2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE transmission fluid

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Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display
information about how your vehicle is functioning,
as well as warning messages if a system problem is
detected. The DIC display area is located in the
instrument panel cluster below the speedometer and
tachometer, directly above the steering column.
The following buttons are located on the DIC control
panel which is located to the right of the instrument
panel cluster.
1 FUEL: Press this button to display fuel information
such as fuel economy and range.
2 GAGES: Use this button to display gage information
like oil pressure and temperature, coolant temperature,
automatic transmission fluid temperature, battery
voltage and front/rear tire pressures.
3 TRIP: Use this button to display your total and trip
miles, the elapsed time function, your average speed and
the engine oil life.
4 OPTIONS: This button allows you to choose personal
options that are available on your vehicle, depending on
the options your vehicle is equipped with, such as
security, door locks, easy entry seats and language.
5 E/M (English/Metric): Use this button to change
the display between English and metric units.
RESET: This button, used along with the other buttons,
will reset system functions and turn off or acknowledge
messages on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
At the top of the DIC control buttons is a light sensor.
Be sure not to block the sensor or your lighting
functions may be disrupted.

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Press the GAGE button again to display the oil
temperature, such as:

OIL TEMP 234 F or

OIL TEMP 112 C
Press the GAGE button again to display the coolant
temperature, such as:

COOLANT TEMP 123 F or

COOLANT TEMP 51 C
Press the GAGE button again to display the automatic
transmission fluid temperature, such as:

TRANS FLUID 123 F or

TRANS FLUID 51 CPress the GAGE button again to display the battery
voltage, such as:

BATTERY VOLTS 13.5
Press the GAGE button again to display the tire pressure
for the front tires (except Z06), such as:

FRONT L34 R33 PSI or

FRONT L234 R228 kPa
Press the GAGE button again to display the tire pressure
for the rear tires (except Z06), such as:

REAR L34 R33 PSI or

REAR L234 R228 kPa
Tire pressure is not available until the vehicle has
reached a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h) or more.

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HIGH TRANS TEMP (Automatic Transmission
Only): You will hear four chimes when this message
is displayed. To acknowledge this warning, press the
RESET button. After you press the RESET button,
the message will be displayed every 10 minutes until
the condition changes. If you do not press RESET,
the message remains on the display until the
condition changes.
If the transmission fluid temperature rises above 270
F
(132
C) or rises rapidly, this message is displayed.
The transmission may shift gears or apply the torque
converter clutch to reduce the fluid temperature.
Driving aggressively or driving on long hills can cause
the transmission fluid temperature to be higher than
normal. If this message appears, you may continue to
drive at a slower speed. You should also monitor the
transmission fluid temperature and allow it to cool to at
least 230
F (110
C). The transmission fluid temperature
can be monitored with the GAGES button on the DIC.
See ªAutomatic Transmission Fluidº in the Index.
You should also check the engine coolant temperature.
If it is also hot, see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.If the HIGH TRANS TEMP message is displayed during
normal vehicle operation on flat roads, your vehicle may
need service. See your dealer for an inspection.
SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING: If the SERVICE
ACTIVE HNDLG message is displayed, there is a
problem with your Active Handling System and your
vehicle needs service. The instrument cluster light will
also be on and a chime will sound. When this message
is displayed, the system is not working. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
ACTIVE HANDLING: Your vehicle is equipped with
a computer controlled system to assist the driver in
controlling the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
You may feel or hear the system working and see the
ACTIVE HANDLING message displayed in the DIC.
This is normal when the system is operating. Also see
ªAnti
-Lock Brakesº in the Index.

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Other Messages
Here are more messages that you can receive on your
Driver Information Center (DIC). To acknowledge a
message and read another message that may have
come on at the same time, press the RESET button.

BRAKE BEFORE SHIFT
(Automatic Transmissions Only)

CHANGE OIL NOW
(See ªGM Oil Life Systemº in the Index.)

CHANGE OIL SOON
(See ªGM Oil Life Systemº in the Index.)

CRUISE DISENGAGED
(See ªCruise Controlº in the Index.)

CRUISE SET __ MPH (__ km/h)
(See ªCruise Controlº in the Index.)

DOOR AJAR
ENGINE PROTECTION REDUCE ENGINE RPM

HATCH AJAR (Coupe)

HIGH VOLTAGE (See ªVoltmeterº in the Index.)

LOW BRAKE FLUID
(See ªBrake Fluidº in the Index.)

LOW FUEL (See ªFuel Gageº in the Index.)

LOW VOLTAGE (See ªVoltmeterº in the Index.)

LOW WASHER FLUID
(See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the Index.)

RESERVE FUEL (See ªFuel Gageº in the Index.)

TONNEAU AJAR (Convertible)

TRUNK AJAR (Convertible/Z06)

UPSHIFT NOW
(See ªManual Transmissionº in the Index.)

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Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can
make your trips safer and more enjoyable.

Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system
and transmission. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of
the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you
go down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let your engine
assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope.

6-
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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
-20 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-21 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-22 Rear Axle
6
-23 Engine Coolant
6
-26 Surge Tank Pressure Cap
6
-27 Power Steering Fluid
6
-28 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
-61 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-63 Cleaning Your Convertible Top
6
-63 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
6
-64 Cleaning Tires
6
-64 Finish Damage
6
-64 Underbody Maintenance
6
-66 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-67 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-67 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-68 Electrical System
6
-75 Replacement Bulbs
6
-75 Capacities and Specifications
6
-76 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

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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.

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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.
How to Check
Because this operation can be difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Chevrolet dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot exhaust
system parts, starting a fire. Too little fluid could
cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission
is cool enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the filler plug hole.
3. If the fluid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If the fluid level is low, add more
fluid as described in the next steps.