engine CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2020 Repair Manual

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
Driving and Operating 171
{Warning
To prevent exhaust gases from
entering the vehicle and heat from
damaging the vehicle, the engine
cover and all fluid fill plugs must
be secured before closing the
tonneau cover (convertible only)
and operating the vehicle. Make
sure all bolts are torqued to GM
specifications.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
SeeShifting Into Park 0168 and
Engine Exhaust 0170.
Dual Clutch
Transmission
This vehicle is equipped with a dual
clutch transmission that contains an
integrated rear differential. The dual
clutch transmission provides an
extremely connected feel due to the
direct connection between the
engine and gear box. This
arrangement provides very fast shift
times for maximum performance.
Automatic driving mode is selected
by pulling D on the transmission
range selection panel and provides
fully automatic shifting operation which can be further refined using
driver mode control. Upshifts may
be delayed regardless of mode
selection or ambient temperature
until the engine is warmed up.
Manual operation can also be
selected. See Manual Mode later in
this section.
This transmission is electronically
controlled. The shift switches are on
the center console. The selected
gear position will illuminate red on
the shift switch, while all others will
display in white. The indicator on
the shift switch may flash if the shift
is not immediate or if the gear is not
fully engaged. This may occur in
very cold conditions or when Double
Paddle Declutch is used.
The transmission does not operate
when the vehicle is off.
If the vehicle is in ACC/
ACCESSORY, the transmission can
be shifted into P (Park).
If ENGINE START/STOP is pressed
twice while at a relatively high
speed, the engine will turn off and
the transmission will automatically

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
172 Driving and Operating
shift into N (Neutral). Once the
vehicle is stopped, P (Park) can be
selected.
P :This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the vehicle to ensure the vehicle
does not move.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the vehicle is not in
P (Park) with the parking brake
set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
shift to P (Park). See Shifting Into
Park 0168. When the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP to turn off
the vehicle. The transmission will
shift into P (Park) automatically
unless N (Neutral) is selected.
The vehicle will not shift into
P (Park) if it is moving too fast. Stop
the vehicle and shift into P (Park).
To shift into and out of P (Park), see
Shifting Into Park
0168 and
Shifting out of Park 0169.
R : Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse) while the speed is too
high, the vehicle will shift into
N (Neutral). Reduce vehicle speed
and try the shift again.
To shift into R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the R (Reverse) switch on the center console.
To shift out of R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift into the desired gear. At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse)
can be used to rock the vehicle
back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the
transmission. See
If the Vehicle Is
Stuck 0159.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle
is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
Driving and Operating 173
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
Caution
The vehicle is not designed to
stay in N (Neutral) for extended
periods of time. It will
automatically shift into P (Park).
To shift into N (Neutral), press and
hold the N (Neutral) switch until the
N indicator is red.
To shift out of N (Neutral): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift into the desired gear. Maintaining N (Neutral) with
Engine Off
This vehicle includes a method of
keeping the vehicle in N (Neutral)
while the engine is off.
This method is not to be used for
vehicle towing. If the vehicle needs
to be towed, see
Towing the Vehicle
0 271.
Driver Remains in Vehicle : To
place the vehicle in N (Neutral) with
the engine off and the vehicle
occupied:
1. Ensure the vehicle is on level ground, the engine is running
and the vehicle is in P (Park).
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, start
the engine and repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. The vehicle will now remain in N (Neutral). Driver Leaves Vehicle :
To place
the vehicle in N (Neutral) with the
engine off and the vehicle
unoccupied:
1. Ensure the vehicle is on level ground, the engine is running
and the vehicle is in P (Park).
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral).
5. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal.
6. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, start
the engine and repeat
Steps 2–5.
7. Exit the vehicle and close the door.
8. The vehicle may automatically shift to P (Park) upon re-entry.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
174 Driving and Operating
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the transmission fluid is
too hot. Driving under this
condition can damage the vehicle.
Stop and idle the engine to cool
the transmission fluid. This
message clears when the
transmission fluid has cooled
sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal
driving. If more power is needed for
passing, press the accelerator
pedal.
