2020 CHEVROLET CORVETTE engine coolant

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-
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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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228 Vehicle Care
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the engine cooling
system and the vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health. If ambient temperatures are
anticipated below
−28 °C (−18 °F),
make sure a proper mixture ratio of
50% DEX-COOL coolant and 50%
clean, drinkable water is used.Checking Coolant
Be sure the cooling system is cool
and that the vehicle is on a level
surface.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at or
above the cold fill line, add a
mixture of 40% DEX-COOL coolant
and 60% clean, drinkable water at
the coolant recovery tank, but be
sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done. See Engine
Overheating 0230.
The surge tank is in the engine
compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0215.
When the engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at the COLD FILL
indicator in the coolant surge tank.
When the engine is hot, the level
could be higher than the COLD FILL
indicator. If the coolant is below the
COLD FILL indicator when the
engine is hot, there could be a leak
in the cooling system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant
or take the vehicle to your dealer for
service.

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-
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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.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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232 Vehicle Care
Caution
.Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
. 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
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
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 continuously while 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, brake squeal may be
heard from the vehicle 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 buildup of brake dust as
well as noises as compared to
standard brake linings.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Service and Maintenance 287
reset oil life system. SeeEngine
Oil 0218 and
Engine Oil Life System 0221.
. If equipped with the engine air
filter life system, check the air
filter life percentage.
If necessary, replace the engine
air filter and reset the engine air
filter life system. See Engine Air
Filter Life System 0224. If the
vehicle is not equipped with the
engine air filter life system,
inspect the engine air cleaner
filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter 0224.
. Check engine coolant level. See
Cooling System 0226.
. Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid 0231.
. Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure 0253.
. Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection 0259.
. Visually check for fluid leaks.
. Inspect brake system. See
Exterior Care 0273. .
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damage,
including cracks or tears in the
rubber boots, loose or missing
parts, or signs of wear at least
once a year. See Exterior Care
0 273.
. Inspect power steering for
proper attachment, connections,
binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc.
. Visually inspect halfshafts and
driveshafts for excessive wear,
lubricant leaks, and/or damage
including: tube dents or cracks,
constant velocity joint or
universal joint looseness,
cracked or missing boots, loose
or missing boot clamps, center
bearing excessive looseness,
loose or missing fasteners, and
axle seal leaks.
. Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check 061.
. Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks. .
Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
. Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care 0273.
. Check parking brake and dual
clutch transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check
0 235.
. Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
. Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. If the hold
open is low, service the gas
strut. See Gas Strut(s) 0237.