
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The 1997 Chevrolet  Corvette  Owner’s  Manual 
1-1 
2-1 
3-1 
4- 1 
5- 1 
6-1 
7-1 
8-1 
9- 1 
Seats  and  Restraint  Systems 
This  section  tells  you  how  to  use  your  seats  and  safety  belts\
  properly. It also  explains  the  air  bag  system. 
Features  and  Controls 
This  section  explains  how  to  start  and  operate  your  Corvette. 
Comfort  Controls  and  Audio  Systems 
This  section  tells  you  how to adjust the ventilation  and  comfort  controls  and  how  to  operate  your  audio \
 system. 
Your  Driving and  the  Road 
Here  you’ll  find  helpful  information  and  tips  about  the  road\
  and  how  to  drive  under  different  conditions. 
Problems on the  Road 
This  section  tells  what  to do  if  you  have a problem  while  driving,  such as a flat  tire  or  overheated  engine, etc. 
Service  and  Appearance  Care 
Here  the  manual  tells  you  how  to  keep  your  Corvette  running  p\
roperly  and  looking  good. 
Maintenance  Schedule 
This  section  tells  you  when  to perform  vehicle  maintenance  and  what  fluids  and  lubricants  to  u\
se. 
Customer  Assistance  Information 
This  section  tells  you  how  to  contact  Chevrolet  for  assistance \
 and  how  to  get  service  and  owner  publications. 
It  also  gives  you information  on  “Reporting  Safety  Defects”  on  page 
8- 10. 
Index 
Here’s  an  alphabetical  listing  of almost  every  subject  in  this  manual. You can  use  it  to  quickly  find 
something  you want  to  read. 
i   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Interior Lamps 
Instrument  Panel  Brightness  Control 
This button  controls  the 
brightness  of your 
instrument  panel lights 
when your headlamps 
or  parking  lamps are  on. 
Push  and release  the button and  it will pop  out. Turn the 
button  clockwise  (to the right) to  brighten the lights or 
counter  clockwise  (to the left)  to dim  them.  The 
instrument panel brightness knob has  an added 
feature  called  Parade Mode to assist  you in seeing 
certain instrument panel controls  if your  headlamps 
are  on in the  daylight.  Just before turning  the courtesy 
lamps  on by turning the button all the  way to the right, 
the radio, 
DIC display  and heating and air conditioning 
controls will come  on at their  maximum  brightness.. 
This  will occur only  with  the parklamps  or 
headlamps  on. 
Courtesy  Lamps 
When any door  or the  hatch  is opened, the interior 
lamps will  go on (unless  it’s bright outside). The lamps 
will  stay  on  for  about 
30 seconds  or until  you turn on 
the ignition. 
You  can also  turn  on the courtesy lamps  by turning  the 
interior brightness control button  all the  way  to the  right. 
Be  sure  not to have this knob  turned all the way down 
with the lights on  during the  day.  Your 
DIC may  not 
be visible. 
2-52   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Malfunction  Indicator  Lamp (Check  Engine  Light) 
CHECK 
Your  Corvette is equipped 
with a computer which 
monitors  operation  of the 
fuel, ignition and  emission 
control  systems. 
This  system  is called OBD  I1 (On-Board 
Diagnostics-Second  Generation) and  is  intended  to 
assure  that emissions  are at acceptable  levels  for the 
life  of the  vehicle,  helping 
to produce a  cleaner 
environment.  (In Canada, OBD 
I1 is  replaced by 
Enhanced Diagnostics.)  The CHECK ENGINE  light 
comes  on to indicate  that there 
is a problem and  service 
is required. Malfunctions often will be  indicated by 
the  system before any problem is apparent.  This may 
prevent  more serious damage  to your vehicle.  This 
system 
is also designed  to assist your  service technician 
in  correctly  diagnosing any malfunction. 
NOTICE: 
If you  keep  driving  your  vehicle  with  this  light 
on, after  a  while,  your  emission  controls  may  not 
work  as well,  your  fuel  economy  may  not  be  as 
good  and  your  engine  may  not  run  as  smoothly.  This  could  lead  to  costly  repairs  that  may  not  be 
covered  by  your  warranty. 
This  light should  come on, as a check to show  you  it is 
working, when the ignition is on  and  the engine is  not 
running.  If the  light  doesn’t come on, have  it repaired. 
