CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2010 6.G Owners Manual

If you do decide to lift the hood , make sure the vehicle
is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fan is running.
If the engine is overheating, the fan should be running.
If it is not, do not continue to run the engine and have
the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
See Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 6‑41for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
Notice: If the engine catches fire while driving
with no coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
on page 6‑41for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{WARNING:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Turn it off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there
is no sign of steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop the engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
See Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode
on page 6‑41for information on driving to
a safe place in an emergency.
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If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
If an engine overheat warning is displayed but no steam
can be seen or heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot
when the vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of
steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. If in a traffic jam, shift to N (Neutral) while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to
P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let the engine idle. If the temperature overheat gauge is no longer in
the overheat zone or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive
the vehicle slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front of you. If the
warning does not come back on, continue to drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park the
vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it cools down.
Also, see
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” next in this section.
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Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode lets the vehicle
be driven to a safe place, up to 50 miles (80 km),
in an emergency situation. If an overheated engine
condition exists and the messages COOLANT OVER
TEMPERATURE and REDUCED ENGINE POWER
are displayed, along with the check engine light, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, there is a significant loss in power and engine
performance.
Driving extended distances in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Notice: After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. See Engine Oil
on
page 6‑19.
Power Steering Fluid
See Engine Compartment
Overviewon page 6‑14for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
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How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering fluid: 1. Turn the ignition off and let the engine compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick. There are markings on both sides
of the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark.
If necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the
level up to the mark.
When the engine
compartment is hot, the
level should be at the
HOT mark. When the
engine compartment is
cool, the level should be
at the FULL COLD mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricantson page 7‑10.
Always use the proper fluid.
Notice: Use of the incorrect fluid may damage the
vehicle and the damages may not be covered by
the vehicle's warranty. Always use the correct fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 7‑10.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When the vehicle needs windshield washer fluid, be
sure to read the manufacturer's instructions before use.
If the vehicle will be operating in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid that
has sufficient protection against freezing.
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Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid until the
tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview
on page 6‑14for
reservoir location.
Notice:
.When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.
.Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage the washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system. Also, water does
not clean as well as washer fluid.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only three-quarters
full when it is very cold. This allows for fluid
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
the windshield washer. It can damage the
vehicle's windshield washer system and
paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder
reservoir is filled with
DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview
on page 6‑14for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down because of
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic system can also
cause a low fluid level. Have the brake hydraulic
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or
later the brakes will not work well.
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Do not top off the brake fluid. Adding fluid does not
correct a leak. If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid when new brake
linings are installed. Add or remove brake fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
{WARNING:
If too much brake fluid is added, it can spill on
the engine and burn, if the engine is hot enough.
You or others could be burned, and the vehicle
could be damaged. Add brake fluid only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
See “Checking Brake Fluid” in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check the brake fluid. See Scheduled Maintenance
on page 7‑3.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the brake fluid reservoir.
See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6‑14.
The fluid level should be above the MIN mark on the
reservoir. If it is not, have the brake hydraulic system
checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid from a sealed
container. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricantson
page 7‑10.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This helps keep dirt
from entering the reservoir.
{WARNING:
With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic
system, the brakes might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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Notice:
.Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake hydraulic system parts. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake hydraulic system
can damage brake hydraulic system parts
so badly that they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in the wrong kind
of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
fluid on the vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See Washing Your Vehicle
on
page 6‑94
.
Brake Wear (Except ZR1)
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new
pads are needed. The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake wear warning sound
is heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong
with the brakes.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
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Brake Wear (ZR1 Only)
The ZR1 model does not have built-in brake pad wear
indicators and periodic visual inspection of the brake
pads is required to determine when to replace the
brake pads.
Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
.Make sure that the brakes have been given
sufficient time to cool and then set the park brake.
RearFront
.Brake pads can be visually inspected through the
wheel by inspecting the outer brake pads at each
wheel.
.Brake pads should be replaced when worn to
two mm of pad thickness. New pads are 10 mm
thick.
.In addition, brake pad inspection is required any
time the tires are removed.
The ZR1 also has an electronic brake pad wear sensor
system. When pads are worn, the CHANGE BRAKE
PADS message displays in the Driver Information
Center. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑52.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a
brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
the brakes.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
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Brake Rotor Wear
ZR1 models have ceramic brake rotors. Rotors should
be visually inspected whenever the brake pads are
replaced. Rotors also need to be weighed before brake
pads are replaced to confirm that the rotor mass is
greater than the wear‐out mass printed on the rotor.
The rotor can be reused if the weight of the rotor is
above the mass limit. Rotor inspection and weighing
methods can be found in the service manual. See
Service Publications Ordering Information
on
page 8‑16.
Brake Rotor Protector
{WARNING:
Ceramic rotors will be very hot after operation and
touching them may cause burns. Be sure brake
system is completely cool prior to installation of
protector, or coming in contact with them. Notice:
Rotors may be chipped if hard contact is
made with the wheel during wheel installation or
removal. Always use the rotor protectors. Be sure
to carefully follow wheel removal and installation
instructions.
6-47

A rotor protector should always be installed before
any wheel removal. The protector can be installed by
feeding it through the wheel spokes and slipping it over
the outer edge of the rotor. Leave the protector in place,
over the rotor edge, until the wheel is re‐installed. Rotor
protectors are available through your dealer/retailer.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service
might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every brake stop, the disc brakes automatically adjust
for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. The vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts.
When parts of the braking system are replaced —for
example, when the brake linings wear down and new
ones are installed —be sure to get new approved
replacement parts. If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for the vehicle, the balance
between the front and rear brakes can change —for the
worse. The braking performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong replacement brake
parts are installed.
6-48