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Vehicle Care 233
paper towel or a cloth.
Re-insert the dipstick into the
external oil tank, pushing it all
the way in until it stops.
5. Remove the dipstick from the oil tank and read the level on
the cross-hatched area.
When to Add Engine Oil (Z06,
Grand Sport, and Stingray
with Z51)
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
through the oil fill cap opening in the
oil tank and then recheck the level.
See “Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
for an explanation of what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see
Capacities and
Specifications 0321.
See Track Events and Competitive
Driving 0164 for additional
information on engine oil.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 225 for the location of the external
engine oil tank and fill cap. Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back into the oil tank when through.
Changing Engine Oil and Filter
(Z06, Grand Sport, and
Stingray with Z51)
The vehicle may have a
racetrack-ready dry sump engine
lubrication system. This high
performance system operates
differently than a standard engine
lubrication system and requires a
special procedure when changing
the engine oil and filter. Follow this
procedure closely when changing
the engine oil and filter.
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234 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Oil Drain Plugs
2. Seals
Steps to follow:1. Remove the two engine oil drain plugs from the bottom of
the engine oil pan. One drain
plug drains the external oil tank
via the oil transfer supply line.
The other drain plug drains
residual oil from the crankcase
sump. Allow the oil to drain.
2. Once the oil has been drained from the engine, remove the
engine oil filter and allow the oil
to drain. 3. Reinstall both drain plugs and
tighten them to 25 Y
(18 lb ft).
4. Replace the oil filter and tighten it three-quarters to one
turn after gasket contact. See
Maintenance Replacement
Parts 0317 for the correct filter.
5. Oil is filled through the opening in the top of the external
engine oil tank. Remove the oil
fill cap.
6. Add oil to the oil tank. See Capacities and
Specifications 0321.
7. Install the oil fill cap and insert the dipstick, if removed.
8. Start the engine and let it run at idle for at least 15 seconds.
This will circulate the fresh
engine oil through the
lubrication system.
9. Shut off the engine and check the oil level as described under
“Checking Engine Oil (Z06,
Grand Sport, and Stingray
with Z51).”
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0316.
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils that
meet the dexos1™ specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
GM recommends Mobil 1
®engine
oils that show the dexos1 approved
logo for its dry sump equipped
engines.
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Vehicle Care 235
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below −29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade, it
is recommended to select an oil of
the correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
For track events or competitive
driving, use Mobil 1
®15W-50 engine
oil. An instrument cluster warning
light will be illuminated at high oil
temperatures. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0115.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1™ specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer that
indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
Z06, Grand Sport, and Sting Ray
with Z51 have a racetrack-ready dry
sump engine lubrication system.
This high performance system
operates differently than a standard
engine lubrication system and
requires a special procedure when
changing the engine oil and filter.
See
Engine Oil 0230.
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242 Vehicle Care
Stingray Shown, Grand Sport andZ06 Similar
2. Unscrew the two fasteners that secure the bracket.
3. Gently pull the bracket away from the grille.
To replace the bracket and aero
panel: 1. Position the bracket over the grille.
2. Secure the bracket by pushing the two fasteners into place.
3. Snap the aero panel into place.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0316. The fluid
requires changing at certain
intervals. See Maintenance
Schedule 0307.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0244.
What to Use
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle's coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. The
engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
mixture of 40% DEX-COOL
coolant and 60% clean, drinkable
water.
Use a mixture of 40% DEX-COOL
coolant and 60% clean, drinkable
water. If using this mixture, nothing
else needs to be added. This
mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−28 °C (−18 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
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Vehicle Care 243
Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0316.
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. 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 0244.
The engine coolant surge tank is
toward the rear of the engine
compartment on the passenger side
of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0225.
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 your 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.
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Vehicle Care 297
Caution
Do not power wash any
component under the hood that
has this
esymbol. This could
cause damage that would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
If using an automatic car wash,
comply with the car wash
instructions. The windshield wiper
must be off. Remove any
accessories that may be damaged
or interfere with the car wash
equipment.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after, to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not
recommended. If painted surfaces
are damaged, see your dealer to
have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such as
calcium chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar, tree
sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle's finish if they
remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Occasional hand waxing or mild
polishing should be done to remove
residue from the paint finish. See
your dealer for approved cleaning
products.
