engine CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2011 6.G Workshop Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: CHEVROLET, Model Year: 2011, Model line: CORVETTE, Model: CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2011 6.GPages: 428, PDF Size: 6.63 MB
Page 226 of 428
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
8-4 Climate Controls
1(Defrost):This mode clears the
windows of fog or frost more quickly.
Air is directed to the windshield,
with a small amount directed to the
side window outlets. The indicator
light comes on and the digital
display will show the defrost mode
symbol and fan speed when the
front defrost mode is being used. In
this mode, the system automatically
turns off the recirculation and runs
the air-conditioning compressor,
unless the outside temperature is
at or below freezing. Recirculation
cannot be selected while in the
defrost mode. Pressing
1again
will return the system to the last
operating mode.
For severe ice conditions, turn
the driver's temperature knob to
32°C (90°F) while in defrost mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
^(Air Conditioning Off): Press
to turn the air conditioning
compressor off. Press AUTO to
return to automatic operation.
When in AUTO, the air conditioning
compressor comes on automatically,
as needed.
Air conditioning does not
operate at temperatures below
about 2°C to 4°C (35°F to 40°F).
In temperatures above 4°C (40°F),
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 the vehicle to cool down.
It also helps the system to operate
more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot
days press the AUTO button and
adjust the temperature to a cool,
comfortable setting. To achieve
maximum cool down, do the
following:
1. Select
Hmode.
2. Press
?.
3. Select the a/c on.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
Page 227 of 428
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-5
Using these settings together for
long periods of time may cause
the air inside of your vehicle to
become too dry. To prevent this
from happening, after the air in
the vehicle has cooled, turn the
recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air,
so a small amount of water might
drip under the vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
?(Recirculation):Press to
turn the recirculation mode on or off.
An indicator light comes on to show
that recirculation is 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.
Sensors
The solar sensor on the vehicle
monitors the solar heat and
uses the information to maintain
the selected temperature when
operating in AUTO mode by
automatically adjusting the
temperature, fan speed and air
delivery system. The system
may also supply cooler air to the
side of the vehicle facing the sun.
The recirculation mode will also
be activated, as necessary. Do not
cover the solar sensor located on
the top of the instrument panel near
the windshield or the system will
not work properly.
There is also a sensor located
behind the front bumper.
This sensor reads the outside
air temperature and helps to
maintain the temperature inside
the vehicle. Any cover on the front
of the vehicle could give a false
reading in the temperature. If the outside temperature goes up,
the displayed temperature will not
change until:
.The vehicle's speed is above
19 km/h (12 mph) for 5 minutes.
.The vehicle's speed is above
52 km/h (32 mph) for
2.5 minutes.
These delays prevent false
readings. If the temperature goes
down, the outside temperature
will be shown when you start the
vehicle. If it has been turned off
for less than three hours, the
temperature will be recalled from
the previous vehicle operation.
There is also an inside temperature
sensor located to the left of the
ignition switch. The automatic
climate control system uses this
sensor to receive information, so
if you block or cover it, the system
will not function properly.
Page 228 of 428
Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
8-6 Climate Controls
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog or frost
from the rear window.
The rear window defogger only
works when the engine is running.
=(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. Be sure to clear
as much snow from the rear window
as possible. An indicator light
comes on to show that the rear
window defogger is on.
The rear window defogger turns off
about 10 minutes after the button
is pressed when traveling less than
48 km/h (30 mph). If turned on
again, the defogger only runs for
about five minutes before turning
off. The defogger can also be turned
off by turning off the engine. The vehicle has heated outside
rearview mirrors. The mirrors will
heat to help clear fog or frost from
the surface of the mirrors when the
rear window defogger button is
pressed.
For vehicles with a power
convertible top, the rear window
defogger and heated mirrors are
automatically disabled when the
power convertible top is moving
or down.
Notice:
Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and
the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Air Vents
Use the tab located on the air
outlets to change the direction
of the airflow.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow or
leaves from the air inlets at the
base of the windshield that may
block the flow of air into your
vehicle.
.Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors 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.
Page 229 of 428
Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-7
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The passenger compartment air
filter removes certain particles from
the air including pollen and dust
particles. Reductions in airflow,
which may occur more often in
dusty areas, indicate that the
filter may need to be replaced.
SeeMaintenance Replacement
Parts on page 11‑8.
Notice: Driving without a
passenger compartment air filter
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 filter
with a new one. The passenger compartment air
filter is located on the passenger
side of the engine compartment
near the battery. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑10.
To check or replace the air filter:
1. Remove the cover retainer clips (A) from the passenger
compartment air filter cover.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Remove the filter and install the new air filter.
4. Replace the filter cover.
5. Attach the retainer clips.
Page 231 of 428
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Racing or Other CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-10
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-13
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-18
Front Air Dam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Parking (Manual Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Parking Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-28
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Active Handling System . . . . . 9-37
Competitive Driving Mode . . . 9-38
Limited-Slip Rear Axle . . . . . . . 9-42
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . 9-42
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . 9-49
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-49
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Page 234 of 428
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
9-4 Driving and Operating
Avoid needless heavy braking.
Some people drive in spurts,
heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking, rather than keeping
pace with traffic. This is a mistake.
The brakes might not have time
to cool between hard stops.
The brakes will wear out much
faster with a lot of heavy braking.
Keeping pace with the traffic and
allowing realistic following distances
eliminates a lot of unnecessary
braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. If the brakes are pumped,
the pedal could get harder to push
down. If the engine stops, there will
still be some power brake assist but
it will be used when the brake is
applied. Once the power assist is
used up, it can take longer to stop
and the brake pedal will be harder
to push.Under certain weather or operating
conditions, occasional brake
squeak, squeal, or other noise
might be heard with the vehicle's
performance braking system.
