1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE tire type

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving” those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your Corvette’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And
in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot
off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any TCS system helps avoid only the
acceleration shd.
If your TCS system is off,then an acceleration skid is also
best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot
off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel
or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It
is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will
be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a “mirrored surface”
-- and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps
avoid only the bralung skid.
4-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing
service tow your vehicle. They can provide the right
equipment and know how to tow your vehicle
without damage.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since
it
was factory new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
Before you
do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers. When
you call, tell the towing service:
0 That your vehicle cannot be towed with
sling-type equipment.
That your vehicle has rear-wheel drive.
The make, model and year of your vehicle.
0 Whether you can still move the shift lever.
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
0 If the vehicle is to be towed from the rear with a
wheel-lift truck, a front dolly will be required.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing
instructions and illustrations.
The operator may want to
see them.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Front Towing
Tow Limits -- 35 mph (55 kd), 50 miles (80 km)
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling type equipment or bumper,
fog lamps and
air dam damage will occur. Use
wheel-lift or car-carrier equipment. Additional
ramping may be required for car-carrier
equipment. Use safety chains and wheel straps.
Use the shipping slots for car-carrier securing.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the rear wheels
unless you have to. If the vehicle must be towed
on the rear wheels, don’t exceed the tow limits or
your transmission will be damaged.
Towing
a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage the vehicle. Damage can occur from
vehicle to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift
equipment.
To help avoid damage, install a
towing dolly and raise the vehicle until adequate
clearance
is obtained between the ground and/or
wheel-lift equipment.
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using car-carrier
equipment. Always use R-hooks inserted in the
shipping
slots.
NOTICE:
When using wheel-lift equipment, front
tire-to-ground clearance distance must be
a
minimum of 17 inches and a maximum of
22 inches or damage will occur.
SLOT
5-10

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Towing
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or the rear
bumper will be damaged. Use wheel-lift or
car-carrier equipment. Additional ramping may
be required for car-carrier equipment. Use safety
chains and wheel straps. Use the shipping slots
for car-carrier securing. When using wheel-lift
equipment, a towing dolly must be used under
the front wheels. Rear tire-to-ground clearance
distance must be a minimum of
13 inches and a
maximum of
18 inches or damage will occur.
Towing
a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage the vehicle. Damage can occur from
vehicle to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift
equipment. Install a towing dolly and raise the
vehicle until adequate clearance is obtained
between the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
NOTICE: (Continued)
5-11

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation
is all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:
0 Too much flexing
0 Too much heat
0 Tire overloading
0 Bad wear
Bad handling
0 Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:
Unusual wear
0 Bad handling
Rough ride
0 Needless damage from road hazards. When to Check
Check your tires
once a month or more.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure.
You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure
to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out
dirt and moisture.
Tire Rotation
The tires on your Corvette are directional and are
different sizes front to rear. Due to this, your tires should
not be rotated. Each tire and wheel should be used only
in the position it is in.
6-44

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
I CAJTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes (other
than those originally installed on your Corvette)
or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle
may not handle properly, and you could have a
crash. Using tires of different sizes (other than
those originally installed on your Corvette) may
also cause damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use
the correct size and type tires on all four wheels.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria
(TPC) standards.
If
you feel that winter tires are needed, see “Extended
Mobility Tires” in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Don’t use tire chains. They can damage your
vehicle because there’s not enough clearance.
Use another type of traction device only
if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions.
To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device
if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit, install
them on the rear tires.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them
on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
Corvette, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
6-51

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Don't use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Corvette
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Chevrolet dealer has two cleaners, a solvent-type
spot lifter and a foam-type powdered cleaner. They will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
Do not use
them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
1. Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
2. Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
3. Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a
clean area often. A soft brush may be used if stains
are stubborn.
4. Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
only. If you use them, don't saturate the stained area.
5. If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or it will set.
Fabric Protection
Your Corvette has carpet that has been treated with
Scotchgard" Fabric Protector, a
3M product. It protects
fabrics by repelling oil and water, which are the carriers
of most stains. Even with this protection, you still need
to clean your carpet often to keep it looking new.
Further information on cleaning is available by calling
1-800-433-3296 (in Minnesota, 1-800-642-6167).
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
0 Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain
if you don't get them off quickly. Use a clean .
cloth and a vinyyleather cleaner. See your dealer
for this product.