1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Oil

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your Corvette
dealership Service Department.
regularly
reaches 90
OF (32 O C) or higher.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get
a false reading on the dipstick.
I NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
1. The automatic
transmission fluid dipstick is behind the
engine oil dipstick,
ne&- the windshield.
The dipstick handle is a round, red loop.
Pull
out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean
rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again. 3.
Check both sides
of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level should be in the area marked
“80°F” for a cold check and will move into the
“WARM” area as the temperature increases. When
the fluid
is at normal operating temperature (180°F
to 200”F, 82°C to 93”C), the level must be in the
crosshatched area marked
“ 190°F.’’ See “Automatic
Transmission Fluid Temperature Reading” in the
Index.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid
HOT.
(A COLD check is used only as a reference.) If
the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level up to the
HOT area for a hot
check. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint
(0.5 L). Don’t overfill. We recommend you use only
fluid labeled DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that
label is made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-I11 is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the fluid in your manual
transmission doesn’t require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be difficult, you may
choose to have
this done at your Corvette dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading
if you check your
transmission fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission
is
cool enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Use
To add lubricant when the level is low, use Axle
Lubricant (GM
Part No. 12345977) or SAE SOW-90
GL-5 gear lubricant.
To completely refill after draining,
add 4 ounces
(1 18 ml) of Limited-Slip Differential
Lubricant Additive (GM Part
No. 1052358). Then fill to
the bottom
of the filler plug hole with Axle Lubricant
(GM
Part No. 12345977) or SAE SOW-90 GL-5 gear
lubricant.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or
if you need to add coolant to
your high fill reservoir, see “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Corvette will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gauges work as they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting GM Specification 6277M.
If
silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
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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 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.
6-33

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or it will set.
Fabric Protection
Your Corvette has carpet that has been treated with
Scotchgard" Fabric Protector, a 3M product. It protects
fabrics by repelling oil and water, which are the carriers
of most stains. Even with this protection, you still need
to clean your carpet often to keep it looking new.
Further information on cleaning is available by calling
1-800-433-3296 (in Minnesota, 1-800-642-6167).
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
0 Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if
you don't get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth and
a GM Vinylkeather Cleaner or equivalent product.
Cleaning Coated Moldings
These moldings are around the hatch opening in your
Corvette's rear area.
0 When lightly soiled, wipe with a sponge or soft
lint-free cloth dampened with water.
0 When heavily soiled, use warm soapy water.
You can remove scratches from a coated molding by
wiping briskly with the solvent-type cleaner described
earlier. If a ring forms, repeat the procedure over a larger
area, wiping toward the center of the ring.
If the ring
still remains, wipe the whole molding.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap.
For stubborn stains, use a GM Vinylkeather Cleaner
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
or
equivalent product.
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
0 Soiled leather should be cleaned immediately. If dirt is
allowed to work into the finish, it can harm the leather.
6-55

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Cleaning Soft-Touch Paint Surfaces
Use only mild soap and water to clean the Soft-Touch
paint surfaces in your Corvette.
Cleaning Speaker Covers
Vacuum around a speaker cover gently, so that the
speaker won’t be damaged. Some spots and stains will
clean off better with just water and mild soap. If
something gets on one of them and you need to use a
solvent, follow these steps:
Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material
with a clean, dull knife or scraper. Use very little
cleaner, light pressure and clean cloths (preferably
cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the outside of
the stain, “feathering” toward
the center. Keep
changing to
a clean section of the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately dry the
area with a blow dryer to help prevent a cleaning ring.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
I
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash they might not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean
safety belts only with mild soap and lukewarm
water.
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part
No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped
off later.
If abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear
window, an
electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
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