2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coolant

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

CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT:Press RESET to
acknowledge that you have read the message and to
remove it from the display. The message will reappear
every 10 minutes until this condition changes. You
will hear two chimes when this message is displayed.
If this message comes on while you are driving, you may
have a problem with the electrical charging system. It
could indicate that you have a loose or broken drive belt
or another electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving while this light is on could drain your
battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the message on,
be certain to turn off your accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
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.COOLANT OVER TEMP:You will hear four chimes
and the CHECK GAGES telltale will come on when this
message is displayed. To acknowledge the warning,
press the RESET button. After you press the RESET
button, a message will be displayed and you will hear a
chime every minute until this condition changes. If
you do not press RESET, the message will remain on
the digital display until the condition changes.
If the engine coolant exceeds 255°F (124°C), this
message is displayed. If you have been operating your
vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should
pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. You can monitor the coolant
temperature with the GAGES button on the DIC or
the engine coolant gage on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-26.
3-59

HIGH TIRE PRESSURE – (LF, LR, RF, RR)
(Except Z06):You will hear two chimes when this
message is displayed. To acknowledge the warning,
press RESET. After you press RESET, a message will
reappear every 10 minutes until this condition
changes. This message indicates that the pressure in
one of your tires is higher than 42 psi (290 kPa). Next to
the HIGH TIRE PRESSURE message, you can see
either LF (left front), LR (left rear), RF (right front) or RR
(right rear) to indicate to you which tire is higher than
42 psi (290 kPa). You can receive more than one
tire pressure message at a time. To read other
messages that may have been sent at the same time,
press RESET. If a tire pressure message appears on the
DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have the tire pressures
checked and set to those shown on your Tire Loading
Information Label. SeeExtended Mobility Tires
(Except Z06) on page 5-61andInation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-62.HIGH TRANS TEMP (Automatic Transmission
Only):You will hear four chimes when this message is
displayed. To acknowledge this warning, press the
RESET button. After you press the RESET button, the
message will be displayed every 10 minutes until
the condition changes. If you do not press RESET, the
message remains on the display until the condition
changes.
If the transmission fluid temperature rises above 270°F
(132°C) or rises rapidly, this message is displayed.
The transmission may shift gears or apply the torque
converter clutch to reduce the fluid temperature. Driving
aggressively or driving on long hills can cause the
transmission fluid temperature to be higher than normal.
If this message appears, you may continue to drive at
a slower speed. You should also monitor the
transmission fluid temperature and allow it to cool to at
least 230°F (110°C). The transmission fluid temperature
can be monitored with the GAGES button on the
DIC. SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-20.
You should also check the engine coolant temperature.
If it is also hot, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-26.
If the HIGH TRANS TEMP message is displayed during
normal vehicle operation on flat roads, your vehicle
may need service. See your dealer for an inspection.
3-61

REDUCED ENGINE POWER:You will hear chimes
continuously when this message is displayed. To
acknowledge that you have read the message and to
remove it from the display, press RESET. The message
will reappear every 15 seconds until this condition
changes.
If the Driver Information Center (DIC) displays the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message and the CHECK
ENGINE light comes on, a noticeable reduction in the
vehicle’s performance may occur. If the REDUCED
ENGINE POWER message is displayed but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced the next time
the vehicle is driven.
The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed while the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
the CHECK ENGINE light stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to an authorized dealer as soon as
possible for diagnosis and repair.
Also, refer toMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-41.
If the REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is
displayed in combination with the COOLANT OVER
TEMP message, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-26.REDUCE ENGINE RPM:You will hear four chimes
when this message is displayed. To acknowledge
the warning, press the RESET button. After you press
the RESET button, a message will be displayed and you
will hear a chime every minute until this condition
changes. If you do not press RESET, the message will
remain on the digital display until the condition
changes.
If the engine oil temperature exceeds 320°F (160°C),
this message is displayed. You should check the engine
coolant temperature and engine oil level. If your
engine is too hot, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-26.
Your vehicle may need service, so see your dealer.
You can monitor the oil temperature with the GAGES
button on the DIC.
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
is not on, you still have brakes, but do not have anti-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system light is also on,
you do not have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem
with your brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 3-38.
3-64

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-20
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-21
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26
Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-35
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-36Brakes........................................................5-37
Battery........................................................5-40
Jump Starting...............................................5-41
Rear Axle.......................................................5-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-48
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-48
Headlamps..................................................5-48
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps...................5-50
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-52
Tires..............................................................5-55
Extended Mobility Tires (Except Z06)...............5-61
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-62
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
(Except Z06).............................................5-64
Tire Rotation................................................5-65
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-65
Buying New Tires.........................................5-66
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-67
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-68
Wheel Replacement......................................5-68
Tire Chains..................................................5-71
Lifting Your Vehicle.......................................5-71
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-75
Tire Inflator Kit (Z06 Only).............................5-77
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the gasoline vapor.
You can be badly burned and your vehicle
damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to
you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the lling is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and
other uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
5-10

A. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-23.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-40.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-35.
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes on page 5-37.
H. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir. SeeHydraulic
Clutch on page 5-22.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-36.Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL message on the Driver
Information Center comes on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level right away. For more
information, seeDriver Information Center (DIC) on
page 3-48.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil level every
time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on
level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or a
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down.
5-13