headlamp CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 2012 User Guide

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
6-2 Lighting
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the
exterior lamp control is left on in
either the headlamp or parking lamp
position and the driver door is
opened with the ignition off.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low
beam to high, push the turn signal
lever all the way forward. To change
from high to low beam, pull the lever
rearward.
While the high beams are on, this
light on the instrument cluster will
also be lit.
Flash-to-Pass
To use the flash-to-pass feature,
briefly pull the turn signal lever
toward you. The high-beam
indicator flashes to indicate to the
other driver that you intend to pass.
If the low-beam headlamps are off
and the fog lamps are on, the fog
lamps flash.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system makes the front
turn signal lamps come on when the
following conditions are met:
.It is still daylight and the ignition
is on.
.The exterior lamp control is in
the AUTO position.
.The transmission is not in
P (Park) or the parking brake
is off.
.The parking brake is off or the
vehicle speed is greater than
13 km/h (8 mph).
When DRL are on, only the front
turn signal lamps will be on.
The parking lamps, taillamps,
instrument panel lights, or other
exterior lamps will not be on when
the DRL are being used.
When it is dark enough outside, the
front turn signal lamps turn off and
the normal low-beam headlamps
turn on.
When it is bright enough outside,
the regular lamps go off, and the
front turn signal lamps will take over.
If the vehicle is started in a dark
garage, the automatic headlamp
system comes on immediately.
Once the vehicle leaves the garage,
it takes approximately one minute
for the automatic headlamp system
to change to DRL if it is light

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Lighting 6-3
outside. During that delay, the
instrument panel cluster may not be
as bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness knob
is in the full bright position. See
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑6for more
information.
If it is dark enough outside and
the exterior lamp control is off,
a HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
message will display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See Lamp
Messages on page 5‑43.
Turning the exterior lamp control
to off a second time, or turning on
the headlamps will remove the
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
message in the DIC. If the parking
lamps or the fog lamps were turned
on instead, the HEADLAMPS
SUGGESTED message will
continue to be displayed.
The regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed. To turn off the DRL, turn the exterior
lamp control to the off position or
shift into P (Park). The DRL will
stay off until the control is toggled
again or the vehicle is shifted out
of P (Park).
This procedure applies only to
vehicles first sold in the United
States.
Twilight Sentinel
Twilight Sentinel®is an automatic
headlamp system. When activated,
this feature turns your headlamps
and parking lamps on and off by
sensing how dark it is outside.
Be sure not to cover the light sensor
on the top of the instrument panel. AUTO:
Activates the system.
If the band is already in the AUTO
position when you start your vehicle,
Twilight Sentinel is automatically
enabled.
If it is dark outside, your vehicle
headlamps and parking lamps will
turn on automatically.
Once it is bright enough outside,
the headlamps and parking lamps
will automatically turn back off.
Twilight Sentinel may also turn on
when you drive through a dimly
lit area.
Once you leave the dimly lit area, it
may take about one minute before
the Twilight Sentinel turns off.
During this brief delay, the
instrument cluster may not be as
bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel dimmer is set to
full brightness. See Instrument
Panel Illumination Control on
page 6‑6.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
6-4 Lighting
To temporarily disable Twilight
Sentinel, turn the band to
O.
To turn Twilight Sentinel back on,
turn the band to
Oagain, then
release it.
If the Twilight Sentinel has the
headlamps turned on and you turn
the ignition off, the headlamps will
stay on for a period of time while
you leave the vehicle.
Use the Driver Information Center to
turn Twilight Sentinel on or off and
to increase or decrease the length
of the delayed illumination period.
See “Personal Options” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑54.
The regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning flashers warn
others that you have a problem.
The button is located near the
center of the instrument panel.
|(Hazard Warning Flashers):
Press to make the front and rear
turn signal lamps flash on and off.
Press again to turn the flashers off.
The hazard warning flashers work
no matter what mode the ignition is
in, even if the ignition is turned off. When the hazard warning flashers
are on, the turn signals will
not work.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
An arrow on the instrument panel
cluster flashes in the direction of the
turn or lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to flash to signal a lane
change. Release the lever and the
turn signal automatically flashes
three times. If more flashes are
desired, continue to hold the lever.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Lighting 6-5
The lever returns to its starting
position when it is released.
If after signaling a turn or lane
change the arrows flash rapidly or
do not come on, a signal bulb may
be burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb
is not burned out, check the fuse.
SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 10‑47.
Turn Signal on Chime
A chime sounds if the turn signal
has been on for more than 1.2 km
(0.75 miles) of driving.
If you need to leave the turn
signal on for more than 1.2 km
(0.75 miles), turn off the signal and
then turn it back on.Fog Lamps
Use fog lamps for better vision in
foggy or misty conditions.
The fog lamps control is located on
the multifunction lever next to the
exterior lamp control.
#(Fog Lamps): Turning the band
to this position will turn the fog
lamps on.
When you turn the fog lamps on,
the fog lamp light will appear on the
instrument panel cluster to indicate
that the fog lamps and the parking
lamps are on. If you turn the high-beam
headlamps on, the fog lamps will
turn off. They will turn on again
when you switch to low-beam
headlamps.
The ignition must be on for the
fog lamps to operate.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be on
along with the fog lamps.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Lighting 6-7
Battery Power Protection
This vehicle has a feature to help
prevent the battery from being
drained in case any of the following
lamps are left on: the underhood
lamp, if your vehicle has this
feature, vanity mirror lamps,
cargo lamps, reading lamps, center
console, or glove box lamps. If any
of these lamps are left on, they will
automatically time-out after about
10 minutes. To reset it, all of the
above lamps must be turned off or
the ignition key on.
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver
If the manual parking lamps or
headlamps have been left on,
the exterior lamps will turn off as
soon as the ignition is turned off or
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
is active. This protects against
draining the battery in case you
have accidentally left the headlamps
or parking lamps on. The battery
saver does not work if the
headlamps are turned on after the
ignition switch is turned to off.
If you need to leave the lamps on,
use the exterior lamp control to turn
the lamps back on.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-13
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help
with the headlamps. Do this as little
as possible to save fuel.If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method.
{WARNING
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and
you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat,
causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and
avoid going above 55 km/h
(35 mph).
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains on page 10‑76.
Rocking the Vehicle to
Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a forward
gear, or with a manual transmission,
between 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and
R (Reverse), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries,
it might need to be towed out.
If the vehicle does need to be towed
out, see Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑82.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Lifting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-22
Cooling System (Engine) . . . 10-25
Cooling System
(Intercooler) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-30
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-32
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-41
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-42
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Windshield Replacement . . . 10-43
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57