This brake system is designed
for superior fade resistance
and consistent operation using
high performance brake pads.
Brake noise and brake dust are
normal and do not affect system
performance.
Adding non‐dealer accessories
can affect vehicle performance.
See
Accessories and Modifications
on page 10‑4.
Steering
Power Steering
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or the
system is not functioning, the
vehicle can be steered but it will
take more effort.
Magnetic Speed Variable
Assist Steering System
This system continuously adjusts
the effort felt when steering at all
vehicle speeds. It provides ease
when parking, yet a firm, solid feel
at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the road
surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and vehicle speed.
While in a curve, speed is the one
factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve, while
the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain a
reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve,
and then accelerate gently into the
straightaway.
Page 237 of 428
Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-7
Racing or Other
Competitive Driving
Racing or competitive driving
may affect the vehicle warranty.
See the warranty book before
using the vehicle for racing or
other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use the vehicle
for racing or other competitive
driving, the engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use.
Low oil levels can damage the
engine. For information on how
to add oil, see Engine Oil on
page 10‑15.
Z06, ZR1, and Grand Sport Only:
Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other
competitive driving and keep the
level at or near the upper mark
that shows the proper operating
range on the engine oil dipstick. Except Z06, ZR1, and Grand
Sport: Be sure to check the oil
level often during racing or other
competitive driving and keep the
level at or near 1 L (1 quart) above
the upper mark that shows the
proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. After the
competitive driving, remove
excess oil so that the level on
the dipstick is not above the
upper mark that shows the
proper operating range.
Z06, ZR1, and Grand Sport
Only: For racing or competitive
driving, it is recommended that
the brake fluid be replaced with a
high performance brake fluid that
has a dry boiling point greater than
279°C (534°F). After conversion to
the high performance brake fluid,
follow the brake fluid service
recommendations outlined by the
fluid manufacturer. Do not use
silicone or DOT‐5 brake fluids.Z06, ZR1, and Grand Sport Only:
For racing or competitive driving, it
is recommended that the loading of
the vehicle be limited to the driver
only, with no other cargo, and that
tires be inflated to 180 kPa (26 psi)
for a maximum speed of 230 km/h
(143 mph).
If the vehicle is a Z06, ZR1,
or Grand Sport model, it has
greaseable outer ends on both
of the rear toe‐links. Under
normal use, lubrication should
be performed as described in
the maintenance schedule.
See
Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2 andRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 11‑6.
If using the vehicle for racing,
lubrication should be performed
at the end of each racing day.
See your dealer for lubrication
and make sure any needed
repairs are made at once. Proper
procedures for performing these
services can be found in the service
manual. See Service Publications
Ordering Information on page 13‑15.
Page 238 of 428
Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
9-8 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle is used for racing or
other competitive driving, the rear
axle fluid temperatures may be
higher than would occur in normal
driving. We recommend that the
rear axle fluid be drained and
refilled with new fluid after every
24 hours of racing or competitive
driving. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑6 for
what fluid to use.
ZR1 Brake Burnish Procedure
Notice: These procedures are
specific to the ZR1 with ceramic
brake rotors. These procedures
should not be run on other
Corvette models as damage
may result.
Notice: The new vehicle break‐in
period should be completed
before performing the brake
burnish procedure or damage
may occur to the powertrain/
engine. See New Vehicle Break-In
on page 9‑18. When performed as instructed,
these procedures will not damage
the brakes. During the burnishing
procedure, the brake pads will
smoke and produce an odor.
The braking force and pedal travel
may increase. After the procedure
is complete, the brake pads may
appear white at the rotor contact.
Street High Performance Brake
Burnishing Procedure
Run this procedure in a safe
manner and in compliance with all
local and state ordinances/laws
regarding motor vehicle operation.
Run this procedure only on dry
pavement.
1. From a stop, accelerate as
rapidly as possible without
activating traction control to
a speed of 97 kph (60 mph).
2. Use enough pedal force to completely stop the vehicle in
4 to 5 seconds. If ABS activates,
braking is too hard. 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2, 5 times.
This should take about
10 minutes.
4. After completing the 50 stops, cool the brakes by driving
for 8 km (5 miles) at 97 kph
(60 mph).
As with all high performance brake
systems, some amount of brake
squeal is normal.
Racing/Track Brake Burnish
Procedure
To prepare the ZR1 brake system
for track events and racing, the
Street High Performance Brake
Burnish as described previously
should be completed.
In addition to completing the Street
High Performance Brake Burnishing
Procedure, the following additional
procedure needs to be completed to
make the ZR1 brake system ready
for track events and racing.
This procedure should only be
run on a track and only on dry
pavement.
Page 240 of 428
Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
9-10 Driving and Operating
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. SeeTires on
page 10‑58.
.Turn off cruise control.
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention
to your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find
a safe place to park your vehicle
and rest. Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep interior temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving
—scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions 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
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down 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. The brakes will
have to do all the work of slowing
down and they could get so hot
that they would not work well.
You would then have poor braking
or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in
gear when going downhill.
Page 242 of 428
Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
9-12 Driving and Operating
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program (United States
and Canada) on page 13‑8 or
Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑10. 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
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the instrument
panel.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside
the vehicle and set the fan
speed to the highest setting.
See Climate Control System
in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑26.
Snow can trap exhaust gases
under your vehicle. This can
cause deadly CO (Carbon
Monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill
you. You cannot see it or smell it,
so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking the
exhaust.