1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL message on the Driver
Information Center comes on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level right away. For more
information, see “Driver Information Center” in the
Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
It’s
a good idea to check your engine oil level every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick is
next to the coolant surge
tank. The dipstick handle is
a round, yellow loop.
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or a
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, you’ll need to
add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the right
kind. This part explains what kind of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is on
top of the right valve rocker
arm cover.
Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
GM4718M
The Corvette engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this Standard
may be identified as synthetic. However, not all
synthetic oils will meet this GM Standard. You
should look for and use only an oil that meets
GM
Standard GM47 18M.
FNOTICE:
If you use oils that don’t have the GM4718M
Standard designation, you can cause engine
damage not covered by your warranty.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine RECOMMENDED SAL VlSCOSlTT GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
’TC)
~fi + 20
0
SAE SW-30 PREFERRED
COLD
WEATHER
FOR THIS
WOK
SYMBOL
,I SAE I 1OW-30
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
0 SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE
1OW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F (-18°C) or above.’
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE
2OW-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should also
have the “Starburst” symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API).
Do not use any
oil which does not
carry this Starburst symbol.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that are identified as meeting GM
Standard 4718M and have the Starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container.
Your Corvette engine is filled at the factory with a
Mobil
l@ synthetic oil, which meets all requirements
for your vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain
engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M
may not be available. You can add substitute oil
designated SAE 5W-30 with the “Starburst” symbol at
all temperatures. If temperatures are above
0 OF (- 18 O C),
you may substitute
SAE low-30 with the “Starburst”
symbol. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your dealer is ready to
advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
Your Corvette has an Engine Oil Life Monitor. This
feature will let you know when to change your oil and
filter
-- usually between 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and
10,000 miles (16
000 km) since your last oil change. Under severe conditions, the indicator may
come on
before
3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle
more than 10,000 miles (16
000 km) or 12 months
(whichever occurs first) without an oil change. Use
engine oil meeting the GM Standard GM47 18M.
The system won’t detect dust in the
oil. So, if you drive
in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles
(5 000 lun) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
light comes on. Remember to reset the Engine Oil Life
Monitor when the oil has been changed. For more
.information, see “Engine Oil Life Monitor” in the Index.
When Changing the Engine Oil
There is a special procedure for changing engine oil,
contact your dealer for additional information or the
procedure can be found in a Corvette Service Manual.
To purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life Monitor
Press RESET to acknowledge the CHANGE OIL SOON
warning. The oil page will then show a message such as
OIL LIFE
0%. To reset the monitor, press and hold
RESET for two seconds. You will then receive a
message such as OIL LIFE
99%.
6-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or throw away
clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See the
manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal of
oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring
it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies
of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it
to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the
air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine c
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause
you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires. If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Air Filter Replacement
To remove the air filter:
1. Pull up on the clips on each side to release
the assembly.
6-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Pull the assembly out.
3. Replace the filter.
4. Push the assembly back into place.
5. Fasten the clips.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
How to Check
Because this operation is difficult, you may choose to
have this done at your dealer service department. It is
not necessary to check the transmission fluid level.
A
transmission fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your dealer service
department and have it repaired as soon as possible.
There is a special procedure for checking and changing
the transmission fluid. Contact your dealer for additional
information or the procedure can be found in a Corvette
Service Manual. To purchase a service manual, see
“Service and Owner Publications’’ in the Index.
I NOTICE: I
We recommend that only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-111 be used, because fluid with that
label
is made specially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON@-111
is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(80 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90 OF (32 O C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
High performance operation.
If you do not use your vehicle under one of
these conditions. Change the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index for
the proper service intervals for the transmission fluid
and filter.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
How to Check
Because this operation can be difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Chevrolet dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the fluid could come out and fall on hot exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure
to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil
is changed. However, the fluid in your manual
transmission doesn’t require changing. Check the fluid level
only when your engine is off, the
vehicle
is parked on a level place and the transmission is
cool enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
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