Open engine hatch while ideling?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 554
Open engine hatch while ideling?
Ok, I have what seems like a dumb question but I have scoured the owners manual and cannot find an answer.
I have a HTC. How do you open the engine hatch while the engine is idling to check the oil level?
I have a HTC. How do you open the engine hatch while the engine is idling to check the oil level?
Popular Reply
Dec 19, 2023, 12:42 PM
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 10,198
From: Garden Valley CA
I just use the open top button on the door and release it when the tonneau cover is fully raised. Sitting in driver's seat, door closed, engine idling. Just like opening the top.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 1,603
From: Franklin, TN
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 554
Well thanks but the video did not answer my question. I asked how to raise the hatch while the engine was idling so I can check the oil. He raised it and then started the engine.
Or does one have to stop the engine, get out and close the doors, open the hatch and then get BACK IN and start the engine and then get BACK OUT and check the oil level? I was trying to avoid the multiple times getting in and out of the car to check the oil.
Oh and he says over and over to press the key fob lock and then the hatch button twice. that is not correct, you press lock and then press and hold the hatch button.
Or does one have to stop the engine, get out and close the doors, open the hatch and then get BACK IN and start the engine and then get BACK OUT and check the oil level? I was trying to avoid the multiple times getting in and out of the car to check the oil.
Oh and he says over and over to press the key fob lock and then the hatch button twice. that is not correct, you press lock and then press and hold the hatch button.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 1,898
From: Not too far from MacMulkin
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 358
Likes: 96
From: Hattiesburg MS
I know exactly what your talking about it seams like you have to solve a Chinese box puzzle just to check the oil. I do it all with the key fob. From outside the car I use the remote start to start the car, then hit the lock button then open the hatch.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 554
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 2,323
From: Simi Valley, CA
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 2,494
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
I would suggest to turn the car off, open hatch in service mode, then start if needed. To get into service mode, hit lock on remote twice, then hold convertible open button until hatch opens. Just the hatch will open in service mode.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 10,198
From: Garden Valley CA
This whole topic is bewildering to me. Yes, there is a procedure to open just the tonneau cover from the outside with the engine running. But it is easier to just raise the cover from the inside to check the oil after a drive. The engine needs to be at normal operating temperature for an accurate oil level check which means you need to let the car idle for quite a while if you don't check it right after a drive. And it may shut itself off before it gets up to temperature. And, if all else fails, start the car and raise the tonneau cover using the button on the door. I think you can even do it with the door open.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,369
Likes: 8,527
I have never used the other methods. If you open the tonneau while in the car using the top button, then release when the tonneau is open, then get out to check your oil, how do you close it and turn the engine off after you have checked the oil? Can you do that with the fob or do you need to get back in and shut it off?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 10,198
From: Garden Valley CA
That is also the method I use. Get out of the car with engine off. Lock the car. Remote start it. Hit lock again, then open the tonneau (which is now opening in the service mode). Engine remains running. Check the oil. Hit lock again, then the top button which will now cause the tonneau to close, and the engine will stop. Walk away.
I have never used the other methods. If you open the tonneau while in the car using the top button, then release when the tonneau is open, then get out to check your oil, how do you close it and turn the engine off after you have checked the oil? Can you do that with the fob or do you need to get back in and shut it off?
I have never used the other methods. If you open the tonneau while in the car using the top button, then release when the tonneau is open, then get out to check your oil, how do you close it and turn the engine off after you have checked the oil? Can you do that with the fob or do you need to get back in and shut it off?
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,080
Likes: 24,732
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Should be a very simple process.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 10,198
From: Garden Valley CA
Unfortunately the C8 doesn't have an oil level sensor so when it tells you it is low it is due to a low oil pressure warning. You don't want to let it get to that point...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,065
Likes: 1,276
From: Central Ma
With car running and warm, press the button to lower the top. Stop when the engine is accessible.
No puzzle, and no secrets.