2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE automatic transmission

Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque
lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To find out how, see “Shifting
Into PARK (P)” listed previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the transmission parking pawl, so you can
pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P)
when the ignition is in the off position. In addition,
you have to fully apply your regular brake before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in ON. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-25.
As a reminder, you will see a message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) that will say PRESS BRAKE
BEFORE SHIFT within 15 seconds unless the brake
is pressed.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and 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.
2-34

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can not see
or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and
death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked (Automatic
Transmission)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-36.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-28.
2-36

Roof Panel
Your vehicle may have a removable roof panel.
Removing the Roof Panel
{CAUTION:
Do not 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:If you drop or rest a roof panel on its
edges, the roof panel, paint and/or weatherstripping
may be damaged. Always place the roof panel in
the stowage receivers after removing it from
the vehicle.
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake firmly
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.
2-44

When lowering and raising the convertible top, you will
use the following:
A. Front Edge of the Convertible Top
B. Rear Edge of the Convertible Top
C. Storage Compartment LidLowering the Convertible Top
Notice:Leaving the convertible top down and
exposing the interior of your vehicle to outdoor
conditions may cause damage. Always close
the convertible top if leaving your vehicle outdoors.
1. Set the parking brake firmly. 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.
Notice:Lowering the convertible top when there
are objects in the storage area could damage
it or break the glass rear window. Always verify that
no objects are in the storage area before lowering
the convertible top.
2-51

Raising the Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake firmly
and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into REVERSE (R).
Lower both windows and sun visors and turn
the ignition key to OFF.
2. Tilt the driver’s seat forward and press the storage
compartment release button, or use the manual
release cable if battery power has been lost. Lift the
storage compartment lid (C).
After pressing the release button, the driver and
passenger door glass should retract to the full-down
position, if they have not already been lowered.3. Pull the top up by firmly gripping the front edge (A)
of the convertible top with your hand and applying a
brisk, firm upward and forward motion to get the
top in the full-up position.
2-55

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. See
“Instrument Panel Brightness” underInterior Lamps
on page 3-17.
B. Head-Up Display Controls. SeeHead-Up Display
(HUD) on page 3-18.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.
D. Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-48.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-33.
F. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. See “Windshield
Wipers” underTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-6.
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Controls. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-48.
H. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-4.
I. Center Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on
page 3-31.
J. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-69.
K. Climate Controls. SeeDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-23.
L. Fog Lamp Button. See “Fog Lamps” underExterior
Lamps on page 3-13.
M. Hatch/Trunk Release Button. See “Hatch/Trunk Lid
Release” underHatch/Trunk on page 2-11.N. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-20.
O. Shift Lever (Automatic Shown). SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-25orManual
Transmission Operation on page 2-28.
P. Active Handling Button. SeeActive Handling System
on page 4-10.
Q. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlets on page 3-22.
R. Selective Ride Control Switch. SeeSelective Ride
Control on page 4-12.
S. Air Bag Off Light. SeeAir Bag Off Light on
page 3-36.
T. Instrument Panel Cupholder. SeeCupholder(s) on
page 2-40.
U. Fuel Door Release Button. SeeFilling Your Tank on
page 5-7.
V. Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtrays and
Cigarette Lighter on page 3-23.
W. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-31.
X. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-40.
Y. Instrument Panel Fuse Block. See “Instrument Panel
Fuse Block” underFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-93.
Z. Air Bag Off Switch. SeeAir Bag Off Switch on
page 1-46.
3-3

Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display
information about how your vehicle is functioning, as
well as warning messages if a system problem is
detected. The DIC display area is located in the
instrument panel cluster below the speedometer and
tachometer, directly above the steering column.
The following buttons are located on the DIC control
panel which is located to the right of the instrument
panel cluster.1 FUEL:Press this button to display fuel information
such as fuel economy and range.
2 GAGES:Press this button to display gage information
like oil pressure and temperature, coolant temperature,
automatic transmission fluid temperature (if equipped),
battery voltage and front/rear tire pressures.
3 TRIP:Press this button to display your total and trip
miles, the elapsed time function, your average speed
and the engine oil life.
4 OPTIONS:This button allows you to choose personal
options that are available on your vehicle, depending
on the options your vehicle is equipped with, such
as security, door locks, easy entry seats and language.
5 E/M (English/Metric):Press this button to change
the display between English and metric units.
RESET:This button, used along with the other buttons,
will reset system functions and turn off or acknowledge
messages on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
At the top of the DIC control buttons is a light sensor.
Be sure not to block the sensor or your lighting functions
may be disrupted.
3-48

Press the GAGE button again to display the oil
temperature, such as:
•OIL TEMP 234°F or
•OIL TEMP 112°C
Press the GAGE button again to display the coolant
temperature, such as:
•COOLANT TEMP 123°F or
•COOLANT TEMP 51°C
Press the GAGE button again to display the automatic
transmission fluid temperature (if equipped), such as:
•TRANS FLUID 123°F or
•TRANS FLUID 51°CPress the GAGE button again to display the battery
voltage, such as:
•BATTERY VOLTS 13.5
Press the GAGE button again to display the tire
pressure for the front tires (except Z06), such as:
•FRONT L34 R33 PSI or
•FRONT L234 R228 kPa
Press the GAGE button again to display the tire
pressure for the rear tires (except Z06), such as:
•REAR L34 R33 PSI or
•REAR L234 R228 kPa
Tire pressure is not available until the vehicle has
reached a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h) or more.
3-51