Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
6-2 Lighting
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the
exterior lamp control is left on in
either the headlamp or parking lamp
position and the driver door is
opened with the ignition off.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low
beam to high, push the turn signal
lever all the way forward. To change
from high to low beam, pull the lever
rearward.
While the high beams are on, this
light on the instrument cluster will
also be lit.
Flash-to-Pass
To use the flash-to-pass feature,
briefly pull the turn signal lever
toward you. The high-beam
indicator flashes to indicate to the
other driver that you intend to pass.
If the low-beam headlamps are off
and the fog lamps are on, the
fog lamps flash.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system makes the front
turn signal lamps come on when the
following conditions are met:
.It is still daylight and the ignition
is on.
.The exterior lamp control is in
the AUTO position.
.The transmission is not in
P (Park) or the parking brake
is off.
.The parking brake is off or the
vehicle speed is greater than
13 km/h (8 mph).
When DRL are on, only the front
turn signal lamps will be on. The
parking lamps, taillamps, instrument
panel lights, or other exterior lamps
will not be on when the DRL are
being used.
When it is dark enough outside, the
front turn signal lamps turn off and
the normal low-beam headlamps
turn on.
When it is bright enough outside,
the regular lamps go off, and the
front turn signal lamps will take over.
If the vehicle is started in a dark
garage, the automatic headlamp
system comes on immediately.
Once the vehicle leaves the garage,
it takes approximately one minute
for the automatic headlamp system
to change to DRL if it is light
outside.
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
6-4 Lighting
Once you leave the dimly lit area, it
may take about one minute before
the Twilight Sentinel turns off.
During this brief delay, the
instrument cluster may not be as
bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel dimmer is set to
full brightness. SeeInstrument
Panel Illumination Control on
page 6‑5.
To temporarily disable Twilight
Sentinel, turn the band to
O.
To turn Twilight Sentinel back on,
turn the band to
Oagain, then
release it.
If the Twilight Sentinel has the
headlamps turned on and you turn
the ignition off, the headlamps will
stay on for a period of time while
you leave the vehicle.
Use the Driver Information Center to
turn Twilight Sentinel on or off and
to increase or decrease the length
of the delayed illumination period. See
“Personal Options” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑55.
The regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning flashers warn
others that you have a problem. The
button is located near the center of
the instrument panel.
|: Press to make the front and
rear turn signal lamps flash on and
off. Press again to turn the
flashers off.
The hazard warning flashers work
no matter what mode the ignition is
in, even if the ignition is turned off.
When the hazard warning flashers
are on, the turn signals will
not work.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
An arrow on the instrument panel
cluster flashes in the direction of the
turn or lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn.
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Lighting 6-5
Raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to flash to signal a lane
change. Release the lever and the
turn signal automatically flashes
three times. If more flashes are
desired, continue to hold the lever.
The lever returns to its starting
position when it is released.
If after signaling a turn or lane
change the arrows flash rapidly or
do not come on, a signal bulb may
be burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb
is not burned out, check the fuse.
SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 10‑51.
Turn Signal on Chime
A chime sounds if the turn
signal has been on for more than
1.2 km (0.75 miles) of driving.
If you need to leave the
turn signal on for more than
1.2 km (0.75 miles), turn off the
signal and then turn it back on.Fog Lamps
Use fog lamps for better vision in
foggy or misty conditions.
The fog lamps control is located on
the multifunction lever next to the
exterior lamp control.
#(Fog Lamps): Turning the
band to this position will turn the
fog lamps on.
When you turn the fog lamps on,
the fog lamp light will appear on the
instrument panel cluster to indicate
that the fog lamps and the parking
lamps are on.
If you turn the high-beam
headlamps on, the fog lamps will
turn off. They will turn on again
when you switch to low-beam
headlamps.
The ignition must be on for the
fog lamps to operate.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be on
along with the fog lamps.
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel
Illumination Control
The knob for this feature is located
on the left side of the instrument
panel.
Push the knob in to turn on the
interior lights.
Turn and hold the knob clockwise
to brighten the lights or
counterclockwise to dim them.
During the day, this knob will adjust
the instrument panel brightness and
at night will adjust all interior
lighting.
Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Infotainment System 7-7
Finding a Station
BAND:Press to switch between
FM1, FM2, or AM.
O/e(Tune): Turn to select radio
stations.
tSEEKu: Press to go to the
previous or to the next station and
stay there.
