1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
I CAJTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes (other
than those originally installed on your Corvette)
or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle
may not handle properly, and you could have a
crash. Using tires of different sizes (other than
those originally installed on your Corvette) may
also cause damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use
the correct size and type tires on all four wheels.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria
(TPC) standards.
If
you feel that winter tires are needed, see “Extended
Mobility Tires” in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Treadwear Temperature -- A, B, C
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences
in
road characteristics and climate.
Tkaction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on bralung (straight ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction. The
temperature grades are
A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
6-47

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing
are not
needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
Chevrolet dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your
Corvette.
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous. It
could affect the braking and handling
of your
vehicle, make your
tires lose air and make you lose
control. You could have
a collision in which you or
others could be injured. Always use the correct
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire
clearance to the body and chassis.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
I
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after
a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When you change
a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use
a cloth or paper towel to
do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire brush
later, if you need to, to get all the rust or dirt off.
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a serious accident.
~
A CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new
GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper torque specification.
6-49

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Used Replacement Wheels
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how
it’s been used or
how far
it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new
GM original equipment wheel.
Using the Wheel Lock Key
The wheel lock key sits in a small depression in
the trunk rail directly under the left-hand rear
compartment cover.
Your vehicle wheel lock key has a unique registration
number. The registration number is printed on a card
included
in your lock nut package. Also on this card is
lost key replacement information. This number is not
recorded by
GM or your dealer, so be sure not to lose
this card. You will need the information if you ever lose
your wheel lock key.
If you or someone else is going to remove the wheels on
your vehicle, make sure that the special wheel nut socket
and wheel lock key are being used.
NOTICE:
Your wheels could be damaged if the wheel
nut socket is not used
to remove your
vehicle’s wheels.
The wheel nut socket can be used with an air wrench or
a torque wrench. The wheel lock key can
be used with a
torque wrench, but not with an air or impact wrench.
NOTICE:
Your wheel lock key or lock nuts could be
damaged if an
air or impact wrench is used with
this key.
6-50

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Don’t use tire chains. They can damage your
vehicle because there’s not enough clearance.
Use another type of traction device only
if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions.
To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device
if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit, install
them on the rear tires.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them
on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
Corvette, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
6-51

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Don't use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Corvette
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Chevrolet dealer has two cleaners, a solvent-type
spot lifter and a foam-type powdered cleaner. They will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
Do not use
them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
1. Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
2. Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
3. Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a
clean area often. A soft brush may be used if stains
are stubborn.
4. Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
only. If you use them, don't saturate the stained area.
5. If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or it will set.
Fabric Protection
Your Corvette has carpet that has been treated with
Scotchgard" Fabric Protector, a
3M product. It protects
fabrics by repelling oil and water, which are the carriers
of most stains. Even with this protection, you still need
to clean your carpet often to keep it looking new.
Further information on cleaning is available by calling
1-800-433-3296 (in Minnesota, 1-800-642-6167).
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
0 Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain
if you don't get them off quickly. Use a clean .
cloth and a vinyyleather cleaner. See your dealer
for this product.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Cleaning Coated Moldings
These moldings are around the hatch opening in your
Corvette’s rear area.
0 When lightly soiled, wipe with a sponge or soft
When heavily soiled, use warm soapy water.
lint-free cloth dampened with
water.
You can remove scratches from a coated molding by
wiping briskly with the solvent-type cleaner described
earlier. If a ring forms, repeat the procedure over a larger
area, wiping toward the center of the ring. If the ring
still remains, wipe the whole molding.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let the
leather dry naturally.
Do not use heat to dry.
0 For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
dealer
for this product.
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
immediately. If dirt
is allowed to work into the
finish, it can harm the leather.
Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Cleaning Soft-Touch Paint Surfaces
Use only mild soap and water to clean the Soft-Touch
paint surfaces
in your Corvette.
Cleaning the Security Shade and
Convenience Net
Wash with warm water and mild detergent, rinse with
cold water and tumble dry on low.
Do not use chlorine
bleach.
6-53