mileage CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 2012 Owners Manual

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-24 In Brief
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays a DIC message when
it is necessary to change the engine
oil and filter. The oil life system
should be reset to 100% only
following an oil change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Press the TRIP button so theOIL LIFE percentage is
displayed.
2. Press RESET and hold for two seconds. OIL LIFE
REMAINING 100% will appear.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑19.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather
conditions are appropriate,
use cruise control, if equipped.
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Premium Fuel
This vehicle's engine was designed
to use premium unleaded gasoline.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑48.
Battery
This vehicle has a maintenance free
battery. See Battery on page 10‑40
and Jump Starting on page 10‑78.
For Z06, ZR1, and manual
transmission Z16 (Grand Sport)
coupe models the battery is
located in the rear hatch/trunk
area. Access to the battery is
not necessary to jump start the
vehicle. There are positive (+) and
negative (−) terminals in the engine
compartment.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-12 Instruments and Controls
Speedometer
The speedometer shows the speed
in either kilometers per hour (km/h)
or miles per hour (mph). For more
information see“Personal Options”
under Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑54.
Odometer
To read the odometer with the
ignition off, turn on the parking
lamps.
If the vehicle needs a new odometer
installed, the mileage total of the
new odometer will be set to the
original kilometers (miles) of the old
odometer. See your dealer if the
odometer must be replaced in the
vehicle.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine
speed in thousands of revolutions
per minute (rpm). Notice:
Fuel shuts off at about
6500 rpm for the base model,
7000 rpm for the Z06 model, and
6600 rpm for the ZR1 model. If the
vehicle continues to be driven at
the fuel shut off rpm, the engine
could be damaged. Be sure to
operate the vehicle below the fuel
shut off rpm or reduce the
vehicle's rpm quickly when the
fuel shuts off.
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows how much
fuel the vehicle has left while the
engine is on. An arrow on the fuel gauge
indicates the side of the vehicle the
fuel door is on.
When the needle approaches the
low fuel symbol, a chime sounds
and LOW FUEL appears on the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
display. There is still a little fuel left,
but the vehicle's fuel tank should be
filled soon.
Press the RESET button to
acknowledge a DIC message(s).
Pressing the RESET button also
turns off a DIC message but the
LOW FUEL message comes on
again in 10 minutes if fuel is not
added to the vehicle.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-7
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 13‑18. This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3‑26.
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.
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 and
pull 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.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-19
Viscosity Grade
SAE 5W‐30 is the best viscosity
grade for the vehicle. Do not use
other viscosity grade oils such as
SAE 10W‐30, 10W‐40, or 20W‐50.
If in an area of extreme cold, where
the temperature falls below−20°F
(−29°C), an SAE 0W‐30 oil should
be used. An oil of this viscosity
grade will provide easier cold
starting for the engine at extremely
low temperatures. When selecting
an oil of the appropriate viscosity
grade, always select an oil that
meets the dexos1 specification or
equivalent. See “Specification”for
more information.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil.
The recommended oils with the
dexos specification and displaying
the dexos certification mark are all
that is needed for good performance
and engine protection. Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer that
indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset
every time the oil is changed.
Z06, ZR1, and Grand Sport models
have a racetrack‐ready dry sump
engine lubrication system. This
high‐performance system operates
differently than a standard engine
lubrication system and requires a
special procedure when changing
the engine oil and filter. See
Engine
Oil on page 10‑14.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
13-2 Customer Information
STEP TWO:If after contacting a
member of dealership management,
it appears your concern cannot be
resolved by your dealership without
further help, in the U.S., call the
Chevrolet Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800-222-1020.
In Canada, call General Motors
of Canada Customer Care Centre
at 1-800-263-3777 (English),
or 1-800-263-7854 (French).
We encourage you to call the
toll-free number in order to give
your inquiry prompt attention.
Have the following information
available to give the Customer
Assistance representative:
.Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN). This is available
from the vehicle registration or
title, or the plate at the top left of
the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.
.Dealership name and location.
.Vehicle delivery date and
present mileage. When contacting Chevrolet,
remember that your concern will
likely be resolved at a dealer's
facility. That is why we suggest
following Step One first.
STEP THREE
—U.S. Owners:
Both General Motors and your
dealer are committed to making
sure you are completely satisfied
with your new vehicle. However,
if you continue to remain unsatisfied
after following the procedure
outlined in Steps One and Two, you
can file with the Better Business
Bureau (BBB) Auto Line
®Program
to enforce your rights.
The BBB Auto Line Program is an
out-of-court program administered
by the Council of Better Business
Bureaus to settle automotive
disputes regarding vehicle repairs or
the interpretation of the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. Although you may
be required to resort to this informal
dispute resolution program prior to
filing a court action, use of the
program is free of charge and your case will generally be heard within
40 days. If you do not agree with the
decision given in your case, you
may reject it and proceed with any
other venue for relief available
to you.