The radio only stops at stations with
a strong signal.
tSCANu: Press and holdt
orufor two seconds until
FREQUENCY SCAN displays. The
radio goes to a station, plays for a
few seconds, then goes on to the
next station. Press
toruagain to
stop scanning. To scan preset stations:
Press and hold
torufor
four seconds until PRESET SCAN
displays. The radio goes to the next
preset station, plays for a few
seconds, then goes to the next
preset station. Press
toruagain
or press one of the pushbuttons to
stop scanning presets.
The radio only scans stations with
a strong signal.
1–6 (Preset Pushbuttons):
Press to play stations that are
programmed to the radio preset
pushbuttons.
Storing Radio Stations
Drivers are encouraged to store
radio station while the vehicle is
parked. See Defensive Driving on
page 9‑3. Tune to stored radio
stations using the presets, favorites
button, and steering wheel controls,
if the vehicle has this feature.
Up to 30 stations (six FM1, six FM2,
six AM, six M1, and six XM2), and
equalization settings for each
station can be programmed on the
six numbered pushbuttons.
To set presets:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press BAND to select FM1, FM2, AM, XM1, or XM2.
3. Tune in the desired station.
4. Press AUTO EQ to select the equalization.
5. Press and hold one of the six numbered pushbuttons until
the radio beeps once.
6. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Infotainment System 7-9
SCAN:To scan the stations within
a category:
1. Press CAT. The last selected
category displays.
2. Turn the
O/eknob to select
a category.
3. Press and hold
toruuntil a
beep sounds and SCAN
CATEGORY displays. The radio
begins scanning the stations in
the category.
4. Press
toruto stop scanning.
Storing XM Channels
Drivers are encouraged to store
XM channels while the vehicle is
parked. See Defensive Driving on
page 9‑3. Tune to stored radio
stations using the presets, favorites
button, and steering wheel controls,
if the vehicle has this feature.
Up to 30 stations (six FM1, six FM2,
and six AM, six XM1 and six XM2),
and equalization settings for each
station can be programmed on the
six numbered pushbuttons.
To set presets:
1. Tune to a channel.
2. Press AUTO EQ to select the equalization.
3. Press and hold one of the six numbered pushbuttons until
the radio beeps once.
4. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
XM Radio Messages
XL (Explicit Language
Channels): These channels, or any
others, can be blocked by calling
1-800-929-2100 in the U.S. and
1-877-438-9677 in Canada.
Updating: The encryption code in
the receiver is being updated, and
no action is required. This process
should take no longer than
30 seconds.
No Signal: The system is
functioning correctly, but the vehicle
is in a location that is blocking the
XM signal. When the vehicle is
moved into an open area, the signal
should return.
Loading XM: The audio system is
acquiring and processing audio and
text data. No action is needed. This
message should disappear shortly.
Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Infotainment System 7-11
FM Stereo
FM signals only reach about
16 to 65 km (10 to 40 mi). Although
the radio has a built-in electronic
circuit that automatically works to
reduce interference, some static
can occur, especially around tall
buildings or hills, causing the
sound to fade in and out.
XM™Satellite Radio Service
XM Satellite Radio Service gives
digital radio reception from coast to
coast in the 48 contiguous United
States, and in Canada. Just as
with FM, tall buildings or hills can
interfere with satellite radio signals,
causing the sound to fade in and
out. In addition, traveling or standing
under heavy foliage, bridges,
garages, or tunnels may cause loss
of the XM signal for a period of time.
Cellular Phone Usage
Cellular phone usage may cause
interference with the vehicle's radio.
This interference may occur when
making or receiving phone calls,
charging the phone's battery,
or simply having the phone on.
This interference causes an
increased level of static while
listening to the radio. If static is
received while listening to the
radio, unplug the cellular phone and
turn it off.
Diversity Antenna System
The AM-FM antenna is a hidden
self‐tuning system. It optimizes the
AM and FM signals relative to the
vehicle's position and radio station
source. No maintenance or
adjustments are needed.
Satellite Radio Antenna
For vehicles with XM Satellite Radio
Service, the antenna is located on
the roof or on the trunk lid of the
vehicle. Keep the antenna clear of
obstructions for clear radio
reception.
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-13
WARNING (Continued)
Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially
any that is blocking the exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm,
but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart the vehicle and to signal for
help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method.
{WARNING
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 55 km/h (35 mph).
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains on page 10‑80.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a forward
gear, or with a manual transmission,
between 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and
R (Reverse), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
see Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑86.
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Lifting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-22 Automatic Transmission
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-25
Cooling System (Engine) . . . 10-28
Cooling System
(Intercooler) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-34
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-36
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-45 Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-46
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Windshield Replacement . . . 10-47
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-50