Chevrolet 2009 Corvette User manual

Seats and Restraint System ............................. 1-1
Front Seats ............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts .............................................. 1-9
Child Restraints ....................................... 1-25
Airbag System ......................................... 1-44
Restraint System Check ............................ 1-58
Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1
Keys ........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks ...................................... 2-10
Windows ................................................. 2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems ............................ 2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ........... 2-21
Mirrors .................................................... 2-38
OnStar
®
System ...................................... 2-41
Universal Home Remote System ................ 2-44
Storage Areas ......................................... 2-52
Roof Panel .............................................. 2-57
Convertible Top ....................................... 2-62
Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview .......................... 3-4
Climate Controls ...................................... 3-25
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators ........ 3-32
Driver Information Center (DIC) .................. 3-50
Audio System(s) ....................................... 3-82
Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle ....... 4-2
Towing ................................................... 4-28
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1
Service ..................................................... 5-3
Fuel ......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood ............... 5-12
Rear Axle ............................................... 5-54
Headlamp Aiming ..................................... 5-55
Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-56
Windshield Replacement ........................... 5-59
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ......... 5-59
Tires ...................................................... 5-62
Appearance Care ..................................... 5-91
Vehicle Identification ............................... 5-101
Electrical System .................................... 5-102
Capacities and Specifications ................... 5-110
Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule ................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information .................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information ........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects ........................... 7-15
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy ........... 7-17
Index ................................................................ 1
2009 Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual M

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, the names
CORVETTE, Z06, ZR1 and the CORVETTE Emblem are
registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. GM reserves the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles
first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet Motor Division
wherever it appears in this manual.
This manual describes features that may or may not be
on your specific vehicle.
Read this manual from beginning to end to learn about
the vehicle’s features and controls. Pictures, symbols,
and words work together to explain vehicle operation.
Keep this manual the vehicle for quick reference.
Canadian Owners
Canadian Owners
(Propriétaires Canadiens)
A French language copy of this manual can be obtained
from your dealer/retailer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français
auprès du concessionnaire ou à l’adresse suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue française
www.helminc.com
Index
To quickly locate information about the vehicle, use the
index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical
list of what is in the manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 25788997 B Second Printing
©
2008 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
ii

Safety Warnings and Symbols
A circle with a slash
through it is a safety
symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this,”
or “Do not let this happen.”
A box with the word CAUTION is used to tell about
things that could hurt you or others if you were to ignore
the warning.
{CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
Cautions tell what the hazard is and what to do to avoid
or reduce the hazard. Read these cautions.
A notice tells about something that can damage the
vehicle.
Notice: These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would not be covered by the
vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. The notice
tells what to do to help avoid the damage.
There are also warning labels on the vehicle which use
the same words, CAUTION or Notice.
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols
instead of text. Symbols are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when you need to see your
owner manual for additional instructions or information.
*:This symbol is shown when you need to see a
service manual for additional instructions or information.
iii

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar
®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv

Front Seats ......................................................1-2
Manual Seats ................................................1-2
Power Seats ..................................................1-3
Power Lumbar and Side Bolsters ......................1-3
Heated Seats .................................................1-4
Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel .........1-4
Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-6
Seatback Latches ...........................................1-8
Safety Belts .....................................................1-9
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone .................1-9
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-14
Lap-Shoulder Belt .........................................1-22
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-24
Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-25
Child Restraints .............................................1-25
Older Children ..............................................1-25
Infants and Young Children ............................1-29
Child Restraint Systems .................................1-33
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH) (Coupe and Convertible
Models Only) ............................................1-35
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH) (Z06 and ZR1 Models Only) .............1-36
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position ............................1-40
Airbag System ...............................................1-44
Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-46
When Should an Airbag Inflate? .....................1-48
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? .......................1-49
How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-49
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? .....1-50
Passenger Sensing System ............................1-51
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........1-56
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle ....................................................1-56
Restraint System Check ..................................1-58
Checking the Restraint Systems ......................1-58
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash ............................................1-59
Section 1 Seats and Restraint System
1-1

Front Seats
Manual Seats
{CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is
moving. The sudden movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you
do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
If the vehicle has a manual seat, it can be moved
forward or rearward. 1. Lift the bar to unlock
the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the
desired position and
release the bar.
Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat
is locked in place.
1-2

Power Seats
To adjust a power seat:
•Move the control forward or rearward to adjust the
seat forward or rearward.
•Move the front or rear of the control up or down to
adjust the height of the seat cushion.
Your seat position can be stored and recalled if you have
the memory option. See Memory Seat, Mirrors and
Steering Wheel on page 1-4.
Power Lumbar and Side Bolsters
On vehicles with power lumbar and side bolsters:
Move (A) forward or rearward to adjust lumbar support.
Move (B) up or down to adjust the side bolsters.
1-3

Heated Seats
On vehicles with heated seats, the buttons are located
on the center console.
The ignition must be on for this feature to work.
L:Press to turn the seat on at the high setting, and
twice to turn it to the low setting.
9:Press to turn the system off.
Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering
Wheel
On vehicles with the memory package, the controls are
located on the driver’s door.
1: Saves the seating position for driver 1.
2: Saves the seating position for driver 2.
B:Recalls the easy exit position.
The numbers on the back of the keyless access
transmitters correspond to the numbers on the memory
buttons.
To save seating positions in the memory:
1. Adjust the driver’s seat, both outside mirrors, and
the telescopic steering column to a comfortable
driving position.
2. Press and hold button 1 until two beeps let you know
that the position has been stored in the memory.
A second seating, mirror, and telescopic steering column
position can be set by repeating the above steps and
pressing button 2.
To recall a memory position:
•On vehicles with an automatic transmission, press
and release the desired button.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), a single beep sounds and
the memory position is recalled after a brief delay.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), three beeps sound
and the memory position is not recalled.
•On vehicles with a manual transmission, when the
vehicle is on, the parking brake needs to be set to
recall the memory position. Press and release the
desired button.
A single beep sounds and the memory position is
recalled after a brief delay.
If the vehicle is on and the parking brake is not set,
three beeps sound and the memory position is not
recalled.
1-4

