2020 CHEVROLET CORVETTE warning

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
Vehicle Care 219
pan. This will reduce the amount of
oil held in the dry sump tank and
there could be no engine oil 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 operating temperature. Do
not add engine oil based on cold
engine dipstick readings. The
engine oil level on the dipstick must
be checked while the engine is
running at idle.
To check the engine oil:1. Turn the engine on and let it warm up to at least 80 °C (175
°F).
2. Once the engine is warm, check the oil while the engine
is running at idle.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle. 3. Remove the dipstick and wipe
it with a clean lint-free paper
towel or a cloth. Re-insert the
dipstick and push it all the way
in until it stops.
4. Remove the dipstick again and read the level on the
cross-hatched area.
5. Turn the engine off.
When to Add Engine Oil
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 fill tube and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
the type of oil to use. For engine oil
crankcase capacity, see Capacities
and Specifications 0299.
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
0 215 for the location of the external
engine oil tank dipstick 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 tube when
finished.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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220 Vehicle Care
Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
The vehicle requires a special
procedure when changing the
engine oil and filter. Follow this
procedure closely.
1. Engine Oil Drain Plug
2. O-ring Seal
3. Engine Oil Filter
To change the engine oil and filter:1. Run the engine at idle for about 20 seconds to return all of the
oil back into the dry sump
oil tank. 2. Turn the engine off prior to
draining the oil.
3. Remove the engine oil drain plug from the bottom of the
engine oil pan. Drain plug
removal will let the oil drain
from the external oil tank and
residual oil from the crankcase
sump. Allow the oil to drain.
4. Remove the engine oil filter and allow the oil to drain.
5. Inspect the drain plug O-ring seal and replace if it is
damaged. Reinstall the drain
plug into the oil pan and tighten
it to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).
6. Replace the oil filter and tighten it three-quarters to one
turn after the gasket makes
contact. See Maintenance
Replacement Parts 0296 for
the correct filter.
7. Remove the oil fill cap from the external engine oil tank.
Add oil to the oil tank through
the opening in the fill tube. See
Capacities and Specifications
0299. 8. Install the oil fill cap and insert
the dipstick, if removed.
{Warning
To help avoid personal injury and/
or engine damage, always install
the engine oil dipstick and oil fill
cap until fully seated to a stop.
If not fully seated, oil could
escape on to hot exhaust parts
and cause a fire.
9. Start the engine and check the oil level as described under
"Checking the Engine Oil."
previously in this section.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and the viscosity
grade. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0295.
Specification
Use engine oils that meet the
dexos2 specification.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
Vehicle Care 221
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos2 specification are marked
with the dexos2 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
GM recommends Mobil 1 engine
oils that show the dexos2
approved logo.
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”
previously in this
section.
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, 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.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
226 Vehicle Care
6. Remove the air cleaner coverscrews (2) and cover (1).
7. Remove the air cleaner/filter.
8. Inspect or replace the aircleaner/filter.
9. Reverse Steps 2–7 to replace the air cleaner/filter.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. Use caution
when working on the engine. Do
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
not start the engine or drive the
vehicle with the air cleaner/filter
off, as flames may be present if
the engine backfires.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place
when driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
Convertible
1. Engine Cooling Fans (Outof View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
Vehicle Care 227
Coupe
1. Engine Cooling Fans (Outof View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap
{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 0295. The fluid
requires changing at certain
intervals. See Maintenance
Schedule 0286.
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 0230.
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-
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Vehicle Care 229
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.If coolant is needed, be sure the
cooling system is cool, then add the
proper DEX-COOL coolant mixture
directly to the surge tank.
1. Open the Hatch/Trunk. See Hatch (Trunk) 023.
2. When the cooling system,
including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap and engine,
is no longer hot, remove the
pressure cap.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about
one-quarter turn and then stop.
If a hiss is heard, wait for that
to stop. A hiss means there is
still some pressure left.
3. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and remove it.
4. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture until the
level inside stabilizes at the
COLD FILL indicator in the
surge tank.
5. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
engine is hot.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level stabilizes at
the COLD FILL indicator in the
coolant surge tank.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
230 Vehicle Care
6. Replace the pressure captightly.
7. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 3−7.
If the coolant still is not at the
proper level when the system
cools down again, see your
dealer.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the
cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument cluster. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 099. The vehicle may also display a
message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the decision is made not to lift the
hatch but to get service help right
away, see
Roadside Assistance
Program 0306.
If the decision is made to lift the
hatch, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. There are
two cooling fans located in the front
(one at each corner) and two
cooling fans in the rear (one on
each side of the engine). If the
engine is overheating, the fans
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine,
and have the vehicle serviced.Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
Vehicle Care 231
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment with no
Overheat Warning
Water from rain and car washes
could enter the engine compartment
and contact hot surfaces. If steam is
coming from the engine
compartment with no accompanying
overheat warning, no service is
needed.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off. 2. Turn the heater on to the
highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the shaded
area or an overheat warning no
longer displays, the vehicle can be
driven. Continue to drive the vehicle
slowly for about 10 minutes. Keep a
safe vehicle distance from the
vehicle in front. If the warning does
not come back on, continue to drive
normally and have the cooling
system checked for proper fill and
function.
If the warning continues, pull over
safely, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When the vehicle needs windshield
washer fluid, be sure to read the
manufacturer instructions before
use. If the vehicle will be operating
in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid
that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
1. Open the hood. See Hood
0 21.
2. Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid
until the tank is full.