1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE service indicator

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TOUR: Use for city and highway driving. Provides a
smooth, soft ride. Parking Brake
SPORE Use where road conditions or personal
preference demand more control. Provides more “feel,”
or response to the road conditions.
PERF’: Use for performance driving. Provides a tight,
firm ride and precise response to road conditions.
You can select a setting at any time. Based on road
conditions and your vehicle speed, the system
automatically adjusts to provide the best ride and
handling. Select a new setting whenever driving
conditions change.
The SERVICE RIDE CONTROL light monitors the
system. Refer to “Service Ride Control Light” in
the Index.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your rear axle can give you additional traction on snow,
mud, ice, sand
or gravel. It works like a standard axle
most
of the time, but when one of the rear wheels has no
traction and the other does, the limited-slip feature will
allow the wheel with traction to move the vehicle. To
set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up, then move it back down.
This sets your parking brake, even though the lever is
down. If the ignition is on, the parking brake indicator
light will come on.
2-28

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules,
the wiring
and the diagnostic module. For more
information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in
the Index.
AIR
BAG
You will see this light flash
for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition to RUN
or START. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you
start your vehicle, or stays on,
or comes on when you
are driving, your air bag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
Charging System Indicator Light
-+I
This light will come on
when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check to
show you it is working. It
should go out when the
engine starts.
If it stays on or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a loose or broken drive
belt or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this light is on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn
off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
2-76

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking Brake Indicator Light
PARK
When the ignition is on, this
light will come on when
you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if
your parking brake doesn’t
release fully.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
SERVICE
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay on
for several seconds.
That’s normal.
I
This light should also come on when you turn the
ignition key to START. If it doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed
so it will be ready to remind you if the parking
brake hasn’t released fully. If
the light stays on, turn the ignition
off. Or, if the light
comes on when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible
and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to
reset the system.
If the light still stays on, or comes on
again while you’re driving, your Corvette needs service.
If the regular brake system warning light isn’t on, you
still have brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
If
the regular brake system warning light is also on, you
don’t have anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem with
your regular brakes. See “Brake System Warning Light”
earlier in this part.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to
RUN.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
2-79

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light)
Your Corvette is equipped
with a.computer which
SERVICE
SOON
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. (In Canada, OBD I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The SERVICE ENGINE
SOON
light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated
by the system before any problem is apparent, which
may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls won’t
work as well, your fuel economy won’t be as good
and your engine may not run as smoothly. This
could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine
is not
running. If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
0
0 Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service is required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
2-86

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuel
If you have the 5.7L Code 5 engine, use premium
unleaded gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher.
If you have the 5.7L Code
P engine, use premium
unleaded gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher for best
performance. You may use middle grade
or regular
unleaded gasolines, but your vehicle may not accelerate
as well.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet
specifications ASTM D4814 in the United States and
CGSB 3.5-M93
in Canada. Improved gasoline
specifications have been developed by the American
Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) for
better vehicle performance and engine protection.
Gasolines meeting the AAMA specification could
provide improved driveability and emission control
system protection compared to other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane for premium is at least 91
(at least 89 for middle grade and
87 for regular). If the
octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage
your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at the recommended octane or
higher and you still hear heavy knocking, your engine
needs service. But don’t worry if you hear
a little
pinging noise when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal, and you don’t have to buy a higher
octane fuel to get rid of pinging, It’s the heavy, constant
knock that means you have a problem.
If your vehicle
is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood tune-up label),
it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If such fuels are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Corvette dealer for diagnosis to determine
the cause of failure. In the event it is determined that the
cause of the condition is the type of fuels used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
6-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane enhancing
additive called MMT.
If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate
and the malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may also turn on. If this happens, return to your
authorized Corvette dealer for service.
To pfovide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming
in your engine and fuel system, ailowing your
emission control system to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be
available in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that you use these gasolines
if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
I NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in
the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
LA

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

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Wear
Your Corvette has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come
and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving
(except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal
firmly).
I A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well.
That could lead to an accident. When you hear
-.he brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
I serviced*
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
As you make brake stops, your disc brakes
automatically adjust for wear.
6-34