1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coolant

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BATTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
L
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
n
UNLOCK w
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS e
TURN
RUNNING
* . 0
DAYTIME -0
LAMPS ***
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT
TEMP
-
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
ENGINE OIL w,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(a)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols you may see:
FUSE -%-
LIGHTER m
HORN )a(
SPEAKER
b
FUEL B

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 Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your Warranty Book before using your Corvette for
racing or other competitive driving.
NOTICE:
If you use your Corvette for racing or other
competitive driving, your engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels
can damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil
level often during racing or other competitive
driving and keep the level at or near the upper
mark on the engine oil dipstick.
You may need
to add oil. See “Adding Oil” under “Engine” in
the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater
(Canada Only)
The engine coolant heater is located on the driver’s side
of the engine under the manifold. The electrical cord is
attached to the generator bracket assembly, between the
generator and the windshield washer fluid tank.
In very cold weather,
0 OF (- 18 O C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
2-24

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To Use the Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. With
headlamps closed, route the cord in the opening
between the left-hand headlamp door and the fender
panel.
Do not pinch the cord when closing the hood.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
I
,A CAUTION:
-
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before
to keep it away
fiom moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature,
the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that
you contact your Chevrolet dealer in the area where
you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that particular area.
2-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine After shifting to FOURTH (4), you may downshift to a
lower gear if you prefer.
b I
NOTICE:
~~
Do not try to force the shift lever into SECOND
(2) or THIRD (3) when the ONE TO FOUR light
comes on.
Do not try to re-engage FIRST (1)
after starting to shift into FOURTH (4). You
will damage your transmission. Shift only
from FIRST
(1) to FOURTH (4) when the light
comes on.
This light will come on when:
0 The engine coolant temperature is higher than
0 You are going 15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h) and
You are at 21 percent throttle or less.
120°F (49"C), and
Downshifting (Manual Transmission)
Do not downshift into the gear shown below at a speed
greater than shown in the table:
FIRST
(1) .................... 50 mph (80 km/h)
SECOND (2) ................ 74 mph (119 km/h)
THIRD (3) ................. 101 mph (163 km/h)
FOURTH (4) ............... 130 mph (209 km/h)
[ NOTICE:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift,
or if you race the engine when you
downshift, you can damage the clutch, driveshaft
or transmission.
2-31

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Traction Control System (TCS) Light
This light should come on
briefly as you start the
engine. If the light doesn’t
come
on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you if there’s a problem.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
f
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the
shaded area, your engine
is
too hot!
If it stays on, or comes on and the DIC shows a
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM message when you’re
driving, there’s a problem with your TCS system and
your vehicle needs service. When this light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly. If the driver turns
off the Traction Control
System by pressing the button
on the console, the TCS
system light will come on and the TRACTION
SYSTEM
OFF message will show on the DIC. This
means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
(The larger tic marks are in increments of
30 O below
220°F (104°C) and in increments of 10 O above
220 OF (104”C).)
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
2-75

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Security Light
SECURITY
This light comes on to
remind you
to arm your
theft-deterrent system. If it
comes
on and stays on when
your ignition
is on, there
may be a problem with your
theft-deterrent system.
Check Gages Light
CHECK
GAGES
This light will come on
briefly when you
are
starting the engine. If the
light comes on and stays on
while you are driving, check
your gages to see if they are
in the warning areas.
See “Universal Theft-Deterrent” and “PASS-Key
System” in the Index. This light can
come
on for the following reasons:
0 Low Oil Pressure
0 High Coolant Temperature
0 High or Low Battery Voltage
0 Low Fuel Level
2-79

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display
information about how your vehicle is functioning, as
well as warning messages if a system problem is
detected. The DIC display area is located in the
instrument cluster below the speedometer and
tachometer, directly above the steering column.
The following buttons are on the DIC control panel
which is located to the right of the cluster:
1 FUEL: Press this button to display fuel information
such as fuel economy and range.
2 GAGES: Use this button to display gage information
like oil pressure and temperature, coolant temperature,
transmission fluid temperature, battery voltage and
fronurear tire pressures.
3 TRIP: Use this button to display your total and trip
miles, the elapsed time function, your average speed and
the oil life.
4 OPTIONS: This button allows you to choose personal
options available with your vehicle such as security,
door locks, easy entry seats and language.
5 EM: Use this button to change the display between
English and metric units.
RESET: This button, used along with the other buttons,
will reset system functions and turn off or acknowledge
messages on the DIC.
At the top
of the DIC control buttons is a light sensor.
Be sure not to block the sensor or your lighting
functions may be disrupted.
2-81