1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE check transmission fluid

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Security Light Check Gauges Light
SECURITY
This light comes on to
remind you to
arm your
theft-deterrent system. If it
comes on and stays on when
your ignition is on, there
may be a problem with your
theft-deterrent system.
CHECK
GAUGES
This light will come on
briefly when you are
starting the engine.
If the
light comes on and stays on
while you are driving, check
your gauges to see if they
are in the warning areas.
See “Universal Theft-Deterrent” and “PASS-Key
System” in the Index.
System Problems Light
If SYS flashes on the display near your fuel gauge, there
may be a problem with your Corvette’s electrical
system. If the
SECURITY light flashes at the same time,
there is
a problem with your theft-deterrent system.
Have your vehicle checked by your dealer
if SYS keeps
appearing. This
light can come on for:
0 High Engine Oil Temperature or Low oil Pressure
High Coolant Temperature
High or Low Battery Voltage
0 Low Fuel Level
0 High Automatic Transmission Fluid Temperature
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic Transmission Fluid Temperature Reading
Automatic transmission
fluid temperature will
be displayed if you press
the GAUGES button on
the trip monitor until
AUTO appears.
The number that appears next to the fuel gauge is the
automatic transmission fluid temperature. If
LO appears,
the temperature is below 32°F (0°C). It’s
normal for the transmission fluid temperature to
vary, depending on the type
of driving you do and
weather conditions. If you drive on long grades on a hot
day, the transmission fluid temperature will be higher
than normal driving on a cold day. If you
drive your
Corvette at high speeds with a lot of stop-and-go or fast
accelerations, your transmission fluid temperature may
also be higher.
If the transmission fluid exceeds
280” F (1 38 “C), the
CHECK GAUGES light will come on and HI AUTO
will be displayed next to the transmission fluid
temperature when you toggle through the GAUGES
button. You should move the shift lever to DRIVE
(D)
and continue driving at a slower, constant speed.
Monitor the transmission fluid temperature and allow it
to cool to 180°F (82°C) to 200°F (93°C). Then, you
should check the transmission fluid level for a low fill or
overfill condition and bring your Corvette in for service
as soon as possible if the oil is too low or overfilled.
(See “Automatic Transmission Fluid” in the Index.)
Also, check the engine coolant temperature. If it’s too
hot, see “Cooling System” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
0
0 Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
Know how to
go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift
to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
I
If you don’t shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn’t work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let your engine
assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope.
’ A CAUTION:
I
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition
off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get
so
hot that they wouldn’t work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a
hill.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle
in gear when you go downhill.
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down
to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine
and transmission, and you can climb the
hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.
something
in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident,
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
0 You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of
special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or
no-passing zones, a falling rocks area or windmg
roads. Be
alert to these and take appropriate action.
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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 Checking lkansmission Fluid Hot
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24
km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). You may have to drive longer to bring the fluid
to 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C) in colder outside
temperatures. See “Automatic Transmission Fluid
Temperature Reading” in the Index.
Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the engine
off and is used
only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five
minutes
if outside temperatures are 50°F (10°C) or
more. If it’s colder than 50°F (lO”C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold.check, you
must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
0 Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
running.
in
PARK (P).
0 With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift lever in, PARK
(P) .
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
6-19

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.
6-20

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.
6-21

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Capacities (Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions.
Air Conditioning ................. See the refrigerant information label under the hood.
Automatic Transmission
Drain and Refill
.............................................. 5 quarts (4.7 L)*
Overhaul
............................................. 10.8 quarts (10.2 L)*
LT1 ........... ................................... 14.5 quarts (13.7 L)
LT4
.................................................... 14.6quarts(13.8L)
Without Filter Change
....................................... 4.0 quarts (3.8 L)*
With Filter Change ......................................... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)*
FuelTank ................................ ............. 20.0 gallons (75.7 L)
Manual Transmission (Overhaul)
............................. 2.2 quarts (2.1 L)*
Rear Axle
Lubricant
.................................................. 1.5 quarts (1.42 L)
Limited Slip Additive
...................................... .4.0 ounces (1 18 ml)
Tire Pressures
.......... See Tire-Loading Information label on rear edge of driver’s door
Cooling System
Crankcase
* Recheck fluid level after filling. See Section 6 or the Index.
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