maintenance CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2008 6.G Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-9
Child Restraints
.......................................1-26
Airbag System
.........................................1-43
Restraint System Check
............................1-58
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-21
Mirrors
....................................................2-37
OnStar
®System
......................................2-43
Universal Home Remote System
................2-46
Storage Areas
.........................................2-53
Roof Panel
..............................................2-57
Convertible Top
.......................................2-62
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-26
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-34
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-51
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-84Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
....... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-29
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
Rear Axle
...............................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-51
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-52
Windshield Replacement
...........................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-55
Tires
......................................................5-58
Appearance Care
.....................................5-87
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-98
Electrical System
......................................5-99
Capacities and Specications
...................5-107
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-16
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-18
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Chevrolet Corvette Owner ManualM

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Safety Belts
Now and then, check the safety belt reminder light,
safety belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are all working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt
system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or frayed
safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip
apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a
new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-36for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. SeeCare of Safety
Belts on page 5-90.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled
maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 3-37for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag coverings. If there
are any opened or broken airbag covers, have the
airbag covering and/or airbag module replaced.
For the location of the airbag modules, seeWhat
Makes an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-49. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
1-58

x9w(Fan):Press the button with the fan symbol
to manually increase or decrease the fan speed.
Keep pressing the up or down arrow on this switch until
the desired fan speed appears on the display.
Pressing the arrows will delete AUTO from the digital
display. The fan graphics with the fan speed bars will be
shown. To increase the fan speed so that more air
ows into the vehicle, press the up arrow on the
fan switch. To decrease the fan speed and airow,
press the down arrow. The AUTO button must be
pressed to return to the automatic fan control.
If the airow seems low when the fan speed is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air lter
may need to be replaced. For more information,
seePassenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-32
andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
?(Recirculation):Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on or off. When the climate control
system is in recirculation mode an indicator light will
come on. This mode prevents outside air from entering
your vehicle. It can be used to prevent outside air and
odors from entering your vehicle and to help cool the air
inside your vehicle more quickly. Recirculation mode is
not available in defrost or defog mode.
^(Air Conditioning Off):Press this button to turn the
air conditioning compressor off. Press AUTO to return
to automatic operation. When in AUTO, the air
conditioning compressor will come on automatically,
as needed.
Air conditioning does not operate at temperatures below
about 35°F to 40°F (2°C to 4°C). In temperatures
above 40°F (4°C), the air conditioning cannot be turned
off in defrost and defog, as it helps to remove moisture
from the vehicle. It also helps to keep the windows clear.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
3-28

Outlet Adjustment
Use the tab located on the air outlets to change the
direction of the airow.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the area around the base of the instrument
panel console and air path under the seats clear
of objects to help circulate the air inside of
your vehicle more effectively.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter removes certain
particles from the air including pollen and dust particles.
Reductions in airow, which may occur more often in
dusty areas, indicate that the lter may need to be
replaced. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for
information on how often to replace the lter.
Notice:Driving without a passenger compartment
air lter in place can cause water and small
particles, like paper and leaves, to be pulled into
your climate control system which may cause
damage to it. Make sure you always replace the old
lter with a new one.
The passenger compartment air lter is located on the
passenger side of the engine compartment near the
battery. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-14.
3-32

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems. It makes
sure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
The check engine light
comes on to indicate
that there is an OBD II
problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. This can prevent more serious
damage to your vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel economymight not be as good, and the engine might not run
as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This could
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
This light comes on briey, as a check to show it is
working, as you start the engine. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light also comes
on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and could damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might be
required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
3-45

Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
might begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on or not working properly.
To perform a check engine light bulb check with the
keyless ignition, make sure the transmitter fob is in the
passenger compartment. SeeIgnition Positions on
page 2-22. Press the bottom of the Acc. button on
the instrument panel and hold the button down
for ve seconds. The instrument panel, including the
check engine light, will light up and the ignition will
be on, but the engine will not start — if you press the
bottom of the Acc. button only briey, less than
ve seconds, the accessory power mode will be turned
on, but not the ignition. After the bulb check, be sure
to press and release the Acc. button again to turn
the ignition off and avoid draining the vehicle’s battery.Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen
if you have recently replaced the battery or if the battery
has run down. The diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control systems during normal
driving. This may take several days of routine driving.
If you have done this and your vehicle still does not pass
the inspection for lack of OBD system readiness, your
dealer/retailer can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
3-47

