Bulletin No.: PIP5311D
Published date: 12/6/2018

Preliminary Information
PIP5311D Information On Track Ready Corvette Related To Track
Engine or automatic transmission uid Temperature
Models
Brand:
Chevrolet

Model:
Corvette

Model Years:
2015 - 2019

VIN:
from
All

Engine:

to
All

6.2L LT1 LT4 LT5

Transmissions:
All

Supersession Statement
This PI was superseded to update Model Years. Please discard PIP5311C.
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition / Concern
Concerns or Question on track ready Corvette's with the hot temp message, Related to track
engine or trans temperature.

Recommendations / Instructions
Some good information on Corvette track ready vehicles, related to track engine
temperature.
The Z06 Manual is designed to keep engine oil, coolant, transmission and differential
fluids below the hot warning targets when driven by a professional on a 30C day (86F)
on a "typical" racetrack for an indefinite period of time (effectively the time to burn
through a full tank of fuel). Our team validates the durability of the Z06/ZR1 cooling
systems with a 24hr accumulated track test to simulate the most aggressive track-day
usage by our customers.
We designate our track: the Milford Road Course, as the "typical" standard, but
recognize that there are tracks around the world which are easier on a cooling system
and some which are harder on a cooling system. Generally speaking, tighter tracks with
lower average speed and higher sustained RPM, will drive higher engine and automatic
transmission fluid temperatures.
Higher temperature ambient conditions affects all car's abilities to run sustained laps at
ten-tenths.
The Z06/Z07/ZR1 with Z52 and Automatic transmission put in "Drive" selects the lowest
possible gear ratio for best acceleration, and because it has 8 closely-spaced ratios
typically runs higher average RPM than the manual. This optimizes lap time
performance, but also taxes the engine oil and coolant more for any given track. So the
automatic has the capability to run faster laps than the manual, but thermal limitations
are reached more quickly. Customers who are planning to run extended track-day
sessions at 'professional' speeds, are advised to go with the manual transmission, or to
paddle shift the automatic and select higher gears when conditions warrant it.
Any time the maximum recommended temperatures are reached in any condition, the
DIC will give warnings at the appropriate time for coolant, oil, or transmission fluid. A
cool-down lap or two will bring operating temperatures back to a reasonable level and
aggressive track driving can be resumed

New Track usage statement for 2017 MY:
Please Note: The Corvette Z06, Corvette Grand Sport, and Corvette Stingray with the
Z51 Performance Package are the recommended models for track use. A manual
transmission is recommended for extended track usage at higher ambient
temperatures. Please be advised that Z06 with 8-speed automatic models have
ambient temperature limitations and strong potential for engine and coolant
overheating on an 86 degrees F (30 degrees C and above) day. Anytime the maximum
recommended temperatures are reached in any condition, the Driver Information Center
will provide warnings. Once these warnings are received, several cool down laps should
be performed to bring operating temperatures back to normal so that aggressive track
driving can be resumed.
Some may wonder why don't we design to higher temperatures, say 110 degrees, to
accommodate southern tracks in the Summer. We have used the "pro driver at 86 degrees"
criteria for generations of Corvettes and for the vast majority of customers, it has resulted in
excellent performance for their usage. If we designed to higher temperature criteria, we
would have to add a lot of cooling hardware which drives mass up and perhaps more
importantly, you have to feed the system with more air which has a huge impact on
appearance and aerodynamic drag. Like most aspects of car design, the challenge is in
finding the best balance of conflicting requirements.

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