Page 235 of 386

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane enhancing
additive called MMT.
If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate
and the malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may also turn on. If this happens, return to your
authorized Corvette dealer for service.
To pfovide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming
in your engine and fuel system, ailowing your
emission control system to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be
available in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that you use these gasolines
if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
I NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in
the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
LA
Page 239 of 386
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine LT1 Engine Shown, LT4 Engine Similar You’ll
see the following when you open the hood with
the
LT1 engine:
A. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(if equipped)
B. Brake Fluid Reservoir
C. Battery
D. Electric Engine Fan
E. Air Cleaner
E Coolant Recovery Tank
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap
I. Engine Oil Dipstick
J. Coolant High Fill Reservoir
K. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6-8
Page 240 of 386
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto
a hot engine.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on.
Then release the hood strut by moving it to the centered
position and lowering the hood. Lower the hood until
the bottom
of the hood is the same height as the top
of the windshield, then release it.
6-9
Page 241 of 386
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil level every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick is
next to the coolant high fill
reservoir. The dipstick
handle is a round, yellow
loop.
Turn
off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or a
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down.
6-10
Page 242 of 386
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, you’ll need to
add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This part
explains what kind of oil to use.
For crankcase capacity,
see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is on
top
of the engine block.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
6-11
Page 243 of 386
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What Kind of Oil to Use
Look for two things:
GM4718M
The Corvette engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM47 18M. Oils meeting this Standard
may be identified as synthetic. However, not all
synthetic oils will meet this GM Standard. You
should look for and use only an oil that meets GM
Standard GM47
1 8M.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that don’t have the GM4718M
Standard designation, you can cause engine
damage not covered by your warranty.
.
RECOMMENDED SAE VlSCOSlTT GRADE ENGIWE OILS ~~~ ~
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COW STARTING, SELECT ME LOWEST
SAE VlSCOSlTT GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
I
“F
6100-
+ 80.
+60.
+40.
+20-
0-
7
“C
- +3a
- + 27
- + 16
- +4
--7
- - 18
-1 PREFERRED SAE I, sw-30 111 su
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
cow
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
6-12
Page 244 of 386

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE
1OW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F (-18°C) or above.
These numbers
on an oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should also
have the “Starburst”
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates that
the oil has been certified
by the American Petroleum
Institute (API).
Do not use
any oil which does not
carry this Starburst symbol.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that are identified as meeting GM
Standard GM4718M and have the Starburst symbol on
the front of the oil container. Your
Corvette engine is filled at the factory with a
Mobil 1
@ synthetic oil, which meets all requirements
for your vehicle.
Substitute Oil: When adding oil to maintain engine
oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM47 18M may
not be available. You can add substitute oil designated
SAE 5W-30 with the “Starburst” symbol at all
temperatures.
If temperatures are above 0” F (- 18 ” C),
you may substitute SAE 1OW-30 with the “Starburst”
symbol. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM47 18M should not be used for an oil change.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Corvette dealer is
ready to advise
if you think something should be added.
6-13
Page 245 of 386

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine . When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance schedule:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to break
down sooner.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle,
you need to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles
(5 OOO km) or 3 months -- whichever occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
Your Corvette has an Oil Life Monitor. This featwe will
let you know when to change your
oil and filter -- usually
between
3,000 miles (5 O00 krn) and 7,500 miles
(12
500 km) since your last oil change. Under severe
conditions, the indicator may come on before
3,000 miles
(5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle more than
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months (whichever
occurs first) without
an oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil.
So, if you
drive in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
light comes on. Remember to reset the monitor when the
oil has been changed. For more information, see
“Engine Oil Life Monitor”
in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may
be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your
skin for
very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or throw away clothing or
rags containing used engine
oil. (See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to
drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects used oil.
If you have
a problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center for help\
.
6-14