Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956103) - 2017 - crc - 4/28/16
Vehicle Care 219
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 220
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 220
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Lifting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 235
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 237
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 237
Cooling System (Engine) . . . . . 239
Cooling System (Aero Panel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 244 Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Battery - North America . . . . . . 248
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 250
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 251
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 251
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 252Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 253
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 254
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Competition Oriented Tires . . . 265
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 266
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 281
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
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Vehicle Care 263
Warning (Continued)
.Replace any tires that
have been damaged by
impacts with potholes,
curbs, etc.
.Improperly repaired tires
can cause a crash. Only
the dealer or an
authorized tire service
center should repair,
replace, dismount, and
mount the tires.
.Do not spin the tires in
excess of 56 km/h
(35 mph) on slippery
surfaces such as snow,
mud, ice, etc. Excessive
spinning may cause the
tires to explode.
See Tire Pressure for
High-Speed Operation 0272 for
inflation pressure adjustment for
high-speed driving.
Winter Tires
This vehicle was not originally
equipped with winter tires. Winter
tires are designed for increased
traction on snow and ice-covered
roads. Consider installing winter
tires on the vehicle if frequent
driving on ice or snow covered
roads is expected. See your dealer
for details regarding winter tire
availability and proper tire selection.
Also, see Buying New Tires 0278.
With winter tires, there may be
decreased dry road traction,
increased road noise, and shorter
tread life. After changing to winter
tires, be alert for changes in vehicle
handling and braking.
If using winter tires:
. Use tires of the same brand and
tread type on all four wheel
positions.
. Use only radial ply tires of the
same size, load range, and
speed rating as the original
equipment tires. Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment tires
may not be available for H, V, W, Y,
and ZR speed rated tires. If winter
tires with a lower speed rating are
chosen, never exceed the tire's
maximum speed capability.
Run-Flat Tires
This vehicle, when new, had run-flat
tires. There is no spare tire, no tire
changing equipment, and no place
to store a tire in the vehicle.
The vehicle also has a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
that indicates a loss of tire pressure
in any of the tires.
{Warning
If the low tire warning light
displays on the instrument cluster,
the handling capabilities will be
reduced during severe
maneuvers. Driving too fast could
cause loss of control and you or
others could be injured. Do not
(Continued)
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268 Vehicle Care
(3) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit
number that indicates the tire
height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item 3 of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire's sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(4) Construction Code
:A letter
code is used to indicate the type
of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply
construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply
construction; and the letter B
means belted-bias ply
construction.
(5) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(6) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
index and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carrying capacity a tire
is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch).
Accessory Weight
:The
combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are
automatic transmission, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords between the plies and the
tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing
materials. Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire
Pressure 0270.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
:A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
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Vehicle Care 273
Tire Pressure Monitor
System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure
levels. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in your tires and
transmit tire pressure readings to a
receiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more
of your tires is significantly
under-inflated.Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the
vehicle's handling and stopping
ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure
telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated.This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as
long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function
properly.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0274.
See Radio Frequency
Statement 0334.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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274 Vehicle Care
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn the
driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly on your vehicle. The
TPMS sensors monitor the air
pressure in the tires and transmits
the tire pressure readings to a
receiver located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS illuminates
the low tire pressure warning light,
located in the instrument cluster.
If the warning light comes on, stop
as soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressureshown on the tire loading
information label. See
Vehicle Load
Limits 0177.
A message to check the pressure in
a specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low
tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message appear at
each ignition cycle until the tires are
inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed. For
additional information and details
about the DIC operation and
displays see Driver Information
Center (DIC) 0115 and Tire
Messages 0130.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven. This
could be an early indicator that the
air pressure is getting low and
needs to be inflated to the proper
pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label
shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when they are cold. See
Vehicle Load
Limits 0177, for an example of the
Tire and Loading Information label
and its location. Also see Tire
Pressure 0270 for additional
information.
The TPMS can warn about a low
tire pressure condition but it does
not replace normal tire
maintenance. See Tire Inspection
0 275, Tire Rotation 0276, When It
Is Time for New Tires 0277, and
Tires 0262.
Caution
Tire sealant materials are not all
the same. A non-approved tire
sealant could damage the TPMS
sensors. TPMS sensor damage
caused by using an incorrect tire
sealant is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use only
the GM approved tire sealant
available through your dealer or
included in the vehicle.
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276 Vehicle Care
Replace the tire if:
.The indicators at three or
more places around the tire
can be seen.
.There is cord or fabric
showing through the tire's
rubber.
.The tread or sidewall is
cracked, cut, or snagged
deep enough to show cord or
fabric.
.The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut,
or other damage that cannot
be repaired well because of
the size or location of the
damage.
Tire Rotation
The tires should be rotated
every 12 000 km/7,500 mi. See
Maintenance Schedule0307.
Tires are rotated to achieve
uniform wear for all tires. The
first rotation is the most
important.
Anytime unusual wear is
noticed, rotate the tires as soon
as possible, check for proper tire
inflation pressure, and check for
damaged tires or wheels. If the
unusual wear continues after the
rotation, check the wheel
alignment. See When It Is Time
for New Tires 0277 andWheel
Replacement 0281.
Different tire sizes should not be
rotated front to rear.
Use this rotation pattern if the
vehicle has different size tires
on the front and rear.
Adjust the front and rear tires to
the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label after
the tires have been rotated. See
Tire Pressure 0270 and Vehicle
Load Limits 0177.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation 0274.
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Vehicle Care 279
{Warning
Mixing tires of different sizes
(other than those originally
installed on the vehicle), brands,
or types may cause loss of
control of the vehicle, resulting in
a crash or other vehicle damage.
Use the correct size, brand, and
type of tire on all four wheels.
{Warning
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel
rim flanges to develop cracks
after many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If the vehicle tires must be
replaced with a tire that does not
have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size, load range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the
original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire
pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate
low-pressure warning if non-TPC
Spec rated tires are installed.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0274.
The Tire and Loading
Information label indicates the
original equipment tires on the
vehicle. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0177.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that
are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, roll bars, traction control, electronic stability
control, or All-Wheel Drive, the
performance of these systems can
also be affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires 0278 and
Accessories and
Modifications 0220.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
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Vehicle Care 283
Tighten the wheel lug nuts firmly in
a crisscross sequence. See
Capacities and Specifications0321.
Tire Chains
{Warning
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause loss of
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
control and a crash. Use another
type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for
the vehicle's tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive
slowly and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels.
If traction devices are used, install
them on the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to
leak out slowly. SeeTires0262 for
additional information. But if there
ever is a blowout, here are a few
tips about what to expect and what
to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.
The vehicle has no spare tire, no
tire changing equipment, and no
place to store a tire.
If the vehicle has run-flat tires, there
is no need to stop on the side of the
road to change a flat tire. See
Run-Flat Tires
0263.
{Warning
Special tools and procedures are
required to service a run-flat tire.
If these special tools and
(Continued)