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2009 Chevrolet Corvette

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Corvette.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette is a passenger car powered by a V8 engine that requires 6 quarts of 5W-30 API oil for maintenance, and this model year arrived with zero recalls—a notable achievement for the nameplate. Owner feedback for the 2009 model totaled 152 complaints, with the Fuel/Propulsion System emerging as the most frequently cited concern, though these issues remained relatively modest compared to the Corvette's complaint history spanning 1990 to 2025, where the 2008 model peaked at 588 complaints and 1992 bottomed out at just 8. This positions the 2009 Corvette as a comparatively trouble-free year within the model's modern era, suggesting owners during this period experienced fewer mechanical frustrations than those in some prior and subsequent years.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 85 · 590 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12694692. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 85 · 590 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeBASE FRONT P245/40ZR18; BASE REAR P285/35ZR19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5, 10 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12694692 alt 12690386
Engine air filter25940997 alt 15776148
Spark plug12571165 alt 12680072
Battery88866263
Front wiper blades10306887 alt 10306888
Serpentine belt12636225 alt 12585476
Thermostat89018168 alt 12587397
Cabin air filter22862632

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.8 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height49.2 in
Wheelbase104.7 in
Curb weight3199 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Corvette of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.3–4.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.30 sec — 2009 ZR1 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009ZR1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V83.30 sec11.20 sec638 hpRWD
2009ZR1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V83.30 sec11.40 sec638 hpRWD
2009ZR1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V83.40 sec11.30 sec638 hpRWD
2009ZR1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V83.40 sec11.40 sec638 hpRWD
2009ZR1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V83.50 sec11.30 sec638 hpRWD
2009Z06 Coupe 7.0L V83.60 sec11.70 sec505 hpRWD
2009ZR1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V83.60 sec11.70 sec638 hpRWD
2009Z51 Coupe 6.2L V84.10 sec12.40 sec430 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, ONLY USE DEXRON in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.7
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilONLY USE DEXRON
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 qt
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub151 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.037-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number85
Standard BCI Cranking Performance590 cca
Standard BCI Group Number90

Service checks

Pressure Test18, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Pressure Test18, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-60
RPM43-45 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH RPO J57 / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs / 23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle129 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle129 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH RPO J57 / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0008 in / 0.001 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1installation, 111 ft. lbs, step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 230111 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1installation, 111 ft. lbs, step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 230111 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1installation, 111 ft. lbs, step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 59 ft. lbs., step 4: 200111 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
370 degrees; M8 Bolts:70 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 156.6 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 156.6 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.6 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Intercooler (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette sits at a clear inflection point in the federal record: after 2005–2008 saw complaint volumes spike to 536, 413, 385, and 588 respectively, 2009 registered only 152 complaints—the lowest since 2003 and a sharp break from the preceding four-year high. Recalls held at zero, matching 2008 and 2010, while investigations fell from two in 2008 to one in 2009, and TSBs continued their steady climb from 1,029 to 1,096. Within 2009’s complaints, the Fuel/Propulsion System dominated with 77 filings, followed by Engine at 19, Air Bags at 12, and Exterior Lighting at 6, with one crash-related and one fire-related complaint each; the data does not specify root causes. Compared with the immediately surrounding years, 2009 breaks the earlier high-complaint pattern and precedes the quieter 2010–2013 stretch, placing it near the beginning of a calmer arc for the model line. That combination of sharply reduced owner complaints, no recalls, and only one federal investigation makes 2009 one of the more attractive model years in this record to buy.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1096
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
152
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 152 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System77
Engine19
Air Bags12
Exterior Lighting6
Unknown Or Other4
Power Train4
Structure4
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1096 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
135982025-09-09Unknown Or OtherNew Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
PIC5650M2025-08-06Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP5601C2025-07-18Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Corvette. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 85 batteryVehicles taking 6 qtEngine oil filter 12694692Engine air filter 25940997Spark plug 12571165Battery 88866263

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Corvette take?

6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Corvette have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.