CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2012 6.G Owners Manual
Page 1 of 434
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Corvette Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20 Seats and Restraints
. . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-3
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-55
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-64 Lighting
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Trademarks and License
Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-25
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Page 2 of 434
Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Corvette Owner ManualM
Driving and Operating. . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-18
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-27
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-36
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-54 Vehicle Care
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-58
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-82
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-12
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-15 Technical Data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-18
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-20
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1
Page 3 of 434
Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Introduction iii
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names,
and vehicle body designs appearing
in this manual including, but not
limited to, GM, the GM logo,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET
Emblem, CORVETTE, CORVETTE
GRAND SPORT, Z06, and ZR1 are
trademarks and/or service marks
of General Motors LLC, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or
due to changes subsequent to the
printing of this owner manual.
Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name
“General
Motors of Canada Limited” for
Chevrolet Motor Division
wherever it appears in this manual.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
Propriétaires Canadiens
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue
française
www.helminc.com
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 20905002 A First Printing©2011 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Page 4 of 434
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
iv Introduction
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Dangerindicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result in
serious injury or death.
Warning orCaution indicates a
hazard that could result in injury
or death.
{WARNING
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Notice: This means there is
something that could result in
property or vehicle damage. This
would not be covered by the
vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash through it
is a safety symbol which means
“Do Not,” “Do not do this,” or
“Do not let this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*: This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.
Page 5 of 434
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/Stabilitrak®
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
Page 6 of 434
Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
vi Introduction
2NOTES
Page 7 of 434
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12 Steering Wheel
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-14
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-18
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-19
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Roof Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Convertible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-22
Z06, Z16, and ZR1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-23
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
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Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-2 In Brief
Instrument Panel
Page 9 of 434
Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-3
A.Air Vents on page 8β6.
B. HeadβUp Display Controls (If Equipped). See Head-Up
Display (HUD) on page 5β32.
C. Turn and LaneβChange Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6β4.
Cruise Control on page 9β45.
Fog Lamps on page 6β5.
Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6β1.
D. Manual Shift Paddles (If Equipped). See Automatic
Transmission on page 9β27.
E. Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5β28.
F. Instrument Cluster on page 5β9.
G. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5β4.
H. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5β28. I.
Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6β4.
J. Infotainment on page 7β1.
K. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8β1.
L. Fuel Door Release Button. See Filling the Tank on page 9β51.
Hatch/Trunk Release Button.
See “Hatch/Trunk Lid Release”
under Hatch on page 2β11.
M. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6β5.
N. Power Folding Top Switch (If Equipped). See Convertible
Top on page 2β24.
O. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5β19.
P. Bluetooth Controls (If Equipped). See Bluetooth on
page 7β18.
Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5β3 (If Equipped). Q.
Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5β2.
R. Horn on page 5β4.
S. Telescopic Steering Column Control (If Equipped). See
Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5β2.
T. Ignition Positions on page 9β19.
U. Heated Front Seats on page 3β8
(If Equipped).
V. Shift Lever (Automatic Shown). See Automatic Transmission on
page 9β27 orManual
Transmission on page 9β32.
W. Active Handling System on
page 9β38.
X. Power Outlets on page 5β6.
Y. Selective Ride Control on
page 9β43 (If Equipped).
Z. Parking Brake on page 9β36.
Page 10 of 434
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-4 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The RKE transmitter is used to lock
and unlock the doors from up to
30 m (100 ft) away from the vehicle.
Press the button (A) to remove the
key. The key can be used to lock
and unlock the glove box and to
open the hatch/trunk lid if power to
the vehicle is lost. SeeHatch on
page 2β11 for more information.
K:Press to unlock the driver door.
Press again within five seconds to
unlock both doors.
Q: Press to lock all doors.
}: Press and hold for
approximately one second to open
the hatch/trunk.
L: Press to sound the horn.
Press any other button on the
RKE transmitter to stop it.
See Keys on page 2β2 andRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2β3.