Engine CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8 2021 Workshop Manual

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14622938) - 2021 - CRC - 9/22/20
176 Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible:
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
.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.
.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.
.Using Tour mode rather than Sport or
Track modes, will result in better Active
Fuel Management operation. SeeActive
Fuel Management 0195.
.For recommended shift speeds, see Dual
Clutch Transmission 0197.
Premium Fuel
Use the recommended fuel. See
Recommended Fuel 0225.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments have
enacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding driving
situations. Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on phones or
other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to the
floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or
restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or on a
cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too long or
too often could cause a crash resulting in
injury or death. Focus your attention on
driving.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 177
Refer to the infotainment section for more
information on using that system and the
navigation system, if equipped, including
pairing and using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means“always expect the
unexpected.” The first step in driving
defensively is to wear the seat belt. See
Seat Belts 045.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they may do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated with impaired
driving is a global tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs and then
driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol or drugs. You can have a
serious —or even fatal —collision if you
drive after drinking or taking drugs.
Do not drive while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, or ride with a driver
who has been drinking or is impaired by
drugs. Find alternate transportation
home; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will remain sober.
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 or a brake fault
occurs, the brakes may lose power assist.
More effort will be required to stop the
vehicle. It may take longer to stop.
Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering system,
do not drive over curbs, parking barriers,
or similar objects at speeds greater than
3 km/h (1 mph). Use care when driving
over other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused by
misuse of the vehicle is not covered by
the vehicle warranty.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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180 Driving and Operating
Be sure to follow all service procedures
before driving the vehicle at track events or
competitively.
{Warning
Prior to each track event and again
before returning to public roads, tighten
the wheel nuts with a torque wrench to
the proper torque specification. Wheel
nuts that are improperly or incorrectly
tightened can cause the wheels to
become loose or come off, resulting in a
crash. SeeCapacities and Specifications
0 305 for wheel nut torque specifications.
If equipped, the front license plate bracket
should be removed and replaced with the
aero cover for track use.
Engine Sound Management Setting Caution
Do not place the vehicle in Engine Sound
Management–Stealth mode. Damage
could result to exhaust valve actuators.
Engine Oil
Caution
If the vehicle is used for track events and
competitive driving, the engine may use
more oil than it would with normal use.
Low oil levels can damage the engine.
Check the oil level often and maintain
the proper level. See Engine Oil0238.
Check the oil level often during track events
and competitive driving. See “Checking the
Engine Oil" in Engine Oil0238.
Engine Cooling
If reduced performance is experienced during
track events or competitive driving, turning
off the A/C will help to improve engine
performance.
Maintain a mixture of 40% DEX-COOL
coolant and 60% clean, drinkable water to
optimize engine performance.
Fuel
Unleaded gasoline, rated at 93 octane or
higher, is required.
Caution
Some high octane fuels contain additives
and compounds that may damage the
vehicle and void the vehicle warranty. See
Prohibited Fuels 0226.
Dual Clutch Transmission Fluid
The transmission fluid and external filter
should be changed after every 24 hours of
track usage. If prompted by the transmission
fluid life monitor that remaining fluid life is
low, the fluid and external filter should be
changed as soon as possible.
Add an additional 2 L (2 qt) of DCT
transmission fluid prior to track usage. It is
not required to remove the additional 2 L
(2 qt) of DCT fluid.
Any transmission level set or change should
be performed at your dealer.
Brakes
Battery Disconnect
Disconnect the battery before servicing the
hydraulic brake system. It is critical to
disconnect the battery before bleeding the
system, replacing the pads, or any other
work. The battery must be disconnected to

