1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PASS-Key@
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
It
works when you insert or
remove the key from the
ignition.
PASS-Key uses
a resistor pellet in the ignition key that
matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter
won’t work and fuel won’t go to the engine.
If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key
during this time, the shutdown period will start over
again. This discourages someone from randomly trying
different keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt
to make a match. The
ignition key must be clean and
dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start. If
the SECURITY light comes on, the key
may be dirty
or wet.
If
this happens and the starter won’t work, turn the
ignition
off. Clean and dry the key, wait three minutes
and
try again. If the starter still won’t work, wait three
minutes and try the other ignition key. At this time, you
may also want to check the fuses (see “Fuses and Circuit
Breakers” in the Index). If the starter won’t work with
the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your vehicle
does start, the first ignition key may be faulty. See your
Chevrolet dealer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS-Key.
However, if you accidentally use a key that has a
damaged or missing resistor pellet, you will see no
SECURITY light. You don’t have to wait three minutes
before trying the proper key.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the starter
won’t work. Use the other ignition key, and see your
Chevrolet dealer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS-Key to have a new key made.
If the SECURITY light comes on while driving, have
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
If you lose or damage
a PASS-Key ignition key, see
your Chevrolet dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key. In an emergency, call the Chevrolet
Roadside Assistance Program at 1 -800-CHEV-USA
(1-800-243-8872).
New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern Corvette doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0 Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the
first 500 miles (804 km).
0 Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this “breaking-in” guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ignition Positions
C
I
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions.
ACC (A): Position in which you can operate your
electrical power accessories. Press in the ignition switch
as you turn the top of it toward you.
OCK (B): The only position in which you can remove
the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission. If you
have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can't be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is
in the PARK (P) position.
OFF (C): Unlocks the steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed.
RUN (D): Position to which the switch returns after you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the RUN position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical power accessories and to
display some instrument panel warning and indicator
lights.
START (E): Starts the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch will return to RUN
for normal driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC and RUN
allow you to operate your electrical accessories, such
as the radio.
A warning tone will sound
if you open the driver's door
when the ignition is in
OFF, LOCK or ACC and the key
is in the ignition.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Key Release Button
If you have a manual
transmission, your ignition
lock has a key release
button. You must press the
button before you can
take your key out
of the
ignition lock.
CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key
to LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a colIision.
If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to
OFF. Don’t press the key release button while
the vehicle
is moving.
I NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn
it, be sure it is all the way in. If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
Delayed Accessory Bus (DAB)
With DAB, your power windows and the audio system
will continue to work up to
15 minutes after the ignition
key is turned to
OFF and neither door is opened. If a
door is opened, the audio system and power windows
will shut
off.
Y
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Corvette is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL. (N). Hold the
clutch pedal to
the floor and start the engine. Your
vehicle won’t start if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down
-- that’s a safety feature.
Starting Your Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let
go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to
help avoid draining your battery.
When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0°F or -18”C), do this:
1. With your foot
off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there. When the
engine starts, let
go of the key. Use the accelerator
pedal to maintain engine speed, if you have to, until
your engine has run for a while.
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
2. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
I NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the
way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your Warranty Book before using your Corvette for
racing or other competitive driving.
NOTICE:
If you use your Corvette for racing or other
competitive driving, your engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels
can damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil
level often during racing or other competitive
driving and keep the level at or near the upper
mark on the engine oil dipstick.
You may need to
add oil. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
In very cold weather, 0°F (- 18 O 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 110-volt AC outlet.
A CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least
15 amps.
4. 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.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of
oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Chevrolet dealer in the area where you’ll be
parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic Transmission Operation
a
R
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You
or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range before
starting the engine. Your Corvette has
a
brake-transmission shift interlock. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in the RUN position.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as you
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