2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
Owner's Information
Owner publications are written speci®cally for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner's manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner's Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $60.00
Without Portfolio: Owner's Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $20.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday ± Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P. O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-11

-NOTES
7-12

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-20
Accessory Power Plug.....................................5-84
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature................3-76
Active Handling System Light...........................3-37
Active Handling System...................................4-10
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-36
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-84
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-65, 3-69
Air Bag System..............................................1-39
Air Bag Off Switch.......................................1-44
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-42
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-47
What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?....................1-42
What Will You See After an
Air Bag In¯ates?......................................1-43
When Should an Air Bag In¯ate?...................1-42
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-40
Air Bag .........................................................3-33
Off Light.....................................................3-33
Readiness Light..........................................3-32
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Air Compressor..............................................5-71
Air Dam, Front...............................................2-19
AM ...............................................................3-77
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-79
Antenna, Power Antenna Mast Care..................3-79Antennas, Integrated Windshield and Rear
Window......................................................3-80
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-36
Appearance Care............................................5-75
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-77
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-81
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-75
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-78
Fiberglass Springs.......................................5-81
Finish Damage............................................5-81
Titanium Exhaust System..............................5-81
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-81
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-82
Weatherstrips..............................................5-77
Arming the System.........................................2-16
Ashtrays........................................................3-21
Audio System(s).............................................3-62
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-78
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-79
Care of Your CDs........................................3-79
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-79
Integrated Windshield and Rear Window
Antennas................................................3-80
Power Antenna Mast Care............................3-79
Radio with Cassette.....................................3-63
Radio with CD............................................3-67
Setting the Time..........................................3-62
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-75
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer..........................3-71
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-77
Automatic Transmission Check........................... 6-9
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-10
Automatic Transmission...................................2-21
Fluid..........................................................5-20
Operation...................................................2-24
B
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-8
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-17
Battery..........................................................5-40
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-24
Body Lubrication Service................................... 6-9
Brake Fluid....................................................5-37
Brake Wear...................................................5-39
Brake............................................................2-30
Parking......................................................2-30
System Inspection.......................................6-13
System Warning Light..................................3-35
Brakes..........................................................5-37
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-19
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-47
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-51
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Headlamps.................................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-51
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps..................5-49
Buying New Tires...........................................5-59
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Speci®cations............................5-92
Carbon Monoxide...................4-27, 4-35, 2-11, 2-35
Care of.........................................................5-77
Safety Belts................................................5-77
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-78
Your CD Player...........................................3-79
Your CDs ...................................................3-79
Cargo Cover..................................................2-42
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-66
Cassette Tape Player Service............................. 6-8
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-66
CD Changer, Trunk-Mounted............................3-71
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-39
Chains, Tires..................................................5-64
Check Engine Light.........................................3-38
Checking Coolant............................................5-25
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
2

Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-48
Check...........................................................3-38
Engine Light...............................................3-38
Gages Warning Light...................................3-42
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-81
Child Restraints..............................................1-26
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-26
Infants and Young Children...........................1-23
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-31
Older Children.............................................1-21
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-33
Securing a Child Restraint in the Passenger
Seat Position...........................................1-34
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-31
Top Strap...................................................1-30
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-21
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-80
Cleaning Coated Moldings................................5-76
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-78
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-75
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-77
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-77
Cleaning Leather............................................5-76
Cleaning Removable Roof Panel.......................5-79
Cleaning the Convertible Top............................5-80
Cleaning the Security Shade and
Convenience Net.........................................5-77Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-76
Cleaning Tires................................................5-80
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-79
Cleaning........................................................5-81
Fiberglass Springs.......................................5-81
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-75
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-78
Titanium Exhaust System..............................5-81
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-81
Weatherstrips..............................................5-77
Climate Control System...................................3-22
Dual Automatic............................................3-22
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-28
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-22
Compact Disc Messages..........................3-70, 3-75
Competitive Driving Mode................................4-11
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-42
Convertible Top..............................................2-49
Lowering the Convertible Top........................2-50
Raising the Convertible Top..........................2-53
Coolant.........................................................3-38
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-38
Heater, Engine............................................2-23
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-26
Cooling System..............................................5-29
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-16
Cruise Control.................................................. 3-9
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-39
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-11
3

Customer Assistance Information........................ 7-7
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users.............................................. 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government.............................................. 7-9
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-10
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-13
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-27
Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature.................3-77
Disarming the System.....................................2-17
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Door............................................................... 2-9
Locks.......................................................... 2-9
Power Door Locks.......................................2-10
Downshifting (Manual Transmission)..................2-29Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-44
DIC Controls and Displays............................3-45
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-53
Other Messages..........................................3-61
Driver............................................................1-13
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-13
Driving On Snow or Ice...................................4-28
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-21
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-21
Driving..........................................................4-18
At Night.....................................................4-18
City...........................................................4-22
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-25
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-19
Winter........................................................4-27
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-22
E
Electrical System............................................5-84
Accessory Power Plug.................................5-84
Add-On Equipment......................................5-84
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-86
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-85
4

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

Fuel (cont.)
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-42
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
System Inspection.......................................6-13
Fuses...........................................................5-86
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-86
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-85
G
Gage............................................................3-42
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-42
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-38
Engine Oil Pressure.....................................3-41
Fuel..........................................................3-42
Speedometer..............................................3-31
Tachometer.................................................3-31
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-34
Gasoline......................................................... 5-4
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-39
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hatch/Trunk Lid Release..................................2-12
Hatch/Trunk...................................................2-11
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-7
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-85
Headlamps Doors...........................................3-12
Headlamps on Reminder................................... 3-7
Headlamps....................................................5-47
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Head-Up Display (HUD)...................................3-17
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-25
Hood............................................................5-10
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank.................................................5-31
How to Add Fluid............................................5-22
How to Check and Add Fluid............................5-23
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-46
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-35
How to Check................................5-20, 5-21, 5-56
How to Remove and Replace the
Floor Mats..................................................2-40
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
6