2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE check engine light

Security Light
This light comes on to
remind you to arm your
theft-deterrent system. If it
comes on and stays on
when your ignition is
on, there may be a
problem with your
theft-deterrent system.
See
Theft-Deterrent System on page 2-16andPASS-Keyžon page 2-17.
Check Gages Warning Light
This light will come on
brie¯y when you are
starting the engine. If the
light comes on and
stays on while you are
driving, check your gages
to see if they are in the
warning areas.This light can come on for the following reasons:
·Low Oil Pressure
·High Coolant Temperature
·High or Low Battery Voltage
·Low Fuel Level
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel you
have left when the
ignition is on.
When the needle approaches the red zone, RESERVE
FUEL will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
display. When the needle approaches the E, LOW
FUEL will appear on the display. At this time, you still
have a little fuel left, but you should get more soon.
3-42

ACT HNDLG ± WARMING UP:When you ®rst start
your vehicle (especially during cold winter weather), and
begin to drive away (up to 6 mph (10 km/h)), the
message ACT HNDLG ± WARMING UP may be
displayed in the DIC, the instrument panel cluster light
will be on, and a chime will sound. This is normal.
You can acknowledge this message by pressing the
RESET button. The Active Handling System
performance is affected until the next message WARM
UP COMPLETE is displayed in the DIC.
During hot or cold temperature conditions, this message
may be displayed in the DIC after exceeding 12 mph
(20 km/h) for 30 seconds. The Active Handling System is
off until the WARM UP COMPLETE message is
displayed.
WARM UP COMPLETE:If you receive this message
and hear a chime, the system has completed the
functional check of the Active Handling System.
TRAC/ACT HNDLG ± ON:If the Traction Control and
Active Handling Systems are off, pressing the Active
Handling System console button momentarily will
turn both systems on. The message TRAC/ACT
HNDLG ± ON will be displayed temporarily in the DIC,
the instrument panel cluster light will be off and a
chime will sound.TRAC/ACT HNDLG ± OFF:By pressing the Active
Handling System console button brie¯y, the driver can
turn the Traction Control and Active Handling Systems
off. The message TRAC/ACT HNDLG ± OFF will be
displayed in the DIC, the instrument panel cluster light
will be on and a chime will sound. You can acknowledge
this message by pressing the RESET button. The
anti-lock brake systems remains on with the Traction
Control and Active Handling Systems off. You should
adjust your driving accordingly.
COMPETITIVE DRIVING:When the Competitive
Driving mode is selected, this message will be displayed
in the DIC. The instrument panel cluster light will not
be on when the Competitive Driving mode is selected.
The Traction Control System will not be operating
while in the Competitive Driving mode. You should
adjust your driving accordingly.
SERVICE ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System):If the
SERVICE ABS message is displayed when you
are driving, stop as soon as possible and turn the
ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system. If the message stays on, or comes back
on again while you are driving, your vehicle is in need
of service. If the regular brake system warning light isn't
on, you still have brakes, but don't have anti-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system light is also on, you
don't have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem
with your brakes. See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 3-35.
3-54