{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.
Security Light
For information regarding
this light and the vehicle’s
security system, see
Theft-Deterrent System
on page 2-18.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light will
come on when the fog
lamps are in use.
The light will go out when the fog lamps are turned off.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-17for more information.
3-49

Both of the trip odometers can be used simultaneously.
TRIP A could be used to track the distance to a
destination. TRIP B could be used to track maintenance
periods. The trip odometers can be reset by pressing
the RESET button on the DIC.
There is also a miles since last ignition feature that
displays the number of miles (kilometers) driven since
you last started the vehicle. Press and hold the
RESET button for three seconds, then release it.
The miles (kilometers) since the last ignition cycle will
be set into the trip odometer.
Elapsed Timer:Press the TRIP button until ELAPSED
TIMER is displayed, such as ELAPSED TIMER .00.
When the ignition is in on, the DIC can be used as a
stopwatch. The display can show hours, minutes and
seconds. The elapsed time indicator will record up to
23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds, then it will reset to
zero and continue counting. The display appears as
ELAPSED TIMER .00 in the elapsed time function.
You can start or stop the elapsed time by pressing the
RESET button. To reset the elapsed time to zero,
press the RESET button for three seconds while the
timer is displayed.Pressing and holding the RESET button for at least
10 seconds will reset the timer display to the time since
last ignition cycle.
Average Speed:Press the TRIP button until the
average speed is displayed, such as:
AVERAGE SPEED 62 MPH or
AVERAGE SPEED 100 km/h
Press and hold the RESET button to reset to
0.0 mph (km/h).
Engine Oil Life:Press the TRIP button until the engine
oil life is displayed, such as OIL LIFE REMAINING 89%.
This is an estimate of the engine oil’s remaining
useful life. It will show 100% when the system is reset
after an oil change. It will alert you to change the oil
on a schedule consistent with your driving conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low, the system will
alert you with the message CHANGE ENGINE OIL.
3-56

Remember, you must reset the engine oil life system
yourself after each oil change. It will not reset itself.
To reset the system, seeEngine Oil Life System
on page 5-23. Be careful not to reset the engine oil life
system accidentally at any time other than when the
oil has just been changed. It cannot be reset accurately
until the next oil change.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4andEngine
Oil on page 5-17for more information.
OPTION Button
The OPTION button allows you to access the
PERSONAL OPTIONS menu and customize the
personalization settings on your vehicle. SeeDIC
Vehicle Personalization on page 3-75for more
information.
RESET Button
The RESET button, used along with other buttons, will
reset system functions and turn off or acknowledge
messages on the DIC.
DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver
that the status of the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by the driver to correct the
condition. Multiple messages may appear one after
another. You can scroll through the messages that
may have been sent at the same time. The DIC is
continuously updated with the vehicle performance
status.
Some messages may not require immediate action,
but you can press the RESET button to acknowledge
that you received the messages and to clear them from
the display.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC
display because they are more urgent. These messages
require action before they can be cleared. You should
take any messages that appear on the display seriously
and remember that clearing the messages will only
make the messages disappear, not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can be
displayed and some information about them.
3-57

If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is on
and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will be
repeated. If the driver’s safety belt is already buckled,
this message and chime will not come on.
This message is an additional reminder to the safety
belt reminder light in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-36for more
information.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message displays when the life of the engine oil
has expired. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
After an oil change, the engine oil life system must
be reset. See “Engine Oil Life” underDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-52. Also, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-17andEngine Oil Life System on page 5-23for
more information.
CHECK BRAKE FLUID
This message displays, a chime sounds, and the brake
system warning light on the instrument panel cluster
turns on if the ignition is on to inform the driver that the
brake uid level is low. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-41. Have the brake system serviced by
your dealer/retailer as soon as possible. SeeBrakes
on page 5-42.
CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
This message displays when the engine coolant level
is low. Have the cooling system serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-28.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel cap has not been fully
tightened. Check the fuel cap to make sure that it is
on properly. Once tightened, it takes at least one
overnight park to reset or clear this message. If both the
CHECK GAS CAP message and the malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument panel cluster are on,
you may need to see your dealer/retailer for service.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-45for more
information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
On some vehicles, this message displays and two
chimes sound if the oil level in the vehicle is low.
Once the vehicle senses a change in the engine oil
level, the light remains off.
If this message appears after starting the engine,
the engine oil level may be too low. You may need to
add oil. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-31.
3-60