
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
Driving and Operating 203
Steering (Assist Effort)
Adjusts from a lighter steering feel
to reduced assist for more
steering feel.
Magnetic Ride Control (if
equipped)
Adjusts the shock dampening
firmness based on driving
conditions to improve comfort and
performance.
Launch Control
Available only in Track Mode for
maximum“off-the-line” acceleration
when in Competitive or PTM modes.
Stability Control
. Competitive Driving Mode allows
less computer control to permit
some slide and drift and is
selected with
g–only available
in Sport or Track Mode.
. StabiliTrak/ESC can be turned
off by pressing and holding
gfor
10 seconds. PTM (Performance Traction
Management) (if equipped)
.
Available in Track Mode.
. There are five selectable
settings if Competitive Driving
Mode is activated.
Competitive Driving Mode
If equipped, Competitive Driving
Mode, Performance Traction
Management, and Launch Control
are systems designed to allow
increased performance while
accelerating and/or cornering. This
is accomplished by regulating and
optimizing the engine, brakes, and
suspension performance. These
modes are for use at a closed
course race track and are not
intended for use on public roads.
They will not compensate for driver
inexperience or lack of familiarity
with the race track. Drivers who
prefer to allow the system to have
more control of the engine, brake,
and suspension are advised to turn
the normal Traction Control System
(TCS) and StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system on.
Caution
Attempting to shift when the drive
wheels are spinning and do not
have traction may cause damage
to the transmission. Damage
caused by misuse of the vehicle
is not covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not attempt to shift
when the drive wheels do not
have traction.
Competitive Driving Mode
Competitive Driving Mode allows full
engine power while StabiliTrak
helps maintain directional control of
the vehicle by selective brake
application. In this mode, TCS is off.
Launch Control is available if in
Track Mode. Adjust your driving
style to account for the available
engine power. See “Launch Control”
later in this section.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 205
The PTM system contains five
modes. These modes are selected
by turning the Selective Ride
Control/Performance Traction
Management MODE SELECT knob
on the center console. Scroll up or
down through modes 1–5 by turning
the MODE SELECT knob to the
right or left.
The following is a DIC display
description and the recommended
usage of each mode:
PERF TRAC 1–WET ACTIVE
HANDLING ON
. Intended for all driver skill levels. .
Wet or damp conditions only —
not intended for use in heavy
rain or standing water.
. StabiliTrak/ESC is on and
engine power is reduced based
on conditions.
PERF TRAC 2 –DRY ACTIVE
HANDLING ON
. For use by less experienced
drivers or while learning a new
track.
. Dry conditions only.
. StabiliTrak/ESC is on and
engine power is slightly reduced.
PERF TRAC 3 –SPORT
ACTIVE HANDLING ON
. For use by drivers who are
familiar with the track.
. Dry conditions only.
. Requires more driving skill than
mode 2.
. StabiliTrak/ESC is on and more
engine power is available than in
mode 2.
PERF TRAC 4 –SPORT
ACTIVE HANDLING OFF
. For use by drivers who are
familiar with the track.
. Dry conditions only.
. Requires more driving skill than
modes 2 or 3.
. StabiliTrak/ESC is off and
available engine power is the
same as mode 3.
PERF TRAC 5 –RACE ACTIVE
HANDLING OFF
. For use by experienced drivers
who are familiar with the track.
. Dry conditions only.
. Requires more driving skill than
in other modes.
. StabiliTrak/ESC is off and
engine power is available for
maximum cornering speed.
Press and release
gto turn off PTM
and return to the traction control and
StabiliTrak/ESC systems. The
traction off light
iand StabiliTrak/

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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206 Driving and Operating
ESC OFF lightgwill go out.
Launch Control (Track
Mode Only)
A Launch Control feature is
available, within Competitive Driving
Mode, on all vehicles to allow the
driver to achieve high levels of
vehicle acceleration in a straight
line. Launch Control is a form of
traction control that manages tire
spin while launching the vehicle.
This feature is intended for use
during closed course race events
where consistent zero to
60 and quarter mile times are
desirable.