This  light will  also come on during a  malfunction  in one 
of  two ways: 
0 
0 Light  Flashing -- A  misfire condition has  been 
detected.  A misfire increases vehicle emissions and 
may  damage  the emission control  system on your 
vehicle. Dealer  or qualified service center diagnosis 
and  service 
is required. 
Light On Steady -- An emission control system 
malfunction  has been  detected on  your vehicle. 
Dealer  or  qualified  service center diagnosis  and 
service  may be required. 
2-76   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine REDUCED  ENGINE  POWER: You will hear chimes 
continuously when this message  is displayed.  To 
acknowledge  that  you have read the message and to 
remove  it from the  display, press RESET.  The 
message will reappear every 
15 seconds until this 
condition changes. 
If  the Driver Information Center displays the 
REDUCED  ENGINE POWER message and the 
CHECK  ENGINE  light comes on, a noticeable 
reduction  in the  vehicle’s  performance  may  occur. If the 
REDUCED  ENGINE  POWER message is displayed  but 
there  is  no  reduction 
in performance, proceed to your 
destination. The performance may be reduced the  next 
time the vehicle is driven. 
The  vehicle  may be driven  at a reduced speed while the 
REDUCED  ENGINE  POWER  message is displayed, 
but  acceleration and speed may  be reduced. Anytime the 
CHECK  ENGINE  light stays on, the vehicle should be 
taken  to an  authorized  Chevrolet dealer  as soon as 
possible  for diagnosis and  repair. 
Also, refer to “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” (Check 
Engine Light)  in  the Index.  If the  REDUCED  ENGINE 
POWER  message is displayed  in combination with  the 
COOLANT  OVER TEMP message,  see “Engine 
Overheating” in the Index. 
SERVICE  VEHICLE  SOON: If  this  message  appears 
on the DIC, there  may  be  an  electrical  or another  system 
problem with your Corvette.  Have your vehicle  checked 
by  your dealer  if  this message keeps  appearing. 
CHARGE  SYSTEM  FAULT Press RESET  to 
acknowledge  that  you have read the message  and  to 
remove it from the  display. The message  will  reappear 
every 
10 minutes until  this  condition  changes. You will 
hear two chimes when  this  message is displayed. 
If  this message comes 
on while  you  are driving,  you 
may have a problem  with  the electrical  charging  system. 
It  could indicate that  you  have a loose or  broken  drive 
belt or another electrical  problem. Have it checked 
right  away.  Driving  while  this  light is 
on could  drain 
your  battery. 
If  you must drive a  short  distance  with  the message on, 
be certain to  turn  off  your  accessories,  such as  the  radio 
and air conditioner. 
TRACTION SYS ACTIVE: When  your traction 
control system  is limiting  wheel spin, the  TRACTION 
SYS ACTIVE  message will be displayed.  Slippery  road 
conditions  may exist  if  this  message is  displayed, 
so 
adjust your driving  accordingly. The message  will  stay 
on  for  a few seconds after  the  traction control system 
stops limiting wheel  spin. 
2-92   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine e Section 3 Comfort  Controls  and  Audio  Systems 
In this section, you’ll find  out how  to  operate  the  comfort control and audio  systems  offered with your  Corvette.  Be 
sure  to read about  the particular systems supplied with your vehicle. 
3-2 
3-2 
3-5 
3-1  1 
3-12 
3-12 
3-13 
3-13 
3-14  Comfort Controls 
Manual Comfort 
Controls 
Automatic Electronic Dual Climate 
Control System (Option) 
Air  Conditioning 
Heating 
Defogging  and Defrosting 
Audio Systems 
Setting the Clock  for All Systems 
AM-FM  Stereo with  Cassette Tape Player 
Automatic  Tone Control  and 3-18 
3-18 
3 
-22 
3  -26 
3 -28 
3-28 
3-29 
3-30 
3-30  CD 
Adapter Kits 
AM-FM  Stereo with Compact Disc  Player 
and Automatic Tone Control  (Option) 
Trunk Mounted CD Changer  (Option) 
Theft-Deterrent  Feature 
Understanding Radio Reception 
Tips  About  Your Audio System 
Care  of  Your  Cassette Tape  Player 
Care  of  Your  Compact  Discs 
Integrated Windshield and Rear 
Window  Antennas 
3-1   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Comfort Controls Manual  Comfort  Controls 
This  section tells you  how  to make your  air system 
work  for you.  Your  comfort  control system uses 
ozone-friendly 
R- 134a refrigerant. 
