2015 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
10-26 Vehicle Care
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
If ambient temperatures are
anticipated below−28°C (−18°F),
make sure a proper mixture ratio of
50% DEX-COOL coolant and 50%
clean, drinkable water is used.
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 cold fill line, add a
mixture of 40% DEX-COOL coolant
and 60% clean, drinkable water at
the coolant recovery tank, but be
sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done. See Engine
Overheating on page 10-27.
The engine coolant surge tank is
toward the rear of the engine
compartment on the passenger side
of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10-7.
When the engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at the cold fill line on
the coolant surge tank.
When the engine is hot, the level
could be higher than the cold fill
line. If the coolant is below the cold
fill 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 (27,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Vehicle Care 10-27
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 with the proper DEX-COOL coolant
mixture until the level inside
stabilizes at the cold fill line on
the front of the surge tank. 4. With the coolant surge tank
pressure 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
cold fill line on the coolant
surge tank.
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.{Caution
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 cluster. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge on
page 5-15. The vehicle may also
display a message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Engine Cooling System Messages
on page 5-37.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood but to get service help right
away, see Roadside Assistance
Program on page 13-5.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
10-28 Vehicle Care
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.
{Caution
Running the engine without
coolant may cause damage or a
fire. Vehicle damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
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. Just 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
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.
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. When 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 shaded area or an
overheat warning no longer

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Vehicle Care 10-29
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
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function.
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.
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 temperaturemay 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 10-7.
{Caution
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.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.
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
.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.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
10-30 Vehicle Care
Brakes
Visually inspect outer brake pads
through the wheel. Replace brake
pads when they are worn to 2 mm
of pad thickness. New pads are
10 mm (0.4 in) thick.
Brake Wear (Except Z06 Model
with Z07 Package)
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.
{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.
{Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Under certain weather or operating
conditions, occasional brake noise
might be heard with the vehicle's
performance braking system. This
brake system is designed for
superior fade resistance and
consistent operation using high
performance brake pads. Brake
squeal is normal and does not affect
system performance.
Brake dust is normal on the
performance braking system. This
does not indicate a problem with the
brake system.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Wear (Z06 Model with
Z07 Package)
This vehicle does not have built-in
brake pad wear indicators. Visually
inspect the brake pads periodically
and any time the tires are removed.
{Caution
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 parking brake.

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Vehicle Care 10-31
Rear
FrontZ06 models with the Z07 package
have an electronic brake pad wear
sensor system. When pads are
worn, the CHANGE BRAKE PADS
message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Brake
System Messages on page 5-34.
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
Z06 models may have ceramic
brake rotors. Visually inspect rotors
whenever the brake pads are
replaced. Weigh rotors 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. See the service manual for rotor inspection and weighing
methods. See
Service Publications
Ordering Information on page 13-11.
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.
{Caution
Rotors may be chipped if hard
contact is made with the wheel
during wheel installation or
removal. Always use the rotor
protectors. Follow the wheel
removal and installation
instructions.

Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
10-32 Vehicle Care
A rotor protector should always be
installed before any wheel removal.
Install the protector by feeding itthrough the wheel spokes and
slipping it over the outer edge of the
rotor. Leave the protector in place,
over the rotor edge, until the wheel
is reinstalled. Rotor protectors are
available through your dealer.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10-7
for 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.

Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Vehicle Care 10-33
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 11-2.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10-7.
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.{Warning
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake fluid.
{Caution
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts
so badly that they will have to
be replaced. Do not let
someone put in the wrong
kind of fluid.
(Continued)