2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE change wheel

Selective Ride Control
You may have a ride control system on your vehicle
called Selective Ride Control. The system provides the
following performance bene®ts:
·Reduced Impact Harshness
·Improved Road Isolation
·Improved High-Speed Stability
·Improved Handling Response
·Better Control of Body Ride MotionsThis knob is located on the center console. Turn it to
select the suspension of your choice.
TOUR:Use for normal city and highway driving. This
setting provides a smooth, soft ride.
SPORT:Use where road conditions or personal
preference demand more control. This setting provides
more ªfeelº, or response to the road conditions.
You can select a setting at any time. Based on road
conditions, steering wheel angle and your vehicle speed,
the system automatically adjusts to provide the best
ride and handling. Select a new setting whenever driving
conditions change.
There are three Driver Information Center (DIC)
messages that are displayed when a malfunction occurs
with the Selective Ride Control system. Refer to DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-53.
4-12

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering
Your vehicle is equipped with a steering system that
continuously adjusts the effort you feel when steering at
all vehicle speeds. It provides ease when parking,
yet a ®rm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you've ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll
understand this.The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you can
control.
Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems Ð steering and acceleration Ð have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Adding the
sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. See
Traction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you'll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can ªdriveº through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-13

Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes,
steering and acceleration) don't have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
ªoverdrivingº those conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration
skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your TCS system is off, then
an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues Ð such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº Ð and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-17

If the display doesn't show tire pressure, or if the
SERVICE TIRE MON SYS message appears see your
dealer for service. For more information, see
Tire
Pressure Monitor System (Except Z06) on page 5-57
andDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-44.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
(Except Z06)
The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) has a sensor on each
road wheel that transmits to a receiver on the
instrument panel.
The system operates on a radio frequency subject to
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and
with Industry and Science Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.This device complies with RSS±210 of Industry and
Science Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modi®cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
If a tire's in¯ation pressure is between 5 psi (35 kPa)
and 25 psi (170 kPa), you will see a message on
the Driver Information Center. This message will show
which tire is underin¯ated and two chimes will sound. An
example would be LOW TIRE PRESSURE-LR. This
would mean that the in¯ation pressure in your left rear
tire is between 5 psi (35 kPa) and 25 psi (170 kPa).
If the in¯ation pressure in the tire drops below
5 psi (35 kPa), the message would read FLAT TIRE-LR
and four chimes will sound. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-44.
The TPM will also alert you if a tire's pressure is higher
than 42 psi (290 kPa). The message will show which
tire is overin¯ated and two chimes will sound. An
example would be HIGH PRESSURE-LR. This would
mean that the in¯ation pressure in your left rear tire
is higher than 42 psi (290 kPa). See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-44.
5-57

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.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make 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 places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a cloth or a 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 the
threads of the wheel nuts. If you do, the wheel
nuts might come loose and the wheel could
fall off, causing a crash.
5-62

Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the
®nish should be repaired right away.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials avaliable from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of ®nish damage can be corrected
in your dealer's body and paint shop.
Magnesium Wheel Finish
Notice:Improper paint repair or re®nishing can
cause corrosion damage to a magnesium wheel. See
your dealer if a magnesium wheel needs paint
repair or re®nishing.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, ¯oor pan
and exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, ¯ush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and debris can collect. Dirt packed in close areas of
the frame should be loosened before being ¯ushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can
do this for you.
Titanium Exhaust System
(Z06 Only)
Time and high performance driving conditions can
cause a color change in titanium exhaust system parts.
This is normal for a titanium surface.
Fiberglass Springs
Notice:Don't use corrosive or acidic cleaning
agents, engine degreasers, aluminum cleaning
agents or other harsh solvents to clean ®berglass
springs; they'll damage the springs.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped discolorations,
and small, irregular dark spots etched into the paint
surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, GM will
repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs ®rst.
5-81

Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Tire and Wheel Inspection............................6-12
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-38
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transmission Check............................... 6-9
Manual Transmission.......................................2-21
Fluid..........................................................5-20
Operation...................................................2-27
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-7
Memory.........................................................2-55
Message.......................................................3-53
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-53
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) ± Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Mirrors..........................................................2-37
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-37
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror.................2-38
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-38
Outside Power Heated Mirrors.......................2-38
Model Reference................................................ vi
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-19
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............5-94
O
Odometer......................................................3-31
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-15
Oil ................................................................3-41
Engine Oil Pressure Gage............................3-41
Engine.......................................................5-13
Older Children, Restraints................................1-21
One to Four Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)..................................2-29
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
Operating the Trunk-Mounted CD Changer
with the AM-FM Radio with Cassette..............3-73
Operating the Trunk-Mounted CD Changer with
the AM-FM Radio with CD............................3-74
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-4
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-28
Outside.........................................................2-38
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-38
Convex Mirror.............................................2-38
Power Heated Mirrors..................................2-38
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-26
Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-11
9

Tires.............................................................5-54
Buying New Tires........................................5-59
Chains.......................................................5-64
Extended Mobility........................................5-54
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-68
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure...............................5-56
Lifting Your Corvette....................................5-64
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-57
Rotation.....................................................5-58
Tire and Wheel Inspection............................6-12
Tire In¯ator Kit............................................5-70
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-60
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-61
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-61
To Use The Engine Coolant Heater...................2-23
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-31
Top Strap......................................................1-30
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)...............2-33
Towing..........................................................4-33
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-33
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-35
Your Vehicle...............................................4-33
Traction.........................................................4-10
Active Handling System................................4-10
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-36
Limited-Slip Rear Axle..................................4-11
Selective Ride Control..................................4-12
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-24
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-27Transmission..................................................5-20
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-20
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-20
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trunk/Hatch...................................................2-11
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer.............................3-71
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-6
Twilight Sentinel
ž(Optional in United States,
Standard in Canada)....................................3-14
U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-11
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-77
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-60
United States ± Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a
Power Loss................................................3-76
V
Vehicle Identi®cation........................................5-83
Number (VIN).............................................5-83
Service Parts Identi®cation Label...................5-83
Vehicle Personalization....................................2-55
Memory.....................................................2-55
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-40
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