1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE engine

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
0 Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmh) or
less for the
first 500 miles (805 km).
0 Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first
Ignition Switch
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the
switch to
four positions.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
START Starts the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch will return to
ON for
normal driving.
When the engine is not running,
ACC and ON allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s door
when the ignition is in
OFF or ACC and the key is in
the ignition.
Removing the key from the ignition switch will
lock the steering column and result in a loss of
ability to steer the vehicle. This could cause a
collision.
If you need to turn the engine off while
the vehicle
is moving, turn the key to ACC.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can’t
turn
it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force
it could break
the key or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With RAP, your power windows and the audio system
will continue to work for up to
15 minutes after the
ignition key is turned to
OFF and neither door is opened.
If a door is opened, the audio system and power
windows will shut off.
Starting Your Engine
This vehicle has a computer system that monitors engine
speed, throttle and pedal position, and records the
current status.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 STmT. 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 or damaging your starter.
When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0°F or -18”C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there. When the
engine starts, let go of the key. Use the accelerator
pedal to maintain engine speed,
if you have to, until
your engine has run for a while.
2. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Starter Interlock Feature
For your convenience and to avoid damage to your
starter, your vehicle is equipped with a starter interlock
feature. This feature will not allow you to crank the
engine when the vehicle is already running.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your Warranty Book before using your vehicle for
racing
or other competitive driving.
NOTICE:
If you use your vehicle 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To Use the Engine 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 1 10-volt AC outlet.
A CAUTIO
I
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 from
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 dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
~ --
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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.
c I
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Be sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range
before starting the engine. Your vehicle 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.
(If you do not apply the brake after
15 seconds once the
ignition is turned on, you will receive a
PRESS BRAKE
BEFORE SHIFT message in the Driver Information
Center.) See “Shifting Out
of PARK (P)” in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
I 1
I NOTICE:
r
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to REVERSE (R) only
after your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
see
“Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine
doesn’t connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL
(N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL
(N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is “racing” (running at high speed)
is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out
of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL
(N) while your engine is racing.
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