Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
Vehicle Care 223
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner’s manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see
Publication Ordering Information
0 339. This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 083.
If equipped with remote vehicle
start, open the hood before
performing any service work to
prevent remote starting the vehicle
accidentally. See Remote Vehicle
Start 033.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0324.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release lever
inside the vehicle. It is below
the instrument panel on the
driver side.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
236 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Oil Drain Plugs
2. Seals
Steps to follow:1. Remove the two engine oil drain plugs from the bottom of
the engine oil pan. One drain
plug drains the external oil tank
via the oil transfer supply line.
The other drain plug drains
residual oil from the crankcase
sump. Allow the oil to drain.
2. Once the oil has been drained from the engine, remove the
engine oil filter and allow the oil
to drain. 3. Reinstall both drain plugs and
tighten them to 25 Y
(18 lb ft).
4. Replace the oil filter and tighten it three-quarters to one
turn after gasket contact. See
Maintenance Replacement
Parts 0323 for the correct filter.
5. Oil is filled through the opening in the top of the external
engine oil tank. Remove the oil
fill cap.
6. Add oil to the oil tank. See Capacities and Specifications
0326.
7. Install the oil fill cap and insert the dipstick, if removed.
8. Start the engine and let it run at idle for at least 15 seconds.
This will circulate the fresh
engine oil through the
lubrication system.
9. Shut off the engine and check the oil level as described under
“Checking Engine Oil (ZR1,
Z06, Grand Sport, and Stingray
with Z51).”
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0321.
Specification
Use engine oils that meet the
dexos2 specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos2 specification are marked
with the dexos2 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
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
240 Vehicle Care
Caution
If water is sprayed and enters the
engine air cleaner/filter intake and
housing, the engine could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/
filter, see Maintenance Schedule
0 312.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
cleaner/filter housing open. Before
removing the engine air cleaner/
filter, make sure that the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and nearby
components are free of dirt and
debris. Remove the engine air
cleaner/filter. Lightly tap and shake
the engine air cleaner/filter (away from the vehicle), to release loose
dust and dirt. Inspect the engine air
cleaner/filter for damage, and
replace if damaged. Do not clean
the engine air cleaner/filter or
components with water or
compressed air.
To remove the hood extractor duct
to gain access:
LT1 and LT4 Shown, LT5 Similar
1. Bolts (4)
2. Hood Extractor Duct
1. Open the hood. See
Hood
0 223. 2. Remove the four bolts (1) and
the hood extractor duct (2).
3. Reverse Step 2 to replace the hood extractor duct.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Surge Tank Coolant Hose
2. Screws (2)
3. Hose Retainers (2)
4. Air Duct Clamp
5. Electrical Connector
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
Vehicle Care 243
LT5 Engine (with Dry SumpEngine Oil Tank)
1. Coolant Surge Tank withPressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can
start up even when the engine is
not running and can cause injury.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0321. The fluid
requires changing at certain
intervals. See Maintenance
Schedule 0312.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0247.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
Use a mixture of 40% DEX-COOL
coolant and 60% clean, drinkable
water. If using this mixture, nothing
else needs to be added. This
mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−28 °C (−18 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
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.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
254 Vehicle Care
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
. To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only. .
To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear and cracking.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. For proper type and
length, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts 0323.
To replace the windshield wiper
blade: 1. Open the hood.
2. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the
windshield.
3. Lift up on the latch in themiddle of the wiper blade
where the wiper arm attaches.
4. With the latch open, pull the wiper blade down toward the
windshield far enough to
release it from the J-hooked
end of the wiper arm.
5. Remove the wiper blade.
Caution
Allowing the wiper arm to touch
the windshield when no wiper
blade is installed could damage (Continued)
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
Vehicle Care 255
Caution (Continued)
the windshield. Any damage that
occurs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not allow
the wiper arm to touch the
windshield.
6. Reverse Steps 1–3 for wiper blade replacement.
Windshield Replacement
HUD System
The windshield is part of the HUD
system. If the windshield must be
replaced, get one that is designed
for HUD or the HUD image may
look out of focus.
Driver Assistance Systems
If the windshield needs to be
replaced and the vehicle is
equipped with a front camera sensor
for the Driver Assistance Systems, a
GM replacement windshield is
recommended. The replacement
windshield must be installed according to GM specifications for
proper alignment. If it is not, these
systems may not work properly, they
may display messages, or they may
not work at all. See your dealer for
proper windshield replacement.
Gas Strut(s)
This vehicle is equipped with gas
strut(s) to provide assistance in
lifting and holding open the hood/
trunk/liftgate system in full open
position.
{Warning
If the gas struts that hold open
the hood, trunk, and/or liftgate fail,
you or others could be seriously
injured. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service immediately.
Visually inspect the gas struts for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage periodically. Check to
make sure the hood/trunk/liftgate
is held open with enough force.
If struts are failing to hold the
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
hood/trunk/liftgate, do not
operate. Have the vehicle
serviced.
Caution
Do not apply tape or hang any
objects from gas struts. Also do
not push down or pull on gas
struts. This may cause damage to
the vehicle.
See Maintenance Schedule 0312.