If the vehicle is shifted into D (Drive)
while the speed is too high, the
transmission will get ready to
engage D (Drive). Reduce the
vehicle speed, then the
transmission will engage D (Drive).
To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the D (Drive) switch on the center console. To shift out of D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”under
Loss of Control 0150.
The transmission can be shifted like
a manual transmission using the
paddle shift controls while in D
(Drive). See Manual Mode 0174.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If the vehicle
is stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in
place.
Manual Mode
Manual Paddle Shift
With the transmission in D (Drive),
press the M (Manual Mode) switch
on the center console to enter
Manual Mode. Use the paddles on
the steering wheel to manually
upshift or downshift the
transmission. The right + (plus)
paddle upshifts, and the left
−(minus) paddle downshifts.
When using the Manual Paddle
Shift feature, the current gear will be
displayed in the instrument cluster

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
Driving and Operating 175
or the Head-Up Display (HUD),
if equipped. SeeHead-Up Display
(HUD) 0110.
When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
shifting to 2 (Second) gear, when
available, will allow the vehicle to
gain more traction.
The Manual Paddle Shift system
can be deactivated by pulling the
D (Drive) switch on the center
console.
With the transmission in D (Drive),
pull the right + paddle or the left
− paddle to place the transmission
in Temporary Manual Paddle
Shift mode.
To exit Temporary Manual Paddle
Shift mode do one of the following:
. Hold the + paddle for more than
one second.
. Drive at a steady speed without
manual shifts or aggressive
cornering for more than
six seconds.
. Bring the vehicle to a stop. While the Manual Paddle Shift
feature is active, the transmission
will automatically downshift through
the gears as the vehicle slows. The
transmission will select 1 (First) gear
as the vehicle stops. From a stop,
the vehicle will start from and hold
1 (First) gear unless Manual Paddle
Shifts are used to shift into a
different gear, or D (Drive) is
selected.
To cause the transmission to
downshift to the lowest gear
possible for the vehicle speed, in
Manual Paddle Shift or Temporary
Manual Paddle Shift mode:
.
Pull and briefly hold the
−paddle. If the paddle continues
to be held as the vehicle slows,
downshifts will continue as
vehicle speed allows.
The Manual Paddle Shift system will
not allow an upshift or a downshift if
vehicle speed is too fast or too slow,
nor will it allow a start from any gear
other than 1 (First) gear.
When in Manual Paddle Shift mode,
if upshifting does not occur when
needed, vehicle speed will be limited to protect the engine. When
in Temporary Manual Paddle Shift
mode, the transmission will
automatically upshift if the
accelerator pedal is pressed all the
way to the floor.
Manual Paddle Shift can be used
with cruise control. See
Cruise
Control 0196.
The vehicle speeds required for
Manual Paddle Shift upshifts
depend on several vehicle inputs,
which will vary the allowed upshift
speed by a few km/h (mph).
To prevent damage to the
powertrain, Manual Paddle
downshifts to a lower gear cannot
be done above certain speeds.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
Driving and Operating 177
For vehicles with an Mechanical Limited-Slip Differential(Without Z51)
Upshift Allowed (into gear) At Approximately
km/h mph
2nd 16 10 3rd 26 164th 37 23
5th 49 30
6th 63 39
7th 80 50
8th 97 60
Maximum Downshift Inhibit Speed (into gear) At Approximately
km/h mph
1st 30 19
2nd 63 39 3rd 113 704th 174 108
5th 245 152
6th 321 200
7th 400 249 Double Paddle Declutch
Double Paddle Declutch allows the
vehicle to temporarily disconnect
the engine from the wheels
–similar
to N (Neutral). This feature is
activated by pulling and holding
both the + paddle and −paddle at
the same time while the vehicle is in
R (Reverse), D (Drive), or M
(Manual Mode). The vehicle will
remain in this condition until both
the + paddle and −paddle are
released.
