engine CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2013 6.G Workshop Manual

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
8-4 Climate Controls
^(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.
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

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Climate Controls 8-5
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
five minutes.
.The vehicle's speed is above
52 km/h (32 mph) for two and
one‐half 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.
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.

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 (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Racing or Other CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-9
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-12
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-17
Front Air Dam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-20 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Parking (Manual
Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-25
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . 9-29
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Active Handling System . . . . . 9-35
Competitive Driving Mode . . . 9-36
Limited-Slip Rear Axle . . . . . . . 9-40
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . 9-40
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . 9-46
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-46
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Driving and Operating 9-3
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means“always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the safety belt. See Safety Belts on
page 3‑8.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{WARNING
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious —or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some

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 (7,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Driving and Operating 9-7
services can be found in the service
manual. SeeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 13‑16.
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. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑12 for
what fluid to use.
Z06 with Z07 and ZR1
Performance Package Brake
Burnish Procedure
Notice: These procedures are
specific to the Z06 and ZR1
Performance Package 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 9‑17.
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
four to five seconds. If ABS
activates, braking is too hard.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2, five times. This should take
about 10 minutes.
4. After completing the 50 stops, cool the brakes by driving for
8 km (5 mi) 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 and Z06 with
Z07 Performance Package brake
system for track events and racing,
the Street High Performance Brake
Burnish as described previously
should be completed.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Driving and Operating 9-9
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. SeeTires on
page 10‑52.
.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 the vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep the 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.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
9-10 Driving and Operating
{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.
Steering may also be affected
when ignition is off. You could
crash. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear
when going downhill.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
.Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C (32°
F) when freezing rain begins to fall,
resulting in even less traction. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated with salt
or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction.Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops on slippery roads, but
apply the brakes sooner than when
on dry pavement. See
Antilock
Brake System (ABS) on page 9‑32.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise 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 on slippery
surfaces.