1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coolant level

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.
2-24

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and
is not covered by
your warranty.
Security Light
This light comes on to
remind you to
arrn your
I SECURITY
theft-deterrent system. If it
comes on and stays on when
I
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.
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
See “Universal Theft-Deterrent” and “PASS-Key
System” in the Index.
2-85

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine LOW OIL LEVEL: Press RESET to acknowledge that
you have read the message and to remove it from the
display. The message will reappear every
10 minutes
until this condition changes.
You will hear two chimes when this message is
displayed. If this message appears after starting your
engine, your engine oil level may be too low. You may
need to add oil. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER: You will hear chimes
continuously when this message is displayed. To
acknowledge that you have read the message and to
remove it from the display, press RESET. The message
will reappear every
15 seconds until this
condition changes.
If the Driver Information Center displays the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message and the
CHECK ENGINE light comes on, a noticeable
reduction in the vehicle’s performance may occur.
If the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed but
there is no reduction
in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may be reduced the next
time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed while the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime the
CHECK ENGINE light stays on, the vehicle should be
taken to an authorized Chevrolet dealer as soon as
possible for diagnosis and repair.
Also, refer to “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” (Check
Engine Light) in the Index.
If the REDUCED ENGINE
POWER message is displayed in combination with the
COOLANT OVER TEMP message, see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON: If this message appears
on the DIC, there may be an electrical or another system
problem with your vehicle. Have your vehicle checked
by your dealer if this message keeps appearing.
CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT Press RESET to
acknowledge that you have read the message and to
remove it from the display. The message will reappear
every
10 minutes until this condition changes. You will
hear two chimes when this message is displayed.
2-99

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the engine coolant exceeds 255 “F (124”C), this
message is displayed. If you have been operating your
vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should
pull off from
the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. You can monitor the coolant
temperature with the GAGES button on the DIC or the
engine coolant gage on the instrument panel cluster. See
“Engine Overheating” in the Index.
HIGH OIL TEMPERATURE REDUCE ENGINE
RPM: You will hear four chimes when this message is
displayed. To acknowledge the warning, press the
RESET button. After you press the RESET button, a
message will be displayed and you will hear a chime
every minute until this condition changes. If you do not
press RESET, the message will remain on the digital
display until the condition changes.
If the engine oil temperature exceeds
320°F (1 60” C),
this message is displayed. You should check the engine
coolant temperature and engine oil level. If your engine
is too hot, see “Engine Overheating’’ in the Index. Your
vehicle may need service,
so see your dealer. You can
monitor the oil temperature with the GAGES button on
the DIC.
HIGH TRANS TEMP: You will hear four chimes
when this message is displayed. To acknowledge this
warning, press the RESET button. After you press the
RESET button, the message will be displayed every
10 minutes until the condition changes. If you do not
press RESET, the message remains on the display until
the condition changes.
If the transmission fluid temperature rises above 263°F
(128°C) or rises rapidly, this message is displayed. The
transmission may shift gears or apply the torque
converter clutch to reduce the fluid temperature. Driving
aggressively or driving on long hills can cause the
transmission fluid temperature to be higher than normal.
If this message appears, you may continue to drive at a
slower speed. You should also monitor the transmission
fluid temperature and allow it to cool to at least 230°F
(1 10°C). The transmission fluid temperature can be
monitored with the GAGES button on the DIC. See
“Automatic Transmission Fluid” in the Index. You
should also check the engine coolant temperature.
If it is
also hot, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
If the HIGH TRANS TEMP message is displayed
during normal vehicle operation on flat roads, your
vehicle may need service. See your dealer for an
inspection.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Conditioning Heating
On
very hot days, your vehicle will cool down more
quickly and economically if you open the windows long
enough to let hot inside
air escape. Then keep your
windows closed in order to allow the air conditioning to
work best. Maximum cooling will occur when the
RECIRCULATE setting is operating, airflow direction is
in the upper mode, and the temperature control knob (on
a manual climate control system) is turned all the way to
the blue area. These settings will be selected by the
Automatic Electronic Dual Climate Control System if
operating in AUTO when maximum cooling is required.
When the air conditioning is on, you may sometimes
notice slight changes in your vehicle’s engine
performance and power. This is normal. The system is
designed to .help fuel economy while maintaining the
desired cooling level.
The
air conditioning removes moisture from the air, so you
may notice water dripping fi-om under your vehicle when
it is idling or after it has been turned
off. This is normal. The
heater works best
if you keep your windows closed.
Maximum heating will occur when airflow direction is
in the lower mode and the temperature control knob (on
a manual climate control system) is all the way
in the
red area. These settings will be selected by the
Automatic Electronic Dual Climate Control System if
operating in AUTO when maximum heating is required.
The BI-LEVEL setting is designed for use on sunny days
when the
air is only moderately warm or cool. On days
like these, the sun may adequately warm your upper body,
but your lower body may not
be warm enough. The
BI-LEVEL setting will direct cooler airflow to
your upper
body and warmer
air to the floor area.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater and use it
during cold weather
0°F (- 18 “C) or lower, your heating
system will provide heat more quickly because the
coolant is already warmed. See “Engine Coolant Heater”
in the Index.
3-10

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark.
If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
A CAUTION:
I
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine
fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Engine damage if you keep running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
See “Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” in the Index.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine cooling
fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both
fans should be running. If
they aren’t.
vow vehicle needs service.
5-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at the FULL COLD
mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean water (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL@
coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it. (See “Engine Coolant”
in the
Index for more information.)
A CAUTION:
I
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and
if‘ you turn the coolant surge
tank pressure cap -- even a little -- they can come
out at
high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant surge
tank
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system
and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you
ever have to
turn the pressure cap.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the
FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure
cap is tight.
5-21