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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182 Driving and Operating
The driver should immediately start a cool
down lap if on the track. If this message
displays, take the vehicle to be serviced at
your dealer.
Brake Burnishing
New brake pads must be burnished before
racing or other competitive driving.
Caution
Performing the brake burnish procedure
on a base brake system can result in
brake damage.
Caution
The new vehicle break-in period should be
completed before performing the brake
burnish procedure, otherwise damage
may occur to the powertrain/engine. See
New Vehicle Break-In0190.
Caution
Brake pedal fade will occur during any
track burnish procedure and can cause
brake pedal travel and force to increase.
This could extend stopping distance until
the brakes are fully burnished. When this procedure is performed as
instructed, it will not damage the brakes.
The brake pads will smoke and produce an
odor. The braking force and pedal travel
may increase. After the procedure, the brake
pads may appear white at the rotor contact.
Perform this procedure only on dry
pavement, in a safe manner, and in
compliance with all local and state
ordinances/laws regarding motor vehicle
operation.
Brake Burnishing Procedure
This brake burnish procedure should only be
run on vehicles with the J55 Z51 factory
equipped brake system.
1. Apply the brakes 25 times starting at 100 km/h (60 mph) to 50 km/h (30 mph)
while decelerating at 0.4 g. This is a
medium brake application. Drive for at
least 1 km (0.6 mi) between applying the
brakes. This first step may be skipped if
there are more than 320 km (200 mi) on
the brake pads.
2. Apply the brakes 25 times starting at 100 km/h (60 mph) to 25 km/h (15 mph)
while decelerating at 0.8 g. This is a hard
brake application without activating the
Antilock Brake System (ABS). Drive for at least 1 km (0.6 mi) between applications.
Depending on conditions, some increase
in brake pedal travel and brake pedal
force may be experienced.
3. Cool down: Drive at 100 km/h (60 mph) for approximately 15 km (10 mi) without
using the brakes.
4. Apply the brakes 25 times from 100 km/h (60 mph) to 50 km/h (30 mph)
while decelerating at 0.4 g. This is a
medium brake application. Drive for at
least 1 km (0.6 mi) between applications.
As with all high performance brake systems,
some amount of brake squeal is normal.
Alternative Closed Course Brake Burnishing
Procedure
This brake burnish procedure should only be
run on vehicles with the J55 Z51 factory
equipped brake system.
This procedure should only be run on a
track and only on dry pavement. Brake
pedal fade will occur during this track
burnish procedure and can cause brake pedal
travel and force to increase. This could
extend stopping distance until the brakes
are fully burnished.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 185
Caution
Do not use power tools when removing
or installing the fasteners. Damage to the
threads may occur. Use hand tools only,
and do not overtighten. Hand start the
fasteners to ensure that the threads do
not bind or cross thread.
The racing and competitive driving wheel
alignment settings should be set as
described here.
To achieve the track alignment specified
settings: 1. The upper control arm to body washers on all four corners will need to be
moved from between the body and the
control arm and relocated between the
head of the bolt and the control arm.
2. Adjust the lower control arm cam bolt position to achieve the following
specifications.
Front (per corner)
.Caster: +8.0 degrees
.Camber: -3.0 degrees
.Toe (total): 0.1 degrees toe in Rear (per corner)
.Caster: 0 degrees
.Camber: -2.5 degrees
.Toe (total): 0.1 degrees toe in
.Thrust Angle: 0 degrees
After track use, reinstall washers between
the body and the control arms. Reset to
factory alignment settings. See your dealer.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop and
accelerate. Always drive slower in these
types of driving conditions and avoid driving
through large puddles and deep-standing or
flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick stop
and could cause pulling to one side. You
could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply
the brake pedal until the brakes work
normally. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through flowing water
could cause the vehicle to be carried
away. If this happens, you and other
vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive through
flowing water.
Caution
Driving through deep puddles or standing
water can cause water to come in
through the engine air intake and
damage the engine. If deep puddles or
standing water cannot be avoided,
proceed with caution and do not exceed
8 km/h (5 mph). Do not drive through
water that may come close to or cover
the vehicle’s underbody.
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

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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186 Driving and Operating
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 0261.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains
is different than driving on flat or rolling
terrain. Tips include:
.When driving downhill in D (Drive), the
vehicle may automatically downshift to
assist with speed control.
.A lower gear may also be selected to
provide further speed control.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a
long downhill slope can cause brake
overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a loss of
braking. Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. This can
cause overheating of the brakes and loss
of steering assist. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in
its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (e.g.,
falling rocks area, winding roads, long
grades, passing or no-passing zones) and
take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0205.
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves
vehicle stability during hard stops, but
the brakes should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) 0203.
.Allow greater following distance 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.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 187
.Turn off cruise control.
.Turn on Weather Mode. SeeDriver Mode
Control 0207.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and signal
for help. Stay with the vehicle unless there
is help nearby. If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside Assistance Program
0 311. To get help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the
vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to
get inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking the
exhaust pipe.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Open a window about 5 cm (2 in) on
the vehicle side that is away from the
wind, to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control system to
circulate the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0196.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and partially close the
window. Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive, when
running 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. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 205.
{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
56 km/h (35 mph).
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 low forward gear,
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,

