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PSA: Don’t Bother Remote Starting The C8 Corvette If You’re Going To Open The Rear Trunk

If you own a C8 Corvette Stingray and you want to open the rear trunk, don’t bother using the remote start feature to start the engine beforehand, as the engine will automatically shut off if you do so.

GM Authority previously covered this topic with an article on why the C8 Corvette engine cover shuts off the remote engine starter feature. As covered prior, the remote starter also won’t work if the engine cover is already open.

The reason the C8 Corvette Stingray will shut the engine off after popping the rear trunk is down to safety concerns.

“It’s just like the hood of a car,” said Corvette Marketing Manager Harlan Charles in an interview with GM Authority. “On any car, if you open the hood, remote start will defeat or it won’t start.”

“Imagine if someone was working on your car, and then someone started it when the person working on it isn’t ready? So it’s just for that – a safety feature,” Charles added. “It’s a little different on the C8 because it’s your trunk, but it’s also your hood.”

What’s more, there are several other conditions wherein the remote start function will not work, such as:

  • the ignition is in any mode other than off
  • a remote key is in the vehicle
  • the hatch/trunk is not closed (Coupe models)
  • the convertible top is not fully open or closed
  • the tonneau cover is not closed (Convertible models)
  • the hazard warning flashers are on
  • there is an emission control system malfunction
  • the engine coolant temperature is too high
  • the oil pressure is low
  • the 30 minutes of engine run time have been used
  • the vehicle is not in P (Park)

As a reminder, the C8 Corvette Stingray features the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LT2 gasoline engine, with peak output rated at 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque when equipped with the factory performance exhaust system. Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while under the body panels, the C8 Corvette rides on the mid-engine Y2 platform. Production of the eighth-generation Corvette takes place exclusively at the GM Bowling Green plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Ok? What’s your point? The engine will stop on any car if you remote start and open the engine bay. Whether that is a mid engine or front engine. There is absolutely nothing unusual about this…

    Reply
    1. OK, you assumed every person on earth knows this, if not, than…….

      Reply
  2. I appreciate this info! I do not have my C8 yet, but the order has been submitted to Chevrolet.
    I have printed the Bullet Points and I am sure that this information will eventually save me from some grief/troubleshooting.
    Thanks!
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    1. Mike, just download the owners manual. It’s online, and you can learn about the car and all it’s features instead of reading an article from somebody that does not own a C8 . We have enjoyed our C8 since 8-20. It’s a very good car

      Reply
  3. For the soon to be owners. When you need to check the C8 oil with engine running, get in the car, start it by pressing brake, and pushing start, like you would to drive it, then pop the hood. I typically pop it from the button in drivers door. Then you can pull the dipstick with engine running to check the oil. This method will keep engine running with hood open.

    Reply
    1. Check the oil when the car is running? Is the engine on the corvette a car from the future?

      Reply
      1. Dry sump oil system like what’s in a majority of the race cars, similar to checking automatic transmissions oil level.
        And the engine really should be at a normal operating temp 170-180.

        Reply
      2. Dry sump!!!’ Read the manual!!

        Reply
      3. Yes you do have to have the C8 running to check the oil!

        Reply
      4. This is absolutely correct – WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. The dipstick is in the reservoir. Too bad my dealer’s service department didn’t know that though since I got my C8 back from service a quart over full. They either just dumped the spec amount of oil in and didn’t bother checking it – or – topped it off without running the engine. Not sure this would have made a big difference on a dry sump engine, but I pumped out the extra quart as a precaution.

        Reply
    2. Can you please tell us when the Z06 /C8 are going to show up to the Dealers there are so many conflicting stories and no one is saying anything.
      We all seen the 8 new Z06’s delivered to the training site so they are being made.
      I think it would be a nice jester if GM could give us a close time frame.

      Reply
      1. Unless a dealer had a cancelled order after the production started, it’s going to be a long time before any C8’s show up at dealers. If a dealer happen$ to have one, they’ll mark the price up as “market value”.

        Reply
  4. As pointed out here, all remote start cars work this way, but it can suprise a Corvette owner as we are opening the hood to show off the engine, or to get to the rear trunk, maybe to stow the roof panel. You get used to it.
    Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  5. My 2021 Corvette is the first remote start car I have ever owned. So you learn as you go. I have had the remote start button accidentally start the car one time while the remote was in my pocket and I bent down and it got squeezed. This concerned me, it could have been in the garage with door closed. Or I might have been under it changing the oil. So now I keep the remote out of my pocket when I am not driving it or if I am working on it.
    I have to imagine this feature can be turned off in the car settings.
    Another fun feature is starting the car from the MyChevy app loaded on my phone.
    Pretty cool to open your phone to communicate with your car.

    Reply
    1. Pretty much all vehicles with remote start, pop the hood the engine dies open the rear hatch the engine dies UNLESS you’ve disarmed the alarm system, it’s pretty much a no brained safety feature built in to protect you and your car from thieves.
      I’ve owned several remote start vehicles.
      And no there’s nothing you can change with the software, the only change you can make is do not remote start.

      Reply
    2. This feature can be turned off under vehicle/Remote Lock, Unlock, and Start. See pg 100 in the 2021 Owner’s Manual. Note that the list of qualifying states for the remote start listed in the article are reprinted off of page 12 in the manual.

      Reply
    3. Any remote start key fob, the lock or unlock button must be pressed before the start button and the start button usually needs to be held several seconds before the lights flash. After the lights flash then can you lift your finger off the start button. For the remote start to operate in your pocket has to be extremely rare and the process reduces the chances a baby or a kid to accidentally start the vehicle.

      Reply
  6. My favorite use of the remote start is in parking lots when people stop to either take pictures of the car, or to just stare at it. The surprised look when it roars to life on its own it pretty good!
    Merry Christmas, Peace on Earth.
    Have a great 2022.

    Reply
  7. How is this even an article? Having the hood open puts a vehicle in service mode so that an unintentional engine start doesn’t occur in the event a technician is working on it. For those who found this article useful, I’m here to tell you that normal operation keeps the remote start from functioning if the vehicle is too low on fuel or if the MIL is on, since you probably don’t know that either.

    Reply
    1. Andrew, since when I have the right to tell you what to do or what not to do? If not, what give you the right to tell the author what to and not to write.

      Reply
  8. LOL!

    Reply
  9. Still learning about my just arrived 2022!
    I’ll get there!
    Merry Christmas!!

    Reply
  10. I was at a convenience store, and had the top of my HTC open. Some guy who couldn’t help himself, leaned over the drivers door to take a closer look. I am watching him the entire time. I pressed the remote start, and my C8 roared to life, and scared the poor man so bad that he jumped back and bumped into the car next to me. We both shared a laugh when I came outside.

    Reply
    1. Virgil, did you at least buy the man a coffee?

      Reply
      1. Also a weak car battery! and the low fuel indicator on will also prevent remote start.

        Reply
    2. Cool move !

      Reply
  11. Since this was previously reported what is the news here?

    Reply
  12. Whoever wrote this article need to be more educated about technology I have been installing remote start since the 90s and since then it was always a feature to disable the remote start by opening the hood, so the new C8 the trunk will be the hood which make perfect sense.

    Reply
  13. Ps the camaro doesnt let you open the trunk in the same way unless the parking brake is on. mines manual so i cant talk about remote start because it doesnt have it but im assuming its to prevent it from rolling over me while I stand behind a running vehicle.

    I dont use the parking brake in my shop because i block the tires and leave it in neutral when its stored indoors.

    Reply

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