1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE maintenance

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine n
The 1996 Corvette Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................... 1-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the air bag system.
Features and Controls .................................................................. 2-1
This section explains how to start and operate your Corvette.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..................................................... 3-1
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 5-1
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated
engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care.. .......................................................... 6-1
Maintenanceschedule .................................................................. 7-1
Customer Assistance Information ........................................................ 8-1
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Corvette running properly and looking good.
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
This section tells you how to contact Chevrolet for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page
8-9.
Index ........................................................................\
......... 9-1
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
i

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module,
which records information about the air bag system.
The module records information about the readiness
of the system, when the sensors are activated and
driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air
bag system. Improper service can mean that your
air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s or the
passenger’s air bag, they may not work properly.
You may have to replace the air bag module in
the steering wheel or both the air bag module and
the instrument panel for the passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or break the air bag covers.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Corvette
Air bags affect how your Corvette should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle.
You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Corvette dealer and‘the Corvette Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
For up to two minutes after the ignition key is
turned
off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service.
You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid yellow wires, wires wrapped
with yellow tape or yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the air bag system. Be sure to
follow proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is qualified
to do
so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
1-22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear,
so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Tom or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is
tom or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
1-31

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TYPICAL RANGE
1 I
WA
( 1-1 'hm)
fl (1 'I2 5'-7' - 2m)
Transmitter Range
The transmitter range depends on your vehicle and where you are standing. The coupe
(A) has an antenna
in the driver's door and one in the rear area. The
convertible
(B) has one antenna in each door. The
antennas do not require any maintenance.
Range also depends on how you hold the transmitter.
For best performance, when you come near your vehicle, hold the transmitter straight up and down,
so the
keys hang down.
If the range seems to be decreasing, check the battery in
the transmitter. Range will decrease if the battery is low.
It will also decrease
if more than one transmitter is in
the area. Don't put the transmitter
in a metal container
because the transmitter won't work.
2-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The light may come on if any LTPWS parts aren’t
working properly.
For LTPWS to work properly, you must drive your
Corvette faster than
25 mph (40 km/h) and for more
than
2 miles (4 km). The system will not warn you
before you begin to drive that a tire
is flat.
When the LOWELAT TIRE light comes on, check the
tire pressure in all four road tires as soon
as you can.
Adjust the tire pressure as needed to those shown on the
Tire-Loading Information label on the driver’s door. If
the light stays on after the tire pressure is adjusted, see
your dealer.
I
When the LOWELAT TIRE warning light is on,
your vehicle’s handling capabilities will be
reduced during severe maneuvers.
If you drive
too fast, you could lose control of your vehicle.
You or others could be injured. Don”t drive over
55 mph (90 km/h) when the LOWWLAT TIRE
warning light is on. Drive cautiously, and check
your tire pressures as soon
as you can.
NOTICE:
Driving with a flat tire may damage the tire, the
wheel or the tire pressure sensor installed inside
the tire
on the wheel rim. Using tire sealants may
also damage the sensor.
If you have EMTs, see “Extended Mobility Tires”
in the Index.
The LTPWS sensor is directly opposite the valve stem
on the tire. Take care when servicing or having your
tires serviced. The sensors may not work properly
if
damaged. To prevent damage to the sensors, see the
1996 Corvette Service Manual for correct tire mounting
and dismounting procedures.
The LOW/FLAT TIRE light may come on if your
vehicle
is close to another vehicle that has LTPWS and
has a tire with low pressure.
LTPWS can warn you about a low tire, but it does
not replace normal tire maintenance. See “Tires” in
the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driver Information Center
SERVICE ASR ASR OFF
ASR LOW ACTIVE COOLANT
PASSIVE
KEYLESS
ENTRY
AIR BAG
SERVICE LOWFLAT LTPWS TIRE
ABS SERVICE CONTROL
ACTIVE
RIDE
SERVICE
SERVICE
0 SOON (63)
LOW OIL
The Driver
Information Center (DIC) gives you
important safety and maintenance facts. It will display
warning lights for the following:
SERVICE ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation)
ASROW
SERVICE LTPWS (Low Tire Pressure Warning
LOWELAT TIRE
ASR ACTIVE
LOW COOLANT
AIRBAG
ABS ACTIVE (Anti-Lock Brake System Active)
SERVICE RIDE CONTROL (Option)
PASSIVE KEYLESS ENTRY
(Charging System)
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
SERVICE ABS
LOWOIL
See “Lights” in the Index for additional information.
System) (Option)
2-98

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll
want
to get the proper Corvette Service Manual. It tells
you much more about how to service your Corvett,e than
this manual can.
To order the proper service manual, see
“Service and Owner Publications’’ in the Index.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see “Servicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Corvette” in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any’iervice work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the Index.
6-2
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged
if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, and the proper replacement
parts and tools before you attempt any
vehicle maintenance
task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused.
If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall
off. You could be hurt.

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