2001 CHEVROLET CORVETTE oil temperature

3-3
DEFOG: This setting divides the air between the
windshield and lower outlets with a small amount of air
directed toward the side window vents. This is useful
when fog appears on the windshield or side glass due to
rain or snowy conditions.
DEFROST: Use this setting to quickly remove fog
or frost from the windshield. This setting directs most of
the airflow to the windshield with a small amount of air
directed toward the lower and side window outlets.
Mode Buttons
These buttons control the air intake, the air conditioning
and the rear window defogger operation.
OUTSIDE AIR: Press this button and it
will bring outside air into the vehicle. The light on the
button will come on when operating. Use this setting
while trying to defrost or defog windows to help
clear moisture.
RECIRCULATE: Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering the vehicle by
recirculating most of the air inside the vehicle. The light
on the button will come on when operating. This setting
is helpful when you are trying to cool the air quickly or
to limit odors entering the vehicle. Recirculate cannot be
used while in the DEFROST or DEFOG modes.Operating the system in the recirculation mode may
cause fogging of the vehicle's windows when the
weather is cold and damp. To clear the fog, switch the
system to either the DEFOG or DEFROST mode and
increase the fan speed. To avoid re
-fogging of the
windows, operate the system in the OUTSIDE
AIR mode.
A/C: This button turns the air conditioning
compressor off or on under most conditions. The light
on the A/C button comes on when the compressor is
operating. The air conditioning does not operate at
temperatures below approximately 35
F to 40
F
(2
C to 4
C). The air conditioning cools and
dehumidifies the air coming into the vehicle. The air
conditioning cannot be turned off in DEFROST, as it
helps to remove moisture from the vehicle. It also helps
to keep the windows clear.
The air conditioning may be forced off at high engine
speeds or high engine oil or coolant temperatures.
See ªRear Window Defoggerº later in this section for
more information.

3-8
A/C: This button turns the air conditioning
compressor off or on under most conditions. The light
on the A/C button will come on when the compressor is
operating in either the automatic or manual mode. The
air conditioning does not operate at temperatures below
approximately 35
F to 40
F (2
C to 4
C). The light
on the A/C button will flash if pressed when air
conditioning is not available. The air conditioning cools
and dehumidifies the air coming into the vehicle. The air
conditioning cannot be turned off in DEFROST and
DEFOG, as it helps to remove moisture from the
vehicle. It also helps to keep the windows clear.
If the system is operating in the AUTO mode, turning
the air conditioning off will delete AUTO from the
digital display and show current mode and fan settings.
The AUTO button must be pressed to return to the
automatic mode operation.
The air conditioning may be forced off at high engine
speeds or high engine oil or coolant temperatures. OUTSIDE AIR: Press this button to provide
outside air. The light on this air intake button will come
on to show when it is operating. When in the AUTO
mode, the system automatically selects OUTSIDE AIR
instead of recirculate, as required, to control the
temperature in the vehicle. By pressing OUTSIDE AIR,
the system will lock into the outside air mode. Any
adjustment to the air intake must then be made
manually. OUTSIDE AIR should be used when trying to
defrost or defog windows to help reduce moisture inside
of the vehicle.
RECIRCULATE: Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering the vehicle. The light on
this air intake button will come on to show when it is
operating. Recirculate is helpful when you are trying to
cool the air quickly or trying to limit odors and dust
from entering the vehicle. When in the AUTO mode,
the system automatically selects recirculate to cool the
vehicle's temperature. By pressing this button, the
system will lock into the recirculated air mode.
Any adjustment to the air intake must then be made
manually. Recirculation is not available when using the
defrost or defog mode because outside air is need to
reduce moisture inside of the vehicle.

5-8
To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles, do
the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from the
heavy, unpainted metal engine part on the vehicle
that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from
the negative terminal on the vehicle with the
good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
other vehicle.
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº and ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº in
the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage on the
instrument cluster and a COOLANT OVER TEMP
message on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
Should an overheated engine condition exist and the
messages COOLANT OVER TEMP and REDUCED
ENGINE POWER are displayed, along with the Check
Engine light, an overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders helps prevent
engine damage. In this mode, you will notice a loss in
power and engine performance. This operating mode
allows your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency; you may drive up to 50 miles (80 km).
NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life monitor. See ªEngine Oilº in
the Index.

6-15

SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W
-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE
10W
-30 if it's going to be 0F (-18C) or above.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such
as SAE 20W
-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should also
have the starburst symbol
on the container. This
symbol indicates that the
oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum
Institute (API).You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that are identified as meeting GM
Standard 4718M and have the starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container.
Your vehicle's engine is filled at the factory with a
Mobil 1
 synthetic oil, which meets all requirements for
your vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain
engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M
may not be available. You can add substitute oil
designated SAE 5W
-30 with the starburst symbol at all
temperatures. If temperatures are above 0F (
-18C),
you may substitute SAE 10W
-30 with the starburst
symbol. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.

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
15,000 miles (25 000 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 15,000 miles (25 000 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
Engine Oil Life Monitor 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, 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.

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.

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.