CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7 2018 Owners Manual

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - crc - 4/4/17
160 Driving and Operating
competitive driving. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0308.
General Information
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.
The front license plate bracket or
aero panel should be removed for
track events and competitive driving
to improve engine performance.
If additional brake cooling is
required, the grille mesh in the lower
corners of the front grille in front of
the brake duct can be removed.
This is not reversible, and a
replacement grille will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
If this is done, it is recommended
that the gap between the fascia and
the cooling duct be taped over.Brake Burnishing
New brake pads must be burnished
before racing or other competitive
driving.
Caution
Performing the brake burnish
procedure on a base brake
system can result in brake
damage.
Caution
The new vehicle break-in period
should be completed before
performing the brake burnish
procedure, otherwise damage
may occur to the powertrain/
engine. See New Vehicle
Break-In 0174.
Caution
Brake pedal fade will occur during
any track burnish procedure and
can cause brake pedal travel and
force to increase. This could
extend stopping distance until the
brakes are fully burnished.
When this procedure is performed
as instructed, it will not damage the
brakes. The brake pads will smoke
and produce an odor. The braking
force and pedal travel may increase.
After the procedure, the brake pads
may appear white at the rotor
contact.
Perform this procedure only on dry
pavement, in a safe manner, and in
compliance with all local and state
ordinances/laws regarding motor
vehicle operation.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 161
Brake Burnishing Procedure
(Grand Sport or Z06 without J57
Ceramic Brakes or Z07
Performance Package)1. Apply the brakes 25 times starting at 100 km/h (60 mph) to
50 km/h (30 mph) while
decelerating at 0.4 g. This is a
medium brake application.
Drive for at least 1 km (0.6 mi)
between applying the brakes.
This first step may be skipped
if there are more than 320 km
(200 mi) on the brake pads.
2. Repeatedly apply the brakes from 100 km/h (60 mph) to
25 km/h (15 mph) while
decelerating at 0.8 g. This is a
hard brake application, without
activating the Antilock Brake
System (ABS). Drive for at
least 1 km (0.6 mi) between
stops. Repeat until the brake
pedal travel starts to increase.
Depending on conditions, this
should take no longer than 25
brake applications. 3. Cool down: Drive at 100 km/h
(60 mph) for approximately
15 km (10 mi) without using the
brakes.
4. Apply the brakes 25 times from 100 km/h (60 mph) to 50 km/h
(30 mph) while decelerating at
0.4 g. This is a medium brake
application. Drive for at least
1 km (0.6 mi) between
applications.
Street High Performance Brake
Burnishing Procedure (Grand
Sport or Z06 with J57 Ceramic
Brakes or Z07 Performance
Package) 1. From a stop, accelerate as rapidly as possible without
activating traction control to a
speed of 100 km/h (60 mph).
2. Use enough pedal force to completely stop the vehicle in
four to five seconds. If ABS
activates, braking is too hard.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 –50
times. This should take about
10 minutes. 4. After completing the 50 stops,
cool the brakes by driving for
8 km (5 mi) at 100 km/h
(60 mph).
As with all high performance brake
systems, some amount of brake
squeal is normal.
Racing/Track Brake Burnishing
Procedure (Grand Sport and Z06
with Z07 Performance Package or
J57 Ceramic Brakes)
This procedure should only be run
on a track and only on dry
pavement.
Caution
Brake pedal fade will occur during
this track burnish procedure and
can cause brake pedal travel and
force to increase. This could
extend stopping distance until the
brakes are fully burnished.
1. Drive a normal first lap, not too aggressively.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - crc - 4/4/17
162 Driving and Operating
2. Laps 2 and 3 should begradually driven faster and
more aggressively, while
allowing for reduced brake
output and increased stopping
distance due to brake fade.
3. Drive Lap 4 near full speed, while allowing for reduced
brake output and increased
stopping distance due to
brake fade.
4. Laps 5 and 6 should be cool down laps.
5. Lap 7 should be normal driving or an easy out lap.
Front Compartment Air
Deflector Panel
Prior to the track event, when
ambient temperatures are above
27 °C (80 °F), the panel between
the front fascia extension and the
front cradle can be removed to
maximize cooling air flow to the
steering gear power assist motor. To remove the air deflector:
1. Remove the four front (2) and
three rear (4) front
compartment air deflector
screws.
2. Remove the forward push pin (1).
3. Remove the front compartment air deflector (3) by tipping the
rear down and sliding it out
from under the lower deflector
panel.
When the track events are
complete, re-install this panel.
Z07 Performance Package
Z06 with the Z07 Performance
Package has installed Stage 2 and
Stage 3 Aero Packages, which
consist of a front splitter with short
end caps, rocker panel extensions,
and a rear spoiler.
Stage 3 Aero components are
delivered but not installed on the
vehicle. These are intended to be
installed for track use only. The
components include:
. Front splitter tall end caps that
replace the front splitter short
end caps
. A center transparent wicker bill
for the rear spoiler
{Warning
Changing the following track
settings could reduce tire traction
and could cause a crash. Do not
change the track settings.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 163
The track settings for the Z07
Performance Package with the
Stage 3 Aero Package are:
.The front splitter tall end caps
installed
. The center transparent wicker
bill installed all the way up on
the rear spoiler
. The Driver Mode Selector in
Track Mode
Stingray with Performance
Package-Carbon Fiber (CFZ)
The Stingray with Performance
Package-Carbon Fiber (CFZ) has
an installed aero package which
consists of a front splitter with short
end caps, rocker panel extensions,
and a rear spoiler. A center
transparent wicker bill for the rear
spoiler is delivered but not installed.
This is intended to be installed for
track use only.
Front Brake Cooling Duct Kit
The following installation procedure
is for Z06 vehicles and should be
installed prior to any track events.
The cooling ducts should be installed prior to any track events.
The cooling ducts improve brake
cooling during track events.
To install the cooling ducts and
deflector:
1. Remove the front wheels.
Refer to the procedure in the
vehicle service manual.
Steps 2, 3, and 4 are optional
on certain vehicles.
2. Remove the fastener (1) from the rear of the control arm
deflector (2).
3. Remove the remaining three
fasteners (1) from the
deflector (2).
4. Remove the deflector (2).

