
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine CORVETTE: THE AMERICAN
DREAM MACHINE
In the early O OS, 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.
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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
Q
CAUSTIC
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
ACID COULD BAlTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
These symbols
have
to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS TURN
A
FLASHER
FOG LAMPS
$0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(@)
COOLANT
a
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
WA
ANTI-LOCK (@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
t
LIGHTER
HORN
b
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3
X

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear
a safety belt properly.
If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing
a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse. You can hit things inside the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed. In the same crash, you might
not be if you are buckled up. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your passenger’s belt
is fastened properly too.
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!
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In
a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed.
Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle
is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.
1-6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine There is an air bag readiness
light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air
bag symbol.
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.
How the Air Bag System Works
Where are the air bags?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
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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.
Torn 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.)
8 C!,
1-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, 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.
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-
14
2- 17 2-18
2-20
2-2 1
2-22
2-24
2-26
2-29
2-32
2-34
2-36
2-36 Door Locks
Memory (Option)
Remote Function Actuation
System
Remote Hatch/Trunk Lid Release
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) 2-37
2-37
2-38
2-39 2-39
2-40
2-42
2-50
2-52
2-53
2-54
2-60
2-68
2-74
2-77
2-87 Parking Over
Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Selective Real Time Damping (Option)
Windows
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Roof Panel (Coupe)
Convertible Top (Option)
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages and Messages
Driver Information Center (DIC)
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 vehicle has a passive/active Remote Function
Actuation (RFA) system that allows you to lock and
unlock your doors, unlock your hatch/trunk lid, 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 vehlcle.
See “Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle” later in
this section.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
Your Corvette has a
theft-deterrent alarm
I SECURITY
system. With this system,
the SECURITY light will
flash as you open the door (if your ignition is
off).
This light reminds you to arrn the theft-deterrent system.
To arm the system, do the following: To
arm the system, do the following:
1. Press the LOCK button on the key fob transmitter, as
mentioned earlier, OR
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 hatcWtmnk lid 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.
The theft-deterrent system won’t arm
if you lock the
doors with a key, the manual door
lock, or if you power
lock (from the inside) the vehicle after the doors
are closed.
If your passenger stays in the vehicle when you leave
with the keys, have the passenger lock the vehicle after
the doors are closed. This way the alarm won’t
arm, and
your passenger won’t set it
off.
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