Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
152 Driving and Operating
Caution
Some high octane fuels contain
additives and compounds that
may damage the vehicle and void
the vehicle warranty. See
Prohibited Fuels0205.
Dual Clutch Transmission
Fluid
The transmission fluid and external
filter should be changed after every
24 hours of track usage. If prompted
by the transmission fluid life monitor
that remaining fluid life is low, the
fluid and external filter should be
changed as soon as possible.
Add an additional 2 L (2 qt) of DCT
transmission fluid prior to track
usage. It is not required to remove
the additional 2 L (2 qt) of DCT fluid.
Any transmission level set or
change should be performed at your
dealer.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Replace existing brake fluid with a
qualified high performance brake
fluid from a sealed container. Brake
fluid with a dry boiling point >310 °C
(590 °F) is qualified. If high
performance brake fluid is used,
replace it with GM approved brake
fluid before driving on public roads.
If high performance brake fluid is in
the vehicle and the age of the brake
fluid is over a month old or
unknown, replace the brake fluid
before track events and competitive
driving. Do not use silicone or
DOT-5 brake fluids.
Check the fluid level before each
competitive driving event.
Brake Fade Warning Assist
The Brake Fade Warning Assist
system monitors the performance of
the brake system. If the system
detects brake fade, or if the brake
fluid is near the boiling point, the
driver will be alerted. The Brake Fade Warning Assist
system is designed for use with the
factory-installed brake pads or
GM-approved replacement pads.
If the brake pads on the vehicle
need to be replaced, use
GM-approved brake pads. If this is
not done, the brake fade warning
system may not function properly.
Stage 1 :
The Driver Information
Center (DIC) displays a “Reduce
Braking to Avoid Overheating”
message and brake pedal effort and
travel is increased. When the
message displays, the driver should
decrease brake pedal pressure.
Stage 2 : The Driver Information
Center (DIC) displays a “Brakes
Overheated Service Now” message
that the brake fluid temperature is
excessive and is about to boil. The
system increases brake pedal effort
and travel, and will also limit vehicle
speed. The driver should
immediately start a cool down lap if
on the track. If this message
displays, take the vehicle to be
serviced at your dealer.
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-
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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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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.
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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
222 Vehicle Care
This 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
changing the engine oil and filter.
SeeEngine Oil 0218.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system may not indicate that an oil
change is necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level. If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Scroll through the DIC Info Pages menu until the
REMAINING OIL LIFE
percentage is displayed. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
0108.
2. Press and hold SEL on the DIC while the Oil Life display is
active. The oil life will change
to 100%.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Dual Clutch Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Dual Clutch
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
The vehicle is not equipped with a
transmission fluid level dipstick.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, this should be
done at the dealer. Contact the
dealer for additional information or
the procedure can be found in the
service manual. To purchase a
service manual, see Publication
Ordering Information 0311.
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Vehicle Care 223
Caution
Use of the incorrect transmission
fluid may damage the vehicle,
and the damage may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use the correct
transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0295.
Change the fluid and filter at the
proper intervals. See Maintenance
Schedule 0286. Be sure to use the
correct fluid. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0295.
Dual Clutch Transmission
Fluid Life System
When to Change the Dual
Clutch Transmission Fluid
This vehicle has a computer that
indicates when to change the
transmission fluid. This is based on
a combination of factors which
include temperature and miles
driven. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which a fluid change
is indicated can vary considerably.
For the fluid life system to work
properly, the system must be reset
every time the fluid is changed.
When the system has calculated
that fluid life has been diminished, it
indicates that a fluid change is
necessary. A CHANGE
TRANSMISSION FLUID SOON
message comes on. Change the
fluid as soon as possible within the
next 1 000 km (600 mi). Failure to
change transmission fluid at
required intervals could lead to
suboptimal transmission
performance. 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.
How to Reset the Dual Clutch
Transmission Fluid Life
System
Reset the system whenever the
transmission fluid is replaced so that
the system can calculate the next
transmission fluid change.
To reset:
1. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
2. Select the Oil & Fluid Life page under the Maintenance DIC
menu. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) 0108.
3. Press the thumbwheel under the Oil & Fluid Life page to
move to the Reset/Disable
display area. Select Reset
Transmission Fluid with the
thumbwheel scroll then press
the thumbwheel. Then press
Yes to confirm the reset.
4. When the Transmission Fluid Life System is successfully
reset, 100% Transmission Fluid
Life will be displayed.