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 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 Your vehicle has a light that
comes on as a reminder to
buckle up. (See “Safety
Belt Reminder Light” in
the Index.)
In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why:
They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than
30 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear.
In most crashes buckling up does
matter
... a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat
on wheels.
1-7
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the
blink
of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating
air bag, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts
help keep you in position before and during
a
crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with air
bags. The driver should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control
of the vehicle.
An inflating
air bag can seriously injure small
children. Always secure children properly in your
vehicle.
To read how, see the part of this manual
called “Children” and the caution label on the
passenger’s safety belt.
There is an air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel, which
shows AIR BAG.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
for more information.
1-20
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear,
so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit.
To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Tom or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced, (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
1-33
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 The MEMORY buttons are located on the driver’s side
door, above the power mirror buttons. The MEMORY
buttons can store and recall the vehicle settings for up to
three drivers. Use button “1” to store the vehicle settings
for the first driver, button
“2” for a second driver or
press buttons
1 and 2 simultaneously for a third driver.
To store your vehicle settings, press and hold a MEMORY
button. The light will glow steady for one second and then
flash once when
the settings are completed.
To recall your settings, press your MEMORY button.
The light above the button will flash until the correct
vehicle settings
are achieved, then glow for three
seconds when completed.
Your memory settings will also be recalled when
you press the active door UNLOCK button on the
key fob transmitter.
Drivers
1,2 and 3 correspond to the order in which your
key fob transmitters were programmed. (See
“Fob
Training” in the Index).
Memory recall will not
work if the vehicle is moving,
the ignition key is removed or a power seat, mirror or
memory switch is being used. Memory recall will be
temporarily interrupted during engine crank.
Remote Function Actuation System
Your Corvette has a passive/active Remote Function
Actuation (RFA) system that allows you to lock and
unlock your doors, unlock your hatch, turn the panic
alarm on and
off and disarm or arm your theft-deterrent
system. When using one of the key fob transmitters
supplied with your vehicle, the passive range distance
is as much as
30 feet (9 m) away from the vehicle on
the driver’s side and
20 feet (6 m) away on the
passenger’s side. The active range distance is as
much as
100 feet (30 m) away.
Your vehicle comes
standard with two
transmitters, and up to
three can be matched
to your vehicle.
See “Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Ve ,
this section. .:le”
later
in
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
-