2023 CHEVROLET CORVETTE checking oil

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16287457) - 2023 - CRC - 3/10/22
Driving and Operating 173
using the vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving. SeeCompetitive Driving
Mode 0215.
{Warning
Some of the adjustments and procedures
specified in this section may require
specialized skill, training, and equipment.
Failure to perform these procedures
properly could cause malfunction,
potentially resulting in death, personal
injury, or damage to the vehicle or
property. Do not attempt to perform
these adjustments or procedures unless
properly qualified.
Be sure to follow all service procedures
before driving the vehicle at track events or
competitively. See New Vehicle Break-In
0 189.
{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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
tightened can cause the wheels to
become loose or come off, resulting in a
crash. SeeCapacities and Specifications
0 315 for wheel nut torque specifications.
For Z06 vehicles only, remove the front
license plate and bracket (if installed) and
remove the front aero covers before track
use. See your dealer for complete procedure.
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 Oil (5.5L LT6
Engine) 0242 or
Engine Oil (6.2L LT2 Engine) 0245.
Check the oil level often during track events
and competitive driving. See “Checking the
Engine Oil" in Engine Oil (5.5L LT6 Engine)
0 242 or
Engine Oil (6.2L LT2 Engine) 0245.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16287457) - 2023 - CRC - 3/10/22
242 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). SeeCooling System 0252.
2. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Under Access Panel). See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 251.
3. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank and Fill Cap. See Engine Oil (5.5L LT6 Engine) 0242 or
Engine Oil (6.2L LT2 Engine) 0245.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil (5.5L
LT6 Engine) 0242 or
Engine Oil (6.2L LT2 Engine) 0245.
5. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0252.
Engine Oil (5.5L LT6 Engine)
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 0248.
.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-
16287457) - 2023 - CRC - 3/10/22
244 Vehicle Care
3. Remove the engine oil drain plug (1)from the bottom of the engine oil tank.
Drain plug removal will let the oil drain
from the external oil tank. Allow the oil
to drain.
4. Inspect the drain plug O-ring seal (2) and replace if it is damaged. Reinstall the
drain plug into the oil tank by rotating it
to a stop.
5. Remove the engine oil drain plug (3) from the bottom of the engine
crankcase. Drain plug removal will let the
residual oil drain from crankcase sump.
Allow the oil to drain.
6. Inspect the drain plug O-ring seal (4) and replace if it is damaged. Reinstall the
drain plug into the crankcase sump and
tighten them to 25 Y(18 lb ft).
7. Remove the engine oil filter cap (5) and filter (7) and allow the oil to drain.
8. Install the engine oil filter cap (5) with a new engine oil filter cap seal ring (6) and
the new oil filter element (7) and hand
tighten. See Maintenance Replacement
Parts 0311 for the correct filter.
Tighten the engine oil filter cap (5) to
25 Y (18 lb ft). 9. Add oil to the oil tank through the
opening in the oil tank. See Capacities
and Specifications 0315.
10. Install the oil fill cap and insert the dipstick until fully seated to a stop,
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.
11. 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 0310.
Specification
Use engine oils that meet the dexosR
Performance Engine Oil specification.
Engine oils that have been approved by GM
as meeting the dexosR specification are
marked with the dexosR approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
GM recommends Mobil 1 engine oils that
show the dexosR 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 5W-50 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.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16287457) - 2023 - CRC - 3/10/22
Vehicle Care 245
Engine Oil Additives/Engine Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the dexos
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 (6.2L LT2 Engine)
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 0248.
.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

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16287457) - 2023 - CRC - 3/10/22
Vehicle Care 247
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 0311 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 0315.
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 0310.
Specification
Use engine oils that meet the dexosR
specification.
Engine oils that have been approved by GM
as meeting the dexosR specification are
marked with the dexosR approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
GM recommends Mobil 1 engine oils that
show the dexosR approved logo.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16287457) - 2023 - CRC - 3/10/22
Vehicle Care 249
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 Engine Oil
percentage is displayed. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 092.
2. Press and hold the thumbwheel on the DIC while the Oil Life display is active.
When prompted, confirm reset. 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 0327.
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 Lubricants 0310.
Change the fluid and external canister filter
at the proper intervals. See Maintenance
Schedule 0306. Be sure to use the correct
fluid. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0310.
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 72 000 km (45,000 mi) after the
last fluid change.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16287457) - 2023 - CRC - 3/10/22
254 Vehicle Care
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
0 255.
The surge tank is in the engine
compartment. See Engine Compartment
Overview 0235.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.
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.