Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
162 Driving and Operating
vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving. SeeCompetitive
Driving Mode 0203.
A manual transmission is
recommended for extended track
usage at higher ambient
temperatures. Consult the Track
Preparation Guide for additional
information. See your dealer.
Be sure to follow all service
procedures before driving the
vehicle at track events or
competitively.
Prior to each track event and again
before re-entering the public road
system, tighten the wheel nuts with
a torque wrench to the proper
torque specification. See Capacities
and Specifications 0326.Engine Sound Management
Setting
Caution
Do not place the vehicle in
Engine Sound Management –
Stealth mode. Damage could
result to exhaust valve actuators.
Engine Oil
Caution
If the vehicle is used for track
events and competitive driving,
the engine may use more oil than
it would with normal use. Low oil
levels can damage the engine.
Check the oil level often and
maintain the proper level. See
Engine Oil0232.
The engine is factory filled with
0W-40 dexos2 oil. For LT1 and LT4
engines only, 0W-40 dexos2 engine
oil is approved for both track and
street use. 15W-50 full synthetic engine oil may also be used for
track use, but after track use must
be changed back to 0W-40 dexos2
for street use. If 0W-40 dexos2 oil is
not available, 5W-30 dexos1 full
synthetic engine oil may be used for
street use. If 5W-30 dexos1 is used,
it must be changed to 0W-40
dexos2 or 15W-50 full synthetic
engine oil for track use.
For the LT5 engine, SAE 15W-50
full synthetic engine oil must be
used for track use, but after track
use must be changed back to
0W-40 dexos2 for street use.
Z51 Performance Package, Grand
Sport, Z06, and ZR1: Check the oil
level often during track events and
competitive driving and keep the
level at or near 0.5 L (0.5 qt) above
the upper mark that shows the
proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. After the
competitive driving, remove excess
oil so that the level on the dipstick is
not above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
168 Driving and Operating
2. Install the two closeout platesover the holes.
Install the two deflectors over
the holes, with the shorter one
in front.
3. Torque all the fasteners to 9Y (6.6 lb ft).
When the track event is complete,
remove the closeout plates and
deflectors and store them for the
next track event.
Rear Adjustable Performance
Wing (If Equipped)
The Rear Adjustable Performance
Wing can be adjusted up for greater
downforce during a track event.
To change the angle of the rear
wing, remove the rear attaching
bolts and move them to the upper
hole. Tighten the bolts to 9 Y
(6.6 lb ft). Return the wing to the
factory location following the track
event. Every time the wing is
adjusted, re-apply threadlocker to
the attachment bolts. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0321.
Front Compartment Air
Deflector Panel
Prior to the track event, when
ambient temperatures are above 27
°C (80 °F), the panel between the
front fascia extension and the front
cradle can be removed to maximize
cooling air flow to the steering gear
power assist motor.
To remove the air deflector:
1. Remove the four front (2) and
three rear (4) front
compartment air deflector
screws.
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).
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
172 Driving and Operating
9. Install the caliper (1) with thetwo fasteners (2). Torque to
220 Y (162 lb ft).
10. Repeat the procedure for the opposite side of the vehicle.
11. Reinstall the wheels using the specified lug nut torque. Refer
to the procedure in the vehicle
service manual.
12. After a track event, repeat the steps to reinstall the original
splash shield.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Caution
Driving through deep puddles or
standing water can cause water
to come in through the engine air
intake and damage the engine.
If deep puddles or standing water
cannot be avoided, proceed with
caution and do not exceed 8 km/h
(5 mph). Do not drive through
water that may come close to or
cover the vehicle’ s underbody.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
184 Driving and Operating
Shifting Into Park
1. Hold the brake pedal down andset the parking brake. See
Electric Parking Brake 0195.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by holding the button
on the lever and pushing the
lever all the way toward the
front of the vehicle.
3. Press ENGINE START/STOP to turn the engine off.
Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running (Automatic
Transmission)
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
It could overheat and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park 0184.
If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure the
vehicle is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is firmly set before
you leave it. After moving the shift
lever into P (Park), hold down the
regular brake pedal. See if you can
move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without first pushing the
button on the lever. If you can, it
means that the shift lever was not
fully locked into P (Park).
Torque Lock (Automatic
Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you
do not shift the transmission into
P (Park) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on
the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may find it difficult
to pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
This is called “torque lock.”To
prevent torque lock, set the parking
brake and then shift into P (Park)
properly before leaving the driver
seat. To find out how, see “Shifting
Into P (Park)” previously in this
section.
When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of P (Park) before
releasing the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may
need to have another vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the transmission
parking pawl, so you can pull the
shift lever out of P (Park).
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12032182) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
Vehicle Care 279
.The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut,
or other damage that cannot
be repaired well because of
the size or location of the
damage.
Tire Rotation
The tires should be rotated
every 12 000 km/7,500 mi. See
Maintenance Schedule0312.
Tires are rotated to achieve
uniform wear for all tires. The
first rotation is the most
important.
Anytime unusual wear is
noticed, rotate the tires as soon
as possible, check for proper tire
inflation pressure, and check for
damaged tires or wheels. If the
unusual wear continues after the
rotation, check the wheel
alignment. See
When It Is Time for New
Tires 0280 andWheel
Replacement 0284.
Different tire sizes should not be
rotated front to rear.
Use this rotation pattern if the
vehicle has different size tires
on the front and rear.
Adjust the front and rear tires to
the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label after the tires have been rotated.
See
Tire Pressure 0274 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0175.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation 0276.
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications 0326.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause a crash. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 285
{Warning
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts can be dangerous. It could
affect the braking and handling of
the vehicle. Tires can lose air,
and cause loss of control, causing
a crash. Always use the correct
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Caution
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire
clearance to the body and
chassis.
Tightening Wheel Lug Nuts
{Warning
Never use oil or grease on studs
or the threads of the wheel nuts.
The wheel nuts might come loose
and the wheel could fall off,
causing a crash.
{Warning
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause
the wheel to become loose and
even come off. This could lead to
a crash. Be sure to use the
correct wheel nuts. If you have to
replace them, be sure to get new
GM original equipment
wheel nuts.
Caution
Improperly tightened wheel nuts
can lead to brake pulsation and
rotor damage. To avoid expensive
brake repairs, evenly tighten the
wheel nuts in the proper
sequence and to the proper
torque specification.