ChevroletCorvette2016Overview/chevrolet/corvette/2016/base/

2016 Chevrolet Corvette

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Corvette.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

Classified as a passenger car, the 2016 Chevrolet Corvette utilizes an Automatic (S8) transmission and an engine requiring 7.0 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 oil to achieve EPA ratings of 13/23/16 mpg. Within the model's documented history spanning 1990-2025, this variant generated 103 total owner complaints predominantly concerning Wheels along with 2 recalls. This complaint volume places the 2016 model well below the lineage's highest peak of 588 complaints in 2008, though it remains above the lowest recorded count of 8 from 1992.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192016

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy13/23/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 615 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. 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 48 · 615 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/40R18 FRONT; P285/35R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 FRONT; 10.0 REAR inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter25206377
Engine air filter84032895
Spark plug12622441 alt 12642722
Battery88866271 alt 88864541
Front wiper blades84613732 alt 84613733
Serpentine belt12651112 alt 12663625
Thermostat12620318 alt 12674634
Cabin air filter22862632

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.8 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height48.8 in
Wheelbase106.7 in
Curb weight3362 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)49/51

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined13 / 23 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

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.

3.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.90 sec — 2016 Stingray Z51 2LT Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Stingray Z51 2LT Coupe 6.2L V83.90 sec12.20 sec460 hpRWD
2015Z06 3LZ Coupe (Z07 Package) 6.2L Supercharger V83.00 sec11.10 sec650 hpRWD
2015Z06 2LZ Convertible (Z07 Package) 6.2L Supercharger V83.10 sec11.30 sec650 hpRWD
2015Z06 3LZ Coupe (Z07 Package) 6.2L Supercharger V83.20 sec11.20 sec650 hpRWD
2015Z06 3LZ Coupe (Z07 Package) 6.2L Supercharger V83.20 sec11.30 sec650 hpRWD
2015Z06 2LZ Convertible 6.2L Supercharger V83.30 sec11.40 sec650 hpRWD
2015Z06 3LZ Coupe (Z07 Package) 6.2L Supercharger V83.30 sec11.50 sec650 hpRWD
2015Z06 3LZ Coupe (Z07 Package) 6.2L Supercharger V83.30 sec11.40 sec650 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, Dexron LS Gear oil GM part number 88862624 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque 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 FluidDEXRON(R) HP Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilDexron LS Gear oil GM part number 88862624
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.0-6.0
Engine CoolantDex Cool
Engine Coolant Capacity11.8 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · SAE 0W

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 1st
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission93.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub184.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.20 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.30 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance615 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)46-88

Brakes

Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 162; Rear: 89 /; Front: 162; Rear: 89
ABS Sensor Torque7.5 / NS
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.001 except J57: .0008
Maximum Rotor Runout.002 except J57: .004

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1120
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9048 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 8515 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse any bolts. Coat new bolts with specified engine oil

159.0 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Bolts 7 and8 60 degrees60 degrees
4Bolt 9 40 degrees40 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 4511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

At 500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

In 2016 the Corvette generated 103 consumer complaints, 2 safety recalls and 0 investigations, placing its complaint volume above the 64 recorded in 2015 but below the 255 reported in 2017, while its total field reports (TS‑B) of 1,460 were lower than the 1,820 of 2015 yet higher than the 1,268 of 2017. The dominant complaint categories that year were Wheels (56 reports), Fuel/Propulsion System (14), Power Train (9) and Engine (5), indicating that most issues were tied to drivetrain components rather than crash or fire, which each accounted for only one complaint. Compared with the surrounding years, 2016 sits at the tail end of a rising complaint trend that peaked in 2017, suggesting that the model year experienced a modest increase in reported problems relative to the prior year but a continued decline from the subsequent peak. Recalls remained limited (2) and investigations were absent, reflecting that no major safety investigations were launched for that model year. Thus, 2016 can be considered a reasonably safe purchase, though buyers should verify service records and inspect wheel and drivetrain components.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1460
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
103
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 103 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Wheels56
Fuel/Propulsion System14
Power Train9
Engine5
Steering,Electrical System3
Structure3
Unknown Or Other2
Air Bags2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V651000Air Bags:FrontalReported 08/09/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed…

17V437000Air Bags:FrontalReported 10/07/2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1460 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…
PIP5700G2026-01-12Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

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 2016 Corvette take?

7.0 qt of 5W-30 meeting GM Dexos 1 specification or equivalent. Where temperatures fall below -20 degreesF, GM recommends using an SAE 0W-30 oil., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 Corvette have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Corvette get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 23 highway / 16 combined mpg.