The R, D, or M indicator on the
center shift console will flash red to
indicate that the vehicle is in Double
Paddle Declutch. In addition, the
current gear state indicator in the
DIC may dim to gray to indicate that
the vehicle is in Double Paddle
Declutch.
To exit Double Paddle Declutch,
release both the + paddle and −
paddle. The engine will reconnect to
the wheels and the shift indicator
will stop flashing. There are two
Double Paddle Declutch exit styles:

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
178 Driving and Operating
Rapid Exit :This is intended for
use at a closed course race track
and not on public roads. Engine
power is reapplied to the wheels
quickly to support spirited driving.
The rate of launch is dependent on
how much the accelerator pedal is
pressed when the paddles are
released: The further the accelerator
pedal is pressed, the greater the
rate of launch. Tire spin may occur
with the accelerator pedal pressed
and the Traction Control System
(TCS) turned off.
This launch occurs when both of
these conditions are met:
. Vehicle speed is below
10 km/h (6 mph).
. Both the + paddle and −paddle
are released at the same time.
With the accelerator fully pressed
and the engine at the rev limiter,
peak performance only occurs if the
paddles are released within a short
period of time after reaching the rev
limit (i.e., a few seconds). Standard Exit :
Engine power is
reapplied to the wheels gently to
support normal vehicle operation on
public roads.
This occurs when paddles are
released under any of the these
conditions:
. Vehicle speed is above
10 km/h (6 mph).
. The vehicle is in R (Reverse).
. The + paddle and −paddle are
not released at the same time.
If the vehicle was in Temporary
Manual Paddle Shift mode before
entering Double Paddle Declutch,
the vehicle will return to D (Drive)
with automatic shifting upon exiting
Double Paddle Declutch.
{Warning
When exiting Double Paddle
Declutch, the vehicle may move
rapidly. You could lose control
and cause a crash with nearby
people or objects. Be ready to (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
release the accelerator pedal or
apply the brakes immediately if
the vehicle moves too quickly. Do
not use the Double Paddle
Declutch when people or objects
are near.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
Driving and Operating 179
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost
Vehicles equipped with electric
brake boost have hydraulic brake
circuits that are electronically
controlled when the brake pedal is
applied during normal operation.
The system performs routine tests
and turns off within a few minutes
after the vehicle is shutdown. Noise
may be heard during this time. If the
brake pedal is pressed during the
tests or when the electric brake
boost system is off, a noticeable
change in pedal force and travel
may be felt. This is normal.
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent a braking skid and
maintain steering while
braking hard.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 105.
ABS does not change the time
needed to get a foot on the brake
pedal and does not always
decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle ahead,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room ahead to stop,
even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly.
Hearing and feeling ABS operate is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at
the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
even more than braking.
Electric Parking Brake
If equipped, the Electric Parking
Brake (EPB) can always be
activated, even if the ignition is off.
To prevent draining the battery,
avoid repeated cycles of the EPB
system when the engine is not
running.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
182 Driving and Operating
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and a StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system. These systems help limit
wheel spin and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially on
slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that the
rear wheels are spinning too much
or are beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, TCS applies
the brakes to the spinning wheel
and reduces engine power (by
closing the throttle and managing
engine spark) to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of thevehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used when
TCS begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically
disengage. Cruise control may be
reengaged when road conditions
allow. See
Cruise Control 0196.
If the driver disables TCS, cruise
control will disengage. Cruise
control will also be disabled if
Performance Traction Management
(PTM) is selected, or if StabiliTrak is
turned off.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0159
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin
. Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is
activated
. Flash when ABS is active
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12470550) - 2020 - CRC - 4/23/20
Driving and Operating 183
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on and
stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
The TCS/StabiliTrak/ESC button is
on the center console.
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
illuminates in the instrument cluster. To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn
off until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC, press and hold
guntil the
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC OFF light
gilluminate and stay
on in the instrument cluster.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on
again, press and release
g. The
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC OFF light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off.
If the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) system is malfunctioning
and the DIC displays SERVICE
TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM,
StabiliTrak/ESC will be affected as
follows:
. StabiliTrak/ESC cannot be
turned off by the driver.