2019 CHEVROLET CORVETTE brake

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
160 Driving and Operating
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is not moving, power assist
may be reduced.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Curve Tips
.
Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
. Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) allows steering while
braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
Driving and Operating 161
3. Turn the steering wheel to gostraight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
. Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
. Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible. If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.
Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
. Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Track Events and
Competitive Driving
{Danger
High-performance features are
intended for use only on closed
tracks by experienced and
qualified drivers and should not
be used on public roads.
High-speed driving, aggressive
cornering, hard braking, and other
high-performance driving can be
dangerous. Improper driver inputs
for the conditions may result in
loss of control of the vehicle,
which could injure or kill you or
others. Always drive safely.
Participating in track events or other
competitive driving without following
the instructions provided may affect
the vehicle warranty. See the
warranty manual before using the

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
Driving and Operating 165
after every 24 hours of racing or
competitive driving. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0321.
General Information
If reduced performance is
experienced during track events or
competitive driving, turning off the
A/C will help to improve engine
performance.
Maintain a mixture of 40%
DEX-COOL coolant and 60% clean,
drinkable water to optimize engine
performance.
The front license plate bracket or
aero panel should be removed for
track events and competitive driving
to improve engine performance.
Brakes
{Warning
Braking above 200 mph:
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Applying and sustaining full force
braking at speeds exceeding
200 mph (322 km/h) can cause
serious damage to the braking
system. At any speed, braking
must be performed in a smooth
and controlled manner, but at
these speeds specifically, lower
initial brake pedal efforts are
recommended.
Brake Cooling
If additional brake cooling is
required, the grille mesh in the lower
corners of the front grille in front of
the brake duct can be removed.
This is not reversible, and a
replacement grille will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
If this is done, it is recommended
that the gap between the fascia and
the cooling duct be taped over. 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.
Brake Burnishing
New brake pads must be burnished
before racing or other competitive
driving.
Caution
Performing the brake burnish
procedure on a base brake
system can result in brake
damage.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
166 Driving and Operating
Caution
The new vehicle break-in period
should be completed before
performing the brake burnish
procedure, otherwise damage
may occur to the powertrain/
engine. SeeNew Vehicle
Break-In 0179.
Caution
Brake pedal fade will occur during
any track burnish procedure and
can cause brake pedal travel and
force to increase. This could
extend stopping distance until the
brakes are fully burnished.
When this procedure is performed
as instructed, it will not damage the
brakes. The brake pads will smoke
and produce an odor. The braking
force and pedal travel may increase.
After the procedure, the brake pads
may appear white at the rotor
contact. Perform this procedure only on dry
pavement, in a safe manner, and in
compliance with all local and state
ordinances/laws regarding motor
vehicle operation.
Brake Burnishing Procedure (Z51
Performance Package, Grand
Sport with J56, and Z06 with J56)
1. Apply the brakes 25 times starting at 100 km/h (60 mph) to
50 km/h (30 mph) while
decelerating at 0.4 g. This is a
medium brake application.
Drive for at least 1 km (0.6 mi)
between applying the brakes.
This first step may be skipped
if there are more than 320 km
(200 mi) on the brake pads.
2. Repeatedly apply the brakes from 100 km/h (60 mph) to
25 km/h (15 mph) while
decelerating at 0.8 g. This is a
hard brake application, without
activating the Antilock Brake
System (ABS). Drive for at
least 1 km (0.6 mi) between
stops. Repeat until the brake
pedal travel starts to increase. Depending on conditions, this
should take no longer than 25
brake applications.
3. Cool down: Drive at 100 km/h (60 mph) for approximately
15 km (10 mi) without using the
brakes.
4. Apply the brakes 25 times from 100 km/h (60 mph) to 50 km/h
(30 mph) while decelerating at
0.4 g. This is a medium brake
application. Drive for at least
1 km (0.6 mi) between
applications.
Street High Performance Brake
Burnishing Procedure (Grand
Sport with J57, Z06 with J57,
and ZR1)
This procedure should only be run
on a track or other non-public area,
and only on dry pavement. 1. From a stop, accelerate as rapidly as possible without
activating traction control to a
speed of 100 km/h (60 mph).

