2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE competitive driving

When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0ÉF or-18ÉC), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of
the key.
2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be ¯ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
¯oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts brie¯y but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for ®ve or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you don't, your engine
might not perform properly.
Starter Interlock Feature
For your convenience and to avoid damage to your
starter, your vehicle is equipped with a starter interlock
feature. This feature will not allow you to crank the
engine while the vehicle is already running.
Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, your engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near 1 quart (1 L) above the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range
on the engine oil dipstick. For information on
how to add oil, see ªEngine Oilº in the Index. After
the competitive driving, remove excess oil so
that the level on the dipstick is not above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range.
2-22

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

The Active Handling System comes on automatically
whenever you start your vehicle. To help maintain
directional control of the vehicle, you should always
leave the system on. You can turn the system off if you
ever need to. If you turn the Active Handling System
off, the Traction Control System will also be turned off.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
To turn the system off,
press the ACTIVE
HANDLING button on the
console. You can turn
the system on and off at
any time by pressing
the button. The DIC will
display the appropriate
message when you push
the button.Competitive Driving Mode
The driver can select this optional handling mode by
pressing the ACTIVE HANDLING button on the console
for more than ®ve seconds. Competitive Driving mode
allows the driver to have full control of the rear
wheels while the Active Handling System helps steer
the vehicle by selective brake application. The
instrument cluster light will not be on. The Traction
Control System will not be operating. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
When you press the ACTIVE HANDLING button again,
or turn the ignition to ACC, the Active Handling and
Traction Control Systems will be on. The TRAC/ACT
HNDLG-ON message will be displayed temporarily in the
DIC and a chime will be heard.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your limited-slip rear axle can give you additional
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like
a standard axle most of the time, but when one of
the rear wheels has no traction and the other does, this
feature will allow the wheel with traction to move the
vehicle.
4-11

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick, you'll need to add at least one quart
of oil. But you must use the right kind. This part explains
what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see
Capacities and Speci®cations on
page 5-92.
See ªRacing or Other Competitive Drivingº under
Starting Your Engine on page 2-21for additional
information on engine oil.
Notice:Don't add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, your engine could be damaged.The engine oil ®ll cap is
located in the engine
compartment on top of the
valve cover on the
passenger's side of the
vehicle. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12
for more
information on location.
Be sure to ®ll it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you're through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
·GM4718M
Your vehicle's engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this
standard may be identi®ed as synthetic. However,
not all
syntheticoils will meet this GM standard.
You should look for and use only an oil that meets
GM Standard GM4718M.
Notice:If you use oils that don't have the GM4718M
Standard designation, you can cause engine
damage not covered by your warranty.
5-14

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

P
Park (P)........................................................2-31
Shifting Into................................................2-31
Shifting Out of............................................2-33
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
Park (P) Mechanism Check...........................6-11
Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-34
Parking.........................................................2-30
Brake........................................................2-30
Over Things That Burn.................................2-34
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.................. 6-8
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections..........6-12
Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-14
Part E - Maintenance Record...........................6-16
Passenger Position, Safety Belts.......................1-20
Passing.........................................................4-15
PASS-Key
ž....................................................2-17
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-7
Playing a Cassette Tape..................................3-65
Playing a Compact Disc...................................3-69
Playing the Radio...................................3-63, 3-67
Power Antenna Service..................................... 6-8
Power Steering...............................................4-13
Power...........................................................3-20
Accessory Outlets........................................3-20
Antenna Mast Care......................................3-79
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.........................................5-85Power (cont.)
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-35
Windows....................................................2-15
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-11
R
Racing or Other Competitive Driving..................2-22
Radios..........................................................3-62
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-78
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-79
Care of Your CDs........................................3-79
Radio with Cassette.....................................3-63
Radio with CD............................................3-67
Setting the Time..........................................3-62
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-75
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer..........................3-71
Understanding Reception..............................3-77
Raising the Convertible Top..............................2-53
Reading Lamps..............................................3-16
Rear Axle......................................................5-46
Limited-Slip.................................................4-11
Service......................................................6-13
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-41
Rear Window Defogger....................................3-27
10