1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap. NOTICE:
Just look at the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid level
should be above the MIN mark on the reservoir.
If it
isn’t, have your brake system checked to see if there
is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme ll@ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
With the wrong kind of fluid in your b,,ke
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause
a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
0 Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
0 If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care”
in the Index.
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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).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead
to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle 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.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7 of this
manual under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.”
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put
in -- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that
are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve come to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new Corvette has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time for
a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom battery.
Get one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery’s label. For battery replacement, see your
dealer or the Corvette Service Manual. To purchase
a
service manual, see “Service and Owner Publications” in
the Index. After the battery has been replaced, refer to the “Remote Function Actuation System” in
the Index to
resynchronize your transmitter(s).
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, take
off the black, negative (-) cable from
the battery.
This will help keep your battery from
running down.
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt
if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips
on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulb, see
“Replacement
Bulbs” in the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured.
Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
HeadlampsLHighbeam
1. The headlamps need to be halfway open. Turn the
headlamp switch on, then quickly back to the
parking lamps setting. You may have to
do this a few
times to get the half-open position.
2. You can also open the headlamps manually by
turning the adjuster to the left.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3.
4.
5.
Remove the screws on each side of the headlamp
bezel.
Open the hood.
To remove the bezel, pull the sides slightly outward
and
tilt the bezel forward. Pull the clip centered
above the lens outward. Be careful not to scratch
the paint.
6. Reach behind the lamp and turn the bulb to the
left
to remove it. Don’t touch the halogen bulbs.
The inner bulb is the high beam and the outer bulb
is the low beam.
7. Disconnect the desired bulb from the wiring harness.
8. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Front Turn Signal Lamps
1. Remove the front fascia close out panel
attaching bolts.
2. Remove the front fascia close out panel.
3. Grasp the cooling duct and pull to release it from the
front fascia, then reposition it. This will give you
better access to the bulb.
4. Squeeze the tab on the socket and turn it to the left to
5. Remove the bulb from the socket.
6. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
remove the
socket with the bulb.
Front Sidemarker Lamps
Lamps” described previously.
1. Follow the first three steps in “Front Turn Signal
2. Turn the socket to the left one-quarter of a turn and
pull it out.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
4. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Rear Turn Signal and Taillamps
A. Back-up Lamp
B. Inboard Taillamp
C. Outboard Taillamp
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1. Remove the screws.
2. Pull the taillamp housing assembly out.
3. To remove the socket with the bulb, squeeze the tab
while
you turn the socket to the left.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. Remove the bulb from the socket.
5. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Back-up Lamps
YOU can access the back-up lamps through the inboard
taillamp opening. See “Rear Turn Signal and Taillamps”
in the Index.
1. Squeeze the tab on the socket while turning
it to the
2. Remove the bulb from the socket.
left
to remove it from the assembly.
3. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
For any bulb replacement procedures not listed here,
please see your dealership.
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
It’s a good idea to clean or replace the wiper blade
assembly every six months. For the proper windshield
wiper blade length and type, see “Replacement Parts” in
the Index.
NOTICE:
Use care when removing or installing a blade
assembly. Accidental bumping can cause the
arm
to fall back and strike the windshield.
To remove the wiper blade assembly:
I. Open the hood to gain access to the windshield wipers.
2. Lift the wiper arm until it locks into a vertical position.
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