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Corvette: The American
Dream Machine
In the early '50s, 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 ªcoves.º
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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Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system work
for you.
With these systems, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has a
flow
-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
Manual Comfort Controls
Fan Knob
The left knob controls the force of air you want.
Turn the knob clockwise to increase fan speed or
counterclockwise to decrease fan speed. The fan must be
turned on for the air conditioning compressor to operate.Temperature Knob
The center knob controls the temperature of the air
coming through the system. Turn it counterclockwise
(toward the blue area) for cooler air. Turn it clockwise
(toward the red area) for warmer air.
Mode Knob
The right knob selects the location of where the air will
enter the vehicle.
UPPER: This setting directs most of the air
through the instrument panel outlets with a very small
amount of air directed to the lower outlets.
BI-LEVEL: This setting directs air into the
vehicle in two ways. Cooler air is directed toward your
upper body through the instrument panel outlets, while
warmer air is directed through the lower outlets.
LOWER: This setting directs most of the air
through the lower ducts to the floor area of the vehicle
with some of the air also directed toward the windshield
and side window vents.
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If the outside temperature goes up, the displayed
temperature will not change until:
The vehicle's speed is above 16 mph (26 km/h) for
one and a half minutes.
The vehicle's speed is above 45 mph (72 km/h) for
one minute.
These delays help prevent false readings. If the
temperature goes down, the outside temperature display
is updated immediately.
If the vehicle has been turned off for more than three
hours, the current outside temperature will be shown
when you start the vehicle. If it has been turned off for
less than three hours, the temperature will be recalled
from the previous vehicle operation.
Inside Temperature Sensor
This sensor is located to the left of the ignition switch.
The automatic climate control system uses this sensor to
receive information, so if you block or cover it, the
system will not function properly.Air Conditioning
On very hot days, the vehicle will cool down more
quickly and economically if you open the windows
long enough to let hot inside air escape. Then keep the
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 the 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 from under the vehicle
when it is idling or after it has been turned off.
This is normal.