Black plate (44,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
10-44 Vehicle Care
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at
the factory and should need no
further adjustment.
However, if the vehicle is damaged
in a crash, the headlamp aim may
be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be
necessary if oncoming drivers flash
their high-beam headlamps at you
(for vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be
re-aimed, it is recommended that
the vehicle be taken to the dealer
for service.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs on
page 10‑46.
For any bulb‐changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{WARNING
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting
{WARNING
The low beam high intensity
discharge lighting system
operates at a very high voltage.
If you try to service any of the
system components, you could be
seriously injured. Have your
dealer or a qualified technician
service them.
The vehicle may have HID
headlamps. After an HID headlamp
bulb has been replaced, you may
notice that the beam is a slightly
different shade than it was originally.
This is normal.

Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-45
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking
Lamps
A. High-beam Headlamp
B. Low-beam Headlamp
C. Front Parking/Turn Signal
If the low-beam headlamp needs
to be replaced, see your dealer.
SeeHigh Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting on page 10‑44 for more
information. To replace a high-beam or front
parking/turn signal bulb:
1. Turn the wheel to allow access
to the wheel well.2. Remove the three outerfasteners to move the access
panel back.
3. Remove the outer cover to expose the high-beam headlamp
bulb socket.
4. Remove the headlamp bulb byreleasing the outer tabs from the
socket.
5. Remove the front parking/turn signal bulb by turning the bulb
socket counterclockwise.
6. Replace the high-beam headlamp bulb with a new bulb
and reattach to the bulb socket.
Replace the front parking/turn
signal bulb by turning the bulb
socket clockwise.
7. Reverse the Steps 2 through 4 to reinstall.

Black plate (46,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
10-46 Vehicle Care
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
and Stoplamps
To replace a stoplamp, taillamp/turn
signal bulb:
1. Remove the screw from the topof the lamp assembly.
2. Tilt the lamp assemblytoward you.
3. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter turn counterclockwise and pull
it out.
4. Pull the bulb straight out to remove it from the socket. 5. Push the new bulb in the bulb
socket until it snaps into place.
6. Reinstall the lamp assembly by first lining up the tabs on the
bottom of the lamp assembly
with the tabs in the vehicle, then
slide it in.
7. Replace the screw at the top of the lamp assembly.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb
Number
Front Parking/
Turn Signal 5702KA
Headlamp,
High‐Beam Lamp H9
Sidemarker Lamp 194LL (W3W)
Stoplamp/Taillamp/
Turn Signal Lamp 3047K
For replacement bulbs not listed
here, contact your dealer.
Electrical System
Electrical System
Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuit
breakers to protect against an
electrical system overload.
When the current electrical load is
too heavy, the circuit breaker opens
and closes, protecting the circuit
until the current load returns to
normal or the problem is fixed.
This greatly reduces the chance of
circuit overload and fire caused by
electrical problems.
Fuses and circuit breakers protect
power devices in the vehicle.
Replace a bad fuse with a new one
of the identical size and rating.