Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - crc - 3/29/17
Instruments and Controls 105
Fuel Gauge
Metric
English
When the ignition is on, the fuel
gauge indicates about how much
fuel is left in the tank.
An arrow on the fuel gauge
indicates the side of the vehicle the
fuel door is on.
When the indicator nears empty, the
low fuel light comes on. There is still
a little fuel left, but the fuel tank
should be filled soon.
Here are four things that some
owners ask about. None of these
show a problem with the fuel gauge: .
At the service station, the fuel
pump shuts off before the gauge
reads full.
. It takes a little more or less fuel
to fill up than the gauge
indicated. For example, the
gauge indicated the tank was
half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the
tank's capacity to fill the tank.
. The gauge moves a little while
turning a corner or speeding up.
. The gauge takes a few seconds
to stabilize after the ignition is
turned on, and goes back to
empty when the ignition is
turned off.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - crc - 3/29/17
110 Instruments and Controls
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually
with this light on, the emission
control system may not work as
well, the fuel economy may be
lower, and the vehicle may not
run smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake,
or fuel system, or the use of
replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire
specifications, can cause this light
to come on. This could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also
affect the vehicle’s ability to pass
an Emissions Inspection/
Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications
0213. If the light is flashing :
A
malfunction has been detected that
could damage the emission control
system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service
may be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce
vehicle speed and avoid hard
accelerations and uphill grades.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to park. Turn the vehicle
off and wait at least 10 seconds
before restarting the engine. If the
light is still flashing, follow the
previous guidelines and see your
dealer for service as soon as
possible.
If the light is on steady : A
malfunction has been detected.
Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
. If fuel has been added to the
vehicle using the capless funnel
adapter, make sure that it has
been removed. See “Filling the
Tank with a Portable Gas Can”
under Filling the Tank 0207. The diagnostic system can
detect if the adapter has been
left installed in the vehicle,
allowing fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the adapter removed
may turn off the light.
. Poor fuel quality can cause
inefficient engine operation and
poor driveability, which may go
away once the engine is warmed
up. If this occurs, change the
fuel brand. It may require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off. See Fuel
0 206.
If the light remains on, see your
dealer.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the
test equipment will likely connect to
the vehicle's Data Link
Connector (DLC).
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - crc - 4/4/17
Driving and Operating 173
weight of the driver, passengers
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification Label
A vehicle-specific Certification
label is attached to the rear
edge of the driver door. It may
show the gross weight capacity
of the vehicle, called the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight
of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel
and cargo.Caution
Overloading the vehicle may
cause damage. Repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not overload the
vehicle.
{Warning
Things you put inside your
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
.Put things in the rear
area of your vehicle. Try
to spread the weight
evenly.
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
.When you carry
something inside the
vehicle, secure it
whenever you can.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - crc - 4/4/17
208 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Fuel can spray out if the
refueling nozzle is inserted
too quickly. This spray can
happen if the tank is nearly
full, and is more likely in hot
weather. Insert the refueling
nozzle slowly and wait for
any hiss noise to stop prior
to beginning to flow fuel.
To open the fuel door, push and
release the rearward center edge of
the door. The fuel door is locked
when the vehicle doors are locked. Press
Kon the RKE transmitter to
unlock. The driver door must be
opened before the fuel door will
unlock.
The vehicle has a capless refueling
system and does not have a fuel
cap. The filling nozzle must be fully
inserted and latched prior to starting
fuel flow.
{Warning
Overfilling the fuel tank by more
than three clicks of a standard fill
nozzle may cause:
. Vehicle performance issues,
including engine stalling and
damage to the fuel system.
. Fuel spills.
. Potential fuel fires.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait a
few seconds before removing the
nozzle. After initial shutoff, do not
partially remove the nozzle to add
more fuel as this will result in fuel spillage. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care
0289.
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
Filling the Tank with a Portable
Gas Can
If the vehicle runs out of fuel and
must be filled from a portable
gas can:
1. Locate the capless funnel adapter from inside the vehicle.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - crc - 4/4/17
Driving and Operating 209
2. Insert and latch the funnel intothe capless fuel system.
{Warning
Attempting to refuel without using
the funnel adapter may cause fuel
spillage and damage the capless
fuel system. This could cause a
fire and you or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged.
3. Remove and clean the funnel adapter and return it to the
storage location.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always:
. Use approved fuel
containers.
. Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.
. Place the container on the
ground.
. Place the nozzle inside the
fill opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
. Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
. Do not smoke, light
matches, or use lighters
while pumping fuel.
. Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - crc - 3/29/17
224 Vehicle Care
Checking Engine Oil (Z06,
Grand Sport, and Stingray
with Z51)
1. Engine Oil Dipstick
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a
loop. The dipstick is located on the
dry sump engine oil tank. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0217 for the location of the dry
sump engine oil tank. These vehicles 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 checking
the engine oil level. Follow this
procedure closely.
The engine oil level must be
checked when the engine is warm.
Cold oil level in the dry sump tank
may not indicate the actual amount
of oil in the system. With this
system, engine oil is contained in an
external tank, separate from the
engine. Under normal operating
conditions, the oil pan under the
engine does not store any oil. If the
vehicle has been parked for an
extended period without the engine
being started, some oil will seep
back into the oil pan, reducing the
amount of oil held in the dry sump
tank and there could be no engine
oil at all showing on the dipstick.
This is normal since the dipstick is
designed to read the engine oil level
only after the engine has run long
enough to reach normal operatingtemperature. Do not add engine oil
based on cold engine dipstick
readings. The engine oil level on the
dipstick will also be inaccurate if
checked while the engine is running.
1. To obtain an accurate engine oil level reading, warm up the
engine to at least 80 °C
(175 °F). Cold oil will not give a
correct oil level reading.
2. Once the engine is warm, turn off the engine. Checking the oil
while the engine is running will
result in an incorrect oil level
reading.
3. Check the oil level between five and 10 minutes after the
engine is shut down.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
4. Remove the dipstick from the external engine oil tank and
wipe it with a clean lint-free
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - crc - 3/29/17
Vehicle Care 235
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 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.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1−6.
If the coolant still is not at the
proper level when the system
cools down again, see your
dealer.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the
cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Cooling System (Aero
Panel)
The aero panel enhances
aerodynamic efficiency and
improves fuel economy.
Remove the aero panel and bracket
to improve engine cooling and air
conditioning performance when
driving aggressively or in hot
weather.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - crc - 3/29/17
260 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
0 263.
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.