Page 298 of 383
6-29
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is on the driver's
side of the engine compartment. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in the Index. It is filled with
DOT
-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluidlevel goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is
leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should
have your brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes won't work well, or won't
work at all.
So, it isn't a good idea to ªtop offº your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won't correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you'll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the
engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
See ªChecking Brake Fluidº in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See ªPeriodic Maintenance
Inspectionsº in the Index.
Page 299 of 383
6-30
Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid level
should be above the MIN mark on the reservoir. If it
isn't, have your brake system checked to see if there
is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
Refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the
Maintenance Schedule.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral
-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they'll have to be
replaced. Don't let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid on
your vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately.
See ªAppearance Careº in the Index.
Page 301 of 383
6-32 Brake Adjustment
As you make brake stops, your disc brakes
automatically adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top
-quality GM brake
parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you
don't, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you've come to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco battery. When it's time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. We recommend an ACDelco
battery. For battery replacement, see your dealer or the
service manual. To purchase a service manual, see
ªService and Owner Publicationsº in the Index. After
the battery has been replaced, refer to the ªRemote
Keyless Entry Systemº in the Index to resynchronize
your transmitter(s). See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for battery location.
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
Page 322 of 383
6-53 Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Don't use tire chains. They can damage your
vehicle because there's not enough clearance.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it's contacting your vehicle, and don't
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit, install
them on the rear tires.
Lifting Your Corvette
CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle can cause an injury. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be badly injured.
Find a level place to lift your vehicle. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever in
PARK (P), or shift a manual transmission to
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won't
move, you can put blocks in front of and behind
the wheels.
Page 333 of 383
6-64
Titanium Exhaust System
(Z06 Model)
Time and high performance driving conditions can cause
a color change in titanium exhaust system parts. This is
normal for a titanium surface.
Fiberglass Springs
NOTICE:
Don't use corrosive or acidic cleaning agents,
engine degreasers, aluminum cleaning agents or
other harsh solvents to clean fiberglass springs;
they'll damage the springs.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet
-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
Chevrolet will repair, at no charge to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout
condition within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km)
of purchase, whichever occurs first.
Page 335 of 383
6-66
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver's side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You'll find this label located inside the glovebox. It's
very helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this
label is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information and
a list of all production options and
special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
Page 341 of 383
6-72
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
There is one fuse block in the engine compartment
located on the passenger's side of the vehicle in front
of the battery.
To remove the fuse block cover, turn the
knob counterclockwise.Minifuse Usage
1 Rear Fog Lamp
2 Approach
3 Right Headlamp Motor
4 Left Headlamp Motor
5 Anti
-Lock Brakes, Selective Real
Time Damping (SRTD)
Page 342 of 383
6-73
Minifuse Usage
6 Fog Lamp
7 Selective Real Time Damping
(SRTD) Relay
8 Headlamp Low
-Beam Right
9 Headlamp High
-Beam Right
10 Headlamp Low
-Beam Left
11 Horn
12 Headlamp High
-Beam Left
13 Fuel Pump
14 Cooling Fan
- Ignition 3
15 Oxygen Sensor
16 Powertrain Control Module
17 Throttle Control
18 Injector 2
19 Engine Ignition
20 Blank
21 Blank
22 Injector 1
23 Powertrain Control ModuleMinifuse Usage
24 Air Conditioning
25 Blank
26 Blank
27 Spare
28 Spare
29 Spare
30 Spare
31 Spare
32 Spare
Micro Relay Usage
33 Air Pump
34 Air Conditioner and Clutch
35 Fuel Pump
36 Horn
37 Rear Fog Lamp
38 Back
-Up Lamps
39 Fog Lamp
40 Blank
41 Selective Real Time
Damping (SRTD)
