2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

6-49
Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are
not needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.

6-50 Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load
-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.
CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use
the correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire
clearance to the body and chassis.

6-51
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause a crash. When you change a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from the places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency,
you can use a cloth or paper towel to do this;
but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later,
if you need to, to get all the rust or dirt off.
CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a crash.
CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come off. This could lead to a crash.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.

6-52
Used Replacement Wheels
CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is dangerous.
You can't know how it's been used or how far it's
been driven. It could fail suddenly and cause a
crash. If you have to replace a wheel, use a new
GM original equipment wheel.
Using the Wheel Lock Key
If you have a Z06, the wheel lock key sits in a small
depression in the trunk rail on the left side, underneath
the carpeting.
If you have a coupe or a convertible, the wheel lock key
sits in a small depression in the trunk rail directly under
the left rear compartment cover.Your vehicle's wheel lock key has a unique registration
number. The registration number is printed on a card
included in your lock nut package. Also on this card is
lost key replacement information. This number is not
recorded by GM or your dealer, so be sure not to lose
this card. You will need the information if you ever lose
your wheel lock key.
If you or someone else is going to remove the wheels on
your vehicle, make sure that the special wheel lock key
is being used to remove the wheel locks.NOTICE:
Your wheel lock key or lock nuts could be
damaged if an air or impact wrench is used
with this key.

6-53 Tire Chains
CAUTION:
Don't use tire chains. There's not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the proper
amount of clearance can cause damage to the
brakes, suspension or other vehicle parts. The area
damaged by the tire chains could cause you to lose
control of your vehicle and you or others may be
injured in a crash.
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.

6-54
CAUTION:
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is
dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly injured or killed. Never get under
a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack.
CAUTION:
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned can damage the vehicle and even make
the vehicle fall. To help avoid personal injury and
vehicle damage, be sure to place the jack in the
proper location before raising the vehicle.
If you ever use a jack to lift your Corvette, such as to
display it at a show, follow the instructions that came
with the jack, and be sure to use the correct lifting points
to avoid damaging your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Lifting your vehicle improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by your warranty. To lift your vehicle properly,
follow the advice in this part.
To help prevent vehicle damage:

Be sure to place a block or pad between the
jack and the vehicle.

Make sure the jack you're using spans
at least two crossmember ribs.

Lift only in the areas shown in the
following pictures.
For additional information, see your dealer and
the Chevrolet Corvette service manual.

6-55 Lifting From the Front
The front lifting point can be accessed from either the
driver's or passenger's side of the vehicle, behind the
front tires.
1. Locate the lifting point (B) on either side of your
vehicle to jack the vehicle according to the
illustration shown.
2. Be sure to place a block or pad between the jack and
the vehicle.
3. Lift the vehicle with the jack, making sure the jack
spans at least two of the crossmember ribs (A).

6-56 Lifting From the Rear
The rear lifting point can be accessed from the rear of
the vehicle, on either the driver's or passenger's side.
1. Locate the lifting point to jack your vehicle
according to the illustration shown.
2. Be sure to place a block or pad between the jack and
the vehicle.
3. Lift the vehicle with the jack, making sure the jack
spans at least two of the crossmember ribs (A).
For more information, see ªDoing Your Own Service
Workº in the Index.