjust
the temperature to a cool,
comfortable setting. To achieve
maximum cool down, do the
following:
1. Select
Hmode.
2. Press
?.
3. Select the a/c on.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
Using these settings together for
long periods of time may cause the
air inside of your vehicle to become
too dry. To prevent this from
happening, after the air in the
vehicle has cooled, turn the
recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so a
small amount of water might drip under the vehicle while idling or
after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
?(Recirculation):
Press to turn
the recirculation mode on or off. An
indicator light comes on to show
that recirculation is on. This mode
prevents outside air from entering
your vehicle. It can be used to
prevent outside air and odors from
entering your vehicle and to help
cool the air inside your vehicle more
quickly. Recirculation mode is not
available in defrost or defog mode.
Sensors
The solar sensor on the vehicle
monitors the solar heat and uses
the information to maintain the
selected temperature when
operating in AUTO mode by
automatically adjusting the
temperature, fan speed, and air
delivery system. The system may
also supply cooler air to the side of
the vehicle facing the sun. The
recirculation mode will also be
activated, as necessary.

Black plate (51,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-51
Filling the Tank
{WARNING
Fuel vapor burns violently and a
fuel fire can cause bad injuries.
To help avoid injuries to you and
others, read and follow all the
instructions on the fuel pump
island. Turn off the engine when
refueling. Do not smoke near fuel
or when refueling the vehicle.
Do not use cellular phones.
Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away from fuel.
Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended when refueling the
vehicle. This is against the law in
some places. Do not re-enter the
vehicle while pumping fuel. Keep
children away from the fuel pump;
never let children pump fuel.
The tethered fuel cap is located
behind a hinged fuel door on the
driver side of the vehicle.The fuel door release button is
located on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel. Push
the button to release the fuel door.

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 10‑86. 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 5‑43 for more
information.

Black plate (53,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-53
{WARNING
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
Notice: If you need a new fuel
cap, be sure to get the right type.
Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may
not fit properly. This may cause
the malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage the fuel
tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑19.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{WARNING
Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel
vapor. You can be badly burned
and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to
you and others:
.Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
.Do not fill a container while it
is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than
the ground.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Bring the fill nozzle in contact
with the inside of the fill
opening before operating the
nozzle. Contact should be
maintained until the filling is
complete.
.Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
.Do not use a cellular phone
while pumping fuel.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-17
When to Add Engine Oil
(Except Z06, ZR1, and Grand
Sport)
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
and then recheck the level. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”in
this section for an explanation of
what kind of oil to use. For engine
oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
See Racing or Other Competitive
Driving on page 9‑6 for additional
information on engine oil. Notice:
Do not add too much oil.
Oil levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑10 for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range . Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Checking Engine Oil
(Z06, ZR1, and Grand Sport)
A. Engine Oil Dipstick
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground.