1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
I
HOT
WEATHER
COLD
WEATHER
LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE
1OW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F (-18°C) or above.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should also
have the “Starburst” symbol
on the container.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute
(API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this Starburst symbol.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that are identified as meeting GM
Standard
47 18M and have the Starburst symbol on the
front
of the oil container.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Corvette engine is filled at the factory with a
Mobil
l@ synthetic oil, which meets all requirements for
your vehicle.
Substitute Oil: When adding oil to maintain engine oil
level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M may not be
available. You can add substitute oil designated SAE
5W-30 with the “Starburst” symbol at all temperatures.
If temperatures are above 0°F
(- 18 O C), you may
substitute SAE 1OW-30 with the “Starburst” symbol.
Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard GM4718M
should not be used for an oil change.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Chevrolet dealer is
ready to advise
if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
Your Corvette has an Engine Oil Life Monitor. This
feature will let you know when to change your oil and
filter
-- usually between 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and
10,000 miles (1 6 000 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 10,000 miles
(1 6 000 km) or 12 months
(whichever occurs first) without an oil change. Use
engine oil meeting the GM Standard GM4718M. 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 Engine Oil Life
Monitor when the oil has been changed. For more
information, see “Engine Oil Life Monitor” in the Index.
When Changing the Engine Oil
There is a special procedure for changing engine oil.
Contact your Chevrolet dealer for additional information
or the procedure can be found in a Corvette Service
Manual. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications”
in the Index.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life Monitor
Press RESET to acknowledge the CHANGE OIL SOON
warning. The oil page on the DIC will then show a
message such as OIL LIFE 0%. To reset the monitor,
press and hold RESET for two seconds.
You will then
receive a message such as OIL LIFE
99%.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 slun 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.
Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
6-16

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ‘
A CAUTION:
- -
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you
or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Air Filter Replacement
To remove the air filter:
1. Pull up on the clips on each side to release
the assembly.
6-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Pull the assembly out.
3. Replace the filter.
4. Push the assembly back into place.
5. Fasten the clips.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
How to Check
Because this operation is difficult, you may choose to
have this done at your Chevrolet dealer service
department. It is not necessary to check the transmission
fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only reason
for fluid loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your
Chevrolet dealer service department and have it repaired
as soon
as possible.
There is
a special procedure for checking and changing the
transmission fluid, Contact your Chevrolet dealer for
Corvette Service Manual.
To purchase a service manual,
see “Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.
- additional information or the procedure can be found in a
NOTICE:
We recommend that only fluid labeled
DEXR0N’-I11 be used, because fluid with that
label
is made specially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON@-I11 is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(80 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90” F (32” C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 High performance operation.
If you do not use your vehicle under one of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index for
the proper service intervals for the transmission fluid
and filter.
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 Chevrolet dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading.
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
exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
1 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.
6-19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the filler plug hole.
3. If the fluid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it
is fully seated. If the fluid level is low, add more
fluid
as described in the next steps.
How to Add Fluid
Here’s how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind
of fluid to use. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add only enough
fluid to bring the fluid level up to the bottom
of the
filler plug hole.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
4. Tighten the plug to 20 Ib-ft. (27 N-m).
Hydraulic Clutch
The clutch linkage in your vehicle is self-adjusting. The
clutch master cylinder reservoir is filled with hydraulic
clutch fluid.
It is not necessary to regularly check clutch fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system. Adding fluid
won’t correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
6-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often you should check the fluid level
in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir and for the proper fluid. See
“Owner Checks and Services” and “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
How To Check and Add Fluid
The clutch master cylinder is on the driver’s side of the
engine compartment, near the fender.
To check the fluid, remove the cap and rubber seal.
1
Fluid should be added if the fluid level is below the step
on the inside of the reservoir. There are additional
instructions on the reservoir cap.
Replace the rubber seal and cap.
6-21