1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE air condition

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Defogging and Defrosting
Your vehicle has several settings for clearing your
windows. The air conditioning compressor will run to
help remove moisture from the air.
Manual Cooling
The air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows
just long enough for the hot air to escape.
Press the arrows on the TEMP ,SET switch to set a
comfortable temperature. Press RECRCULATE. After
cool-down, adjust the airflow to another setting. The
compressor works in all settings except VENT and
HEATER, and at all temperatures above freezing.
Press the arrows on the fan’ speed switch if you don’t
like the automatic setting. In AUTO FAN on hot days,
the fan speed will be low at first to help get rid of the
hot inside air.
When the air conditioner
is on, you may notice slight
changes in your vehicle’s engine speed and power. This
is normal because the system is designed to cycle the
compressor on and off to keep the desired temperature
and help fuel economy. To
defrost the windshield quickly, press the arrows on
the TEMP SET switch to set a comfortable temperature.
Press DEFROST and the fan will go to high speed. After
the windows
are clear, you can lower the speed using the
downward arrow or AUTO FAN.
With the automatic system, to warm passengers while
keeping the windshield clear, press the arrows on the TEMP SET switch to set a comfortable temperature.
Press HEATER and DEFROST at the same time and, if
you don’t,like the automatic setting, press the arrows on
the fan speed switch.
To defrost
the side windows quickly, press the arrows on
the
TEMP SET switch to set a comfortable temperature.
Then press DEFROST and, if you don’t like the automatic
setting, press the mows on the fan speed switch.
3-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Press the button with the defog symbol on it to turn on
the defogger. (The button is at the lower right on the
manual system and at the upper right on the automatic
system.) An indicator light will come
on to remind you
that the defogger is on. The defogger will turn off
automatically after about
10 minutes of use. You can
also turn the defogger
off by pressing the switch again
or
by turning off the ignition.
Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle license
or a decal across the defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don’t use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Ventilation System
Adjust the direction of airflow by moving the
louvered vents.
Your Corvette’s flow-through ventilation system
supplies outside air into the vehicle when it is moving.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or
the air conditioning fan is running.
3-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If No Steam Is Corning From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
If .you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or
so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@)
or DRIVE (D) for automatic transmissions. If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just
to be
safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
. vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for two or three minutes while you’re parked, to see
if the warning stops. But then,
if you still have the
warning,
turn oJjcthe engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuel
If you have the 5.7L Code 5 engine, use premium
unleaded gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher.
If you have the 5.7L Code
P engine, use premium
unleaded gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher for best
performance. You may use middle grade
or regular
unleaded gasolines, but your vehicle may not accelerate
as well.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet
specifications ASTM D4814 in the United States and
CGSB 3.5-M93
in Canada. Improved gasoline
specifications have been developed by the American
Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) for
better vehicle performance and engine protection.
Gasolines meeting the AAMA specification could
provide improved driveability and emission control
system protection compared to other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane for premium is at least 91
(at least 89 for middle grade and
87 for regular). If the
octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage
your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at the recommended octane or
higher and you still hear heavy knocking, your engine
needs service. But don’t worry if you hear
a little
pinging noise when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal, and you don’t have to buy a higher
octane fuel to get rid of pinging, It’s the heavy, constant
knock that means you have a problem.
If your vehicle
is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood tune-up label),
it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If such fuels are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Corvette dealer for diagnosis to determine
the cause of failure. In the event it is determined that the
cause of the condition is the type of fuels used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
6-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Wear
Your Corvette has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come
and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving
(except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal
firmly).
I A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well.
That could lead to an accident. When you hear
-.he brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
I serviced*
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
As you make brake stops, your disc brakes
automatically adjust for wear.
6-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If a tire goes flat, you won’t need to stop on the side of
the road to change the tire.
You can just keep on driving.
The shorter the distance you drive and the slower the
speed, the greater the chance that the tire will not have
to be replaced. If you drive on a deflated EMT for
distances of
50 miles (80 km) or less and at speeds of
55 mph (90 km/h) or less, there is a good chance that the
tire can be repaired. The tire can operate effectively with
no air pressure for up to 200 miles (320 km) at speeds
up to
55 mph (90 km/h), but the tire would then have to
be replaced. Also remember: When a tire is filled with
air, it provides a cushion between the road and the
wheel. Because you do not have this cushion when
driving on a deflated tire, try to avoid potholes that
could damage your wheel and require replacement of it.
Some road hazards can damage a
tire beyond repair. This
damage could occur before you’ve driven on the tire in a
deflated condition. Whenever a tire has been damaged, or
if you’ve driven any distance on a deflated
EMT, check
with a Goodyear EMT Service Center to determine
whether the tire can be repaired or should be replaced. To
maintain your vehicle’s extended mobility feature,
all
replacement tires must be Extended Mobility Tires.
See the Goodyear Extended Mobility Tire Owner’s
Manual and Limited Warranty supplied with your
Corvette for additional information.
Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on
the rear edge of the driver’s door, shows the correct
inflation pressures for your tires when they’re cold.
“Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than
1 mile (1.6 km).
For competitive driving or high-speed driving (over
150 mph or 240 km/h), make sure your tires are inflated
to 35 psi
(240 kPa). When you end this type of driving,
reduce the cold inflation pressures (if necessary) to those
listed on the Tire-Loading Information label.
I NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation), you can get the following:
0 Too much flexing
Too much heat
0 Tire overloading
0 Bad wear
0 Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required
by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is
established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not
. overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately
or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if you notice unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
Corvette dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
,Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original
equipment parts.
This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your
Corvette model.
6-52

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and, dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these
are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan,
and exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody vehicle washing system
can do this for you.
Fiberglass Springs
NOTICE:
I I
Don’t use corrosive or acidic cleaning agents,
engine degreasers, aluminum cleaning agents or
other harsh solvents to clean fiberglass springs;
they’ll damage the springs.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched
into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Corvette
will repair, at no charge
to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20
000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.