With  these  systems  you can control  the  heating, 
cooling  and ventilation  in your  Corvette.  Your vehicle 
also  has  a flow-through ventilation system described 
later  in this  section. 
Fan Knob 
The  left  knob is the  fan  knob and selects the force  of  air 
you  want. Turn the knob  to the right to increase  fan 
speed and  to the left  to decrease fan speed. The  fan 
must  be turned on  for the air conditioning compressor 
to  operate.   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Temperature Knob 
The center knob controls  the temperature  of the air 
coming  through  the system. Turn  it to the left (toward 
the  blue  area) for  cooler  air.  Turn it to the right  (toward 
the  red  area) for warmer  air. 
Mode Knob 
The right knob selects  the direction  of where the air  will 
enter  the vehicle. 
+* 
/J UPPER: This  setting  directs most of the air 
through  the  instrument  panel outlets with a very small 
amount  of air  directed  to  the lower outlets. 
+’ BI-LEVEL: This setting directs  air  into your 
vehicle  in  two ways.  Cooler air  is directed toward your 
upper  body  through  the  instrument panel outlets, while 
warmer  air is directed  through the lower outlets. 
+e  a 
+’ LOWER: This 
.setting directs most  of the  air 
through the lower ducts to the floor area  of the vehicle 
with  some  of the  air also directed toward  the windshield 
and side window vents. 
+fl DEFOG: This setting divides the air between 
the  windshield and lower outlets  with  a small amount 
directed toward the side window vents.  This is useful 
when  fog appears on the  windshield or side  glass  due 
to  rain  or snowy conditions. 
we 
DEFROST: Use this setting  to quickly  remove  fog 
or  frost from the windshield. This setting  directs most of 
the airflow to the windshield  with  a small mount 
directed toward the lower and side window outlets. 
3-3   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Mode  Buttons 
These buttons control the  air intake, the air conditioning 
and the  rear window  defogger  operation. 
outside  air  into your vehicle.  The  light  on the button will 
come  on  when operating. Use  this setting while trying 
to 
defrost  or  defog windows  to  help  clear moisture. 
amount  of  fresh 
air entering  your  vehicle  by  recirculating 
most  of the 
air inside  your  vehicle.  The light  on the  button 
will  come on  when operating. 
This setting  is  helpful  when 
you  are  trying  to  cool  the 
air quickly  or to limit  odors 
entering  your  vehicle. 
RECIRCULATE cannot  be  used 
while  in  the  DEFROST  or DEFOG  modes. 
a NC: This button turns  the  air conditioning 
compressor  off or  on  under most conditions.  The light 
on  the 
A/C button comes  on when the compressor is 
operating.  The air conditioning  does  not operate at 
temperatures below approximately 
35 OF to 40°F 
(2" C to 4" C). The  air  conditioning  cools  and 
dehumidifies  the air coming  into the vehicle.  The 
air  conditioning  cannot  be  turned  off in DEFROST 
as  it  helps  to  remove moisture from  the vehicle.  It  also 
helps  to  keep the windows clear. 
FRESH AIR: Press this button and  it will bring 
RECIRCULATE: Press this button  to  limit  the  The  air 
conditioning  may be forced  off  at high engine 
speeds  or  high engine  oil or coolant temperatures, 
Rear  Window  Defogger 
@ This button turns  the rear defogger and heated 
outside  mirrors  on. The  light  on the button  will come 
on when operating. The system automatically shuts  off 
after  approximately 
10 minutes.  If further defogging  is 
desired,  press the button again. 
The  rear  window defogger operates  only  when  the 
engine 
is running. 
The  rear  window defogger  uses a warming grid to 
remove  fog from the rear  window. 
Do not attach 
anything like a temporary vehicle license  or a decal 
across the defogger grid  on the rear  window. 
I NOTICE: 
Don't  use  a  razor  blade  or  something  sharp  on 
the  inside 
of the  rear  window. If you  do,  you 
could  cut  or  damage  the  warming  grid,  and  repairs  wouldn't  be  covered  by  your  warranty.