2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE automatic transmission

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-9
Door Locks....................................................2-9
Power Door Locks........................................2-10
Lockout Protection........................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-10
Hatch/Trunk.................................................2-11
Windows........................................................2-14
Power Windows............................................2-15
Sun Visors...................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent System..................................2-16
PASS-Key
ž..................................................2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-19
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-19
Front Air Dam..............................................2-19
Ignition Positions..........................................2-20
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-21
Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only).............2-23
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-24
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-27
Parking Brake..............................................2-30Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)............................2-31
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)............................2-33
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)...............................2-34
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-34
Engine Exhaust............................................2-35
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked
(Automatic Transmission)............................2-36
Mirrors...........................................................2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-37
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-37
Outside Power Heated Mirrors........................2-38
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror..................2-38
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-38
Storage Areas................................................2-39
Glove Box...................................................2-39
Cupholder(s)................................................2-39
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-39
Floor Mats...................................................2-40
Rear Storage Area........................................2-41
Convenience Net..........................................2-42
Cargo Cover................................................2-42
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Hatch/Trunk Lid Release
To use the hatch/trunk lid release on vehicles with an
automatic transmission, your vehicle must be in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). For manual transmissions,
set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-30.
Press the button with the trunk symbol on it, located
at the left side of the steering column on the instrument
panel, to release the hatch/trunk lid from inside your
vehicle.The remote keyless entry transmitter will also release
the hatch/trunk lid. See
Remote Keyless Entry System
on page 2-4.
If your vehicle is equipped with a hatch and you have
lost battery power, use the manual release cables
to open the hatch. To access the cables, remove the
two access panels located in the rear of the trunk area.
There is one cable located under each access panel.
See
Rear Storage Area on page 2-41for more
information.
Pull each cable straight down for each latch to release
the hatch.
2-12

Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition
switch, you can turn it to
four different positions.
OFF:This is the only position from which you can
remove the key.
If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can't be turned to OFF unless the shift lever is in
PARK (P).
ACC (ACCESSORY):This is the position in which you
can operate your electrical accessories.{CAUTION:
If you have a manual transmission removing
the key from the ignition switch will lock the
steering column and result in a loss of ability to
steer the vehicle. This could cause a collision. If
you need to turn the engine off while the vehicle
is moving, turn the key to ACC.
Notice:If your key seems stuck in OFF and you
can't turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break the
key or the ignition switch. If none of this works, then
your vehicle needs service.
ON:This is the position to which the switch returns
after you start the engine and release the key. The
switch stays in ON while the engine is running. But even
when the engine is not running, you can use ON to
operate your electrical accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster messages and telltales.
START:This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.
2-20

When the engine is not running, ACCESSORY and ON
allow you to operate your electrical accessories,
such as the radio.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver's door
while the ignition is in OFF or ACCESSORY and
the key is in the ignition.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With RAP, your power windows and the audio system
will continue to work for up to 15 minutes after the
ignition key is turned to OFF and neither door is opened.
If a door is opened, the power windows and audio
system will shut off.
Starting Your Engine
This vehicle has a computer system that monitors
engine speed, throttle and pedal position, and records
the current status.
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position ± that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in NEUTRAL and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the ¯oor
and start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down ± that's a safety feature.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
the ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15
seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the ¯oor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.
2-21

4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don't it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It's
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.
2-24

{CAUTION:
It is 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 have 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). See ªShifting into Park (P)º in
the Index.
Be sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system.You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in
ON. 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. If
you do not apply the brake after 15 seconds once the
ignition is turned on, you will receive a PRESS BRAKE
BEFORE SHIFT message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See
Shifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-33.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your transmission.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
see If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-32.
2-25

NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
ªracingº (running at high speed) is dangerous.
Unless your foot is ®rmly on the brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit people or objects.
Don't shift into a drive gear while your engine
is racing.
Notice:Damage to your transmission caused by
shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with
the engine racing isn't covered by your warranty.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X): This position is
for normal driving.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving.
However, it offers more power and lower fuel economy
than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X).Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X):
·When driving on hilly, winding roads.
·When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
If you manually select SECOND (2) when you start the
vehicle, the transmission will drive (and stay) in
second gear. You may use this feature for reducing
torque to the rear wheels when you are trying to start
your vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces, or for
preventing the transmission from downshifting into
FIRST (1) in situations where a downshift would
be undesirable.
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power,
but lower fuel economy, than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, in deep snow or mud. If the shift
lever is put in FIRST (1), the transmission won't shift into
®rst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
2-26

To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Then push the release button in as you move the
parking brake lever all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
cause your rear brakes to overheat. You may have
to replace them, and you could also damage
other parts of your vehicle. Make sure the brake
warning light is not on before driving.
Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{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. If you have 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,
use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2-31