Black plate (42,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
9-42 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more can
be maintained without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
Cruise control will not work if the
parking brake is set, or if the master
cylinder brake fluid level is low.
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.If the vehicle is in cruise control,
and has the Traction Control
System (TCS), and it begins to limit
wheel spin, the cruise control
automatically disengages. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑34. When road conditions
allow the cruise control to be safely
used again, it can be turned
back on.
The vehicle has cruise control.
9(Off):
Turns the system off.
R(On):Turns the system on.
+(Resume/Accelerate): Makes
the vehicle accelerate or resume a
previously set speed.
T(Set): Press this button at the
end of the lever to set the speed. Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise control switch off when cruise
is not being used.
1. Move the cruise control switch
to on.
2. Get up to the speed desired.
3. Press
Tat the end of the lever
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the cruise control is engaged,
the CRUISE SET TO XXX MPH
message displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Cruise Control Messages on
page 5‑37.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Lifting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-21
Cooling System (Engine) . . . 10-24 Cooling System
(Intercooler) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-29
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-31
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-38
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-39
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Windshield Replacement . . . 10-41
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41 High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-44
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Sport Cup Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-55
Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Vehicle Care 10-3
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride andhandling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non‐GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3‑25.
Lifting the Vehicle
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle can cause an
injury. The vehicle can slip off the
jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be
badly injured. Find a level place
to lift your vehicle. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the
vehicle won't move, put blocks in
front of and behind the wheels.
Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Vehicle Care 10-9
A. Clutch Master CylinderReservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 10‑21.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑32.
C. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes on
page 10‑32.
D. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑26.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑21.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on
page 10‑31.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” underBrake
Fluid on page 10‑36.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑13. I.
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑45.
J. Passenger Compartment Air Filter (Out of View). See
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter on page 8‑6.
K. Battery on page 10‑37.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L LS3
V8 engine (without the dry sump
engine oil tank) and you are facing
the front of the vehicle.
Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Vehicle Care 10-11
A. Intercooler. SeeCooling System
(Engine) on page 10‑24 or
Cooling System (Intercooler) on
page 10‑25.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑21.
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir and Cap. See Power Steering
Fluid on page 10‑31.
D. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑26.
E. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑32.
F. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 10‑21.
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes on
page 10‑32.
H. Passenger Compartment Air Filter (Out of View). See
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter on page 8‑6. I. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
“When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑13.
J. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank. See “Changing Engine Oil and Filter”
Brake Fluid on page 10‑36.
K. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑13.
L. Remote Positive (+) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump
Starting on page 10‑75.
M. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑45.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L LS9
Supercharged V8 engine and you
are facing the front of the vehicle.
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Vehicle Care 10-13
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑21.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on
page 10‑31.
C. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑45.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump
Starting on page 10‑75.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑13.
F. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank. See “Changing Engine Oil and Filter”
under Engine Oil on
page 10‑13.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑13.
H. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑26. I. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑32.
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” underBrake Fluid
on page 10‑36.
K. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Hydraulic Clutch
on page 10‑21.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L LS3
V8 engine with the manual
transmission (with the dry sump
engine oil tank) or the 7.0L LS7
V8 engine and you are facing the
driver side of the vehicle.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10‑19.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
10-32 Vehicle Care
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12. Always
use the proper fluid.
Notice: Use of the incorrect fluid
may damage the vehicle and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle's warranty. Always
use the correct fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When the vehicle needs windshield
washer fluid, be sure to read the
manufacturer instructions before
use. If the vehicle will be operating
in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid
that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑8 for reservoir location.
Notice
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for
fluid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is
completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.
Brakes
Brake Wear (Except Z06, ZR1,
manual transmission Grand
Sport Coupe, and 427
Convertible)
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
10-36 Vehicle Care
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑8for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the brake
hydraulic system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later
the brakes will not work well. Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system. See
“Checking Brake
Fluid” in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to check the
brake fluid. See Maintenance
Schedule on page 11‑3.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑8.
The fluid level should be above the
MIN mark on the reservoir. If it is
not, have the brake hydraulic
system checked to see if there is
a leak.
After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level is between the MIN and MAX
marks.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.