For vehicles with the Auto Memory Recall, see “Auto
Memory Recall” under DIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 3-73 for more information.
To stop recall movement of the memory feature, press
one of the power seat controls, power mirror or memory
buttons, or the telescopic steering column switch.
Easy Exit Seat
B(Easy Exit Seat): This button is used to program
and recall the desired driver’s seat exit position.
To program an exit position:
1. Recall the desired driving position by pressing
button 1.
2. Adjust the seat and the telescopic steering column
position to a comfortable exit position.
3. Press and hold the exit button until two beeps
sound to let you know that the exit position is
now programmed.
A second exit position can be programmed by repeating
the above steps and pressing button 2.
To recall an exit position:
•On vehicles with an automatic transmission, the
vehicle needs to be in P (Park).
•On vehicles with a manual transmission, the
parking brake must be set.
B:Press to recall an exit position.
One beep will sound and the exit position for the
currently identified driver will be recalled.
For vehicles with the Auto Exit Recall, see “Auto Exit
Recall” under DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-73
for more information.
1-5

Reclining Seatbacks
{CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is
moving. The sudden movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you
do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
{CAUTION:
If either seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they
are locked.
The seats have manual reclining seatbacks. The lever
used to operate them is located on the outboard side of
the seats.
To adjust the seatback, lean slightly forward to lift your
weight off the seatback. Pull completely up on the lever
until it stops, and lean back to position the seatback to
where you want it. Release the lever to lock the seatback
into place.
1-6

{CAUTION:
Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is
in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle
up, your safety belts cannot do their job when you
are reclined like this.
The shoulder belt cannot do its job. In a crash,
you could go into it, receiving neck or other
injuries.
The lap belt cannot do its job either. In a crash the
belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt
forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones.
This could cause serious internal injuries.
For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion,
have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the
seat and wear your safety belt properly.
Do not have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is
moving.
1-7

Seatback Latches
To fold a seatback forward, lift the latch located on top
of the backside of the seat. The seatback locks when
folded down.
To return the seatback upright, lift up on the latch and
push the seatback rearward. The seatback must be
locked in place.
{CAUTION:
If either seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they
are locked.
1-8

Safety Belts
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone
This section of the manual describes how to use
safety belts properly. It also describes some things not
to do with safety belts.
{CAUTION:
Do not let anyone ride where a safety belt cannot
be worn properly. In a crash, if you or your
passenger(s) are not wearing safety belts, the
injuries can be much worse. You can hit things
inside the vehicle harder or be ejected from the
vehicle. You and your passenger(s) can be
seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, you
might not be, if you are buckled up. Always fasten
your safety belt, and check that your passenger(s)
are restrained properly too.
{CAUTION:
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats
and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is
in a seat and using a safety belt properly.
This vehicle has indicators as a reminder to buckle the
safety belts. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 3-35
for additional information.
In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law
requires wearing safety belts. Here is why:
You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have
a crash, you do not know if it will be a serious one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up, a person would not survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without safety belts, they could have been badly
hurt or killed.
After more than 40 years of safety belts in vehicles, the
facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter... a lot!
1-9

Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat on
wheels.
Put someone on it.
1-10

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider
does not stop. The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield...
1-11

or the instrument panel... or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.
You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,
and your strongest bones take the forces. That is why
safety belts make such good sense.
1-12

Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if I
am wearing a safety belt?
A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety
belt or not. But your chance of being conscious
during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle
and get out, is much greater if you are belted.
And you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you are
upside down.
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to
wear safety belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental systems only; so they
work with safety belts — not instead of them.
Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupants
still have to buckle up to get the most protection.
That is true not only in frontal collisions, but
especially in side and other collisions.
Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from
home, why should I wear safety belts?
A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in a
crash — even one that is not your fault — you and
your passenger(s) can be hurt. Being a good
driver does not protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of
home. And the greatest number of serious injuries
and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph
(65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
1-13

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
This section is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about
safety belts and children. And there are different
rules for smaller children and infants. If a child will be
riding in the vehicle, see Older Children on page 1-25 or
Infants and Young Children on page 1-29. Follow
those rules for everyone’s protection.
It is very important for all occupants to buckle up.
Statistics show that unbelted people are hurt more often
in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts.
Occupants who are not buckled up can be thrown out of
the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the
vehicle who are wearing safety belts.
First, before you or your passenger(s) wear a safety
belt, there is important information you should know. Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the floor in
front of you. The lap part of the belt should be worn low
and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash,
this applies force to the strong pelvic bones and you
would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid
under it, the belt would apply force on your abdomen.
This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The
shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the
chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt
restraining forces.
The shoulder belt locks if there is a sudden stop or
crash.
1-14

Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not give as
much protection this way.
{CAUTION:
You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too
much, which could increase injury. The shoulder
belt should fit snugly against your body.
1-15

Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The lap belt is too loose. It will not give nearly as
much protection this way.
{CAUTION:
You can be seriously hurt if your lap belt is too
loose. In a crash, you could slide under the lap
belt and apply force on your abdomen. This could
cause serious or even fatal injuries. The lap belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just
touching the thighs.
1-16