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Driving and Operating 191
During the first 800 km (500 mi), engine
torque will be limited in low gears.
For the first 322 km (200 mi):
.To break in new tires, drive at moderate
speeds and avoid hard cornering.
.New brake linings also need a break-in
period. Avoid making hard stops. This is
recommended every time brake linings
are replaced.
For the first 800 km (500 mi):
.Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops.
.Do not exceed 4000 rpm.
.Avoid driving at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, including the use of cruise
control.
.Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the
vehicle when the engine speed will
exceed 4000 rpm.
.Do not let the engine labor. Never lug the
engine. This rule applies at all times, not
just during the break-in period.
For the first 2 414 km (1,500 mi):
.Do not participate in track events, sport
driving schools, or similar activities.
.Check engine oil with every refueling and
add if necessary. Oil and fuel
consumption may be higher than normal.
Front Air Dam (and Splitter)
If equipped, the front air dam and splitter
have minimal ground clearance.
Under normal operation, the components
will occasionally contact some road surfaces
(speed bumps, driveway ramps, etc.). This
can be heard inside the vehicle as a scraping
noise. This is normal and does not indicate a
problem.
Use care when approaching bumps or
objects on road surfaces and avoid them
when possible.
If equipped, the Front Lift System may be
used to increase front air dam or splitter
clearance. See Front Lift System 0213.
Composite Materials
This vehicle may be equipped with parts
containing carbon fiber, sheet-molding
compound, or other composite materials.
Dealer-installed accessories may also contain
composite materials. These parts and
accessories may include the splitter or rocker
extensions.
{Warning
Exposed edges of parts containing carbon
fiber and other composite materials can
be sharp. Contact with these parts could
result in injury. Use caution to avoid
contacting these parts, including when
washing the vehicle. If the parts are
damaged, replace the parts promptly
with replacements from your dealer.
{Warning
Rocker extensions may break under
pressure, resulting in property damage or
injury. Do not stand on the rocker
extension or use it as a step.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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192 Driving and Operating
Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an electronic keyless ignition
with pushbutton start.
The remote key must be in the vehicle for
the system to operate. If the pushbutton
start is not working, the vehicle may be
near a strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the Keyless Access system.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation 07.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle must be
turned on and the brake pedal must be
applied. Stopping the Engine/OFF (No Indicator
Lights) :
When the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP once to turn the
engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the ignition will
turn off, and Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
will remain active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0194.
If the vehicle is in R (Reverse), D (Drive),
or M (Manual Mode), the vehicle will shift
to P (Park), the ignition will turn off, and
RAP will remain active.
If the vehicle is in N (Neutral), the ignition
will return to ACC/ACCESSORY and display
the message SHIFT TO PARK in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). When the vehicle
is shifted into P (Park), the ignition will
turn off.
Do not turn the engine off when the vehicle
is moving. This will cause a loss of power
assist in the brake and steering systems and
disable the airbags.
If the vehicle must be turned off in an
emergency: 1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This
may deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force. 2. Shift into N (Neutral). This can be done
while the vehicle is moving. After
shifting into N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a safe
location.
3. Come to a complete stop. Shift into P (Park).
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0204. Press ENGINE
START/STOP to turn the vehicle off.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while moving may
cause loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable the
airbags. While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over and
must be turned off while driving, press and
hold ENGINE START/STOP for more than
two seconds, or press twice within
five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber Indicator Light) :
This mode allows the use of some electrical
accessories when the engine is off.

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Driving and Operating 193
With the ignition off, pressing the button
one time without the brake pedal applied
will place the ignition in ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to off after five minutes to
prevent battery rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator Light) :This
mode is for driving and starting. With the
ignition off and the brake pedal applied,
pressing the button once will place the
ignition in ON/RUN/START. Once engine
cranking begins, release the button. Engine
cranking will continue until the engine
starts. See Starting the Engine 0193. The
ignition will then remain in ON/RUN.
Service Mode
This power mode is available for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction indicator lamp
as may be required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off and the brake
pedal not applied, pressing and holding
ENGINE START/STOP for more than
five seconds will place the vehicle in Service
Mode. The instruments and audio systems
will operate as they do in ON/RUN, but the
vehicle will not be able to be driven. The engine will not start in Service Mode. Press
ENGINE START/STOP again to turn the
vehicle off.
Starting the Engine
Caution
If you add electrical parts or accessories,
you could change the way the engine
operates. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
See
Add-On Electrical Equipment 0228.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could
damage the transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Place the transmission in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the vehicle when it is
already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Starting the Vehicle
The remote key must be inside the vehicle
for the ignition to work. Cell phone chargers can interfere with the
operation of the Keyless Access system.
Battery chargers should not be plugged in
when starting or turning off the engine.
1. Press the brake pedal, then press ENGINE START/STOP on the instrument panel.
If there is no remote key in the vehicle
or if there is something causing
interference with it, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will display a
message.
2. When the engine begins cranking, let go of the button and the engine cranks
automatically until it starts.
If the battery in the remote key is weak,
the DIC will display a message. The
vehicle can still be driven.
See “Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 07
. If the remote key battery is dead,
insert it into the cupholder transmitter
pocket to enable engine starting.
3. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil warms
up and lubricates all moving parts.