2001 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

5-22
NOTICE:
The car engine must be running to avoid draining
the battery while running the air compressor.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªParking Your Vehicle, Manual
Transmissionº in the Index.
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
with the engine running, if the shift lever is not in
NEUTRAL (N) with the parking brake firmly set
(manual transmission). Your vehicle can roll or
move suddenly even when on fairly level ground.
To be sure your vehicle won't move, always
set your parking brake and move the shift lever
to NEUTRAL (N) when you start or idle
your engine.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with the
climate control system off can cause deadly
carbon monoxide (CO). See ªEngine Exhaustº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
Inflating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured. Be
sure to read the inflator instructions, and inflate
the tire to its recommended pressure. Do not
exceed 36 psi (248 kPa).

5-23
NOTICE:
Do not allow the air compressor to operate
continuously for more than 6 minutes to help
prevent damage from overheating.
NOTICE:
If 26 psi (179 kPa) tire pressure cannot be
reached after 6 minutes, the vehicle should not be
driven further. Damage to the tire is severe and
the sealant will not be effective. Remove the air
compressor plug from the accessory power outlet
and unscrew the inflating hose from the tire
valve. See ªRoadside Assistanceº in the Index.
If 26 psi (179 kPa) tire pressure is reached in 6 minutes
or less, disconnect the air compressor and attach the
enclosed maximum speed label to the inside upper
lefthand corner of the windshield or to the face of
the radio/clock.
The maximum speed
label reminds you to
drive cautiously and
not to exceed 55 mph
(90 km/h) until you
have the damaged tire
inspected and repaired.
Place the air compressor pump and accessories into the
inflator kit case and store in the hatch/trunk
compartment area of your vehicle.

5-24 Tire Inflator Kit Storage
The Tire Inflator Kit is stored in the rear hatch/trunk
area of your vehicle.
A. Removable Elastic Cord
B. Rear Retaining Hook
C. Elastic Band1. Remove the elastic cord (A) from around the
retaining hook (B) and slide the kit out from under
the elastic band (C) that is secured to the floor of the
hatch/trunk area.
2. Unwrap the elastic cord (A) from around the handle
of the Tire Inflator Kit. Open the Tire Inflator Kit
case by lifting up the two tabs located on either side
of the kit handle.
To Stow the Tire Inflator Kit:
CAUTION:
Storing the Tire Inflator Kit or other equipment
in the passenger compartment of the vehicle
could cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision,
loose equipment could strike someone. Store the
tire inflator kit in the proper place.

5-25
A. Tire Inflator Kit
B. Removable Elastic Cord
1. Loop the elastic cord (B) around the handle of the
Tire Inflator Kit (A).A. Tire Inflator Kit
B. Removable Elastic Cord
C. Rear Retaining Hook
D. Elastic Band
2. Insert the tire inflator kit under the elastic band (D)
that is secured to the floor of the hatch/trunk area of
your vehicle.
3. Wrap elastic cord (B) around the retaining hook (C).

5-26
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin
your wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº
can help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transmission or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear
the area around your front wheels. You should turn your
TCS System off. See ªTraction Control Systemº in the
Index. Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R)
and a forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
For a manual transmission, shift slowly between either
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R), allowing
the wheels to stop before shifting into gear. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear. By
slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may free
your vehicle. If that doesn't get you out after a few tries, you
may need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out,
see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.

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
-38 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement6
-40 Tires
6
-53 Lifting Your Corvette
6
-57 Appearance Care
6
-57 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-60 Cleaning a Removable Roof Panel
6
-60 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-62 Cleaning Your Convertible Top
6
-62 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
6
-63 Cleaning Tires
6
-63 Finish Damage
6
-63 Underbody Maintenance
6
-65 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-66 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-66 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-67 Electrical System
6
-74 Replacement Bulbs
6
-75 Capacities and Specifications
6
-76 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-2
Service
Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to
be happy with it. We hope you'll go to your dealer for
all your service needs. You'll get genuine GM parts and
GM
-trained and supported service people.
We hope you'll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you'll
want to use the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service your vehicle than this manual
can. To order the proper service manual, see ªService
and Owner Publicationsº in the Index.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see ªServicing Your Air
Bag
-Equipped Vehicleº in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. See ªMaintenance Recordº in the Index.

6-3
CAUTION:
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.

Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.

Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. ªEnglishº and ªmetricº
fasteners can be easily confused. If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall off. You could be hurt.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of
your vehicle.
Fuel
Use premium unleaded gasoline rated at 91 octane or
higher for best performance. You may use middle grade
or regular unleaded gasolines, but your vehicle's
acceleration may be slightly reduced.
It is recommended that the gasoline meet specifications
which were developed by the American Automobile
Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and endorsed by
the Canadian Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association
for better vehicle performance and engine protection.
Gasolines meeting the AAMA specification could
provide improved driveability and emission control
system performance compared to other gasolines.
In Canada, look for the
ªAuto Makers' Choiceº
label on the fuel pump.
Canada Only