Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
218 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 219
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 220
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Lifting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 237
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 239
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 239
Cooling System (Engine) . . . . . 242
Cooling System (Aero Panel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 Cooling System (Intercooler on
LT4 and LT5 Engines) . . . . . . . 247
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 247
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Battery - North America . . . . . . 251
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 253
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 254
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 254
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 255
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 257
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 258
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Competition Oriented Tires . . . 268
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
226 Vehicle Care
1.Passenger Compartment Air
Filter 0155 (Out of View).
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 242 orCooling System (Aero
Panel) 0246 orCooling
System (Intercooler on LT4 and
LT5 Engines) 0247.
3. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0259.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0239.
5. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 242 orCooling System (Aero
Panel) 0246 orCooling
System (Intercooler on LT4 and
LT5 Engines) 0247.
6. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0232.
7. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0232.
8. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0250. 9. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch 0239.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 248.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
228 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Oil Dipstick. See“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0232.
2. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank Fill Cap. See “Changing Engine Oil
and Filter” Engine Oil 0232.
3. Passenger Compartment Air
Filter 0155 (Out of View).
4. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 242 orCooling System (Aero
Panel) 0246 orCooling
System (Intercooler on LT4 and
LT5 Engines) 0247.
5. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0259.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0239.
7. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 242 orCooling System (Aero
Panel) 0246 orCooling
System (Intercooler on LT4 and
LT5 Engines) 0247.
8. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0250. 9. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch 0239.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 248.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
230 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Oil Dipstick. See“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0232.
2. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank Fill Cap. See “Changing Engine Oil
and Filter” Engine Oil 0232.
3. Passenger Compartment Air
Filter 0155 (Out of View).
4. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 242 orCooling System (Aero
Panel) 0246 orCooling
System (Intercooler on LT4 and
LT5 Engines) 0247.
5. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0259.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0239.
7. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 242 orCooling System (Aero
Panel) 0246 orCooling
System (Intercooler on LT4 and
LT5 Engines) 0247.
8. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0250. 9. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch 0239.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 248.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
232 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Oil Dipstick. See“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0232.
2. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank Fill Cap. See “Changing Engine Oil
and Filter” Engine Oil 0232.
3. Passenger Compartment Air
Filter 0155 (Out of View).
4. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 242 orCooling System (Aero
Panel) 0246 orCooling
System (Intercooler on LT4 and
LT5 Engines) 0247.
5. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0259.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0239.
7. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 242 orCooling System (Aero
Panel) 0246 orCooling
System (Intercooler on LT4 and
LT5 Engines) 0247.
8. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0250. 9. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch 0239.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 248.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0237. .
Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil (Except
ZR1, Z06, Grand Sport, and
Stingray with Z51)
If the ENGINE OIL LOW–ADD OIL
message displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), check the
engine oil level right away.
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0225 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 239
service manual. To purchase a
service manual, seePublication
Ordering Information 0339.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the correct
automatic transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0321.
Change the fluid and filter at the
proper intervals. See Maintenance
Schedule 0312. Be sure to use the
correct fluid. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0321.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible. See
Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0321 for the
proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
It is not necessary to regularly
check clutch fluid unless you
suspect there is a leak in the
system. Adding fluid will not correct
a leak. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
The fluid will darken over time. See
Maintenance Schedule 0312 for
when to replace the fluid.
When to Check and What
to Use
The hydraulic clutch fluid reservoir
cap has this symbol on it. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 225 for reservoir location.
Refer to Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0321 for the proper fluid
to use. The fluid requires changing.
See Maintenance Schedule 0312.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the clutch fluid
reservoir to make sure the fluid level
is at the MIN (minimum) line on the
side of the reservoir. The hydraulic
clutch fluid system should be closed
and sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check the
fluid level or to top off the fluid level.
Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper fluid
until the level reaches the MIN line.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 225 for the location of the engine
air cleaner/filter.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
250 Vehicle Care
lightly applied. Brake linings should
always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Rotor Wear
ZR1, Z06, and Grand Sport models
may have ceramic brake rotors.
Rotors should be visually inspected
whenever the brake pads are
replaced. Rotors also need to be
weighed before brake pads are
replaced to confirm that the rotor
mass is greater than the wear-out
mass printed on then rotor. The
rotor can be reused if the weight of
the rotor is above the mass limit.
Rotor inspection and weighing
methods can be found in the service
manual.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or parts are improperly
installed.
Cold Weather Brake Operation
High performance brake
components may bind and clunk
when moving the vehicle. This may
be noticeable after parking when the
brakes have been wet, such as
when driving in the rain or after a
car wash. This is normal for brakes
with high friction pads and does not
affect the operation of the brakes.
Apply the brakes several times until
the binding or clunking stops. Drive
the vehicle and apply the brakes
several times if it is washed before
long-term storage.
Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch master cylinder
reservoir is filled with GM approved
DOT 4 brake fluid as indicated on
the reservoir cap. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0225 for
the location of the reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
Place the vehicle in P (Park) or
Neutral with the parking brake
applied if equipped with a manual
transmission. On a level surface,
the brake fluid level should be
between the minimum and
maximum marks on the brake fluid
reservoir.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
Vehicle Care 251
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
.Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake/clutch
hydraulic system. Have the
brake/clutch hydraulic system
fixed. With a leak, the brakes will
not work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
Do not top off the brake/clutch fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake/clutch hydraulic
system.{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake/clutch
hydraulic system.
When the brake/clutch fluid falls to a
low level, the brake warning light
comes on. See Brake System
Warning Light 0115.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid
at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0312.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 4
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0321.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number on
the original battery label when a
new battery is needed. For battery
replacement, see your dealer.