warning CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2013 6.G Manual Online

Black plate (47,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Driving and Operating 9-47
marketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found at
www.toptiergas.com.
For customers who do not use TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly,
one bottle of Fuel System Treatment
PLUS, part number 88861013,
added to the fuel tank at every
engine oil change, can help clean
deposits from fuel injectors and
intake valves. GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS is the only
gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer.
Gasolines containing oxygenates,
such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines might be
available in your area. We
recommend that you use these
gasolines, if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
15% ethanol must not be used in
vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.Notice:
This vehicle was not
designed for fuel that contains
methanol. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can
corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not
reformulated for low emissions can
contain an octane-enhancing
additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant
where you buy gasoline whether the
fuel contains MMT. We recommend
against the use of such gasolines.
Fuels containing MMT can reduce
spark plug life and affect emission
control system performance. The
malfunction indicator lamp might
turn on. If this occurs, return to your
dealer for service.Filling the Tank
{WARNING
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death.
.To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the fuel
pump island.
.Turn off the engine when
refueling.
.Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
.Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
.Do not reenter the vehicle
while pumping fuel.
.Keep children away from the
fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel.
(Continued)

Black plate (48,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
9-48 Driving and Operating
WARNING (Continued)
.Fuel can spray out if the fuel
cap is opened too quickly.
This spray can happen if the
tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly and
wait for any hiss noise to stop
then unscrew the cap all
the way
The tethered fuel cap is located
behind a hinged fuel door on the
driver side of the vehicle.
The fuel door release button is
located on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel. Push
the button to release the fuel door.
There is also a manual fuel door
release tab. It is located against the
upper trim in the rear compartment
on the driver side of the vehicle. Pull
the tab to release the fuel door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it
slowly counterclockwise.
While refueling, let the cap hang by
the tether below the fuel fill opening.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not
top off or overfill the tank and wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the

Black plate (49,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Driving and Operating 9-49
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care on page 10‑79.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks. Make sure
the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑18.
The CHECK GAS CAP message
displays on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) if the fuel cap is not
properly installed. See Fuel System
Messages on page 5‑40 for more
information.
{WARNING
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately. Notice:
If you need a new fuel
cap, be sure to get the right type.
Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may
not fit properly. This may cause
the malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage the fuel
tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑18.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{WARNING
Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other
means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always:
.Use approved fuel
containers.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.
.Place the container on the
ground.
.Place the nozzle inside the fill
opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
.Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
.Do not smoke, light matches,
or use lighters while
pumping fuel.
.Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Lifting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-21
Cooling System (Engine) . . . 10-24 Cooling System
(Intercooler) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-29
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-31
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-38
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-39
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Windshield Replacement . . . 10-41
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41 High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-44
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Sport Cup Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-55

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
10-2 Vehicle Care
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-60
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-64
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-70
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-70
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-72
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-72
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-74
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Jump Starting
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
Towing
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Vehicle Care 10-3
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride andhandling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non‐GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3‑25.
Lifting the Vehicle
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle can cause an
injury. The vehicle can slip off the
jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be
badly injured. Find a level place
to lift your vehicle. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the
vehicle won't move, put blocks in
front of and behind the wheels.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
10-4 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
Getting under a vehicle when it is
lifted on a jack is dangerous.
If the vehicle slips off the jack,
you could be badly injured or
killed. Never get under a vehicle
when it is supported only by
a jack.
{WARNING
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle or the vehicle
may fall and cause you or others
injury.
If you ever use a jack to lift your
vehicle, follow the instructions that
came with the jack, and be sure to
use the correct lifting points to avoid
damaging your vehicle. Notice:
Lifting your vehicle
improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered by your
warranty. To lift your vehicle
properly, follow the advice in
this part.
To help prevent vehicle damage:
.Be sure to place a block or
pad between the jack and the
vehicle.
.Make sure the jack you are
using spans at least two
crossmember ribs.
.Lift only in the areas shown
in the following pictures.
For additional information, see
your dealer and the Chevrolet
Corvette service manual.
Lifting From the Front
The front lifting points can be
accessed from either side of your
vehicle, behind the front tires.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
10-6 Vehicle Care
1. Locate the rear lifting points (A),according to the illustration
shown.
2. Be sure to place a block or pad between the jack and the
vehicle.3. Lift the vehicle with the jack,making sure the jack spans at
least two of the crossmember
ribs (B).
For more information, see Doing
Your Own Service Work on
page 10‑6.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see Service
Publications Ordering Information
on page 13‑16.

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
10-14 Vehicle Care
Checking Engine Oil (Except
Z06, ZR1, manual transmission
Grand Sport Coupe, and 427
Convertible)
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message
displays on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), check the engine oil
level right away. For more
information, seeEngine Oil
Messages on page 5‑39. Check the
engine oil level regularly; this is an
added reminder.
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑8 for the location of the
engine oil dipstick. Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running
recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading.
{WARNING
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
(Except Z06, ZR1, manual
transmission Grand Sport
Coupe, and 427 Convertible)
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
and then recheck the level. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil” in
this section for an explanation of
what kind of oil to use. For engine
oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
See Racing or Other Competitive
Driving on page 9‑6 for additional
information on engine oil.

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
10-16 Vehicle Care
tank and there could be no engine
oil at all showing on the dipstick.
This is normal since the dipstick is
designed to read engine oil level
only after the engine has run long
enough to reach normal operating
temperature. Do not add engine oil
based on cold engine dipstick
readings. The engine oil level on the
dipstick will also be inaccurate if
checked while the engine is running.
1. To obtain an accurate engine oillevel reading, warm up the
engine to at least 80°C (175°F).
Cold oil will not give a correct oil
level reading.
2. Once the engine is warm, turn off the engine. Checking the oil
while the engine is running will
result in an incorrect oil level
reading.
3. Wait at least five minutes (but not more than 20 minutes) to
allow oil to drain and settle in the
engine.{WARNING
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
4. Remove the dipstick from the external engine oil tank and
clean it with a lint-free paper
towel or a cloth. Re-insert the
dipstick into the external oil tank,
pushing it all the way in until it
stops.
5. Remove the dipstick from the oil tank and read the level on the
cross-hatched area. Oil levels
that fall in the cross-hatched
area are normal.
When to Add Engine Oil (Z06,
ZR1, manual transmission
Grand Sport Coupe, and 427
Convertible)
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
through the oil fill cap opening in the
oil tank and then recheck the level.
See “Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
for an explanation of what kind of oil
to use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2.
See Racing or Other Competitive
Driving on page 9‑6 for additional
information on engine oil.