tires 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

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the shaded area,
your engine is too hot.
This means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should pull off the road,
stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon
as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-31for more
information.
Tire Pressure Light
This light comes on briey
when the engine is started.
This light also comes on when one or more of the tires
are signicantly underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-57for more
information.
Stop and check the tires as soon as it is safe to do so.
If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 5-58for more information.
If a problem is detected with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System, this light ashes for approximately 60 seconds
and then stays on for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-68
for more information. United States
Canada
3-44

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

Battery Voltage:This display shows the current battery
voltage.
Press the gages button again to display the battery
voltage, such as:
BATTERY VOLTAGE 13.5 VOLTS
Tire Pressure:This display shows the tire pressure for
each tire.
Press the gages button again to display the tire pressure
for the front tires, such as:
FRONT TIRE PRESSURES L 34 PSI R 33 PSI or
FRONT TIRE PRESSURES L 234 kPa R 228 kPa
Press the gages button again to display the tire pressure
for the rear tires, such as:
REAR TIRE PRESSURES L 34 PSI R 33 PSI or
REAR TIRE PRESSURES L 234 kPa R 228 kPa
TRIP Button
The TRIP button displays the odometer, trip distance,
elapsed time, average speed, and oil life remaining
information.
Odometer:The odometer shows how far your vehicle
has been driven in either miles or kilometers.
Press the TRIP button to display odometer readings,
such as:
ODOMETER 12345 MI or
ODOMETER 20008 km
You can also display the odometer by turning on the
parking lamps.
Trip Odometers:There are two trip odometers.
Press the TRIP button to display TRIP ODOMETER A
readings and press the button again to display TRIP
ODOMETER B readings, such as:
TRIP ODOMETER A 130.5 MI or
TRIP ODOMETER A 209.9 km
TRIP ODOMETER B 300.5 MI or
TRIP ODOMETER B 483.5 km
3-55

HIGH TIRE PRESSURE
This message displays when one or more of the tires is
over-inated. This message also displays LEFT FRONT,
RIGHT FRONT, LEFT REAR, or RIGHT REAR to
indicate which tire is affected. You can receive more
than one tire pressure message at a time. To read other
messages that may have been sent at the same time,
press the RESET button. If a tire pressure message
appears on the DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have the
tire pressures checked and set to those shown on the
Tire Loading Information label. SeeRun-Flat Tires
on page 5-64,Loading the Vehicle on page 4-24,
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-66, andTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 5-68. The DIC also shows
the tire pressure values. SeeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-52.
To acknowledge the message, press the RESET button.
A message reappears every 10 minutes until the
condition is corrected.
HOT ENGINE AIR CONDITIONING OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor is automatically turned off.When the coolant temperature returns to normal, the
A/C operation automatically resumes. You can continue
to drive your vehicle. If this message continues to
appear, have the system repaired by your dealer/retailer
as soon as possible to avoid compressor damage.
ICE POSSIBLE
This message displays when the outside air temperature
is cold enough to create icy road conditions. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
LOW FUEL
This message displays when the fuel tank is less than
10 percent full and the display is turned off. A multiple
chime also sounds when this message is displayed.
Rell the fuel tank as soon as possible. SeeFuel Gage
on page 3-50.
LOW OIL PRESSURE
This message displays if low oil pressure levels occur.
If this message appears while the engine is running,
stop the engine and do not operate it until the cause of
low oil pressure is corrected. Severe damage to the
engine can result. A multiple chime sounds when this
message is displayed. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-17.
3-63

