1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE overheating

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
185
TEMP
HH
“F
This gauge shows the
engine coolant temperature.
If the gauge pointer moves
into the shaded area, your
engine is too hot!
The number that appears next to the fuel gauge is the
-~ 1- -For numeric gauge
measurements, pies
the GAUGES button
on
I coolant temperature. If LO appears, the temperature is
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you below 32”~ (0°C).
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull
off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
2-82

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Coolant Warning Light
LOW
COOLANT
This light comes on when
the coolant in the system is
~ low. You may need to add
~ coolant. See “Engine
~ Overheating” in the Index.
I NOTICE:
Driving with the LOW COOLANT light on
could cause your Corvette to overheat. See
“Engine Overheating” in the Index. Your
Corvette could be damaged and it wouldn’t be
covered by your warranty.
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light (Option)
The Low Tire Pressure Warning System (LTPWS) has a
sensor on each road wheel that transmits to a receiver on
the instrument panel.
The system operates
on a radio frequency subject to
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules.
This device complies with Part
15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and
(2) This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
LOW/FLAT
TI RE
The LTPWS monitors air
pressure in each road tire
while you’re driving your
Corvette. The LOWELAT
TIRE light will come on
whenever tire pressure in
any road tire goes below
25 psi (170 kPa), and it will
stay on until
you turn off
the ignition.
2-83

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil Temperature Gauge
320
OIL TEMP OF
This gauge shows your
engine oil temperature. Oil
temperature may vary with
the type
of driving you do
and weather conditions.
If your gauge pointer moves close to or into the shaded
area and stays there, your oil temperature is too high.
Check the engine coolant temperature and engine oil
level.
If your engine is too hot, see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index. Your vehicle may need
service; see your dealer.
I,
For numeric gauge
measurements, press the GAUGES button on the trip
monitor until
OIL appears.
The number that appears next to the fuel gauge is the oil
temperature.
If LO appears, the temperature is below
32°F (OOC).
2-90

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gauge on
the instrument cluster and a
LOW COOLANT light on
the Driver Information Center.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire.
You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
I NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When it is cool, remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and look at the dipstick.
The coolant level should be at or above
COLD. If it
isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump
or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
.h CAUTION:
*
8’
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very
hot. Don’t touch them. If you
do, you can be bul‘ned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I NOTICE:
I
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
I
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fans are running.
If the engine
is overheating, both fans should be running. If they
aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
5-16

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.
6-25

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.
6-27

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.
6-28