Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14622938) - 2021 - CRC - 9/22/20
252 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn you and
gas that can explode. You can be badly
hurt if you are not careful. SeeJump
Starting - North America 0278 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Some vehicles have a battery maintainer
package. Follow the instructions provided
with the battery maintainer package to keep
the battery charged when the vehicle is not
in use. Plug the battery maintainer into the
underhood accessory power outlet only. For vehicles without a battery maintainer,
see the following information:
Infrequent Usage: Remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery to keep
the battery from running down.
See
“Window Indexing” underPower
Windows 029.
Extended Storage: It is recommended that
the battery maintainer package be used.
However, if not, remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery. All
vehicle memory settings will need to be
reset when battery power is restored.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check, the
vehicle could begin to move. You or
others could be injured and property
could be damaged. Make sure there is
room in front of the vehicle in case it
begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move. Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle
facing downhill. Keeping your foot on the
regular brake, set the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's holding
ability: With the engine running and the
transmission in N (Neutral), slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by
the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park) mechanism's holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the parking brake
followed by the regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected
for wear and cracking.
Replacement blades come in different types
and are removed in different ways. For
proper type and length, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts 0301.
To replace the windshield wiper blade: 1. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the windshield.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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278 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
It could fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a new GM
original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{Warning
Do not use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance. Tire chains used on a
vehicle without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to the
brakes, suspension, or other vehicle parts.
The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause loss of control and a crash.
Use another type of traction device only
if its manufacturer recommends it for the
vehicle's tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To avoid vehicle damage,
drive slowly and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the vehicle.
Do not spin the wheels. If traction
devices are used, install them on the rear
tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while
driving, especially if the tires are maintained
properly. If air goes out of a tire, it is much
more likely to leak out slowly. SeeTires
0 261 for additional information. But if there
ever is a blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire creates a
drag that pulls the vehicle toward that side.
Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and
grip the steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then gently
brake to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts
much like a skid and may require the same
correction as used in a skid. Stop pressing
the accelerator pedal and steer to straighten
the vehicle. It may be very bumpy and
noisy. Gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
The vehicle has no spare tire, no tire
changing equipment, and no place to store
a tire.
If the vehicle has run-flat tires, there is no
need to stop on the side of the road to
change a flat tire. See Run-Flat Tires0262.{Warning
Special tools and procedures are required
to service a run-flat tire. If these special
tools and procedures are not used, injury
or vehicle damage may occur. Always be
sure the proper tools and procedures, as
described in the service manual, are used.
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America
For more information about the vehicle
battery, see Battery - North America 0251.
If the battery has run down, use another
vehicle and some jumper cables to start the
vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps
to do it safely.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Batteries also contain other chemicals
known to the State of California to cause (Continued)
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 279
Warning (Continued)
cancer.WASH HANDS AFTER HANDLING.
For more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition 65 Warning 0231
and the back cover.
{Warning
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can burn you.
.They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
.They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly,
some or all of these things can hurt you.
Caution
Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to the vehicle that would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Trying
to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling
it will not work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
The battery is under a battery cover and
side extensions/shields in the underhood
compartment.
To access the battery under the hood, the
right hand and left hand sight shields need
to be removed to be able to remove the
second cover assembly to access the battery.
The positive battery terminal is on the
driver side and the negative terminal is on
the passenger side.
Before you connect the cables, here are
some basic things you should know.
Positive (+) will go to the positive (+)
terminal. Negative (−) will go the negative
(−) terminal.
1. Discharged Battery Negative (−) Terminal
2. Discharged Battery Positive (+) Terminal
3. Good Battery Negative (−) Terminal
4. Good Battery Positive (+) Terminal
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative ground
system.
Caution
If the other vehicle does not have a
12-volt system with a negative ground,
both vehicles can be damaged. Only use
a vehicle that has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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280 Vehicle Care
2. Get the vehicles close enough so thejumper cables can reach, but be sure the
vehicles are not touching each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You would
not be able to start the vehicle, and the
bad grounding could damage the
electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles
rolling, set the parking brake firmly on
both vehicles involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic transmission
in P (Park) or a manual transmission in
Neutral before setting the parking
brakes.
Caution
If any accessories are left on or plugged
in during the jump starting procedure,
they could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn off or
unplug all accessories on either vehicle
when jump starting. 3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles.
Unplug unnecessary accessories plugged
into the cigarette lighter or the accessory
power outlet. Turn off the radio and all
lamps that are not needed. This will
avoid sparks and help save both
batteries. And it could save the radio!
4. Open the hood. See Hood017.
5. Release the four clips for the left and
right outer covers.
6. Release the five clips and remove theouter cover to access the battery.
7. Locate the battery positive (+) and negative (−) terminals.
8. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing insulation. If they
do, you could get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged too.
9. Open the positive terminal trim cover and connect the red positive (+) cable to
the positive (+) terminal (2) of the dead
battery.
10. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the positive (+) terminal (4)
of the good battery.
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Vehicle Care 281
11. Now connect the black negative (−) cableto the negative (−) terminal (3) of the
good battery.
Do not let the other end touch anything
until the next step.
12. Connect the other end of the negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal (1)
on the dead battery.
13. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a while.
14. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not start after a
few tries, it probably needs service.
Caution
If the jumper cables are connected or
removed in the wrong order, electrical
shorting may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Always connect
and remove the jumper cables in the
correct order, making sure that the cables
do not touch each other or other metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly when
removing the jumper cables. After starting the disabled vehicle and
removing the jumper cables, allow it to idle
for several minutes.
The power windows may need to be
initialized. See
“Window Indexing” under
Power Windows 029.
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled vehicle may
cause damage. The damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not
lash or hook to suspension components.
Use the proper straps around the tires to
secure the vehicle. Do not drag a locked
wheel/tire. Use tire skates or dollies
under any locked wheel/tire while
loading the vehicle. Do not use a sling
type lift to tow the vehicle. This could
damage the vehicle.
GM recommends a flatbed tow truck to
transport a disabled vehicle. Use ramps to
help reduce approach angles, if necessary.
A towed vehicle should have its drive wheels
off the ground. If the disabled vehicle must
be towed, and is covered by GM and/or OnStar roadside benefits, contact Roadside
Assistance. Otherwise contact a professional
towing service.
If equipped, the Front Lift System can be
raised with the engine off. With the vehicle
in ACC/ACCESSORY and the doors closed,
press and hold the Front Lift System button
for 10 seconds. See
Front Lift System0213.
After the vehicle is loaded, the front can be
lowered by pressing the Front Lift System
button again with the doors closed.
Using the Tow Eye
Caution
Improper use of the tow eye can damage
the vehicle. If equipped, use the tow eye
to load a disabled vehicle onto a flatbed
tow truck from a flat road surface, or to
move the vehicle a short distance. Use
caution and low speeds. The transmission
must be in (N) Neutral when moving the
vehicle.
The vehicle may be equipped with a tow
eye that can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a flatbed car carrier from a flat road
surface. Do not use the tow eye to pull the
vehicle from snow, mud, or sand.