
Black plate (59,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-59
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 10‑74.
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.
Run-Flat Tires
This vehicle, when new, had run-flat
tires. There is no spare tire, no tire
changing equipment, and no place
to store a tire in the vehicle.
The vehicle also has a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
that indicates a loss of tire pressure
in any of the tires.
{WARNING
If the low tire warning light
displays on the instrument panel
cluster, the handling capabilities
will be reduced during severe
maneuvers. Driving too fast could
cause loss of control and you or
others could be injured. Do not
drive over 90 km/h (55 mph)
when the low tire warning light is
displayed. Drive cautiously and
check the tire pressures as soon
as possible.

Black plate (60,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
10-60 Vehicle Care
If a tire goes flat, there is no need to
stop on the side of the road to
change the tire. Continue driving,
however, do not drive too far or too
fast. Driving on the tire may not be
possible if there is permanent
damage. The tire can be driven with
no air pressure for up to 105 km
(65 miles) at speeds slower than
90 km/h (55 mph). The shorter the
distance and the slower the speed,
the greater the chance the tire will
not have to be replaced. As soon as
possible, contact the nearest
authorized GM or run-flat servicing
facility for inspection and repair or
replacement. When driving on a
deflated run-flat tire, avoid potholes
and other road hazards that could
damage the tire and/or wheel
beyond repair. When a tire has been
damaged, or if driven any distance
on a deflated run-flat tire, check with
an authorized run-flat tire service
center to determine whether the
tire can be repaired or should be
replaced. To maintain the run-flat
feature, all replacement tires must
be run-flat tires.To locate the nearest GM or run-flat
servicing facility, call Roadside
Assistance. See
Roadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑8 orRoadside
Assistance Program (Mexico) on
page 13‑10 for details.
The valve stems on run-flat tires
have sensors that are part of the
TPMS. See Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 10‑68. These
sensors contain batteries that are
designed to last for 10 years
under normal driving conditions.
See your dealer for wheel or sensor
replacement.
Notice: Using liquid sealants can
damage the tire valves and tire
pressure monitor sensors in the
run-flat tires. This damage is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not use liquid sealants in
run-flat tires.Low-Profile Tires
Low‐Profile Performance Tire
The original equipment tires on
this vehicle are classified as
low‐profile performance tires.
These tires are designed for
very responsive driving on wet
or dry pavement, however, may
produce more road noise and
tend to wear faster.
Notice: Low‐profile tires are
more susceptible to damage
from road hazards or curb
impact than standard profile
tires. Tire and/or wheel
assembly damage can occur
when coming into contact
with road hazards like,
potholes, or sharp edged

Black plate (81,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-81
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. If air
goes out of a tire, it is much more
likely to leak out slowly. SeeTires
on page 10‑58 for additional
information. But if there ever is a
blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction
as used in a skid. Stop pressing the accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.
The vehicle has no spare tire, no
tire changing equipment, and no
place to store a tire.
The vehicle, when new, had run-flat
tires. This type of tire can operate
effectively with no air pressure so
there is no need to stop on the side
of the road to change a flat tire.
If driving on a deflated run-flat tire
for 40 km (25 mi) or less and at
speeds of 90 km/h (55 mph) or less,
there is a good chance the tire can
be repaired. The Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) will show
if a tire has lost pressure. See
Run-Flat Tires on page 10‑59
and
Tire Pressure Monitor System on
page 10‑68.{WARNING
Special tools and procedures are
required to service a run-flat tire.
If these special tools and
procedures are not used, injury or
vehicle damage may occur.
Always be sure the proper tools
and procedures, as described in
the service manual, are used.
To order a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information on page 13‑17.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
i-4 INDEX
E
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Electrical System Engine CompartmentFuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Emergency, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Compartment Overview . . . . . 10-10
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Cooling System . . . . . . 10-28, 10-29
Cooling System Messages . . . 5-40
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-5
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 5-14 Engine (cont.)
Overheated Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-26
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Entry/Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-20
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 6-2
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-4
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-81 Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-93
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . 10-23
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Fog Lamps
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Front Air Dam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . 9-49
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . 9-49
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Requirements, California . . . . . 9-49
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-9
R
Racing or Other CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . . 13-21
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-21
Radios
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Limited-Slip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Rear Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Rearview Mirror Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-15
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86 Reimbursement Program,
GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-14
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . 3-27
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . 3-15
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-19
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Ride Control Systems Active Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Limited Slip Rear Axle . . . . . . . . 9-42
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Selective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Roads
Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9 Roadside Assistance
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8, 13-10
Roof Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-72
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . 12-5
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . 3-15
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . 3-13
Safety Defects Reporting Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-19
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-11
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
TaillampsTurn Signal andStoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 13-6
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . 2-15 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Tires Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-80
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-81
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-70
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-72
Lifting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Low Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-60
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-51
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Pressure Monitor System . . . 10-68
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-72
Run-Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62 Tires (cont.)
Sport Cup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-78
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-78
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Towing General Information . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . 10-86
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Traction Active Handling System . . . . . . 9-38
Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . 9-36
Limited-Slip Rear Axle . . . . . . . . 9-42
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . . 9-43 Transmission
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Fluid, Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-53
One-to-Four Shift Light . . . . . . . 5-23
Transportation Program,
Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Twilight Sentinel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76
Universal Remote System . . . . . 5-64 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-70
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-64
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv