maintenance CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2013 6.G User Guide

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Instruments and Controls 5-19
This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A misfire condition
has been detected. A misfire
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard accelerations.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to stop and park the
vehicle. Turn the vehicle off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps and see
your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
Light On Steady: An emission
control system malfunction has
been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be
required. The following may correct an
emission control system
malfunction:
.Check that the fuel cap is fully
installed. See
Filling the Tank on
page 9‑47. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the
light off.
.Check that good quality fuel is
used. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and may
cause: stalling after start-up,
stalling when the vehicle is
changed into gear, misfiring,
hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up. If one or more of these conditions
occurs, change the fuel brand used.
It may require at least one full tank
of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
See
Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑45.
If none of the above have made the
light turn off, your dealer can check
the vehicle. The dealer has the
proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any
mechanical or electrical problems
that might have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Depending on where you live, your
vehicle may be required to
participate in an emission control
system inspection and maintenance
program. For the inspection, the
emission system test equipment will
likely connect to the vehicle's Data
Link Connector (DLC).

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Instruments and Controls 5-29
The kilometers (miles) since the last
ignition cycle will be set into the trip
odometer.
Elapsed Timer:Press the TRIP
button until ELAPSED TIMER is
displayed, such as
ELAPSED TIMER .00.
When the ignition is in on, the DIC
can be used as a stopwatch. The
display can show hours, minutes,
and seconds. The elapsed time
indicator will record up to 23 hours,
59 minutes, and 59 seconds, then it
will reset to zero and continue
counting. The display appears as
ELAPSED TIMER .00 in the elapsed
time function.
You can start or stop the elapsed
time by pressing the RESET button.
To reset the elapsed time to zero,
press the RESET button for
three seconds while the timer is
displayed.
Pressing and holding the RESET
button for at least 10 seconds will
reset the timer display to the time
since last ignition cycle. Average Speed:
Press the TRIP
button until the average speed is
displayed, such as:
.AVERAGE SPEED 100 km/h or
.AVERAGE SPEED 62 MPH
Press and hold the RESET button to
reset to 0.0 km/h (mph).
Engine Oil Life: Press the TRIP
button until the engine oil life is
displayed, such as OIL LIFE
REMAINING 89%.
This is an estimate of the engine
oil's remaining useful life. It will
show 100% when the system is
reset after an oil change. It will alert
you to change the oil on a schedule
consistent with your driving
conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low,
the system will alert you with the
message CHANGE ENGINE OIL. Remember, you must reset the
engine oil life system yourself after
each oil change. It will not reset
itself. To reset the system, see
Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑19. Be careful not to reset
the engine oil life system
accidentally at any time other than
when the oil has just been changed.
It cannot be reset accurately until
the next oil change.
See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 andEngine Oil on
page 10‑13 for more information.
OPTION Button
The OPTION button allows you to
access the PERSONAL OPTIONS
menu and customize the
personalization settings on your
vehicle. See Vehicle Personalization
on page 5‑51 for more information.

Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Instruments and Controls 5-39
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 the vehicle. If this
message continues to appear, have
the system repaired by your dealer
as soon as possible to avoid
compressor damage.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message displays when the life
of the engine oil has expired. See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3. After an oil change, the
engine oil life system must be reset.See
“Engine Oil Life” underDriver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑25. Also, see Engine Oil on
page 10‑13 andEngine Oil Life
System on page 10‑19 for more
information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
On some vehicles, this message
displays and two chimes sound if
the oil level in the vehicle is low.
Once the vehicle senses a change
in the engine oil level, the light
remains off.
If this message appears after
starting the engine, the engine oil
level may be too low. You may need
to add oil. See Engine Overheating
on page 10‑29.
To acknowledge the message, press
the RESET button. The message
reappears every 10 minutes until
this condition changes.
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 sound will be heard when this
message is displayed. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑13.
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE DRAG CONTROL
ACTIVE
This message displays when engine
drag control is active. When driving
in a lower gear in rainy, snowy,
or icy conditions and then letting up
on the accelerator or downshifting,
the rear wheels may begin to slip
and this message displays. This
message stays on for a few
seconds following the engine drag
control event.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
7-12 Infotainment System
Diversity Antenna System
The AM-FM antenna is a hidden
self-tuning system. It optimizes the
AM and FM signals relative to the
vehicle's position and radio station
source. No maintenance or
adjustments are needed.
Satellite Radio Antenna
For vehicles with XM Satellite Radio
Service, the antenna is located on
the roof or on the trunk lid of the
vehicle. Keep the antenna clear of
obstructions for clear radio
reception.
Audio Players
CD Player
Care of the CD Player
Do not add labels to a CD; it could
get caught in the CD player. Use a
marking pen to write on the top of
the CD if a description is needed.
Do not use CD lens cleaners; they
could damage the CD player.
Notice:If a label is added to a
CD, more than one CD is inserted
into the slot at a time, or an
attempt is made to play scratched
or damaged CDs, the CD player
could be damaged. While using
the CD player, use only CDs in
good condition without any label,
load one CD at a time, and keep
the CD player and the loading slot
free of foreign materials, liquids,
and debris.
If an error displays, see “CD
Messages” later in this section.
Care of CDs
Store CDs in their original cases or
other protective cases and away
from direct sunlight and dust. The
CD player scans the bottom of the
disc. If the bottom of a CD is
damaged it may not play properly or
at all. Do not touch the bottom of a
CD while handling it. Pick up CDs
by grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge.
If the surface of a CD is dirty, take a
soft, lint-free cloth or dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral
detergent solution mixed with water,
and clean it. Make sure the wiping
process starts from the center to
the edge.
Using the CD Player
The CD player can play smaller
8 cm (3 in) single CDs with an
adapter ring.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Climate Controls 8-1
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic Climate ControlSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment AirFilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
With this system the heating, cooling, and ventilation can be controlled.
A. Driver Temperature Controls
B. Display
C. Passenger Temperature Control
D. AUTO
E. Recirculation
F. Air Conditioning G. Fan Control
H. Air Delivery Mode Control
I. Defrost
J. Rear Window Defogger

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
8-6 Climate Controls
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 the
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 the vehicle more
effectively.
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. See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3.
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 10‑8.
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.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
9-4 Driving and Operating
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.
Steering
Magnetic Effort Steering
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.
Variable Effort Steering
Some vehicles have a steering
system that varies the amount of
effort required to steer the vehicle in
relation to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort
required is less at slower speeds to
make the vehicle more
maneuverable and easier to park. At
faster speeds, the steering effort
increases to provide a sport-like feel
to the steering. this provides
maximum control and stability.If the vehicle seems harder to steer
than normal when parking or driving
slowly, there may be a problem with
the system. The vehicle will still
have power steering, but steering
will be stiffer than normal at slow
speeds. See your dealer for service.
Hydraulic Power Steering
This vehicle has hydraulic power
steering. It may require
maintenance. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 10‑31.
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or a
system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered but may required
increased effort. See your dealer if
there is a problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve
.Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
.Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
9-6 Driving and Operating
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
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 10‑13.
Z06, ZR1, manual transmission
Grand Sport Coupe and 427
Convertible 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, manual
transmission Grand Sport Coupe
and 427 Convertible : Be sure to
check the oil level often during
racing or other competitive
driving and keep the level at or
near 1 L (1 qt) 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, manual transmission
Grand Sport Coupe and 427
Convertible 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 manual transmission
Grand Sport Coupe 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 manual transmission Grand Sport
Coupe and 427 Convertible 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
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3
andRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11‑12. 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

Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Driving and Operating 9-45
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an
important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, we
recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
Look for the TOP TIER label on the
fuel pump to ensure gasoline meets
enhanced detergency standards
developed by auto companies. A list
of marketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found at
www.toptiergas.com. TOP TIER
gasoline is only available in the U.S.
and Canada.
The eighth digit of the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows
the code letter or number that
identifies the vehicle's engine. The
VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identification Number (VIN) on
page 12‑1.
Recommended Fuel
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code W), use premium
unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. You
can also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher, but the vehicle's acceleration
could be slightly reduced, and a
slight audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard. If the octane
is less than 87, a heavy knocking
noise might be heard when driving.
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you could
damage the engine. If heavy
knocking is heard when using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher, the engine needs service.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code T) or the 7.0L V8 engine
(VIN Code E), use premium
unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. For
best performance, use premium
unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 93. In an
emergency, you can use regular
unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 87 or higher. If 87 octane
fuel is used, do not perform any
aggressive driving maneuvers such

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Vehicle Care 10-7
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, seeServicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3‑24.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records on
page 11‑15.
Notice: Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the
fluids, reservoir caps,
or dipsticks.Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release lever with this symbol on it. It is located
inside the vehicle below the
instrument panel on the
driver side.
2. Go to the side of the vehicle andpull up on the rear edge of the
hood, near the windshield.
Before closing the hood, be sure all
the filler caps are on properly. Then,
just pull the hood down and close it
firmly.