1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM
Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this mixture, you don’t need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain
water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and
you or
others could be burned. Use
a 50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored.
silicate-free) antifreeze.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the
mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Coolant
LOW
COOLANT
When your engine is cold, check the dipstick on the cap
of the coolant recovery tank. The coolant level should
be at COLD, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level on the dipstick should be up to HOT,
or a little higher. If this
light comes on, it
means you’re
low on engine
coolant.
Your Corvette also has a high fill reservoir located at
the right rear
of the engine compartment.
If the recovery tank is very low or empty, also add
coolant to the high fill reservoir.
To add coolant at
the high fill reservoir, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Coolant to the Recovery Tank
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
coolant recovery tank, but only when your engine is
cool. If the tank is
very low or empty, also add coolant
to the coolant high fill reservoir. See “Engine
Overheating” in the Index for information.
.JTION:
r
Turning the coolant high fill reservoir pressure cap
when the engine and radiator are hot
can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out and burn
you badly. Never
turn the pressure cap -- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
I
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine
parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol.
and
it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
For complete drain, flush and refill of the engine,
contact your Chevrolet dealer or the procedure may be
found in a Chevrolet Corvette Service Manual.
To
purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Coolant High Fill Reservoir Cap
NOTICE:
Your coolant high fill reservoir cap is a 15 psi
(105 kPa) pressure-type cap and must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss
and possible
engine damage from overheating. Be sure the
arrows on the cap line up with the overflow tube.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a pre-set temperature.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again
and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should
be at the FULL COLD mark. If necessary,
add
only enough fluid to bring the level up to the mark.
When the engine
compartment is hot
the kvel should be
at the
HOT mark.
[rfl
When the engine
compartment is
cool, the level
should be at
the
FULL COLD mark.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index. Always use the proper fluid.
Failure to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid,.be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ai g Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the tank is full.
L
NOTICE:
0 When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean
as well as washer fluid.
three-quarters full when it’s
very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could damage
the tank if it is completely full.
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
0 Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There
are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake
lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid
is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at
all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid,
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings.
You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work
is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
--
A CAUTION: 3
-
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is hot
enough.
You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work
is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid level
should be above the MIN mark on the reservoir. If it
isn’t, have your brake system checked to see if there
is a
leak.
After work is done
on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
What to Add
When you
do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container
only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing it.
1
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work
at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:
0 Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in the
Index.
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