Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - CRC - 11/8/17
In Brief 23
stop as soon as possible and inflate
the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Vehicle Load Limits0173. The
warning light will remain on until the
tire pressure is corrected.
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
may be an early indicator that the
tire pressures are getting low and
the tires need to be inflated to the
proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. Maintain
the correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
0 267.
Performance Vehicle
Features
Checking Engine Oil
Your vehicle may have a high
performance dry sump lubrication
system. This system operates differently than a standard engine
lubrication system. See
Engine Oil
0 226.
Check the oil level only after the
engine has been thoroughly warmed
up and then check between five and
10 minutes of shutoff. This ensures
that the oil level reading obtained
will be accurate.
Brake Noise
Under certain weather or operating
conditions, occasional brake squeal
may be heard with the vehicle's
performance braking system. This
brake system is designed for
superior fade resistance and
consistent operation using high
performance brake pads. Brake
squeal is normal and does not affect
system performance.
Tire Chatter/Hop
When driving at slow speeds and in
very tight turns, the vehicle may
have tire chatter/hop. This condition
is normal and the vehicle does not
require service. Road Imperfections/Crown Effects
The vehicle's precise steering and
handling make it very responsive to
road surface feedback. A slight pull
may be felt in the steering
depending on the crown of the road
and/or other road surface variations
such as troughs or ruts. This is
normal and the vehicle does not
require service.
Fuel (LT1 6.2L V8 Engine)
Premium Recommended Fuel
Use premium 93 octane unleaded
gasoline in your vehicle. Unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating as
low as 87 may be used, but it will
reduce performance and fuel
economy. See
Fuel0210.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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In Brief 25
Car Wash Guidelines
Caution
Some automatic car washes can
cause damage to the vehicle,
wheels, or convertible top,
if equipped. Automatic car
washes are not recommended,
due to lack of clearance for the
undercarriage and/or wide rear
tires and wheels. See "Washing
the Vehicle" underExterior Care
0 292
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible:
.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
. Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops. .
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
. When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
. Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
. Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
. Combine several trips into a
single trip.
. Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
. Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
. Select Eco Mode for improved
fuel economy. This will result in
better Active Fuel Management
operation. See Active Fuel
Management 0184.
. For recommended shift speeds,
see Manual Transmission 0190. Premium Fuel
Use the recommended fuel. See
Fuel
0210.
Roadside Assistance
Program
U.S.: 1-800-243-8872
TTY Users (U.S. Only):
1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
New Chevrolet owners are
automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance Program.
See Roadside Assistance Program
0 325.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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116 Instruments and Controls
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light goes off.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving
with this light on can damage the
engine and it may not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. See
Engine Overheating0240.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens, pull over and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
See Engine Overheating 0240.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. Stop as soon as possible,
and inflate the tires to the pressure
value shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Tire
Pressure 0266. When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0268.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check
the oil level as soon as possible.
Add oil if required, but if the oil
level is within the operating range
and the oil pressure is still low,
have the vehicle serviced. Always
follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 161
should be changed after every
15 hours of track usage. Any
transmission level set or change
should be performed at your dealer.
Manual Transmission Fluid
Manual transmission fluid should be
changed after every 15 hours of
track usage.
Brake Fluid
Replace existing brake fluid with a
qualified high performance brake
fluid from a sealed container. Brake
fluid with a dry boiling point >310 °C
(590 °F) is qualified. If high
performance brake fluid is used,
replace it with GM approved brake
fluid before driving on public roads.
If high performance brake fluid is in
the vehicle and the age of the brake
fluid is over a month old or
unknown, replace the brake fluid
before track events and competitive
driving. Do not use silicone or
DOT-5 brake fluids.Load Limit
Z51 Performance Package Only:
Limit vehicle load to the driver only,
with no other cargo. Inflate tires to
180 kPa (26 psi) and drive at a
maximum speed of 280 km/h
(174 mph).
Grand Sport and Z06 Only: Limit
vehicle load to the driver only, with
no other cargo. Inflate tires to
180 kPa (26 psi) and drive at a
maximum speed of 296 km/h
(184 mph).
Wheel Alignment
Caution
Using these wheel alignment
settings may cause excessive tire
wear. Only use these wheel
alignment settings for racing or
competitive driving. Excessive tire
wear is not covered under the
vehicle warranty.
If the vehicle is equipped with the
Z51 package, is a Z06, or is a
Grand Sport, the racing and competitive driving wheel alignment
settings should be set as described
here. Alignment should be
performed by first removing washers
between the upper control arms and
frame according to the following
instructions:
.
Z51 - Remove maximum of one
washer per front upper control
arm bolt.
Remove maximum of one
washer per rear upper control
arm bolt.
. Z06 - Remove maximum of one
washer per front upper control
arm bolt.
Do not remove washers from
rear upper control arm bolts.
. Grand Sport - Do not remove
washers from front upper control
arm bolts.
Do not remove washers from
rear upper control arm bolts.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 171
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0257.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.
Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering assist. Always
have the engine running and the
vehicle in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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174 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
reduce stopping distance,
damage the tires, and shorten
the life of the vehicle.Tire and Loading Information
Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the center pillar
(B-pillar). This label shows the
number of occupant seating
positions (1), and the maximum
vehicle capacity weight (2) in
kilograms and pounds. The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows the
size of the original equipment
tires (3) and the recommended
cold tire inflation pressures (4).
For more information on tires
and inflation see
Tires0257
and Tire Pressure 0266.
There is also important loading
information on the vehicle
Certification label. It may show
the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
the front and rear axle. See
“Certification Label” later in this
section.
“Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit–
1.
Locate the statement "The
combined weight of
occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s
placard.
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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-
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216 Vehicle Care
Wheel Alignment and TireBalance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 276
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - NorthAmerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including
this one, as well as many of its
service parts and fluids, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and
systems, many fluids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0244
and Jump Starting - North America
0 287 and the back cover.