1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE automatic transmission

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine CORVETTE: THE AMERICAN
DREAM MACHINE
In the early ’50s, it was only a designer’s dream. Today
the Corvette stands alone
as America’s dream car -- a
testament
to its unmistakable charisma and the
excitement
it inspires. Unique styling, powerful
performance and an undeniable panache have made
Corvette one
of the most celebrated sports cars in
the world.
In 1953, Corvette produced 300 new lightweight
fiberglass roadsters.
A handful went to project
engineers, General Motors managers, and a select group
of movie stars and celebrities. With a two-speed
Powerglide automatic transmission, Blue Flame
six-cylinder engine, and gleaming Polo White exterior,
the Corvette began its drive into the heart of America.
Designers freshened up the ’Vette in
1956 by adding a
removable hardtop and the famous Corvette “coves.”
The sculptured body enhanced its sporty
look, and a
standard 210-horsepower Chevy V8 engine solidified
Corvette’s reputation as a production race car.
ii i

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine e Section 2 Features and Controls
~~ ~~
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Corvette, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything
is working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2
2-4
2-5
2-6
2- 14
2-15
2- 16
2-18
2-19
2-20
2-22
2-24
2-26
2-29
2-32
2-33
2-35
2-36 Keys
Door
Locks
Memory (Option)
Remote Function Actuation System
Remote Hatch Release
Theft
Universal Theft-Deterrent System
PASS-Key@
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Switch Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
Automatic Transmission Operation
Manual Transmission Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Models Only)
Shifting Out
of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission) 2-36
2-37
2-37
2-38
2-38
2-40
2-4 1
2-4
1
2-50
2-52
2-53
2-54
2-59
2-6
1
2-68 2-70
2-7
1
2-8 1
2-90 Parking
Over Things That Bum
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Selective Real Time Damping (Option)
Windows
Tilt Wheel Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Floor Mats (Option)
Roof Panel
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Cluster
Warning Lights, Gages and Messages
Driver Information Center (DIC)
DIC Warnings and Messages
2-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
When you park your Corvette and open the driver’s
door, you’ll hear a tone reminding you
to remove your
key from the ignition and take it with you. Always do
this. Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will
your ignition.
If you have an automatic transmission,
taking your key out also locks your transmission. And
remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out
of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your key?
Do not leave
valuables
in your vehicle, since there would be no place
to secure them.
Universal Theft-Deterrent System
SECURITY
Your Corvette has a
theft-deterrent alarm
system. With this system,
the SECURITY light will
flash as you open the door
(if your ignition is off). This
light reminds you to arm the
theft-deterrent system.
To arm the system, do the following:
1. Press the LOCK button on the key fob transmitter, as
2. Walk out of range with the passive switch on, OR
3. Open the door. (The SECURITY light should flash.)
Lock the door with the power door lock switch. The
SECURITY light will stop flashing and stay on. Close
all the doors. The SECURITY light should
go off.
Now, if a door or the hatch is opened without the key or
the key fob transmitter system, the alarm will go
off.
Your horn will sound for two minutes, then it will go off
to save battery power. And, your vehicle won’t start.
mentioned earlier,
OR
2-16
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ignition Switch
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the
switch to four positions.
OFF: The only position from which you can remove
the key. Removing the key locks your steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transmission.
If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can’t be turned to
OFF unless the shift lever is
in PARK
(P).
ACC: The position in which you can operate your
electrical power accessories. With the key in this
position, the automatic transmission and steering
column will unlock.
ON: The position to which the switch returns after
you start the engine and release the switch. The switch
stays
in the ON position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
ON to operate your electrical power accessories and to
display some instrument panel messages and telltales.
2-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Corvette
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL (N). Hold the
clutch pedal to the floor and start the engine. Your
vehicle won’t start if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down
-- that’s a safety feature.
Starting Your Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to
help avoid draining your battery.
2-22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ~ Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
Be sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range
before starting the engine. Your Corvette has a
brake-transmission shift interlock. You have to
fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in the
ON position.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0): This position is
for normal driving.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(@).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0):
0 When driving on hilly, winding roads.
0 When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND
(2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as
you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND
(2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
selector lever is put in FIRST
(l), the transmission
won’t shift into first gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transmission.
Also,
if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transmission. Use your brakes or shift into
PARK (P) to hold your vehicle in position on
a hill.
Maximum engine speed is limited to protect driveline
components from .improper operation.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Hold the release button in as you move the brake lever
all the way down.
(NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes
to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle. Make sure the brake
warning light
is not on before driving.
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission
Models Only)
CAUTION:
-
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.