2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE stop start

Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, expecially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Theft-Deterrent System
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft-deterrent alarm
system.
With this system, the
SECURITY light will ¯ash
as you open the door
if your ignition is off. This
light reminds you to
arm the theft-deterent
system.
Arming the System
Use one of the two following items listed here to arm
the system:
·Press the lock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
·Open the door. The SECURITY light should ¯ash.
Lock the door with the power door lock switch.
The SECURITY light will stop ¯ashing and stay on.
Close the door. The security light should go off.
Now, if a door or the hatch/trunk lid is opened without
the key or the remote keyless entry transmitter, the
alarm will go off. Your horn will sound for two minutes,
then it will go off to save battery power. And, your
vehicle won't start.
The theft-deterrent system won't arm if you lock the
driver's door with a key, the manual door lock, or if you
use the power door lock after the doors are closed.
If your passenger stays in the vehicle when you leave
with the keys, have the passenger lock the vehicle after
the doors are closed. This way the alarm won't arm,
and your passenger won't set it off.
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Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
²break-in.²But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
·Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the ®rst 500 miles (805 km).
·Don't drive at any one speed Ð fast or
slow Ð for the ®rst 500 miles (805 km). Don't
make full-throttle starts.
·Avoid making hard stops for the ®rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings aren't yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Front Air Dam
Your vehicle is equipped with a front air dam which has
minimal ground clearance for aerodynamics. For this
reason, the air dam has a spring-loaded hinge provided
and it will retract with road contact.
Under normal operation, the air dam will occasionally
contact some road surfaces (speed bumps, driveway
ramps, etc.). This can be heard inside the vehicle as a
scraping noise. This is normal and does not indicate
a problem.
Use care when approaching bumps or objects on road
surfaces and avoid them when possible.
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When the engine is not running, ACCESSORY and ON
allow you to operate your electrical accessories,
such as the radio.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver's door
while the ignition is in OFF or ACCESSORY and
the key is in the ignition.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With RAP, your power windows and the audio system
will continue to work for up to 15 minutes after the
ignition key is turned to OFF and neither door is opened.
If a door is opened, the power windows and audio
system will shut off.
Starting Your Engine
This vehicle has a computer system that monitors
engine speed, throttle and pedal position, and records
the current status.
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position ± that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in NEUTRAL and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the ¯oor
and start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down ± that's a safety feature.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
the ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15
seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the ¯oor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.
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When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0ÉF or-18ÉC), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of
the key.
2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be ¯ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
¯oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts brie¯y but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for ®ve or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you don't, your engine
might not perform properly.
Starter Interlock Feature
For your convenience and to avoid damage to your
starter, your vehicle is equipped with a starter interlock
feature. This feature will not allow you to crank the
engine while the vehicle is already running.
Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, your engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near 1 quart (1 L) above the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range
on the engine oil dipstick. For information on
how to add oil, see ªEngine Oilº in the Index. After
the competitive driving, remove excess oil so
that the level on the dipstick is not above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range.
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{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake ®rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle won't move, even when
you're on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). See ªShifting into Park (P)º in
the Index.
Be sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system.You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in
ON. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever ± push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish. If
you do not apply the brake after 15 seconds once the
ignition is turned on, you will receive a PRESS BRAKE
BEFORE SHIFT message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See
Shifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-33.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your transmission.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
see If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-32.
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NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
ªracingº (running at high speed) is dangerous.
Unless your foot is ®rmly on the brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit people or objects.
Don't shift into a drive gear while your engine
is racing.
Notice:Damage to your transmission caused by
shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with
the engine racing isn't covered by your warranty.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X): This position is
for normal driving.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving.
However, it offers more power and lower fuel economy
than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X).Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X):
·When driving on hilly, winding roads.
·When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
If you manually select SECOND (2) when you start the
vehicle, the transmission will drive (and stay) in
second gear. You may use this feature for reducing
torque to the rear wheels when you are trying to start
your vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces, or for
preventing the transmission from downshifting into
FIRST (1) in situations where a downshift would
be undesirable.
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power,
but lower fuel economy, than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, in deep snow or mud. If the shift
lever is put in FIRST (1), the transmission won't shift into
®rst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
2-26

Notice:If your vehicle is equipped with the optional
trunk±mounted CD changer, it is stored in the
center rear storage compartment. To help avoid
damage to the compact disc player, do not store
items such as liquids or sharp objects that could
damage, puncture or cut the trunk±mounted
CD changer or wiring.
Notice:Do not store heavy or sharp objects in the
rear storage compartments located in the
hatch/trunk area. If you do, the objects could
damage the underbody.
Convenience Net
If your vehicle has this feature you will see it on the
back wall of the rear area of the vehicle.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, in the net. It can help
keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops. The convenience net is not for
larger, heavier loads.
You can unhook the net and place it in one of the rear
storage compartments when you are not using it.
On coupe models only, a vinyl storage bag has also
been provided.
Cargo Cover
If your vehicle has this feature, the security shade can
provide hidden storage in the rear area of the vehicle.
The shade is also helpful in blocking the glare from the
removable roof when it is stored in the rear
compartment.
Using the Cargo Cover
1. Hook the elastic loops
on the front corners (A)
of the shade to the
T-nuts located on the
front corners of the rear
hatch frame.
2. Hook the elastic loops on the rear corners (B) of the
shade to the hooks recessed inside the rear hatch
frame, near the rear corners.
2-42

INT (Intermittent):Move the lever to INT to choose a
delayed wiping cycle. Turn the INT ADJ band down
for a longer delay or up for a shorter delay. The further
the INT ADJ band is turned upward, the shorter the
delay will be and the further the INT ADJ band is turned
downward, the longer the delay will be. The wiper
speed can only be adjusted when the lever is in the INT
position. Use this position for light rain or snow.
LO (Low Speed):Move the lever up to the ®rst setting
past INT, for steady wiping at low speed.
HI (High Speed):Move the lever up to the second
setting past INT, for steady wiping at high speed.
MIST:Move the lever all the way down to MIST for a
single wiping cycle. Hold it there until the windshield
wipers start; then let go. The windshield wipers will stop
after one wipe. If you want more wipes, hold the
band on MIST longer.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wipers. If this
occurs, a circuit breaker will stop the wipers until the
motor cools. So, be sure to clear any ice and snow from
the windshield wiper blades before using them. If the
wiper blades are frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen them or warm the windshield before turning the
wipers on. If your blades do become worn or
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.Windshield Washer
The lever on the right side of the steering column also
controls the windshield washer. There is a button at
the end of the lever. To spray washer ¯uid on the
windshield, press the button and hold it. The washer will
spray until you release the button. The wipers will
continue to clear the window for about six seconds after
the button is released and then stop or return to your
preset speed.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer ¯uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
If the ¯uid in the windshield washer ¯uid reservoir is
low, the message LOW WASHER FLUID will appear on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) display. It will
take 60 seconds after the bottle is re®lled for this
message to turn off. For information on the correct
washer ¯uid mixture to use, see
Windshield Washer
Fluid on page 5-36andPart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-14.
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