2021 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8 engine oil

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14622938) - 2021 - CRC - 9/22/20
180 Driving and Operating
Be sure to follow all service procedures
before driving the vehicle at track events or
competitively.
{Warning
Prior to each track event and again
before returning to public roads, tighten
the wheel nuts with a torque wrench to
the proper torque specification. Wheel
nuts that are improperly or incorrectly
tightened can cause the wheels to
become loose or come off, resulting in a
crash. SeeCapacities and Specifications
0 305 for wheel nut torque specifications.
If equipped, the front license plate bracket
should be removed and replaced with the
aero cover for track use.
Engine Sound Management Setting Caution
Do not place the vehicle in Engine Sound
Management–Stealth mode. Damage
could result to exhaust valve actuators.
Engine Oil
Caution
If the vehicle is used for track events and
competitive driving, the engine may use
more oil than it would with normal use.
Low oil levels can damage the engine.
Check the oil level often and maintain
the proper level. See Engine Oil0238.
Check the oil level often during track events
and competitive driving. See “Checking the
Engine Oil" in Engine Oil0238.
Engine Cooling
If reduced performance is experienced during
track events or competitive driving, turning
off the A/C will help to improve engine
performance.
Maintain a mixture of 40% DEX-COOL
coolant and 60% clean, drinkable water to
optimize engine performance.
Fuel
Unleaded gasoline, rated at 93 octane or
higher, is required.
Caution
Some high octane fuels contain additives
and compounds that may damage the
vehicle and void the vehicle warranty. See
Prohibited Fuels 0226.
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
Battery Disconnect
Disconnect the battery before servicing the
hydraulic brake system. It is critical to
disconnect the battery before bleeding the
system, replacing the pads, or any other
work. The battery must be disconnected to

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 191
During the first 800 km (500 mi), engine
torque will be limited in low gears.
For the first 322 km (200 mi):
.To break in new tires, drive at moderate
speeds and avoid hard cornering.
.New brake linings also need a break-in
period. Avoid making hard stops. This is
recommended every time brake linings
are replaced.
For the first 800 km (500 mi):
.Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops.
.Do not exceed 4000 rpm.
.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 0213.
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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Driving and Operating 193
With the ignition off, pressing the button
one time without the brake pedal applied
will place the ignition in ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to off after five minutes to
prevent battery rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator Light) :This
mode is for driving and starting. With the
ignition off and the brake pedal applied,
pressing the button once will place the
ignition in ON/RUN/START. Once engine
cranking begins, release the button. Engine
cranking will continue until the engine
starts. See Starting the Engine 0193. The
ignition will then remain in ON/RUN.
Service Mode
This power mode is available for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction indicator lamp
as may be required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off and the brake
pedal not applied, pressing and holding
ENGINE START/STOP for more than
five seconds will place the vehicle in Service
Mode. The instruments and audio systems
will operate as they do in ON/RUN, but the
vehicle will not be able to be driven. The engine will not start in Service Mode. Press
ENGINE START/STOP again to turn the
vehicle off.
Starting the Engine
Caution
If you add electrical parts or accessories,
you could change the way the engine
operates. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
See
Add-On Electrical Equipment 0228.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could
damage the transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Place the transmission in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the vehicle when it is
already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Starting the Vehicle
The remote key must be inside the vehicle
for the ignition to work. Cell phone chargers can interfere with the
operation of the Keyless Access system.
Battery chargers should not be plugged in
when starting or turning off the engine.
1. Press the brake pedal, then press ENGINE START/STOP on the instrument panel.
If there is no remote key in the vehicle
or if there is something causing
interference with it, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will display a
message.
2. When the engine begins cranking, let go of the button and the engine cranks
automatically until it starts.
If the battery in the remote key is weak,
the DIC will display a message. The
vehicle can still be driven.
See “Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 07
. If the remote key battery is dead,
insert it into the cupholder transmitter
pocket to enable engine starting.
3. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil warms
up and lubricates all moving parts.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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226 Driving and Operating
warranty. If heavy knocking is heard when
using gasoline rated at 93 octane, the
engine needs service.
Do not use any fuel labeled E85 or FlexFuel.
Do not use gasoline with ethanol levels
greater than 15% by volume.
Prohibited Fuels
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so may
damage the vehicle and void its
warranty:
.For vehicles that are not FlexFuel, fuel
labeled greater than 15% ethanol by
volume, such as mid-level ethanol
blends (16–50% ethanol), E85,
or FlexFuel.
.Fuel with any amount of methanol,
methylal, ferrocene, and aniline. These
fuels can corrode metal fuel system
parts or damage plastic and rubber
parts.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Fuel containing metals such as
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT), which can damage
the emissions control system and
spark plugs.
.Fuel with a posted octane rating of
less than the recommended fuel. Using
this fuel will lower fuel economy and
performance, and may decrease the
life of the emissions catalyst.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post fuel
octane ratings in anti-knock index (AKI). For
fuel not to use in a foreign country, see
Prohibited Fuels0226.
Fuel Additives
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is highly
recommended for use with your vehicle.
If your country does not have TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, add ACDelco Fuel
System Treatment Plus−Gasoline to the
vehicle’s gasoline fuel tank at every oil change or 15 000 km (9,000 mi), whichever
occurs first. TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline
and ACDelco Fuel System Treatment
Plus−Gasoline will help keep your vehicle’s
engine fuel deposit free and performing
optimally.
Filling the Tank
An arrow on the fuel gauge indicates which
side of the vehicle the fuel door is on. See
Fuel Gauge
083.
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn violently
and can cause injury or death.
Follow these guidelines to help avoid
injuries to you and others:
.Read and follow all the instructions on
the fuel pump island.
.Turn off the engine when refueling.
.Keep sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from fuel.
.Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14622938) - 2021 - CRC - 9/22/20
230 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 231
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 231
Lifting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 233
Underhood Compartment Overview . . . 234
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 235
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Dual Clutch Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . 241
Dual Clutch Transmission Fluid Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . 242
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Bulb Replacement
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 258
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 265 Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 270
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 273
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . 275
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 275
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 277
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 278
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14622938) - 2021 - CRC - 9/22/20
236 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). SeeCooling System 0245.
2. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Under Access Panel). See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 243.
3. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank and Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0238.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil0238.
5. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0245.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14622938) - 2021 - CRC - 9/22/20
238 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). SeeCooling System 0245.
2. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Under Access Panel). See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 243.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0245.
4. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank and Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0238.
5. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil0238.
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. SeeEngine Oil Life System 0241.
.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 0235 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 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.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14622938) - 2021 - CRC - 9/22/20
Vehicle Care 239
{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
0 305.
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 0235 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.
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.