Do not apply waxes or polishes to
uncoated plastic, vinyl, rubber,
decals, simulated wood, or flat paint
as damage can occur.Caution
Machine compounding or
aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint finish
may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and polishes
that are made for a basecoat/
clearcoat paint finish on the
vehicle.
To keep the paint finish looking new,
keep the vehicle garaged or
covered whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal
Moldings
Caution
Failure to clean and protect the
bright metal moldings can result
in a hazy white finish or pitting.
This damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
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302 Vehicle Care
use approximately 20 drops per
3.8 L (1 gal) of water.
A concentrated soap solution will
create streaks and attract dirt.
Do not use solutions that contain
strong or caustic soap.
. Do not heavily saturate the
upholstery when cleaning.
. Do not use solvents or cleaners
containing solvents.
Interior Glass
To clean, use a terry cloth fabric
dampened with water. Wipe droplets
left behind with a clean dry cloth.
If necessary, use a commercial
glass cleaner after cleaning with
plain water.
Caution
To prevent scratching, never use
abrasive cleaners on automotive
glass. Abrasive cleaners or
aggressive cleaning may damage
the rear window defogger. Cleaning the windshield with water
during the first three to six months
of ownership will reduce tendency
to fog.
Speaker Covers
Vacuum around a speaker cover
gently, so that the speaker will not
be damaged. Clean spots with water
and mild soap.
Coated Moldings
Coated moldings should be cleaned.
.
When lightly soiled, wipe with a
sponge or soft, lint-free cloth
dampened with water.
. When heavily soiled, use warm
soapy water.
Fabric/Carpet/Suede/
Sueded-Microfiber
Start by vacuuming the surface
using a soft brush attachment. If a
rotating vacuum brush attachment is
being used, only use it on the floor
carpet. Before cleaning, gently
remove as much of the soil as
possible: .
Gently blot liquids with a paper
towel. Continue blotting until no
more soil can be removed.
. For solid soils, remove as much
as possible prior to vacuuming.
To clean:
1. Saturate a clean, lint-free colorfast cloth with water.
Microfiber cloth is
recommended to prevent lint
transfer to the fabric or carpet.
2. Remove excess moisture by gently wringing until water does
not drip from the cleaning cloth.
3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub toward the
center. Fold the cleaning cloth
to a clean area frequently to
prevent forcing the soil in to the
fabric.
4. Continue gently rubbing the soiled area until there is no
longer any color transfer from
the soil to the cleaning cloth.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild soap
solution followed only by plain
water.
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If the soil is not completely
removed, it may be necessary to
use a commercial upholstery
cleaner or spot lifter. Test a small
hidden area for colorfastness before
using a commercial upholstery
cleaner or spot lifter. If ring
formation occurs, clean the entire
fabric or carpet.
After cleaning, use a paper towel to
blot excess moisture.
Cleaning High Gloss Surfaces
and Vehicle Information and
Radio Displays
Use a microfiber cloth on high gloss
surfaces or vehicle displays. First,
use a soft bristle brush to remove
dirt that can scratch the surface.
Then gently clean by rubbing with a
microfiber cloth. Never use window
cleaners or solvents. Periodically
hand wash the microfiber cloth
separately, using mild soap. Do not
use bleach or fabric softener. Rinse
thoroughly and air dry before
next use.
Caution
Do not attach a device with a
suction cup to the display. This
may cause damage and would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Instrument Panel, Leather,
Vinyl, Other Plastic Surfaces,
Low Gloss Paint Surfaces, and
Natural Open Pore Wood
Surfaces
Use a soft microfiber cloth
dampened with water to remove
dust and loose dirt. For a more
thorough cleaning, use a soft
microfiber cloth dampened with a
mild soap solution.
Caution
Soaking or saturating leather,
especially perforated leather, as
well as other interior surfaces,
may cause permanent damage.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Wipe excess moisture from these
surfaces after cleaning and allow
them to dry naturally. Never use
heat, steam, or spot removers. Do
not use cleaners that contain
silicone or wax-based products.
Cleaners containing these
solvents can permanently change
the appearance and feel of
leather or soft trim, and are not
recommended.
Do not use cleaners that increase
gloss, especially on the instrument
panel. Reflected glare can decrease
visibility through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Caution
Use of air fresheners may cause
permanent damage to plastics
and painted surfaces. If an air
freshener comes in contact with
any plastic or painted surface in (Continued)