Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
164 Driving and Operating
.Avoid driving at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
including the use of cruise
control.
. Avoid downshifting to brake or
slow the vehicle when the
engine speed will exceed
4000 rpm.
. Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine. This rule
applies at all times, not just
during the break-in period.
For the first 2 414 km (1,500 mi):
. Do not participate in track
events, sport driving schools,
or similar activities.
. Check engine oil with every
refueling and add if necessary.
Oil and fuel consumption may be
higher than normal.
Front Air Dam (and
Splitter)
If equipped, the front air dam and
splitter have minimal ground
clearance. Under normal operation, the
components will occasionally
contact some road surfaces (speed
bumps, driveway ramps, etc.). This
can be heard inside the vehicle as a
scraping noise. This is normal and
does not indicate a problem.
Use care when approaching bumps
or objects on road surfaces and
avoid them when possible.
If equipped, the Front Lift System
may be used to increase front air
dam or splitter clearance. See
Front
Lift System 0191.
Composite Materials
This vehicle may be equipped with
parts containing carbon fiber,
sheet-molding compound, or other
composite materials.
Dealer-installed accessories may
also contain composite materials.
These parts and accessories may
include the splitter or rocker
extensions.
{Warning
Exposed edges of parts
containing carbon fiber and other
composite materials can be
sharp. Contact with these parts
could result in injury. Use caution
to avoid contacting these parts,
including when washing the
vehicle. If the parts are damaged,
replace the parts promptly with
replacements from your dealer.
{Warning
Rocker extensions may break
under pressure, resulting in
property damage or injury. Do not
stand on the rocker extension or
use it as a step.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 209
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 210
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Lifting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Underhood Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 221
Dual Clutch Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Dual Clutch Transmission Fluid Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 224
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 230
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Battery - North America . . . . . . 234
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 235
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 236
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 236
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . 238
Bulb Replacement
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 239
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 239
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 249
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 265
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 267Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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216 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out ofView). See Cooling System
0 226.
2. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Under Access Panel). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0224.
3. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank and Fill Cap. See Engine Oil0218.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0218.
5. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0226.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
218 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out ofView). See Cooling System
0 226.
2. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Under Access Panel). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0224.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0226.
4. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank and Fill Cap. See Engine Oil0218.
5. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0218.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, pay
careful attention to engine oil.
Follow these important steps:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
later in this section. .
Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” later in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0221.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking the Engine Oil
1. Engine Oil Dipstick
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. To get an
accurate reading, the vehicle must
be parked on a level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a
loop. See Engine Compartment
Overview 0215 for the location.
The vehicle has a racetrack-ready
dry sump engine lubrication system.
This high performance system
operates differently than a standard
engine lubrication system and
requires a special procedure when
checking the engine oil level. Follow
this procedure closely.
The engine oil level must be
checked when the engine is warm.
Cold oil level in the dry sump tank
may not indicate the actual amount
of oil in the system. Engine oil is
contained in an external tank,
separate from the engine. Under
normal operating conditions, the oil
pan under the engine does not store
any oil. If the vehicle has been
parked for an extended period
without the engine being started,
some oil will seep back into the oil
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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Vehicle Care 251
Tire Terminology and
Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch).
Accessory Weight
:The
combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are
automatic transmission, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords between the plies and the
tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing
materials. Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure
0 253.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
:A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 160.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0160.
GAWR RR
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the rear axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0160.
Intended Outboard Sidewall
:
The side of an asymmetrical tire
that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa)
:The metric
unit for air pressure.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 279
Underbody Maintenance
At least twice a year, spring and fall,
use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the
underbody. Take care to thoroughly
clean any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and
contaminate the fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of the
transfer case and/or axles and
should be replaced.
Body Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining the
vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips and
scratches with touch-up materials
available from your dealer. Larger
areas of finish damage can be
corrected in your dealer's body and
paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted vehicle surfaces
causing blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface. See“Finish Care”
previously in this section.
Interior Care
To prevent dirt particle abrasions,
regularly clean the vehicle interior.
Immediately remove any soils.
Newspapers or dark garments can
transfer color to the vehicle interior.
Use a soft bristle brush to remove
dust from knobs and crevices on the
instrument cluster. Using a mild
soap solution, immediately remove hand lotions, sunscreen, and insect
repellent from all interior surfaces or
permanent damage may result.
Use cleaners specifically designed
for the surfaces being cleaned to
prevent permanent damage. Apply
all cleaners directly to the cleaning
cloth. Do not spray cleaners on any
switches or controls. Remove
cleaners quickly.
Before using cleaners, read and
follow all safety instructions on the
label. While cleaning the interior,
open the doors and windows to get
proper ventilation.
To prevent damage, do not clean
the interior using the following
cleaners or techniques:
.
Never use a razor or any other
sharp object to remove soil from
any interior surface.
. Never use a brush with stiff
bristles.
. Never rub any surface
aggressively or with too much
pressure.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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286 Service and Maintenance
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil0218.
Once a Month
. Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure
0 253.
. Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection 0259.
. Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid
0 231.
Engine Oil Change
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, change
the engine oil and filter within the
next 1 000 km (600 mi). If driven
under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system may not
indicate the need for vehicle service
for up to a year. The engine oil and
filter must be changed at least once
a year and the oil life system must be reset. Your trained dealer
technician can perform this work.
If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km (3,000 mi) since the
last service. Reset the oil life
system when the oil is changed.
See
Engine Oil Life System 0221.
Engine Air Filter Change
When the REPLACE AT NEXT OIL
CHANGE message displays,
change the engine air filter at the
next engine oil change. When the
REPLACE ENGINE AIR FILTER
SOON message displays, the
engine air filter should be replaced
at the earliest convenience. Reset
the engine air filter life system after
the engine air filter is replaced. See
Engine Air Filter Life System 0224.
Transmission Fluid Change
When the CHANGE
TRANSMISSION FLUID SOON
message displays, change the fluid
and filter within the next 1 000 km
(600 mi). Failure to change the
transmission fluid at required
intervals can lead to reduced transmission performance. The
transmission fluid must be changed
at least every three years and the
Fluid Life System must be reset.
Your dealer has trained service
technicians who will change the fluid
and reset the system. If the system
is ever reset accidentally, the fluid
must be changed at 72 000 km
(45,000 mi) since the last fluid
change. See
Dual Clutch
Transmission Fluid Life System
0 223.
Air Conditioning Desiccant
(Replace Every Seven Years)
The air conditioning system requires
maintenance every seven years.
This service requires replacement of
the desiccant to help the longevity
and efficient operation of the air
conditioning system. This service
can be complex. See your dealer.
Required Services Every
12 000 km (7,500 mi)
.
Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and