2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE transmission

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Corvette Owner ManualM
Driving and Operating. . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-18
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-27
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-36
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-54 Vehicle Care
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-58
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-82
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-12
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-15 Technical Data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-18
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-20
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12 Steering Wheel
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-14
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-18
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-19
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Roof Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Convertible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-22
Z06, Z16, and ZR1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-23
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-3
A.Air Vents on page 8‑6.
B. Head‐Up Display Controls (If Equipped). See Head-Up
Display (HUD) on page 5‑32.
C. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6‑4.
Cruise Control on page 9‑45.
Fog Lamps on page 6‑5.
Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
D. Manual Shift Paddles (If Equipped). See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑27.
E. Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑28.
F. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑9.
G. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑4.
H. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑28. I.
Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑4.
J. Infotainment on page 7‑1.
K. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1.
L. Fuel Door Release Button. See Filling the Tank on page 9‑51.
Hatch/Trunk Release Button.
See “Hatch/Trunk Lid Release”
under Hatch on page 2‑11.
M. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑5.
N. Power Folding Top Switch (If Equipped). See Convertible
Top on page 2‑24.
O. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑19.
P. Bluetooth Controls (If Equipped). See Bluetooth on
page 7‑18.
Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑3 (If Equipped). Q.
Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
R. Horn on page 5‑4.
S. Telescopic Steering Column Control (If Equipped). See
Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
T. Ignition Positions on page 9‑19.
U. Heated Front Seats on page 3‑8
(If Equipped).
V. Shift Lever (Automatic Shown). See Automatic Transmission on
page 9‑27 orManual
Transmission on page 9‑32.
W. Active Handling System on
page 9‑38.
X. Power Outlets on page 5‑6.
Y. Selective Ride Control on
page 9‑43 (If Equipped).
Z. Parking Brake on page 9‑36.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-6 In Brief
Outside the Vehicle
Use the key to open the hatch/trunk.
SeeKeys on page 2‑2.
Then, pull the manual door release
handle.
Trunk Release
The vehicle must be in P (Park)
with an automatic transmission and
Neutral with a manual transmission.
For manual transmission vehicles,
the parking brake must be set
when the engine is running for the
hatch/trunk release to operate.
SeeParking Brake on page 9‑36. To release the hatch/trunk:
.PressV
.Press}on the keyless entry
transmitter. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on
page 2‑3.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-10 In Brief
Storing Memory Positions
To save into memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat, bothoutside mirrors, and the
telescopic steering column.
2. Press and hold “1”until
two beeps sound.
3. Repeat for a second driver position using “2.”
To recall:
.On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, press and
release “1”or“2.”
If the vehicle is in P (Park), a
single beep sounds and the
memory position is recalled after
a brief delay.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park),
three beeps sound and the
memory position is not recalled.
.On vehicles with a manual
transmission, when the vehicle
is on, the parking brake must be
set to recall a memory position.
Press and release “1”or“2.”
A single beep sounds and the
memory position is recalled after
a brief delay.
If the vehicle is on and the
parking brake is not set,
three beeps sound and the
memory position is not recalled.
See Memory Seats on page 3‑5 for
more information.
Easy Exit Driver Seat
This feature can move the seat
rearward and the telescopic steering
column out of the way to allow extra
room to exit the vehicle.
B: Press to save and recall the
easy exit seat position. To save into memory:
1. Recall the desired driving
position by pressing “1.”
2. Adjust the seat and the telescopic steering column to
the desired exit position.
3. Press and hold Buntil
two beeps sound.
4. Repeat for a second driver position using “2.”
To recall, press and release B.
The vehicle must be in P (Park) for
an automatic transmission or the
parking brake must be set for a
manual transmission. A single beep
sounds. The seat and telescopic
steering column will move to the
position previously stored for the
identified driver.
See Memory Seats on page 3‑5 for
more information.

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-16 In Brief
Transmission
Manual Paddle Shift
(Automatic Transmission)
The Manual Paddle Shift system
can be used in D (Drive) or
S (Sport Mode). The system is
activated by pushing the paddle,
above the steering wheel spokes, to
manually up-shift to the next gear,
or pulling on the paddle, behind
the steering wheel spokes to
manually down-shift.The current gear will be displayed in
the Driver Information (DIC), or the
Head-Up Display (HUD), if the
vehicle has either of these features.
The Manual Paddle Shift system
can be deactivated by moving the
shift lever from S (Sport Mode)
back to D (Drive), or by holding the
up‐shift paddle for more than
one second. If the shift lever was
in D (Drive) when the system was
activated, the transmission will
return to automatic shifting after
10 seconds of cruising at a steady
speed and no manual shifts,
or when the vehicle comes to
a stop.
The Manual Paddle Shift system
will not allow either an up-shift or a
down-shift, if the vehicle speed is
too fast or too slow, nor will it
allow a start from 4 (Fourth) or
higher gear.
See
Manual Mode on page 9‑29.
One to Four Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)
On vehicles with a manual
transmission, when this light comes
on, you can only shift from 1 (First)
to 4 (Fourth) instead of 1 (First) to
2 (Second).
For more information about shifting
for the best fuel economy, see
Manual Transmission on page 9‑32.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-20 In Brief
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC display is located at the
bottom of the instrument panel
cluster. It shows the status of
many vehicle systems and enables
access to the personalization menu.
The DIC buttons are located on the
instrument panel to the right of the
instrument panel cluster.
.4:Press to display fuel
information such as fuel economy
and range.
2: Press to display gauge
information like oil pressure and
temperature, coolant temperature,
automatic transmission fluid
temperature (if equipped), battery
voltage, and front/rear tire
pressures.
TRIP: Press to display your total
and trip distance driven, the elapsed
time function, your average speed,
and the engine oil life.
OPTION: Press to choose personal
options that are available on your
vehicle, depending on the options
your vehicle is equipped with, such
as door locks, easy entry seats, and
language.
RESET: Press, along with the other
buttons, to reset system functions,
select personal options, and turn off
or acknowledge messages on
the DIC.
For more information, see Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑28.Vehicle Personalization
Some vehicle features can
be programmed by using the
DIC buttons located to the right
of the instrument panel cluster.
The features that can be
programmed include:
.Units
.Memory Features
.Lighting Features
.Lock and Unlock Feedback
.Door Lock and Unlock Settings
.Language
.Personalization Name
See Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑55.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-22 In Brief
The vehicle has an Active Handling
System that helps maintain
directional control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions. See
Active Handling System on
page 9‑38.
The vehicle may have Competitive
Driving Mode (except ZR1),
Performance Traction
Management (Z06, ZR1), and
Launch Control systems designed to
allow increased performance while
accelerating and cornering. See
Competitive Driving Mode on
page 9‑39.Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS warning light alerts you
to a significant loss in pressure of
one of the vehicle's tires. If the
warning light comes on, stop as
soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeVehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑14. The warning
light will remain on until the tire
pressure is corrected.
During cooler conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light may appear
when the vehicle is first started and
then turn off. This may be an early indicator that the tire pressures are
getting low and the tires need to be
inflated to the proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. It is the
driver
’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 10‑68.Z06, Z16, and ZR1
Features
Checking Engine Oil
Z06, ZR1, and manual transmission
Z16 (Grand Sport) coupe models
have a high performance dry sump
lubrication system. This system
operates differently than a standard
engine lubrication system. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑16.
You should check the oil level only
after the engine has been
thoroughly warmed up and then
shut off for at least five minutes.
This ensures that the oil level
reading obtained will be accurate.