1999 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

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2-77 Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in either miles
per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
You may note that there are not two separate scales for
mph and km/h. When you press the E/M
(English/Metric) button on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), the cluster will calculate the proper speed
and move the needle to the correct position. Either the
MPH or the km/h telltale will illuminate, depending on
which measurement you choose.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to the
mileage total of the old odometer, then that will be done.
If it can't, then a new instrument cluster is replaced in
the vehicle and a label must be put on the driver's door
to show the old mileage reading when the new odometer
was installed. See your dealer if a new odometer must
be replaced in your vehicle.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in thousands
of revolutions per minute (rpm).
Fuel will shut off at about 6200 rpm.
If you continue to drive your vehicle at the fuel shut off
rpm, you could damage your engine. Be sure to operate
your vehicle below the fuel shut off rpm or reduce your
rpm quickly when the fuel shuts off.
Warning Lights, Gages and Messages
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.

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Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center that
works along with the warning lights and gages. See
ªDriver Information Center (DIC)º in the Index.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on until the driver's belt
is buckled.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows a deployed air bag symbol. The
system checks the air bag's electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the air bag sensors,
the air bag modules, the wiring and the diagnostic
module. For more information on the air bag system, see
ªAir Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.

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If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Voltmeter
When the key is in ON with
the engine not running, the
voltmeter shows the voltage
output of your battery.
When the engine is running,
it shows the voltage output
of the charging system.The reading will change as the rate of charge changes
(with engine speed, for example), but if the voltmeter
reads at 9 volts or below, your instrument panel and
other systems may shut down. The Driver Information
Center (DIC) will read LOW VOLTAGE when your
vehicle is at 10 volts or below. Have it checked right
away. Driving with the voltmeter reading at 10 volts or
below could drain your battery and disable your vehicle.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
This light should come on
when you turn the ignition
key to START.

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If it doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there's a problem. If this warning
light stays on after you start the engine, the parking
brake may not be set or there could be a brake problem.
Refer to ªParking Brakeº in the Index to see if it is set.
If the parking brake is not set, have your brake system
inspected right away.
If the light comes on while you are driving and you have
a LOW BRAKE FLUID message showing on the DIC,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.)
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake warning light is on. Driving with the
brake warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you've pulled off the
road and stopped carefully, have the vehicle
towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay on
for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you're driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you're driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn't
on, you still have brakes, but you don't have anti
-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a
problem with your regular brakes. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.

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2-81 Traction Control System (TCS) Light
This light should come on
briefly as you start the
engine. If the light doesn't
come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you if there's a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on and the DIC shows a
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM message when you're
driving, there's a problem with your TCS system and
your vehicle needs service. When this light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly. If the driver turns off the Traction Control
System by pressing the button on the console, the TCS
system light will come on and the TRACTION
SYSTEM OFF message will show on the DIC.
Active Handling System Light
If your vehicle has the
optional Active Handling
System, this light will come
on briefly as you start the
engine. If the light does not
come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
If it stays on or comes on while you are driving, the
Driver Information Center (DIC) shows a SERVICE
ACTIVE HNDLG message and a chime sounds, there is
a problem with your Active Handling System and your
vehicle needs service. The driver can acknowledge this
message by pressing the RESET button. When the
SERVICE ACTIVE HNDLG message is displayed,
the Active Handling System will not assist you in
controlling the vehicle. You should have the system
serviced as soon as possible. Adjust your
driving accordingly.

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When the system is working, you will see the ACTIVE
HANDLING message displayed in the DIC. You may
also feel or hear the system working. This is normal.
If the driver turns off the Active Handling System by
pressing the button on the console, the Active Handling
System light will come on, a chime will sound, and the
TRAC/ACT HNDLG OFF message will be displayed in
the DIC. The Traction Control System will also be
turned off. See ªDriver Information Center Messagesº in
the Index for more information.
If the Active Handling System and the Traction Control
System are off, pressing the console button momentarily
will turn both systems on. The DIC will display the
TRAC/ACT HNDLG ON message, the instrument
cluster light will be off, and a chime will sound. See
ªDriver Information Center Messagesº in the Index
for more information.Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the
shaded area, your engine is
too hot!
This means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as
possible. (The larger tic marks are in increments of
30
below 220
F (104
C) and in increments of
10
above 220
F (104
C).)
In ªProblems on the Road,º this manual shows what to
do. See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.

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2-83 Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On
-Board
Diagnostics
-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The CHECK ENGINE light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
NOTICE:
Modifications made to the engine, transmission,
exhaust or fuel system of your vehicle or the
replacement of the original tires with other than
those of the same Tire Performance Criteria
(TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission controls
and may cause the CHECK ENGINE light to
come on. Modifications to these systems could
lead to costly repairs not covered by your
warranty. This may also result in a failure to pass
a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.

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This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:

Light Flashing
-- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

Light On Steady
-- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see ªIf
the Light Is On Steadyº following.If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A
few driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.