LOW TIRE PRESSURE
{CAUTION:
When the LOW TIRE PRESSURE or TIRE FLAT
message is displayed on the Driver Information
Center, your vehicle’s handling capabilities
will be reduced during severe maneuvers.
The active handling system will be affected.
SeeActive Handling System on page 4-7.
If you drive too fast, you could lose control of
your vehicle. You or others could be injured.
Do not drive over 55 mph (90 km/h) when the
LOW TIRE PRESSURE or TIRE FLAT message
is displayed. Drive cautiously and check your
tire pressures as soon as you can.
This message displays when one or more of the tires
is under-inated. This message also displays LEFT
FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT REAR, or RIGHT REAR
to indicate which tire is affected. Multiple chimes
sound and the tire pressure light on the instrument
panel cluster turns on when this message is displayed.SeeTire Pressure Light on page 3-44. You can receive
more than one tire pressure message at a time.
To read other messages that may have been sent at
the same time, press the RESET button. If a tire
pressure message appears on the DIC, stop as soon as
you can. Have the tire pressures checked and set to
those shown on the Tire Loading Information label.
SeeRun-Flat Tires on page 5-64,Loading the Vehicle
on page 4-24,Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-66,
andTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-68.
The DIC also shows the tire pressure values.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays on page 3-52.
To acknowledge the message, press the RESET button.
A message reappears every 10 minutes until the
condition is corrected.
MAXIMUM SPEED 80 MPH (129 km/h)
This message displays when a malfunction is present in
the Selective Ride Control system. The vehicle speed
will be limited to a value determined by the vehicle when
the shock absorber system has failed and the shocks
are in their full soft mode. Have your vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
To acknowledge the message, press the RESET button.
The message reappears every 10 minutes until this
condition changes.
3-64

This message displays when one or more of the tires
is at. This message also displays LEFT FRONT,
RIGHT FRONT, LEFT REAR, or RIGHT REAR to
indicate which tire is affected. Multiple chimes sound
and the tire pressure light on the instrument panel
cluster comes on when this message is displayed.
SeeTire Pressure Light on page 3-44.
This message is followed by the MAXIMUM SPEED
55 MPH (90 km/h) message, and then by the REDUCED
HANDLING message. The Active Handling System
will intervene more quickly when a at tire has been
detected. Adjust your driving accordingly.
You can receive more than one tire pressure message
at a time. To read other messages that may have
been sent at the same time, press the RESET button.
If a tire pressure message appears on the DIC, stop as
soon as you can. Have the tire pressures checked
and set to those shown on the Tire Loading Information
label. SeeRun-Flat Tires on page 5-64,Loading the
Vehicle on page 4-24,Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-66, andTire Pressure Monitor System on
page 5-68. The DIC also shows the tire pressure values.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays on page 3-52.
To acknowledge the message, press the RESET button.
A message reappears every 10 minutes until the
condition is corrected.TOO COLD TO MOVE TOP
This message displays and a chime sounds when the
power convertible top button is pressed and the
power convertible top pump motor temperature is
below -4°F (-20°C). Wait for the power convertible top
pump motor to warm up before using the power
convertible top.
TOP MOTOR OVER TEMPERATURE
This message displays and a chime sounds when the
power convertible top button is pressed and the
power convertible top pump motor temperature is over
221°F (105°C). Wait for the power convertible top
pump motor to cool down before using the power
convertible top.
TOP NOT SECURE
This message displays and a chime sounds when the
power convertible top button is released before the
top open or close operation is complete or if the top is
closed without the header latch engaged. Press and
hold the convertible top button to fully open or close the
top, and make sure that the header latch is engaged
after the top is closed.
3-71

Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a
vehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, and
attentiveness.
Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was
drinking and driving. In recent years, more than
17,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been
associated with the use of alcohol, with about
250,000 people injured.
For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and
then drive.Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking — driver
or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance of
being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the
person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator.
At times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to
ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. Meaning, you can lose control of
your vehicle. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-6andActive Handling System on page 4-7.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
4-3

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering
Your vehicle has a steering system that continuously
adjusts the effort you feel when steering at all vehicle
speeds. It provides ease when parking, yet a rm, solid
feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is
banked, and your speed. While in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Adding the sudden
acceleration can demand too much of those places. You
can lose control. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-6.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce speed when approaching a curve,
do it before you enter the curve, while the front wheels
are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait
to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
4-11

Off-Road Recovery
Your vehicle’s right wheels can drop off the edge of a
road onto the shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer
so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
Turn the steering wheel up to one-quarter turn until the
right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn the
steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Passing
Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can be
dangerous. To reduce the risk of danger while passing:
Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads
for situations that might affect a successful pass.
If in doubt, wait.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and
lines that could indicate a turn or an intersection.
Never cross a solid or double-solid line on your side
of the lane.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass. Doing so can reduce your visibility.
Wait your turn to pass a slow vehicle.
When you are being passed, ease to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has
asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
4-13