Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Seats and Restraint Systems
or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down as the
vehicle does.
You get more time to stop.
You stop over more distance, and your
strongest bones take the forces. That’s
why safety belts make such good sense.
. . .I%
Here Are Questions
Many People Ask about
Safety Belts
- and the
Answers
Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle
after an accident if I’m wearing
a
safety belt?
A: You could be - whether you’re
wearing a safety belt or not. But you
can easily unbuckle a safety belt, even
if you’re upside down. And your
chance of being conscious during and
after an accident,
so you can unbuckle
and get out,
is much greater if you are
belted.
Q: Why don’t they just put in air bags
so people won’t have to wear safety
belts?
A: Air bags, or Supplemental Inflatable
Restraint systems, are in some
vehicles today and will be
in more of
them in
the future. But they are
supplemental systems only
- so they
work safety belts, not instead of
them. Every air bag system ever
offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even
if you’re in a
vehicle that has
air bags, you still
have to buckle up
to get the most
protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in
side and other collisions.
Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never
drive far from home, why should I
wear safety belts?
A: You may be an excellent driver, but
if you’re
in an accident - even one
that isn’t your fault
- you and your .
passenger can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn’t protect you from things
beyond your control, such as bad
drivers.
Most accidents occur within
25 miles
(40 km) of home. And the greatest
number of serious injuries and deaths
occur at speeds of less than
40 mph
(65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Seats and Restraint Systems
that the air bag inflated. Some
components of the air bag module
in the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag
or the instrument panel for the
passenger’s bag may be hot for a short
time, but the portion of the bag that comes
into contact with you will not be hot to
the touch. There will be small amounts of
smoke and dust coming from vents in the
deflated air bags. The air bag will
not
impede the driver’s vision or ability to
steer the vehicle, nor will it hinder
‘the
occupants from exiting the vehicle.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate
an air bag, windshields are broken by
vehicle deformation. Additional
windshield breakage may occur in
vehicles with passenger air bags because
the windshield acts as a reaction surface
for the inflating air bag.
The air bags are designed to inflate
only once. After they inflate, you’ll
need some new parts for your air bag
system. If you don’t get them,
the air
bag system won’t be there to help
protect you in another crash. A new
system will include air bag modules
and possibly other parts. The service
... 26
manual has information about the
need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
diagnostic module, which records
information about the air bag system
if the air bag deploys in a crash. The
module records information about the
readiness of the system, which sensors
activated the deployment, and whether
the driver’s safety belt was in use.
Let only qualified technicians work on
your air bag system. Improper service
can mean that your air bag system
won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the
driver’s or the right-front passenger’s
air bag, they may not work properly.
You may have to replace the air bag
on the steering
wheel or both the air
bag and the instrument panel for the
passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag covers.
Is the smoke from an air bag inflation
harmful?
The particles emitted during air bag
inflation are not harmful to most people.
Some people with respiratory ailments may experience difficulty breathing
if
they stay in the vehicle with the windows
closed after air bag inflation.
So, if your
air bag inflates, you and any passengers
should exit the vehicle
if and when it is
safe to do
so. If you or your passengers
can’t get out of the vehicle, try to get
fresh air by opening a window, turning on
the fan, or opening a door.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Corvette
Air bags affect how your Corvette should
be serviced. There are parts of the air bag
system in several places around your
vehicle. You don’t want
the system to
inflate while someone is working on your
vehicle. Your Chevrolet dealer and the 1994 Corvette Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle
and
the air bag system. The air bag
system does not need regular
maintenance.
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If you put things in the hatchback
area, be sure they won’t break the
glass when
you close it.
Never slam the hatch down. You
could break the glass or damage the
defogger grid.
When you close the hatch, make sure
you pull down from the center, not
the sides. If you pull the hatch down
1 from the side too often, the weather-
1 strip can be damaged.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in
;ome cities. Although your Corvette has a
lumber of theft-deterrent features, we
mow that nothing we put on
it can make
It impossible to steal. However, there are
ways you can help.
Key in the Ignition
[f you walk away from your vehicle with
the keys inside, it’s an easy target for joy
riders or professional thieves
- so don’t
do it.
When you park your Corvette and open
the driver’s door, you’ll hear a tone
reminding you to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. Always
do this. Your steering wheel will be
locked, and
so will your ignition. If you
have an automatic transmission, taking
your key out also locks your transmission.
And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows
and lock your vehicle. Remember to keep
your valuables out of sight. Put them in a
storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it’s best to lock it
up and take your keys. But what if you
have to leave your ignition key? What
if
you have to leave something valuable in
your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area,
0 Lock the storage area.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key with you.
like the rear area or center console.
43 ...
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Features and Controls
Driving through Deep Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can
come in through your engine’s air
intake and badly damage your
engine. If you can’t avoid deep
puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Rough Idling
If you notice rough idling or surging,
especially after long periods of idling or
during slow city driving, the oxygen
sensors may be clogged. If this happens,
follow these steps to clear the oxygen
sensors:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Shift an automatic transmission to “P”
(Park) or a manual transmission to
“N’ (Neutral).
tachometer reads
2,000 rpm and hold
for two minutes.
3. Press the accelerator until your
... 50
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine
Block Heater)
(LTI ENGINE, CANADA)
In very cold weather, 0 “F (- 18 “C) or
colder, the engine coolant heater can help.
You’ll get easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be
plugged in a minimum of four hours prior
to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded
1 10-volt outlet.
I NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater,
be sure to store the cord as it was
before to keep it away from moving
engine parts. If you don’t, it could be
damaged.
