ChevroletCorvette2013Overview/chevrolet/corvette/2013/base/

2013 Chevrolet Corvette

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Corvette.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2013 Chevrolet Corvette is a passenger car whose engine carries a 10.5-quart oil capacity at 5W-30 viscosity — a figure that reflects the substantial powertrain at the core of the platform. Across the model's complaint history spanning 1990 through 2025, this model year's 82 owner complaints and zero recalls place it well below the 2008 high of 588 and nearer the 1992 low of 8, with the Fuel/Propulsion System standing as the top complaint area. That positioning indicates the 2013 represents a comparatively stable point in the Corvette's reliability record, though the fuel system remains the most frequently reported area of concern for this particular year.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity10.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · 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 90 · 590 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12690386. 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 90 · 590 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeFRONT BASE P245/40ZR18; REAR BASE P285/35ZR19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5, 10 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12690386 alt 12694692
Engine air filter25940997
Spark plug12680072 alt 12571165
Front wiper blades10306887 alt 10306888
Serpentine belt12636226 alt 12636224
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
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3221 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.

3.4–4.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.40 sec — 2013 ZR1 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013ZR1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V83.40 sec11.60 sec638 hpRWD
2013ZR1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V83.40 sec11.40 sec638 hpRWD
2013427 60th Anniversary Collector Edition Convertible 7.0L V83.80 sec11.90 sec505 hpRWD
2013427 60th Anniversary Collector Edition Convertible 7.0L V83.90 sec12.20 sec505 hpRWD
2013427 60th Anniversary Collector Edition Convertible 7.0L V84.00 sec11.90 sec505 hpRWD
2012ZR1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V83.40 sec11.40 sec638 hpRWD
2012Z06 Coupe 7.0L V83.50 sec11.60 sec505 hpRWD
2012ZR1 Centennial Edition Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V83.50 sec11.80 sec638 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 10.5 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, 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
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity10.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

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 Hub184 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 Capacity1.1 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.0 oz
Standard BCI Group Number90
Standard BCI Cranking Performance590 cca
Standard BCI Group Number85

Service checks

Pressure Test18, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-62
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-62

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH RPO J57 / WITH STANDARD / WITH FN3
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs / 23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle129 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH RPO J57 / WITH STANDARD / WITH FN3
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0008 in / 0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.42 in / 1.34 in / 1.02 in / 1.26 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.42 in / 1.34 in / 1.02 in / 1.26 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: 59 ft. lbs., step 4: 200111 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
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1811 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
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1811 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: 1811 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 30,000 miClutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill)
Every 45,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 97,500 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · 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 2013 Chevrolet Corvette closes out its generation with 82 federal complaints, zero recalls, and zero investigations, representing a dramatic improvement over the generation's problematic early years that peaked at 588 complaints in 2008. While complaints hit a generational low of 56 in 2012, the 2013 model sees a slight uptick primarily driven by 41 Fuel/Propulsion System complaints, though the data does not specify a root cause for these issues. Crucially, the 2013 model’s clean recall record compares favorably to the subsequent redesign years of 2014 and 2015, which both carry 5 recalls each. With zero crash or fire complaints logged, the 2013 model reflects the benefit of end-of-generation refinements, making it a strategically sound and low-risk year to purchase on the used market.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1436
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
82
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 82 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System41
Air Bags9
Engine5
Wheels4
Unknown Or Other2
Power Train2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Electrical 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 1436 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G2025-11-20Unknown 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Corvette take?

10.5 qt of 5W-30 ONLY USE ENGINE OIL MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION., per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Corvette have open recalls?

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