2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE heating

How to Check and Add Fluid
Fluid should be added if the ¯uid level is below the step
on the inside of the reservoir. There are additional
instructions on the reservoir cap. Put the rubber seal
and cap back on. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more information on location.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is ®lled with
DEX-COOLžengine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs ®rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
žextended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on
page 5-26.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
žcoolant will:
·Give freezing protection down to-34ÉF (-37ÉC).
·Give boiling protection up to 265ÉF (129ÉC).
·Protect against rust and corrosion.
·Help keep the proper engine temperature.
·Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
5-23

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOLž
coolant mixtureat the surge tank,but only when the
engine is cool.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:Your pressure cap is a pressure-type
cap and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage from overheating.
See ªCapacities and Speci®cationsº for more
information.
See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will ®nd an engine coolant temperature gage on the
instrument panel cluster and a COOLANT OVER
TEMP message on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-38andDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
messages COOLANT OVER TEMP and REDUCED
ENGINE POWER are displayed, along with the Check
Engine light, an overheat protection mode which
alternates ®ring groups of cylinders helps prevent engine
damage. In this mode, you will notice a loss in power
and engine performance. This operating mode
allows your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency; you may drive up to 50 miles (80 km).
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. See ªEngine Oilº in
the Index.
5-26

The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If it isn't, you may have a leak at the
pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the cooling
system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine ®re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak ®xed before you drive the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they aren't, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.
See ªOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Modeº in the Index for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
5-30

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your Chevrolet Warranty booklet for details.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
·Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. See ªLoading Your
Vehicleº in the Index.
·Underin¯ated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
·
Overin¯ated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact Ð such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
·Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.
Extended Mobility Tires
(Except Z06)
Your vehicle, when new, had Goodyear Extended
Mobility Tires (EMT). There's no spare tire, no tire
changing equipment and no place to store a tire in the
vehicle. Extended Mobility Tires perform so well
without any air that a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) is
used to alert you if a tire has lost pressure.
If a tire goes ¯at, you won't need to stop on the side of
the road to change the tire. You can just keep on driving.
The shorter the distance you drive and the slower the
speed, the greater the chance that the tire will not have to
be replaced. If you drive on a de¯ated EMT for 50 miles
(80 km) or less and at speeds of 55 mph (90 km/h) or
less, there is a good chance that the tire can be repaired.
5-54

{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
with the engine running, if the shift lever is not
in NEUTRAL (N) with the parking brake ®rmly
set (manual transmission). Your vehicle can
roll or move suddenly even when on fairly
level ground. To be sure your vehicle won't
move, always set your parking brake and move
the shift lever to NEUTRAL (N) when you start
or idle your engine.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with
the climate control system off can cause
deadly carbon monoxide (CO). See ªEngine
Exhaustº in the Index.
{CAUTION:
In¯ating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured.
Be sure to read the in¯ator instructions, and
in¯ate the tire to its recommended pressure.
Do not exceed 36 psi (248 kPa).
Notice:Do not allow the air compressor to operate
continuously for more than six minutes to help
prevent damage from overheating.
Notice:If 26 psi (179 kPa) tire pressure cannot be
reached after six minutes the vehicle should not
be driven further. Damage to the tire is severe and
the sealant will not be effective. Remove the air
compressor plug from the accessory power outlet
and unscrew the in¯ating hose from the tire
valve. See ªRoadside Assistanceº in the Index.
If 26 psi (179 kPa) tire pressure is reached in six
minutes or less, disconnect the air compressor and
attach the enclosed maximum speed label to the inside
upper left corner of the windshield or to the face of
the radio/clock.
5-72

Electrical System (cont.)
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-85
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-85
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
(Convertible Only)........................................2-13
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-40
Engine Accessory Drive Belt Routing.................5-95
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-89
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................. 6-8
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check..................................... 6-8
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance..................... 6-5
Engine..........................................................5-18
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-40
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-38
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-38
Coolant......................................................5-23
Cooling System Inspection............................6-13
Exhaust.....................................................2-35
Oil Pressure Gage.......................................3-41
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-26
Starting......................................................2-21
Exit/Entry Lighting...........................................3-16
Express-Down Window....................................2-15Extended Mobility Tires....................................5-54
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-20
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter.............................................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a Station....................................3-63, 3-67
Finish Care....................................................5-78
Finish Damage...............................................5-81
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-79
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-68
Floor Mats.....................................................2-40
Fluid.............................................................5-20
Automatic Transmission................................5-20
Manual Transmission....................................5-20
Power Steering...........................................5-35
Windshield Washer......................................5-36
FM ...............................................................3-77
Fog Lamps....................................................3-14
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
Front Air Dam................................................2-19
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
5