
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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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208 Driving and Operating
If the Traction Control System (TCS)
begins to limit wheel spin while you
are using cruise control, the cruise
control automatically disengages.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0198. When road
conditions allow for using safely
again, cruise control can be turned
back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.
Cruise control will disengage if
either TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC is
turned off.1: Press to turn cruise control on
or off. A white indicator comes on in
the instrument cluster when cruise
is turned on.
RES/+ : If there is a set speed in
memory, press briefly to resume to
that speed or press and hold to
accelerate. If cruise control is
already engaged, use to increase
vehicle speed.
SET/– :Press briefly to set the
speed and activate cruise control.
If cruise control is already engaged,
use to decrease vehicle speed.
*: Press to disengage cruise
control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster 0103.
The increment value used depends
on the units displayed. Setting Cruise Control
If
1is on when not in use, SET/–
or
RES/+ could get pressed and go
into cruise when not desired. Keep
1off when cruise is not
being used.
1. Press
1to turn the cruise
system on.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET/– on
the steering wheel.
4. Remove foot from the accelerator.
The cruise control indicator on the
instrument cluster turns green after
cruise control has been set to the
desired speed. See Instrument
Cluster 0103.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied or
*is pressed, the
cruise control is disengaged without
erasing the set speed from memory.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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

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220 Vehicle Care
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 083.
Lifting the Vehicle
{Warning
Lifting a vehicle can cause an
injury. The vehicle can slip off the
jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be
badly injured. Find a level place
to lift your vehicle. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatictransmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in
1 (First) or R (Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the
vehicle will not move, put blocks
in front of and behind the wheels.

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Vehicle Care 249
Caution (Continued)
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Brake Wear
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Under certain weather or operating
conditions, occasional brake squeal
might 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.
If equipped with high performance
brake linings, there could be an
increased build-up of brake dust as
well as minor noises as compared
to standard brake linings.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Wear (ZR1, Z06, and Grand
Sport with J57 Ceramic Brakes)
This vehicle does not have built-in
brake pad wear indicators. Periodic
visual inspection is required to
determine when to replace the
brake pads.
The ZR1, Z06, and Grand Sport
Coupe with J57 models also have
an electronic brake pad wear sensor
system. When pads are worn, the
CHANGE BRAKE PADS message
displays in the Driver Information
Center. Some driving conditions or
climates can cause a brake squeal
when the brakes are first applied or

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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.

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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.

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282 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
after many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If the vehicle tires must be
replaced with a tire that does not
have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the
original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire
pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate
low-pressure warning if non-TPC
Spec rated tires are installed.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0276. The Tire and Loading
Information label indicates the
original equipment tires on the
vehicle. See
Vehicle Load Limits
0 175.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that
are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, electronic stability control,
or All-Wheel Drive, the performance
of these systems can also be
affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires 0280 and
Accessories and Modifications
0 220.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of