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
Driving and Operating 173
12. Install the two self tappingscrews to the control arm
through both sides of the
airbox cavities. Do not tighten
at this time.
13. Torque all five screws to 4 Y
(35 lb inch).
14. Repeat the procedure for the opposite side of the vehicle.
15. Install the front wheels. Refer to the procedure in the vehicle
service manual.
Wheel Blocker
The following installation procedure
is for Z06 vehicles with the J56
brake package and should be
installed prior to any track events.
The wheel blocker helps improve
the cooling of the brake rotor.
Caution
The wheel-blocker is for track use
only. After a track event, remove
the wheel-blocker and reinstall
the original splash shield. Failure
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
to reinstall the original parts may
lead to damage to the
wheel-blocker, noise, premature
brake pad and rotor wear and
high speed wet braking.
To install the wheel blocker:
1. Remove the front wheels. Refer to the procedure in the
vehicle service manual. 2. Remove the brake caliper (1)
from the steering knuckle. Do
not disconnect the brake hose.
Refer to procedure in vehicle
service manual.
3. Remove the brake rotor retaining fastener (2) and then
remove the brake rotor (3).
4. Remove the 2 splash shield fasteners (4).
5. Remove the splash shield (5).
6. Install the wheel blocker (1).
7. Install the 3 wheel blocker fasteners (2). Torque to 10 Y
(89 lb inch).
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956103) - 2017 - crc - 4/28/16
174 Driving and Operating
8. Install the rotor (1) withfastener (2). Torque to 10 Y
(89 lb inch).
9. Install the caliper (1) with two fasteners (2). Torque to
120 Y (89 lb ft).
10. Repeat the procedure for the opposite side of the vehicle.
11. Reinstall the wheels using the specified lug nut torque. Refer
to procedure in the vehicle
service manual.
12. After a track event, repeat the steps to reinstall the original
splash shield.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956103) - 2017 - crc - 4/28/16
282 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts can be dangerous. It could
affect the braking and handling of
the vehicle. Tires can lose air,
and cause loss of control, causing
a crash. Always use the correct
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Caution
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire
clearance to the body and
chassis.
Tightening Wheel Lug Nuts
{Warning
Never use oil or grease on studs
or the threads of the wheel nuts.
The wheel nuts might come loose
and the wheel could fall off,
causing a crash.
{Warning
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause
the wheel to become loose and
even come off. This could lead to
a crash. Be sure to use the
correct wheel nuts. If you have to
replace them, be sure to get new
GM original equipment
wheel nuts.
Caution
Improperly tightened wheel nuts
can lead to brake pulsation and
rotor damage. To avoid expensive
brake repairs, evenly tighten the
wheel nuts in the proper
sequence and to the proper
torque specification.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956103) - 2017 - crc - 4/28/16
300 Vehicle Care
Caution
Chrome wheels and other chrome
trim may be damaged if the
vehicle is not washed after driving
on roads that have been sprayed
with magnesium, calcium,
or sodium chloride. These
chlorides are used on roads for
conditions such as ice and dust.
Always wash the chrome with
soap and water after exposure.
Caution
To avoid surface damage, do not
use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners,
brushes, or cleaners that contain
acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum
brake linings/shoes for wear or
cracks. Inspect other brake parts,
including drums, wheel cylinders,
calipers, parking brake, master
cylinder, brake fluid reservoir,
vacuum pipes, electric vacuum
pump including bracket and vent
hose, if equipped.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at
least once a year. Inspect power steering for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, and liftgate hinges,
unless the components are plastic.
Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth will
make them last longer, seal better,
and not stick or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
At least twice a year, spring and fall,
use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the
underbody. Take care to thoroughly
clean any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and
contaminate the fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of the
transfer case and/or axles and
should be replaced.