2020 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coolant level

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-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
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-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
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
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.