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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164 Driving and Operating
5. Remove the adhesive tapefrom the rubber pads and
install them on the front airbox
as shown. Allow it to dry for
five minutes.
6. Remove the adhesive tape
from the rubber pads and
install them on the rear airbox
as shown. Allow it to dry for
five minutes.
7. Position the u-nut on theupper duct.
8. Position the rear airbox andsnap the tabs into the front
airbox around the lower
control arm.
9. Position the upper duct and
snap it into the tabs of the front
and rear airbox assembly.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 165
10. Install the control arm deflectorto the upper duct using the
screw. Do not tighten at
this time.
11. Install the control arm deflectorto the lower control arm using
the self tapping screws. Do not
tighten at this time.12. Install the two self tappingscrews to the control arm
through both sides of the
airbox cavities. Do not tighten
at this time.
13. Torque all five screws to 4 Y
(35 lb inch).
14. Repeat the procedure for the opposite side of the vehicle.
15. Install the front wheels. Refer to the procedure in the vehicle
service manual.
Wheel Blocker
The following installation procedure
is for Z06 vehicles with the J56
brake package and should be
installed prior to any track events.
The wheel blocker helps improve
the cooling of the brake rotor.
Caution
The wheel blocker is for track use
only. After a track event, remove
the wheel blocker and reinstall
the original splash shield. Failure
(Continued)

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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166 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
to reinstall the original parts may
lead to damage to the wheel
blocker, noise, premature brake
pad and rotor wear, and high
speed wet braking.
To install the wheel blocker:
1. Remove the front wheels. Refer to the procedure in the
vehicle service manual. 2. Remove the brake caliper (1)
from the steering knuckle. Do
not disconnect the brake hose.
Refer to the procedure in the
vehicle service manual.
3. Remove the brake rotor retaining fastener (2) and then
remove the brake rotor (3).
4. Remove the two splash shield fasteners (4).
5. Remove the splash shield (5).
6. Install the wheel blocker (1).
7. Install the three wheel blocker fasteners (2). Torque to 10 Y
(89 lb inch).
8. Install the rotor (1) with the
fastener (2). Torque to 10 Y
(89 lb inch).

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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9. Install the caliper (1) with thetwo fasteners (2). Torque to
220 Y (162 lb ft).
10. Repeat the procedure for the opposite side of the vehicle.
11. Reinstall the wheels using the specified lug nut torque. Refer
to the procedure in the vehicle
service manual.
12. After a track event, repeat the steps to reinstall the original
splash shield.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.
Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0254.
. Turn off cruise control.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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168 Driving and Operating
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0192.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0189.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0320. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0181.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.