---
title: "The C8 Corvette Has a Diesel Glow Plug Light on Its Dash Due to Parts Sharing"
description: "A GM spokesperson told us that \"we plan to remove the icon in the future.\""
date: "2021-08-11"
modified: "2021-08-11"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/41950/the-c8-corvette-has-a-diesel-glow-plug-light-on-its-dash-due-to-parts-sharing"
categories:
  - "Chevrolet News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Chevrolet"
  - "Corvette"
  - "Coupe"
  - "sports car"
---

# The C8 Corvette Has a Diesel Glow Plug Light on Its Dash Due to Parts Sharing

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/08/Chevy-Corvette-Glow-Plug-Hero.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The odds are pretty good that your car doesn't have glow plugs. Spark plugs, probably, but glow plugs are pretty much for diesels only—they're used to introduce heat to the combustion chamber in compression-ignition engines. So why does the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette, which definitely isn't powered by a [Duramax](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35071/this-shop-is-building-the-duramax-diesel-tahoes-yukons-and-suburbans-that-gm-wouldnt>), have a glow plug light on the dash?

This unusual detail received widespread attention in the wake of a [Reddit](<https://old.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/p210wb/easter_egg_in_2021_corvette_unused_diesel_glow/>) post, showing a photo of what's said to be a new C8's instrument panel. The symbol depicted is identical to that of a standard glow plug light and, as the poster notes, it's not explained in [the Corvette's owner's manual](<https://my.chevrolet.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2021/chevrolet/corvette/2021-chevrolet-corvette-owners-manual.pdf>) in the dash light section spanning pages 84 to 92. Innocently, the Reddit poster called the light an Easter egg on GM's part, though when we reached out to GM for an explanation, we learned that the reality isn't so whimsical.

![message-editor%2F1628710912164-corvetteinline.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1628710912164-corvetteinline.jpg>)
**u/refrigerator\_runner via Reddit**

After confirming this light does indeed exist on the C8's dashboard, a Chevrolet spokesperson explained that the symbol was only included because GM considered reusing the part on other vehicles. It's also unequivocally *not* an early accommodation for a future Duramax diesel option and accompanying [ZN1 tow package](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/36398/the-top-10-most-obscure-new-car-options-as-decided-by-you>).

"That symbol was included as part of our standardization process as we consider component sharing," explained Kevin M. Kelly, GM senior manager of product and brand communications. "It is not indicative of any plans to add the feature to Corvette and we plan to remove the icon in the future."

It's visible on plenty of other C8s, too, as [*Jalopnik*](<https://jalopnik.com/heres-why-the-2021-corvette-has-a-warning-light-for-die-1847466751>) pointed out. Scrolling through[ Corvette owner forums](<https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c8-tech-performance/4432107-display-stuck-in-touring-mode.html#&gid=1&pid=1>), we found another that shows the symbol directly below the check engine light. It's pretty easy to find when you know what you're looking for:

![message-editor%2F1628710289493-c8dashboard1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1628710289493-c8dashboard1.jpg>)
*Walter Sobchak via Corvette Forum*

![message-editor%2F1628710280608-c8dashboard2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1628710280608-c8dashboard2.jpg>)
*Walter Sobchak via Corvette Forum*

As silly as the prospect of a diesel Corvette is, with how its weight would compromise handling, it's still an engine [some people evidently want in their GM performance cars](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32218/someones-gonna-pay-too-much-for-this-duramax-diesel-swapped-chevy-camaro>). So while GM has made clear it'll never offer one from the factory, one will surely make its way into the C8's bay someday—I've gotta say, it wouldn't be [the weirdest mod so far](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/41081/homebuilt-fiberglass-corvette-project-proves-imagination-isnt-dead>).

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com*

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)