2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may ®nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque
lock.º To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver's seat. To ®nd out how, see ªShifting
Into PARK (P)º listed previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is in ON. See
Automatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-24.
As a reminder, you will see a message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) that will say PRESS BRAKE
BEFORE SHIFT within 15 seconds unless the brake
is pressed.
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.
2-33

If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have your vehicle inspected by your dealer as soon
as possible.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R) and ®rmly apply the parking
brake. Once the shift lever has been placed into
REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can
turn the ignition key to OFF, remove the key and
release the clutch.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things
that can burn.
2-34

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and
death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
·Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
·Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
·Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
·
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
·Repairs weren't done correctly.
·Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modi®ed improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
·Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
·Have your vehicle ®xed immediately.
2-35

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked (Automatic
Transmission)
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust Ð with CO Ð can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
ªWinter Drivingº in the Index.
{CAUTION:
It can be 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've 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-31.
2-36

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
An inside rearview mirror is attached above the
windshield. The mirror pivots so that you can adjust it.
You can adjust the mirror for day or night driving.
Pull the tab for night driving to reduce glare. Push the
tab forward for daytime driving.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with map lamps.
This mirror automatically changes to reduce glare from
headlamps behind you. A time delay feature prevents
rapid changing from the day to night positions while
driving under lights and through traffic.The mirror includes two map lamps and an automatic
dimming function. There is also an interior console ¯ood
lamp located underneath the rearview mirror which
remains on at all times.
IO (On/Off):The automatic dimming feature is turned
on or off by pressing this button located on the
lower part of the mirror. Press and hold the button for
up to three seconds to turn this feature on or off.
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror housing.
2-37

Outside Power Heated Mirrors
The power mirror control is on the driver's door. It
controls the driver's and passenger's mirrors. To adjust
either mirror, press the LT (left) or RT (right) button
to select the mirror, then press the arrows to adjust the
direction of the mirror. The mirror will stay selected
for 20 seconds after the last adjustment. An indicator
light will come on above the mirror that you select.
Your preferred mirror position can be stored if you have
the memory option. See
Memory on page 2-55.
For operation of the heated outside mirrors, see
Dual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-22.
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror
If your vehicle has this feature, the driver's side
outside mirror will adjust for the glare of headlamps
behind you. This feature is controlled by the on and off
setting on the inside mirror. See
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror on page 2-37.
Outside Convex Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
2-38

Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open the glove box, lift up on the lever. Use your
door key to lock or unlock it. The glove box has a light
inside.
Cupholder(s)
The cupholder is located on the center console in front
of the ashtray. To open it, place your thumb on the
left side of the lid and push down. Raise the right side
with your index ®nger.
Center Console Storage Area
To use this storage area, pull up the lid on the driver's
side front edge of the console and swing it to the
passenger's side.
You can use the key to lock and unlock the console.
Don't leave the key in the lock, or it could be damaged
when the driver sits down.
The fuel ®ller door release button and accessory power
outlet are located inside the center console.
2-39

Floor Mats
If your vehicle has ¯oor mats, they are specially
designed to remain in position under your feet and out
of reach of the accelerator pedal. The driver's side
¯oor mat is held in place by two locator hooks and the
passenger's side is held in place by one.
Be sure that the driver's side ¯oor mat is properly
placed on the ¯oor so that it does not block the
movement of the accelerator pedal.
How to Remove and Replace the
Floor Mats
To remove the ¯oor mats,
pull up on the rear of the
mat to disconnect from
the locator hooks.
To reinstall the ¯oor mats, line up the openings in the
¯oor mat over the locator hooks and push down
into place.
2-40