Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956103) - 2017 - crc - 4/28/16
Driving and Operating 167
General Information
If reduced performance is
experienced during track events or
competitive driving, turning off the
A/C will help to improve engine
performance.
Maintain a mixture of 40%
DEX-COOL coolant and 60% clean,
drinkable water to optimize engine
performance.
The front license plate bracket or
aero panel should be removed for
track events and competitive driving
to improve engine performance.
Rotor Cooling Ring, If
Equipped
The following installation procedure
is for the Z51 Performance
Package, and is only if the vehicle is
equipped with front dual cast brake
rotors along with the supplied brake
cooling ring kit. See your dealer for
information.
If the vehicle has the Z51
Performance Package and
equipped with a one piece brake
rotor, a cooling ring is not required.
Caution
Do not leave rotor cooling rings
installed after a track event, as
this can cause corrosion with
long-term use. Rotor cooling rings
are for track use only. Track
driving without the rotor cooling
rings may result in brake
pedal fade.
Installation: 1. Remove the front wheels.
2. Cut three 150 mm (6 in) lengths of safety wire specified
to T304 Stainless Steel,
0.041 in nominal diameter, not
included.
3. Form each into a U shape with a 20 mm (0.75 in) flat area in
the center of the wire.
4. Place the rotor ring in the gap between the rotor brake plate
and rotor hat, with the holes on
each side of the rotor spoke on
the outboard side of the rotor.
5. Place the U-shaped wirethrough the holes in the rotor
cooling ring.
6. Bring the ends of the wire tight around the corresponding rotor
spoke.
7. Twist the safety wire into six to eight twists per 2.54 cm (1 in).
8. Bend the twisted wire so it is flush with the inside of the rotor
ring to prevent contact with the
caliper or brake hoses.
9. Verify that the rotor rings and safety wire do not contact any
other components.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956103) - 2017 - crc - 4/28/16
168 Driving and Operating
10. Reinstall the wheel using thespecific wheel nut torque. See
Capacities and
Specifications 0321.
If additional brake cooling is
required, the grille mesh in the lower
corners of the front grille in front of
the brake duct can be removed.
This is not reversible, and a
replacement grille will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
If this is done, it is recommended
that the gap between the fascia and
the cooling duct be taped over.
Brake Burnishing
New brake pads must be burnished
before racing or other competitive
driving.
Caution
Performing the brake burnish
procedure on a base brake
system can result in brake
damage.
Caution
The new vehicle break-in period
should be completed before
performing the brake burnish
procedure, otherwise damage
may occur to the powertrain/
engine. See New Vehicle
Break-In 0181.
Caution
Brake pedal fade will occur during
any track burnish procedure and
can cause brake pedal travel and
force to increase. This could
extend stopping distance until the
brakes are fully burnished.
When this procedure is performed
as instructed, it will not damage the
brakes. The brake pads will smoke
and produce an odor. The braking
force and pedal travel may increase.
After the procedure, the brake pads
may appear white at the rotor
contact. Perform this procedure only on dry
pavement, in a safe manner, and in
compliance with all local and state
ordinances/laws regarding motor
vehicle operation.
Brake Burnish Procedure (Z51
Performance Package, Grand
Sport without Z07, and Z06
without Z07 Performance Package
or Z06 without J57 Ceramic
Brakes)
1. Apply the brakes 25 times starting at 100 km/h (60 mph) to
50 km/h (30 mph) while
decelerating at 0.4 g. This is a
medium brake application.
Drive for at least 1 km (0.6 mi)
between applying the brakes.
This first step may be skipped
if there are more than 320 km
(200 mi) on the brake pads.
2. Repeatedly apply the brakes from 100 km/h (60 mph) to
25 km/h (15 mph) while
decelerating at 0.8 g. This is a
hard brake application, without
activating the Antilock Brake
System (ABS). Drive for at
least 1 km (0.6 mi) between
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956103) - 2017 - crc - 4/28/16
176 Driving and Operating
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0199.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0196.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0328. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
(Continued)
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956103) - 2017 - crc - 4/28/16
Driving and Operating 185
press the clutch pedal first,
then press ENGINE
START/STOP.
If there is no RKE transmitter in
the vehicle or if there is
something causing interference
with it, the DIC will display a
message. SeeKey and Lock
Messages 0126.
2. When the engine begins cranking, let go of the button
and the engine cranks
automatically until it starts.
If the battery in the RKE
transmitter is weak, the DIC will
display a message. The vehicle
can still be driven.
See “Starting the Vehicle with a
Low Transmitter Battery” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 027. If the
remote transmitter battery is
dead, insert it into the steering
column transmitter pocket to
enable engine starting. See
“NO REMOTE KEY WAS
DETECTED PLACE KEY IN
TRANSMITTER POCKET THEN START YOUR
VEHICLE”
underKey and Lock
Messages 0126.
3. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
4. If the engine does not start and no DIC message is displayed,
wait 15 seconds before trying
again to let the cranking motor
cool down.