You may contact the BBB Auto
Line Program using the toll-free
telephone number or write them at
the following address:
BBB Auto Line Program
Council of Better Business
Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Telephone: 1-800-955-5100
www.dr.bbb.org/goauto
This program is available in all
50 states and the District of
Columbia. Eligibility is limited by
vehicle age, mileage, and other
factors. General Motors reserves
the right to change eligibility
limitations and/or discontinue its
participation in this program.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
13-4 Customer Information
Customer Assistance
Procedure
Owner satisfaction and goodwill are
very important to your dealer and
General Motors.
Normally, any problem with the
transaction, sale, or usage of the
vehicle must be handled by your
dealer sales or service departments.
However, we recognize that despite
the good intentions of all parties
involved, sometimes a
misunderstanding may occur.
If you have a problem that has not
been satisfactorily handled through
the normal means, we suggest the
following steps:
STEP ONE
Explain your case to your dealer
service agent, service manager,
dealer sales agent, or sales
manager, depending on your case.Make sure that they have all
necessary information. They are
interested in your continual
satisfaction.
STEP TWO
If you are not satisfied, please
contact the general manager or your
dealership owner to ask for their
help. If they are not able to resolve
your case, ask them to contact the
right people at General Motors for
support, if needed.
STEP THREE
If your case is not resolved in a
reasonable amount of time by your
dealer, please call the General
Motors Customer Assistance
Center (CAC) and provide the
following information:
.Name
.Address
.Phone number
.Model year
.Brand
.Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
.Mileage
.Delivery date
.Description of the problem
.Dealership name
.Dealership address
See Customer Assistance Offices
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑5
or Customer Assistance Offices
(Mexico) on page 13‑6.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
13-10 Customer Information
.Trip Interruption Benefits and
Assistance:Must be over
250 kilometers from where
your trip was started to
qualify. General Motors of
Canada Limited requires
pre-authorization, original
detailed receipts, and a copy
of the repair orders. Once
authorization has been received,
the Roadside Assistance advisor
will help to make arrangements
and explain how to receive
payment.
.Alternative Service:
If assistance cannot be
provided right away, the
Roadside Assistance advisor
may give permission to get
local emergency road service.
You will receive payment, up to
$100, after sending the original
receipt to Roadside Assistance.
Mechanical failures may be
covered, however any cost for
parts and labor for repairs not
covered by the warranty are the
owner responsibility.
Roadside Assistance
Program (Mexico)
As a new owner, your vehicle is
automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance program.
The services are available at no
cost under the terms and conditions
of the program. The Roadside
Assistance program is not part of,
or included, in the coverage
provided by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Roadside Assistance provides
assistance to the driver and
passengers while driving the
vehicle within your city of residence
or on any passable road in Mexico,
the United States, and Canada.
Services are subject to the
limitations described in the following
pages. Program coverage varies
by country.
Roadside Assistance is available
24 hours a day, 365 days of
the year. This program expires two years
from the date of the invoice for the
vehicle, regardless of vehicle
mileage and changes in vehicle
ownership.
For more information about the
renewal of this program at the end
of its term, contact the Chevrolet
Customer Assistance Center at
01-800-466-0800.
Services Provided
.Flat Tire Change: If unable to
change a flat tire, Roadside
Assistance will provide towing
service to the nearest authorized
Chevrolet dealership. It is the
owner's responsibility for the
repair or replacement of the tire.
This service is limited to the
transfer of the vehicle to the
repair facility.
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Customer Information 13-15
Courtesy Rental Vehicle
Your dealer may arrange to provide
you with a courtesy rental vehicle or
reimburse you for a rental vehicle
that you obtain if the vehicle is kept
for an overnight warranty repair.
Rental reimbursement will be limited
and must be supported by original
receipts. This requires that you sign
and complete a rental agreement
and meet state/provincial, local,
and rental vehicle provider
requirements. Requirements vary
and may include minimum age
requirements, insurance coverage,
credit card, etc. You are responsible
for fuel usage charges and may also
be responsible for taxes, levies,
usage fees, excessive mileage,
or rental usage beyond the
completion of the repair.
It may not be possible to provide a
like vehicle as a courtesy rental.Additional Program
Information
All program options, such as shuttle
service, may not be available at
every dealer. Please contact your
dealer for specific information
about availability. All Courtesy
Transportation arrangements will be
administered by appropriate dealer
personnel.
General Motors reserves the
right to unilaterally modify,
change, or discontinue Courtesy
Transportation at any time and to
resolve all questions of claim
eligibility pursuant to the terms and
conditions described herein at its
sole discretion.
Collision Damage Repair
(U.S. and Canada)
If the vehicle is involved in a
collision and it is damaged,
have the damage repaired by a
qualified technician using the proper
equipment and quality replacement
parts. Poorly performed collision
repairs diminish the vehicle resale
value, and safety performance can
be compromised in subsequent
collisions.
Collision Parts
Genuine GM Collision parts are new
parts made with the same materials
and construction methods as the
parts with which the vehicle was
originally built. Genuine GM
Collision parts are the best choice to
ensure that the vehicle's designed
appearance, durability, and safety
are preserved. The use of Genuine
GM parts can help maintain the GM
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.