1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
To add lubricant when the level is low, use Axle
Lubricant (GM
Part No. 12345977) or SAE 8OW-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 8OW-90 GL-5
gear lubricant.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240
000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL6 extended life coolant.
8
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
6-22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 "F (129" C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature,
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL@ 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. Damage caused
by the use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL' coolant which
won't damage aluminum parts.
If you use this mixture,
you don't need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle's coolant warning
system
is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn't get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and
you or
others could be burned. Use
a 50/50 mix of clean
water and DEX-COOL@ coolant.
I
6-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is in the engine compartment
behind the headlamp on the passenger’s side.
6-24

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
- I-
~
lbrning the surge tank 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 surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
When your engine is cold,, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark. Don’t overfill the surge tank.
Too much coolant can result in an overflow when the
fluid is hot.
If the LOW COOLANT message comes on, it means
you’re low on engine coolant.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture
at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
A 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.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
6-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Surge Tank Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
The surge tank pressure cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
When you replace the surge tank pressure cap, a GM cap
is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a pre-set temperature.
When you replace the thermostat, a
GM thermostat is
recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there
is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
6-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again and
look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the
FULL COLD mark. If necessary,
add
only enough fluid to bring the level up to the mark.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level
should be at the
HOT mark.
When the engine compartment is cool, the level
should be at the
FULL COLD mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
,
protection against freezing.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer
fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
0 Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution
to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion
if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank
if it is
completely full.
windshield washer.
It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
0 Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
6
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might
go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to
an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your
brakes won't work well, or won't work at all.
So, it isn't a good idea to "top off' your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won't correct a
leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you'll have too much
fluid when
you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done
on the brake hydraulic system.
A CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is hot enough. You
or others could be burned,
and
your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See "Periodic Maintenance
Inspections" in the Index.