If the engine does not start
after five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather
(below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor while cranking for up
to 15 seconds maximum. Wait
at least 15 seconds between
each try, to allow the cranking
motor to cool down. When the
engine starts, let go of the
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, repeat these steps. This clears
the extra gasoline from the
engine.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by returning the
ignition to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
Stopping the Engine
If the vehicle has an automatic
transmission, move the shift lever to
P (Park) and press and hold the
ENGINE START/STOP button on
the instrument panel, until the
engine shuts off. If the shift lever is
not in P (Park), the engine shuts off
and the vehicle goes into the
accessory mode. The DIC displays
SHIFT TO PARK. Once the shift
lever is moved to P (Park), the
vehicle turns off. If the vehicle has a
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956103) - 2017 - crc - 4/28/16
Driving and Operating 199
accelerator pedals in preparation for
starting the vehicle moving in the
intended direction. In this case,
there is no need to push the switch
to release the EPB.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when thebrake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
If equipped, Hill Start Assist (HSA)
may automatically activate when the
vehicle is stopped on a grade. This
feature is designed to prevent the
vehicle from rolling, either forward or
rearward, during vehicle drive off.
During the transition from releasing
the brake pedal to accelerating to
drive off on a grade, HSA holds the
braking pressure to prevent rolling.
HSA will not activate if the vehicle is
in a drive gear and facing downhill
or if the vehicle is facing uphill and
in R (Reverse).
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and a StabiliTrak
system. These systems help limit
wheel spin and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially on
slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that the
rear wheels are spinning too much
or are beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, TCS applies
the brakes to the spinning wheel
and reduces engine power (by
closing the throttle and managing
engine spark) to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the
vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956103) - 2017 - crc - 4/28/16
230 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Oil Dipstick. See“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0230.
2. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank Fill Cap. See “Changing Engine Oil
and Filter” Engine Oil 0230.
3. Passenger Compartment Air
Filter 0158 (Out of View). See
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter 0158.
4. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0242.
5. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0255.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0237.
7. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
(Engine) 0239 orCooling
System (Aero Panel) 0241.
8. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0247.
9. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch 0237. 10. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0246.
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:
.
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 0235.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil (Except
Z06, Grand Sport, and Stingray
with Z51)
If the ENGINE OIL LOW–ADD OIL
message displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), check the
engine oil level right away. See
Engine Oil Messages 0125.
Check the engine oil level regularly
(every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 225 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956103) - 2017 - crc - 4/28/16
264 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) when
the low tire warning light is
displayed. Drive cautiously and
check the tire pressures as soon
as possible.
Run-flat tires can be driven on with
no air pressure. There is no need to
stop on the side of the road to
change the tire. Continue driving;
however, do not drive too far or too
fast. Driving on the tire may not be
possible if there is permanent
damage. To prevent permanent
damage, the tire can be driven with
no air pressure for up to 80 km
(50 mi) at speeds slower than
80 km/h (50 mph). As soon as
possible, contact the nearest
authorized GM or run-flat servicing
facility for inspection and repair or
replacement.
When driving on a deflated run-flat
tire, avoid potholes and other road
hazards that could damage the tire
and/or wheel beyond repair. When a
tire has been damaged, or if driven any distance while deflated, check
with an authorized run-flat tire
service center to determine whether
the tire can be repaired or should be
replaced. To maintain the run-flat
feature, all replacement tires must
be run-flat tires.
To locate the nearest GM or run-flat
servicing facility, call Customer
Assistance.
The valve stems on run-flat tires
have sensors that are part of the
TPMS. See
Tire Pressure Monitor
System 0273. These sensors
contain batteries that are designed
to last for 10 years under normal
driving conditions. See your dealer
for wheel or sensor replacement.
Caution
Using liquid sealants can damage
the tire valves and tire pressure
monitor sensors in the run-flat
tires. This damage is not covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
use liquid sealants in run-flat
tires.
Low-Profile Tires
Low-Profile Performance Tire
The original equipment tires on
this vehicle are classified as
low-profile performance tires.
These tires are designed for
very responsive driving on wet
or dry pavement, however, may
produce more road noise and
tend to wear faster.
Caution
Low-profile tires are more
susceptible to damage from road
hazards or curb impact than
standard profile tires. Tire and/or
wheel assembly damage can
occur when coming into contact
with road hazards like potholes,
or sharp edged objects, or when
sliding into a curb. The warranty
does not cover this type of
damage. Keep tires set to the
correct inflation pressure and (Continued)
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 269
Department of Transportation
(DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0177.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0177.
GAWR RR
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the rear axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0177.
Intended Outboard Sidewall
:
The side of an asymmetrical tire
that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa)
:The metric
unit for air pressure. Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
:A
tire used on light duty trucks and
some multipurpose passenger
vehicles.
Load Index
:An assigned
number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure
:
The maximum air pressure to
which a cold tire can be inflated.
The maximum air pressure is
molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating
:The
load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible inflation
pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle
Weight
:The sum of curb
weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight, and
production options weight. Normal Occupant Weight
:The
number of occupants a vehicle
is designed to seat multiplied by
68 kg (150 lb). See Vehicle Load
Limits 0177.
Occupant Distribution
:
Designated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall
:The
side of an asymmetrical tire that
has a particular side that faces
outward when mounted on a
vehicle. The side of the tire that
contains a whitewall, bears
white lettering, or bears
manufacturer, brand, and/or
model name molding that is
higher or deeper than the same
moldings on the other sidewall
of the tire.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:A
tire used on passenger cars and
some light duty trucks and
multipurpose vehicles.
Recommended Inflation
Pressure
:Vehicle
manufacturer's recommended