Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - CRC - 11/8/17
120 Instruments and Controls
When the remaining oil life is low,
the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will appear on the display.
The oil should be changed as soon
as possible. SeeEngine Oil0226.
In addition to the engine oil life
system monitoring the oil life,
additional maintenance is
recommended in the Maintenance
Schedule. See Maintenance
Schedule 0304.
The Oil Life display must be reset
after each oil change. It will not
reset itself. Do not reset the Oil Life
display accidentally at any time
other than when the oil has just
been changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil change.
To reset the engine oil life system,
press and hold SEL for several
seconds while the Oil Life display is
active. See Engine Oil Life System
0 231. Tire Pressure :
Displays the
approximate pressures of all four
tires. Tire pressure is displayed in
either kilopascal (kPa) or in pounds
per square inch (psi). If the pressure
is low, the value for that tire is
shown in amber. See Tire Pressure
Monitor System 0267 andTire
Pressure Monitor Operation 0268.
Best Average Fuel Economy :
Displays the average fuel economy,
the best fuel economy over the
selected distance, and a bar graph
showing instantaneous fuel
economy. Press
pto change the
selected distance.
Fuel Used/Timer : Displays the
approximate liters (L) or
gallons (gal) of fuel that have been
used since last reset. The fuel used
can be reset by pressing and
holding SEL while this display is
active. This display can also be used as
a timer. To start/stop the timer,
press
pwhile this display is active
and then SEL to start/stop the timer.
The display will show the amount of
time that has passed since the timer
was last reset. To reset the timer to
zero, press and hold SEL or use
p
to access the menu while this
display is active.
ECO Index : Aids the driver in
determining how efficiently they are
driving.
This display may also show the
number of cylinders the vehicle is
running on. See Active Fuel
Management 0184.
Speed Limit : Displays sign
information, which comes from a
roadway database in the onboard
navigation.
Engine Hours/Lifetime Revs :
Displays the total number of hours
the engine has run. It also shows
total engine revolutions divided by
10,000.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - CRC - 11/8/17
160 Driving and Operating
vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving. SeeCompetitive
Driving Mode 0201.
A manual transmission is
recommended for extended track
usage at higher ambient
temperatures. Consult the Track
Preparation Guide for additional
information. See your dealer.
Be sure to follow all service
procedures before driving the
vehicle at track events or
competitively.
Engine Sound Management
Setting
Caution
Do not place the vehicle in
Engine Sound Management –
Stealth mode. Damage could
result to exhaust valve actuators. Engine Oil
Caution
If the vehicle is used for track
events and competitive driving,
the engine may use more oil than
it would with normal use. Low oil
levels can damage the engine.
Check the oil level often and
maintain the proper level. See
Engine Oil
0226.
Caution
Not changing the engine oil to
15W-50 may cause engine
damage. Engine oil must be
changed to 15W-50 synthetic.
See Capacities and Specifications
0 318.
Z51 Performance Package, Grand
Sport, and Z06 Only: Check the oil
level often during track events and
competitive driving and keep the
level at or near 0.5 L (0.5 qt) above the upper mark that shows the
proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. After the
competitive driving, remove excess
oil so that the level on the dipstick is
not above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range.
Stingray without Z51 Performance
Package: Additional oil fill above the
upper mark on the dipstick is not
recommended for track events or
other competitive driving. Check the
oil level often during racing or other
competitive driving and keep the
level at or near the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range
on the engine oil dipstick. After the
competitive driving, remove excess
oil so that the level on the dipstick is
not above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range.
After track use, change the oil back
to 5W-30 for street use. See
Engine
Oil 0226.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Have the transmission fluid set to
the track specific oil level prior to
track usage. Transmission fluid
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - CRC - 11/8/17
Driving and Operating 177
Warning (Continued)
.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.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
.When you carry
something inside the
vehicle, secure it
whenever you can.
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Follow these recommended
guidelines during the first 2 414 km
(1,500 mi) of driving this vehicle.
Parts have a break-in period and
performance will be better in the
long run.
For the first 322 km (200 mi):
.To break in new tires, drive at
moderate speeds and avoid hard
cornering.
. New brake linings also need a
break-in period. Avoid making
hard stops. This is
recommended every time brake
linings are replaced.
For the first 800 km (500 mi):
. Avoid full throttle starts and
abrupt stops.
. Do not exceed 4000 rpm. .
Avoid driving at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
including the use of cruise
control.
. Avoid downshifting to brake or
slow the vehicle when the
engine speed will exceed
4000 rpm.
. Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine. With a
manual transmission, shift to the
next lower gear. This rule
applies at all times, not just
during the break-in period.
. If equipped with a dry sump
engine (Stingray with Z51,
Grand Sport, and Z06), the initial
oil and filter change must be
performed at 800 km (500 mi).
For the first 2 414 km (1,500 mi):
. Do not participate in track
events, sport driving schools,
or similar activities.
. Check engine oil with every
refueling and add if necessary.
Oil and fuel consumption may be
higher than normal.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - CRC - 11/8/17
Driving and Operating 181
with it, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display a
message.
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 028. If the
RKE transmitter battery is
dead, insert it into the steering
column transmitter pocket to
enable engine starting.
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
ENGINE START/STOP 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 manual
transmission, move the shift lever to
R (Reverse) and set the parking
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - CRC - 11/8/17
Driving and Operating 211
Prohibited Fuels
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so
may damage the vehicle and void
its warranty:. For vehicles which are not
FlexFuel, fuel labeled
greater than 15% ethanol by
volume, such as mid-level
ethanol blends (16 –50%
ethanol), E85, or FlexFuel.
. Fuel with any amount of
methanol, methylal, and
aniline. These fuels can
corrode metal fuel system
parts or damage plastic and
rubber parts.
. Fuel containing metals such
as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT), which can damage
the emissions control
system and spark plugs.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Fuel with a posted octane
rating of less than the
recommended fuel. Using
this fuel will lower fuel
economy and performance,
and may decrease the life of
the emissions catalyst.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance may be
affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp could turn on and the vehicle
may not pass a smog-check test.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
0 111. If this occurs, return to your authorized dealer for diagnosis. If it
is determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post
fuel octane ratings in anti-knock
index (AKI). For fuel not to use in a
foreign country, see
“Prohibited
Fuels” inFuel 0210.
Fuel Additives
To keep fuel systems clean, TOP
TIER detergent gasoline is
recommended. See Fuel0210.
If TOP TIER detergent gasoline is
not available, one bottle of GM Fuel
System Treatment Cleaner added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help. GM Fuel System
Treatment Cleaner is the only
gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 215
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 216
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 217
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Lifting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 231
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 233
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 233
Cooling System (Engine) . . . . . 236
Cooling System (Aero Panel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 240 Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Battery - North America . . . . . . 244
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 246
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 247
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 247
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 248
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 250
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 251
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Competition Oriented Tires . . . 260
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 261
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - CRC - 11/8/17
Vehicle Care 221
Engine Compartment Overview
6.2L LT1 V8 Engine (without Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank)
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - CRC - 11/8/17
222 Vehicle Care
1.Passenger Compartment Air
Filter 0153 (Out of View).
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 236 orCooling System (Aero
Panel) 0239.
3. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0252.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0233. 5. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of
View). See Cooling System
(Engine) 0236 orCooling
System (Aero Panel) 0239.
6. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0226.
7. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0226. 8. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brake Fluid 0243.
9. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch 0233.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 241.