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
Driving and Operating 167
2. Use enough pedal force tocompletely stop the vehicle in
four to five seconds. If ABS
activates, braking is too hard.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 –20
consecutive times, this should
take about 5 minutes.
4. After completing the 20 stops, cool the brakes by driving for
8 km (5 mi) at 100 km/h
(60 mph).
As with all high performance brake
systems, some amount of brake
squeal is normal.
Racing/Track Brake Burnishing
Procedure (Grand Sport with J57,
Z06 with J57, and ZR1)
This procedure should only be run
on a track and only on dry
pavement.
Caution
Brake pedal fade will occur during
this track burnish procedure and
can cause brake pedal travel and (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
force to increase. This could
extend stopping distance until the
brakes are fully burnished.
1. Drive a normal first lap, not too aggressively.
2. Laps 2 and 3 should be gradually driven faster and
more aggressively, while
allowing for reduced brake
output and increased stopping
distance due to brake fade.
3. Drive Lap 4 near full speed, while allowing for reduced
brake output and increased
stopping distance due to
brake fade.
4. Laps 5 and 6 should be cool down laps.
5. Lap 7 should be normal driving or an easy out lap.
Exhaust Cooling
Hardware (ZR1)
The exhaust cooling hardware
should be installed prior to any track
event. These components will help
cool the exhaust system.
To install the closeout plates and
deflectors:
1. Install the 12 U-nuts onto the
tunnel brace. Align the
threaded holes in the U-nuts
with the holes in the tunnel
brace.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
Driving and Operating 169
2. Remove the forwardpush pin (1).
3. Remove the front compartment air deflector (3) by tipping the
rear down and sliding it out
from under the lower deflector
panel.
When the track events are
complete, reinstall this panel.
Z07 Performance Package
Z06 with the Z07 Performance
Package has installed Stage 2 and
Stage 3 Aero Packages, which
consist of a front splitter with short
end caps, rocker panel extensions,
and a rear spoiler.
Stage 3 Aero components are
delivered but not installed on the
vehicle. These are intended to be
installed for track use only. The
components include:
. Front splitter tall end caps that
replace the front splitter short
end caps
. A center transparent wicker bill
for the rear spoiler
{Warning
Changing the following track
settings could reduce tire traction
and could cause a crash. Do not
change the track settings.
The track settings for the Z07
Performance Package with the
Stage 3 Aero Package are:
. The front splitter tall end caps
installed
. The center transparent wicker
bill installed all the way up on
the rear spoiler
. The Driver Mode Selector in
Track Mode
Stingray with Performance
Package-Carbon Fiber (CFZ)
The Stingray with Performance
Package-Carbon Fiber (CFZ) has
an installed aero package which
consists of a front splitter with short
end caps, rocker panel extensions,
and a rear spoiler. A center
transparent wicker bill for the rear spoiler is delivered but not installed.
This is intended to be installed for
track use only.
Front Brake Cooling Duct Kit
(Z06 and ZR1)
The following installation procedure
is for Z06/ZR1 vehicles. The upper
cooling ducts should be installed
prior to any track events or high
speed straight runs.
To install the cooling ducts:
1. Remove the front wheels. Refer to the procedure in the
vehicle service manual.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
170 Driving and Operating
2. Position the u-nut on theupper duct.
3. Position the upper duct andsnap it into the tabs on the
airbox assembly. Position the
upper duct through the bottom
of the vehicle to bring it close
to the tab position.
4. Align the lower control arm
deflector hole to the upper duct
hole. Install the screw and
torque it to 4 Y(35 lb inch).
5. Repeat the procedure for the opposite side of the vehicle.
6. Install the front wheels. Refer to the procedure in the vehicle
service manual.
Prepare the vehicle for street use by
removing the upper cooling ducts
installed prior to the track event.
Wheel Blocker
The following installation procedure
is for Z06 vehicles with the J56
brake package and should be
installed prior to any track events.
The wheel blocker helps improve
the cooling of the brake rotor.
Caution
The wheel blocker is for track use
only. After a track event, remove
the wheel blocker and reinstall
the original splash shield. Failure
to reinstall the original parts may
lead to damage to the wheel
blocker, noise, premature brake
pad and rotor wear, and high
speed wet braking.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
Driving and Operating 171
To install the wheel blocker:
1. Remove the front wheels.Refer to the procedure in the
vehicle service manual.
2. Remove the brake caliper (1) from the steering knuckle. Do
not disconnect the brake hose.
Refer to the procedure in the
vehicle service manual.
3. Remove the brake rotor retaining fastener (2) and then
remove the brake rotor (3). 4. Remove the two splash shield
fasteners (4).
5. Remove the splash shield (5).
6. Install the wheel blocker (1).
7. Install the three wheel blocker fasteners (2). Torque to 10 Y
(89 lb inch).
8. Install the rotor (1) with the fastener (2). Torque to 10 Y
(89 lb inch).