Launch Control is only available
when the following criteria are met:
.Competitive Driving Mode is
selected or any of the
Performance Traction
Management modes are
selected. The TCS light comes
on the instrument cluster and the
appropriate DIC message
displays.
. The vehicle is not moving. .
The steering wheel is pointing
straight.
Manual Transmissions
. The clutch is pressed and the
vehicle is in 1 (First) gear.
. The accelerator pedal is rapidly
applied to wide open throttle.
The Launch Control feature will
initially limit engine speed as the
driver rapidly applies the accelerator
pedal to wide open throttle. Allow
the engine rpm to stabilize.
A smooth, quick release of the
clutch, while maintaining the fully
pressed accelerator pedal, will
manage wheel slip. Complete shifts
as described in Manual
Transmission 0192.
Automatic Transmissions
. The brake pedal must be firmly
pressed to the floor, equivalent
to a panic brake event.
. The accelerator pedal is rapidly
applied to wide open throttle. (If
the vehicle rolls due to wide
open throttle, release the
throttle, press the brake pedal more firmly, and re-apply the
accelerator to wide open
throttle.)
The Launch Control feature will
initially limit engine speed as the
driver rapidly applies the accelerator
pedal to wide open throttle. Allow
the engine rpm to stabilize.
A smooth, quick release of the
brake pedal, while maintaining the
fully pressed accelerator pedal, will
manage wheel slip.
After the vehicle is launched, the
system continues in Competitive
Driving Mode or Performance
Traction Management.
Competitive Driving Mode, PTM,
and Launch Control are systems
designed for a closed course race
track and not intended for use on
public roads. The systems are not
intended to compensate for lack of
driver experience or familiarity with
the race track.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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216 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you
and others:. Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
. Do not fill a container while
it is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than
the ground.
. Bring the fill nozzle in
contact with the inside of
the fill opening before
operating the nozzle.
Contact should be
maintained until the filling is
complete.
. Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
. Avoid using electronic
devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
{Warning
Never tow a trailer with your
vehicle. It was not designed or
intended to tow a trailer.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0113.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 233
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.When to Add Engine Oil
(Except ZR1, Z06, Grand Sport,
and Stingray with Z51)
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0326.
See Track Events and Competitive
Driving 0161 for additional
information on engine oil.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If the oil level is
above the operating range (i.e.,
the engine has so much oil that
the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows
the proper operating range), the
engine could be damaged. Drain
the excess oil or limit driving of
the vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 225 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
234 Vehicle Care
Checking Engine Oil (ZR1, 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
0225 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.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 235
4. Remove the dipstick from theexternal engine oil tank and
wipe it with a clean lint-free
paper towel or a cloth.
Re-insert the dipstick into the
external oil tank, pushing it all
the way in until it stops.
5. Remove the dipstick from the oil tank and read the level on
the cross-hatched area.
When to Add Engine Oil (ZR1,
Z06, Grand Sport, and Stingray
with Z51)
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
through the oil fill cap opening in the
oil tank and then recheck the level. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
for an explanation of what kind of oil
to use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0326.
See Track Events and Competitive
Driving 0161 for additional
information on engine oil.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If the oil level is
above the operating range (i.e.,
the engine has so much oil that
the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows
the proper operating range), the
engine could be damaged. Drain
the excess oil or limit driving of
the vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess oil. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 225 for the location of the external
engine oil tank and fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back into the oil tank when through.
Changing Engine Oil and Filter
(ZR1, Z06, Grand Sport, and
Stingray with Z51)
The vehicle may 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 changing
the engine oil and filter. Follow this
procedure closely when changing
the engine oil and filter.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 237
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 0W-40 viscosity grade
engine oil.
When selecting an oil of the
appropriate viscosity grade, it is
recommended to select an oil of the
correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
For the LT1 and LT4 engines only,
if 0W-40 dexos2 oil is not available,
SAE 5W-30 dexos1 full synthetic
engine oil may be used for
street use.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos2 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer that
indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
Z06, Grand Sport, ZR1, and
Stingray with Z51 have a
racetrack-ready dry sump engine
lubrication system. This high
performance system operates
differently than a standard engine
lubrication system and requires a