Page 1 of 368

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-7
Child Restraints
.......................................1-21
Air Bag System
.......................................1-39
Restraint System Check
............................1-48
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
.................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-19
Mirrors
....................................................2-37
Storage Areas
.........................................2-39
Roof Panel
..............................................2-43
Convertible Top
.......................................2-49
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-55
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-29
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-44
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-62Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-33
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Rear Axle
...............................................5-46
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-47
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-51
Tires
......................................................5-54
Appearance Care
.....................................5-75
Vehicle Identi®cation
.................................5-83
Electrical System
......................................5-84
Capacities and Speci®cations
.....................5-92
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-94
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-9
INDEX............................................................... 1
2003 Chevrolet Corvette Owner ManualM
Page 36 of 368

Top Strap
Some child restraints have a top strap, or ªtop tether.º It
can help restrain the child restraint during a collision.
For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to
the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints
are designed for use with or without the top strap being
anchored. Others require the top strap always to be
anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
your child restraint. If yours requires that the top strap
be anchored, do not use the restraint unless it is
anchored properly.
If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can
be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints.
Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit
is available.
In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be
anchored. In the United States, some child restraints
also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a
top strap, it should be anchored.
If your vehicle is a convertible or has a removable roof
panel, do not use a child restraint that requires a
top strap in your vehicle because the strap cannot be
anchored properly.
1-30
Page 58 of 368
Roof Panel.....................................................2-43
Removing the Roof Panel..............................2-43
Storing the Roof Panel..................................2-46
Installing the Roof Panel................................2-47Convertible Top..............................................2-49
Lowering the Convertible Top.........................2-50
Raising the Convertible Top...........................2-53
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-55
Memory.......................................................2-55
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2
Page 98 of 368

Notice:If your vehicle is equipped with the optional
trunk±mounted CD changer, it is stored in the
center rear storage compartment. To help avoid
damage to the compact disc player, do not store
items such as liquids or sharp objects that could
damage, puncture or cut the trunk±mounted
CD changer or wiring.
Notice:Do not store heavy or sharp objects in the
rear storage compartments located in the
hatch/trunk area. If you do, the objects could
damage the underbody.
Convenience Net
If your vehicle has this feature you will see it on the
back wall of the rear area of the vehicle.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, in the net. It can help
keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops. The convenience net is not for
larger, heavier loads.
You can unhook the net and place it in one of the rear
storage compartments when you are not using it.
On coupe models only, a vinyl storage bag has also
been provided.
Cargo Cover
If your vehicle has this feature, the security shade can
provide hidden storage in the rear area of the vehicle.
The shade is also helpful in blocking the glare from the
removable roof when it is stored in the rear
compartment.
Using the Cargo Cover
1. Hook the elastic loops
on the front corners (A)
of the shade to the
T-nuts located on the
front corners of the rear
hatch frame.
2. Hook the elastic loops on the rear corners (B) of the
shade to the hooks recessed inside the rear hatch
frame, near the rear corners.
2-42
Page 99 of 368

Roof Panel
Your vehicle may have a removable roof panel.
Removing the Roof Panel
{CAUTION:
Don't try to remove a roof panel while the
vehicle is moving. Trying to remove the roof
panel while the vehicle is moving could cause
an accident. The panel could fall into the
vehicle and cause you to lose control, or it
could ¯y off and strike another vehicle. You or
others could be injured. Remove the roof panel
only when the vehicle is parked.
Until you are sure you can remove the panel alone,
have someone help you.
Notice:To avoid damage to the roof panel, paint
and weatherstripping, do not drop or rest it on
its edges. Place the roof panel in the egg-shaped
stowage receivers after removing it from the vehicle.1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake ®rmly
and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into REVERSE (R).
2. Turn the ignition key to OFF. Lower both sun visors
and turn them toward the door glass.
3. Open the rear hatch and remove any items that may
interfere with proper storage of the roof panel.
4. Make sure to install the two egg-shaped stowage
receivers into the ¯oor of the rear storage
compartment. Secure both receivers into their
proper positions by turning them counterclockwise.
2-43
Page 100 of 368
5. Lower the windows and open the doors.
There are two latches on the front of the roof panel
near each door (A), and one rear latch (B).6. To unlock the front of the roof panel, pull down
each of the front handles. Grasp the handles
with your ®ngers and pull each toward you.
Complete a 180É turn toward the center of the
vehicle. Then push up on each of the handles.
2-44
Page 101 of 368
7. To unlock the rear of the roof panel, press the latch
release button with your thumb and pull down the
latch lever with your ®ngers.
8. After releasing the latches, return the sun visors to
the forward position.9. Stand on one side of the vehicle and, if necessary,
have your helper stand on the other side. Together,
carefully lift the front edge of the panel up and
forward, and out of the vehicle opening.
10. When the panel is loosened from the vehicle, one
person should grasp the roof panel as close to the
center of the vehicle as possible and lift away
the panel.
2-45
Page 102 of 368
Storing the Roof Panel
{CAUTION:
If a roof panel is not stored properly, it could
be thrown about the vehicle in a crash or
sudden maneuver. People in the vehicle could
be injured. Whenever you store a roof panel in
the vehicle, always be sure that it is stored
securely in the proper location.
Notice:To avoid damage to the roof panel, paint
and weatherstripping, do not drop or rest it on
its edges. Place the roof panel in the egg-shaped
stowage receivers after removing it from the vehicle.
1. Turn the roof panel so that the rear edge of the
panel is facing the storage area. The locating
pins (at the rear of the panel) should point toward
the egg-shaped stowage receivers on the ¯oor
of the center compartment.
2. Push the panel forward until the pins bottom out in
the receivers.3. There are two spring-loaded storage pins on the
rear wall of the storage compartment (A). These
storage pins go into the slots on each side of
the roof panel (B).
2-46