If the SERVICE ABS message is being displayed, your
Traction Control System and the Active Handling
System will also be disabled. The Driver Information
Center will scroll three messages: SERVICE ABS,
SERVICE TRACTION SYS and SERVICE ACTIVE
HNDLG, and the instrument cluster car icon will
be illuminated. The driver can acknowledge these
messages by pressing the reset button three times.
When the service message is displayed the computer
controlled systems will not assist the driver and you
should have the system repaired as soon as possible.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
SERVICE COLUMN LOCK (Manual Transmission
Only):If the system that controls the locking and
unlocking of the steering column does not work properly,
have the vehicle towed to a dealer for service.
PULL KEY ± WAIT 10 SEC (Manual Transmission
Only):If this message comes on, the steering column
lock system has detected a problem while disengaging
the steering column lock. This message may occur when
the ignition key is removed and reinserted before the
steering column lock system fully locks or unlocks
the steering column. To acknowledge that you have read
this message, and to clear it from the display, remove
the ignition key and wait 10 seconds before reinserting
the key into the ignition. If you attempt to operate
your vehicle without removing the key for 10 seconds,
the vehicle's fuel system will shut off when you
reach 1.5 mph (2.4 km/h). If the message stays on afterremoving the key and waiting 10 seconds, have your
vehicle taken to an authorized dealer as soon as
possible for diagnosis and repair.
LOW OIL PRESSURE:You will hear four chimes and
the CHECK GAGES telltale will come on when this
message is displayed. To acknowledge the warning,
press the RESET button. After you press the RESET
button, a message will be displayed and you will hear a
chime every minute until the vehicle is serviced. If
you do not press RESET, the message will remain on
the digital display until the vehicle is serviced.
Low oil pressure may be the result of a combination of
low oil level and abrupt changes in the vehicle's
direction. When this warning is displayed, you should
not operate the engine at high rpm or make fast abrupt
moves. As soon as possible, you should check the
oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
LOW OIL LEVEL:Press RESET to acknowledge that
you have read the message and to remove it from
the display. The message will reappear every
10 minutes until this condition changes. Once the
vehicle senses a temperature change in the engine oil,
the light will remain off.
You will hear two chimes when this message is
displayed. If this message appears after starting your
engine, your engine oil level may be too low. You
may need to add oil. See
Engine Overheating on
page 5-26.
3-55

REDUCED ENGINE POWER:You will hear chimes
continuously when this message is displayed. To
acknowledge that you have read the message and to
remove it from the display, press RESET. The message
will reappear every 15 seconds until this condition
changes.
If the Driver Information Center (DIC) displays the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message and the CHECK
ENGINE light comes on, a noticeable reduction in the
vehicle's performance may occur. If the REDUCED
ENGINE POWER message is displayed but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced the next time
the vehicle is driven.
The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed while the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
the CHECK ENGINE light stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to an authorized dealer as soon as
possible for diagnosis and repair.
Also, refer to
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-38.
If the REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is
displayed in combination with the COOLANT OVER
TEMP message, see
Engine Overheating on page 5-26.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON:If this message appears
on the DIC, there may be an electrical or another system
problem with your vehicle. Have your vehicle checked
by your dealer if this message keeps appearing.CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT:Press RESET to
acknowledge that you have read the message and to
remove it from the display. The message will reappear
every 10 minutes until this condition changes. You
will hear two chimes when this message is displayed.
If this message comes on while you are driving, you may
have a problem with the electrical charging system. It
could indicate that you have a loose or broken drive belt
or another electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving while this light is on could drain your
battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the message on,
be certain to turn off your accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
TRACTION SYS ACTIVE:When your Traction Control
System is limiting wheel spin, the TRACTION SYS
ACTIVE message will be displayed. Slippery road
conditions may exist if this message is displayed, so
adjust your driving accordingly. The message will
stay on for a few seconds after the Traction Control
System stops limiting wheel spin.
TRACTION SYSTEM ± ON:This message is displayed
when you decide to turn on the Traction Control
System by pressing the switch on the console. This
message will shut off automatically on its own.
3-56

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that your
brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there's a problem with
the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will
stay on. See
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-36
.
Let's say the road is wet and you're driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here's what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
4-7

Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh Ð such as after a day's
work Ð don't plan to make too many miles that ®rst
part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
you can easily drive in.Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll ®nd experienced and able service experts in GM
dealerships all across North America. They'll be
ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
·Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
·Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
·Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
·Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
·Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all in¯ated to the
recommended pressure?
·Weather Forecasts:What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
·Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-24

{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You can't see it or
smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine
again and repeat this only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as
possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help
keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do
some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until
help comes.
4-31

CAUTION: (Continued)
·
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. ªEnglishº and ªmetricº
fasteners can be easily confused. If you
use the wrong fasteners, parts can later
break or fall off. You could be hurt.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the air¯ow around it. This may cause wind
noise and affect windshield washer performance. Check
with your dealer before adding equipment to the
outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the
proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Gasoline Octane
Use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of
91 or higher for best performance. You may also use
middle grade or regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, but your vehicle's acceleration may
be slightly reduced. If the octane is less than 87, you
may get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might damage your
engine.
5-4