1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not
be able to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.
Cleaning Glass Surfaces
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films on
interior glass.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped
off later. If
abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of
the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the defogger grid.
Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade
or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with GM
Windshield Cleaner, Bon
Ami@ Powder (non-scratching
glass cleaning powder), GM
Part No. 1050011. The
windshield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse
it with water.
If you use a glass treatment or conditioner containing
ethyl alcohol or ethyl sulfate on your glass, be sure to
remove the acrylic roof panel, if
so equipped. These
products may damage the panel.
Grime
horn the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by wiping
vigorously with a cloth
soaked in full-strength windshield
washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth at least every six
months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent
application may be required. (See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.)
Cleaning a Removable Roof Panel
Special care is necessary when cleaning, removing
and/or storing the roof panel.
0 Flush with water to remove dust and dirt, then dry
the panel.
0 Clean the panel with GM Glass Cleaner. Leave the
cleaner on the panel for one minute, then wipe the
panel with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Don’t use abrasive cleaning materials.
If water drops are frequently allowed to dry on the roof
panel, impurities in the water will adhere to the top.
These impurities may destroy the finish. When the panel
gets wet, you should dry it off.
I NOTICE:
Do not use a glass treatment or conditioner
containing ethyl alcohol or ethyl sulfate on
the roof panel. These products may damage the panel.
Cleaning the Outside of Your Corvette
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep it
clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum based,
or
that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on
the surface, or they could stain.
Dry the finish with a
soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel
to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
6-55

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
L
NOTICE:
Conveyor systems on some automatic car washes
may damage a Corvette. They may not have
enough clearance for the undercarriage or for the
wide rear tires.
Check with the manager before using a car wash.
Cleaning Exterior LampsLenses
Use lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a liquid
hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soap to clean
exterior lamps and lenses. Follow instructions under
“Washing Your Vehicle.”
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Corvette
by hand may be necessary to remove residue from the
paint finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning
products from your dealer.
(See “Appearance Care and
Materials” in the Index.) Your
Corvette has a “basecoatklearcoat” paint finish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoatklearcoat
paint finish.
I NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoatklearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over
a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Corvette garaged or covered
whenever possible.
6-56

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface
of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or
abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could
damage the surface.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum-based products may damage the
paint finish.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect
on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor
pan and exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do
this for
you.
6-57

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fiberglass Springs
I NOTICE: I
Don’t use corrosive or acidic cleaning agents,
engine degreasers, aluminum cleaning agents or
other harsh solvents to clean fiberglass springs;
they’ll damage the springs.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect
in the paint job causes this,
Chevrolet will repair, at
no charge to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout
condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km)
of purchase, whichever occurs first.
6-58

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Appearance Care Materials Chart
1052918** 8 oz. (0.237 L) Armor All Protector
Protects vinyl, leather and rubber
1052925 16
oz. (0.473 L) Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner Cleans vinyl, cloth, tires and mats
1052929 16 oz. (0.473
L) Wheel Cleaner
Spray on wheel cleaner
1052930
8 oz. (0.237 L)
Capture Dry Spot Remover
Attracts and absorbs soils
12345002** 16
oz. (0.473 L) Armor All TM Cleaner Cleans vinyl, leather and rubber
12345725 12
oz. (0.354 L) Silicone Tire Shine Shines tires
12377964 16
oz. (0.473 L) Cleaning Wax
Protects finish and removes fine scratches
12377966 16
oz. (0.473 L) Finish
Enhancer
Spot cleans paint and gives high luster
See your General Motors Parts Department for these products. **Not recommended for
use on instrument panel vinyl.
See “Fluids and Lubricants’’ in the Index.
6-59

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- -
This is the legal identifier for your Corvette. It appears
on a plate in the front corner
of the instrument panel, on
the driver’s side. You can see it
if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the cover assembly for the rear
left-hand compartment storage pocket. It’s very helpful
if you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
0 your VIN,
the model designation,
0 paint information and
0 a list of all production options and special
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
equipment.
6-60

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Corvette
unless you check with your dealer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn’t be covered
by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment
can keep other components from working as
they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your Corvette,
see “Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Corvette” in the Index.
Accessory Power Plug
This plug can be used to connect electrical equipment
such as a cellular phone or CB radio. The accessory
power plug is located at the top left corner
of the
passenger’s side footwell. Be sure to follow the
installation instructions included with the equipment.
To use the accessory power plug:
1. Remove the toe-board panel by lifting up on the
latches at the top
of each corner of the panel.
2. Locate the black connector at the left top corner of
the compartment near the body control module
above the two white diagnostic connectors.
3. Disconnect the connector pigtail by pulling forward
on the plastic locking tab and pull the connection
apart from the wire harness.
The plug has three separate wires:
The orange wire connects to battery power.
The yellow wire connects to ignition power. Power is
The black wire connects to ground.
only
available in the ignition
ON position.
6-61