2013 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Vehicle Care 10-27
coolant for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at or
above the FULL COLD mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool before
this is done. See
Cooling System
(Engine) on page 10‑24 orCooling
System (Intercooler) on page 10‑25.
The engine coolant surge tank is
toward the rear of the engine
compartment on the driver side of
the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑8.
When the engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at the FULL COLD
mark on the coolant surge tank.
When the engine is hot, the level
could be higher than the FULL
COLD line. If the coolant is below
the FULL COLD line when the
engine is hot, there could be a leak
in the cooling system. If the coolant is low, add the coolant
or take the vehicle to a dealer for
service.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and surge tank pressure
cap to cool.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
10-28 Vehicle Care
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture directly
to the surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this
is done.
1. When the cooling system,including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot, remove
the pressure cap. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about
one-quarter turn and then stop.
If a hiss is heard, wait for that to
stop. A hiss means there is still
some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper DEX-COOL coolant
mixture until the level inside
stabilizes at the FULL COLD
mark on the front of the
surge tank.
4. With the coolant surge tankpressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
upper radiator hose can be felt
getting hot. Any time during this
procedure, watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level stabilizes at the
FULL COLD mark on the coolant
surge tank.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Vehicle Care 10-29
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.Check the level in the surge tank
when the system has cooled
down. If the coolant is not at the
proper level, repeat Steps 1−4,
then reinstall the pressure cap.
If the coolant is not at the proper
level when the system cools
down again, see the dealer.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument panel cluster. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
on page 5‑15. The vehicle may also
display a COOLANT OVER
TEMPERATURE message on the Driver Information Center (DIC). See
Engine Cooling System Messages
on page 5‑38.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood but to get service help right
away. See
Roadside Assistance
Program (Mexico) on page 13‑7 or
Roadside Assistance Program (U.S.
and Canada) on page 13‑10.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine
is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, do not continue
to run the engine and have the
vehicle serviced.
Notice: Running the engine
without coolant may cause
damage or a fire. Vehicle damage
would not be covered by the
warranty. See Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on
page 10‑30 for information on
driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
If Steam is Coming from the
Engine
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Turn it off
and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait
until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
vehicles engine is overheated,
the liquids in it can catch fire. You
or others could be badly burned.
Stop the engine if it overheats,
and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
(Continued)

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
10-30 Vehicle Care
WARNING (Continued)
SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on
page 10‑30 for information on
driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
If No Steam is Coming from
the Engine
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day
.Stops after high-speed driving
.Idles for long periods in traffic
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off. 2. Turn the heater on to the highest
temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. If in a traffic jam, shift to N (Neutral) while stopped. If it is
safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral)
and let the engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it cools down. Also, see
“Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
next in this section.
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode lets
the vehicle be driven to a safe
place, up to 80 km (50 mi), in an
emergency situation. If an
overheated engine condition exists
and the messages COOLANT
OVER TEMPERATURE and
REDUCED ENGINE POWER are
displayed, along with the check
engine light, an overheat protection
mode which alternates firing groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine
damage. In this mode, there is a
significant loss in power and engine
performance.
Driving extended distances in the
overheat protection mode should be
avoided.

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Vehicle Care 10-31
Notice:After driving in the
overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool
before attempting any repair. The
engine oil will be severely
degraded. Repair the cause of
coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑13.
Power Steering Fluid
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑8 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
there is a leak suspected in the
system or an unusual noise is heard. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the ignition off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
There are markings on both
sides of the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL
COLD mark. If necessary, add only
enough fluid to bring the level up to
the mark.
When the engine compartment is
hot, the level should be at the HOT
mark. When the engine
compartment is cool, the level
should be at the FULL COLD mark.

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 (33,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Vehicle Care 10-33
{WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Wear (Z06, ZR1, manual
transmission Grand Sport
Coupe, and 427 Convertible)
This vehicle does not have built-in
brake pad wear indicators and
periodic visual inspection of the
brake pads is required to determine
when to replace the brake pads.
Notice: Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair.
.Make sure that the brakes have
been given sufficient time to cool
and then set the park brake.Rear
Front

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
10-34 Vehicle Care
.Brake pads can be visually
inspected through the wheel by
inspecting the outer brake pads
at each wheel.
.Brake pads should be replaced
when worn to 2 mm of pad
thickness. New pads are 10 mm
thick.
.In addition, brake pad inspection
is required any time the tires are
removed.
The Z06, ZR1, manual transmission
Grand Sport Coupe, and 427
Convertible models also have anelectronic brake pad wear sensor
system. When pads are worn, the
CHANGE BRAKE PADS message
displays in the Driver Information
Center. See
Brake System
Messages on page 5‑35.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Rotor Wear
ZR1 and Z06 models may have,
ceramic brake rotors. Rotors should
be visually inspected whenever the
brake pads are replaced. Rotors
also need to be weighed before
brake pads are replaced to confirm
that the rotor mass is greater than
the wear-out mass printed on the
rotor. The rotor can be reused if the
weight of the rotor is above the
mass limit. Rotor inspection and
weighing methods can be found in the service manual. See
Service
Publications Ordering Information
on page 13‑16.
Brake Rotor Protector
{WARNING
Ceramic rotors will be very hot
after operation and touching them
may cause burns. Be sure brake
system is completely cool prior to
installation of protector, or coming
in contact with them.
Notice: Rotors may be chipped if
hard contact is made with the
wheel during wheel installation or
removal. Always use the rotor
protectors. Be sure to carefully
follow wheel removal and
installation instructions.