2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE engine coolant

6-11
When you open the hood, you'll see the following:
A. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
B. Battery
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E. Engine Air Cleaner/FilterF. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped)
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir

6-12
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then, just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
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 ªDriver Information Centerº in the
Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
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
located near the coolant
surge tank. The dipstick
handle is a round,
yellow loop.
Do not check the engine oil level after the engine has
been sitting overnight. A higher than normal reading
might be obtained. Check oil level with the oil warm.
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.

6-23 What to Use
To add lubricant when the level is low, use SAE 75W-90
Synthetic Gear Lubricant (GM Part No. 12378261) or
equivalent meeting GM Specification 9986115. To
completely refill after draining, add 4 ounces (118 ml)
of Limited
-Slip Differential Lubricant Additive (GM
Part No. 1052358) or equivalent. Then fill to the bottom
of the filler plug hole with the Synthetic Gear Lubricant.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.

6-24 What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL
coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL
coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don't have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.

6-25 Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment behind the passenger's side headlamp.
CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the FULL
COLD mark. The FULL COLD mark is on the front of
the coolant surge tank. Don't overfill the surge tank.
Too much coolant can result in an overflow when the
fluid is hot.

6-26
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is hand-tight.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
The surge tank pressure cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.

6-28 Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY.
Add washer fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:

When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.

Don't mix water with ready
-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn't clean as well as washer fluid.

Fill your washer fluid tank only
three
-quarters full when it's very cold.
This allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.

Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.

6-75
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Engine Air Cleaner/FilterA917C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery78A
-72H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Surge Tank CapGM Part No. 10296465 . . .
15 psi (105 kPa)
Engine Oil FilterPF44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PCV ValveCV948C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.060 inch (1.524 mm)
Spark Plug41
-952 (0.60 inch Gap) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wiper Blade
Length 22 inches (55.9 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Type 9 mm x 3 mm Shepherd's Hook. . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Dimensions
Wheelbase104.5 inches (265.4 cm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tread
Front 62.1 inches (157.7 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear 62.0 inches (157.4 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Length179.7 inches (456.4 cm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Width73.6 inches (186.9 cm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Height47.7 inches (121.1 cm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .