Page 6 of 361
Maintenance Schedule Service and Appearance Care
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Fuel
Checking Fluids and Lubricants
GM Oil Life System™
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Brakes
Bulb ReplacementWindshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires and Wheels
Appearance Care
Electrical System/Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Capacities and Specifications
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Section
7
Section
6
Scheduled Maintenance
Owner Checks and Services
Periodic Maintenance InspectionsRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
Maintenance Records
iv
Page 250 of 361

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-9 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Engine Oil
6
-17 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-19 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-19 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-21 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-22 Rear Axle
6
-23 Engine Coolant
6
-26 Surge Tank Pressure Cap
6
-26 Power Steering Fluid
6
-27 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-29 Brakes
6
-32 Battery
6
-33 Bulb Replacement
6
-37 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement6
-40 Tires
6
-52 Lifting Your Corvette
6
-56 Appearance Care
6
-56 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-59 Cleaning a Removable Roof Panel
6
-60 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-61 Cleaning Your Convertible Top
6
-62 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
6
-62 Cleaning Tires
6
-62 Finish Damage
6
-63 Underbody Maintenance
6
-64 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-65 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-65 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-66 Electrical System
6
-73 Replacement Bulbs
6
-74 Capacities and Specifications
6
-75 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Page 260 of 361
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
Page 265 of 361

6-16 When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer that lets you know when to
change your engine oil. This is not based on mileage,
but on engine revolutions and engine operating
temperature. When the computer has calculated that the
oil needs changing, the GM Oil Life System will
indicate that a change is necessary. The mileage between
oil changes will vary depending on how you drive your
vehicle
-- usually between 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and
10,000 miles (16 000 km) since your last oil and filter
change. Under severe conditions, the system may come
on before 3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your
vehicle more than 10,000 miles (16 000 km) or
12 months (whichever occurs first) without an
oil change. Use engine oil meeting the
GM Standard GM4718M.
The system won't detect dust in the oil. So, if you drive
in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE
OIL SOON message appears. Remember to reset the
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Change Oil Soon Message
To reset the CHANGE OIL SOON message after an oil
change, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ON and with the engine off.
2. Press the TRIP button so the OIL LIFE percentage
is displayed.
3. Press RESET and hold for two seconds. OIL LIFE
REMAIN 100% will appear.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don't let used oil stay on your skin for
very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or throw away clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. (See the manufacturer's
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free
-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don't ever dispose of oil by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have
a problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask your
dealer, a service station or a local recycling center for help.
Page 268 of 361

6-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid
How to Check
It is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only reason for fluid
loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your dealer
service department and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
There is a special procedure for checking and changing
the transmission fluid. Because this procedure is
difficult, you should have this done at your dealer
service department. Contact your dealer for additional
information or the procedure can be found in the service
manual. To purchase a service manual, see ªService and
Owner Publicationsº in the Index.
NOTICE:
We recommend that only fluid labeled
DEXRON-III be used, because fluid with
that label is made specially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused by fluid other
than DEXRON
-III is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(80 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
High performance operation.
If you do not use your vehicle under one of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index
for the proper service intervals for the transmission fluid
and filter.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine
oil is changed. However, the fluid in your manual
transmission doesn't require changing.
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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) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 331 of 361
Scheduled Maintenance
7-6Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by
the GM Oil Life System (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). Reset the system. The system
will show you when to change the oil
-- usually
between 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and 10,000 miles
(16 000 km) since your last oil change. Under
severe conditions, the indicator may come on before
3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle more
than 10,000 miles (16 000 km) or 12 months without
an oil and filter change. Use engine oil meeting the
GM Standard GM4718M.The GM Oil Life System won't detect dust in the oil.
So if you drive in a dusty area, be sure to change your
oil and filter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if
the CHANGE OIL SOON message appears. Remember
to reset the Oil Life Monitor when the oil and filter have
been changed. See ªGM Oil Life Systemº in the
Index for more information on resetting the system.
An Emission Control Service.