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Features and Controls
RIDE CONTROL
SPORT
To@F
fl
-
PS c
Selective Ride Control
(OPTION)
This knob is on the center console. Turn i
to select the ride control of your choice:
TOUR: Use for city and highway driving
Provides a smooth, soft ride.
SPORT: Use where road conditions or
personal preference demand more control
Provides more “feel,” or response to the
road conditions.
PERF: Use for performance driving.
Provides tight, firm ride and precise
response to road conditions. ‘TOUR” and “SPORT” will
provide a
imilar ride at low speeds around town,
md both settings will increase control
tnd firmness at higher speeds. “SPORT,”
lowever, will adjust more at ‘higher
;peeds than “TOUR” will.
,‘PERF” will provide much more
Zontrol and a firmer ride at all speeds.
You can select a setting at any time.
Based on your speed,
the system
wtomatically adjusts to provide the best
aide and handling. Select a new setting
whenever driving conditions change.
The “SERVICE
RIDE CONTROL” light
monitors the system. Refer to “Service
Ride Control Light” in the Index.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your rear axle can give you additional
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel.
It works like a standard axle most
of the
time, but when one of the rear wheels
has no traction and the other does,
the
limited-slip feature will allow the wheel
with traction to move the vehicle.
Parking
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake: Hold the brak
pedal down. Pull the parking brake lever
up, then move it back down. This sets
your parking brake, even though the leve
is down. If the ignition is on, the parking
brake indicator light will come on.
... 56
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Features and Controls
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your
speed. When you take your foot off the
pedal, your vehicle will slow down to the
Cruise Control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your Cruise Control will work
on hills depends upon your speed, load,
and the steepness of the hills. When going
up steep hills, you may have to step on
the accelerator pedal to maintain your
speed. When going downhill, you may
have to brake or shift to a lower gear to
keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of
Cruise Control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don’t use Cruise
Control on steep hills.
... 66
:o Get Out of Cruise Control
’here are several ways to turn off the
bise Control:
. Step lightly on the brake pedal or push
the clutch pedal, if you have a manual
transmission;
OR
!. Move the Cruise switch to “OFF.”
ro Erase Speed Memory
Nhen you turn off the Cruise Control or
he ignition, your Cruise Control set speed
nemory is erased.
Operation of Lights
4lthough your vehicle’s lighting system
:headlights, parking lights, fog lamps,
sidemarker lights and taillights) meets all
applicable federal lighting requirements,
2ertain states and provinces may apply
their own lighting regulations that may
require special attention before you
operate these lights.
For example, some jurisdictions may
require that you operate your fog lamps
only when your lower beam headlights
are also on, or that headlights be turned
on whenever you must use your
windshield wipers. In addition, most
jurisdictions prohibit driving solely with
parking lights, especially at dawn or dusk.
It is recommended that you check with
your own state or provincial highway
authority for applicable lighting
regulations.
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Repeat: Press “REPT” to go to the
beginning of the current track after eight
seconds or more
of play. After eight
seconds or less of play, the player will
return to the beginning of the previous
track.
Search: Press “SRCH’ to go to the
beginning of the next track.
Scan: Press “SCAN” to listen to the first
eight seconds of each track. Press it again
to stop scanning.
Compression: Press “COMP” to make
loud and soft passages more nearly equal
in volume. Press
it again for normal play.
To Stop the Disc Player
0
0
0
Turn the power off or turn the ignition
key
off. The disc stays in the player
and will resume playing at the point
where it stopped.
Press “STOP-PLAY” to stop playing
the disc and switch to radio. Press it
again to restart the disc at the point
where it stopped.
Press “EJCT” to eject the disc and
switch to radio. If the ignition or audio
system is turned
off, the player will
pull the disc back in if you don’t
remove it from the opening within
30 seconds.
Understanding Radio Reception
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound.
But FM signals will reach only about
10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). And, tall
buildings or hills can interfere with
FM signals, causing the sound to come
and go.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater
than for
FM, especially at night. The
longer range, however, can cause stations
to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and
power lines. Try reducing the treble to
reduce this noise if you ever get it. Care of Your Cassette Tape
Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly
can cause reduced sound quality, ruined
cassettes, or a damaged mechanism.
Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct
sunlight, and extreme heat. If they aren’t,
they may not operate properly or cause
failure of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned
regularly each month or after every 15
hours of use. If
you notice a reduction in
sound quality, try a known good cassette
to see if the tape or the tape player
is
at fault. If this other cassette has no
improvement in sound quality, clean the
tape player.
117.. .
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
There’s something else about drinking
and driving that many people don’t know.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a
person’s system can make crash injuries
worse. That’s especially true for brain,
spinal cord and heart injuries. That means
that if anyone who has been drinking
-
driver or passenger - is in a crash, the
chance
of being killed or permanently
disabled is higher than if that person had
not been drinking. And we’ve already
seen that the chance of a crash itself is
higher for drinking drivers.
. . .124
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your
vehicle
go where you want it to go. They
are the brakes, the steering and the
accelerator. All three systems have to do
their work at the places where the tires
meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you’re driving on
snow or
ice, it’s easy to ask more of those
control systems than the tires and road
can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time
and reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the
brake pedal. That’s perception time. Then
you have to bring up your foot and do it.
That’s reaction time.
Average reaction time is about
314 of a
second. But that’s only
an average. It
might be less with one driver and as long
as two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all
play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in
314 of a second,
a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h)
travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot
of distance in an emergency, so keeping
enough space between your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances
vary greatly with the surface of the road
(whether it’s pavement or gravel); the
condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; and the condition of your brakes.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some
people drive in spurts
- heavy
acceleration followed by heavy braking
- rather than keeping pace with traffic.