2005 CHEVROLET CORVETTE check engine

LOW OIL PRESSURE:If this message appears while
the engine is running, stop the engine and do not
operate it until the cause of low oil pressure is corrected.
Severe damage to the engine can result. A multiple
chime will sound when this message is displayed. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE:You will hear multiple chimes
and the tire pressure light on the instrument panel
cluster will come on when this message is displayed.
SeeTire Pressure Light on page 3-42. To acknowledge
the warning, press the RESET button. After you
press the RESET button, a message will appear every
10 minutes until this condition changes. This message
indicates that the pressure in one of your tires is
less than 24 psi (164 kPa). Next to the LOW TIRE
PRESSURE message, you can see either LEFT
FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT REAR or RIGHT REAR
to indicate to you which tire is low on pressure. 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 the RESET button. 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 on page 5-56andTire
Pressure Monitor System on page 5-60.
{CAUTION:
When the LOW TIRE PRESSURE or TIRE FLAT
message is displayed on the Driver Information
Center, your vehicle’s handling capabilities will
be reduced during severe maneuvers. The
active handling system will be affected. See
Active Handling System on page 4-10.Ifyou
drive too fast, you could lose control of your
vehicle. You or others could be injured. Do not
drive over 55 mph (90 km/h) when the LOW
TIRE PRESSURE or TIRE FLAT message is
displayed. Drive cautiously and check your tire
pressures as soon as you can.
MAXIMUM SPEED 80 MPH (129 km/h):To
acknowledge the warning, press the RESET button.
After you press the RESET button, a message will
reappear every 10 minutes until this condition changes.
This message indicates that a malfunction is present
in the selective real time damping system. The vehicle
speed will be limited to a value determined by the
vehicle when the shock absorber system has failed and
the shocks are in their full soft mode. Have your
vehicle serviced by your GM dealer as soon as possible.
3-59

REDUCED ENGINE POWER:You will hear multiple
chimes when this message is displayed. To
acknowledge that you have read the message and to
remove it from the display, press the RESET button. The
message will reappear every ve minutes 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 your GM dealer as soon as possible
for diagnosis and repair.
Also, seeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-42.If
the REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed
in combination with the COOLANT OVER
TEMPERATURE message, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-24.SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM:If the
SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM message is
displayed, there is a problem with your Active Handling
System and your vehicle needs service. See your
GM dealer. The instrument cluster light will also be on
and a chime will sound. When this message is
displayed, the system is not working. Adjust your driving
accordingly. SeeActive Handling System on page 4-10
for more information.
SERVICE AIR CONDITIONING:This message displays
when the electronic sensors that control the air
conditioning and heating systems are no longer working.
Have the climate control system serviced by your
GM dealer if you notice a drop in heating and air
conditioning efficiency.
SERVICE ANTILOCK BRAKES:If the SERVICE
ANTILOCK BRAKES 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. See your GM dealer. If the anti-lock
brake system warning light is on and 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. See
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on page 3-39
andBrake System Warning Light on page 3-38.
3-61

TRACTION SYSTEM – ON:You will hear a single
quick tone when this message is displayed. This
message is displayed when you decide to turn on the
Traction Control System by pressing the Active Handling
System console button on the console. This message
will shut off automatically on its own.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE: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 the RESET button, the message
remains on the display until the condition changes.
If the transmission uid 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 uid temperature. Driving
aggressively or driving on long hills can cause the
transmission uid 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 uid temperature and allow it to cool to at
least 230°F (110°C). The transmission uid 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 5-24.
If the TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE message is
displayed during normal vehicle operation on at
roads, your vehicle may need service. See your
GM dealer for an inspection.
TURN SIGNAL ON:If a turn signal is left on for
three-quarters of a mile (1.2 km), this message will
appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Move
the turn signal/multifunction lever to the off position.
To acknowledge this message, press the RESET button.
UNLATCH HEADER TO MOVE TOP:This message
will display and a chime will sound if you try to lower the
convertible top without rst unlocking the top. Move
the latch handle to unlock the convertible top. See
Convertible Top (Manual) on page 2-57orConvertible
Top (Power) on page 2-64.
3-67

Audio System(s)
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer. Also, check federal rules covering mobile
radio and telephone units. If sound equipment can
be added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may interfere with
the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been added.
Notice:The chime signals related to seat belts,
parking brake, and other functions of your vehicle
operate through the GM radio/entertainment system.
If that equipment is replaced or additional
equipment is added to your vehicle, the chimes may
not work. Make sure that replacement or additional
equipment is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it.Figure out which audio system is in your vehicle, nd
out what your audio system can do, and how to operate
all of its controls.
Your vehicle may have a feature called Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system
can be played even after the ignition is turned off.
SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-22for
more information.
Setting the Time
Press the H or the M button to enter clock mode. Press
and hold H until the correct hour appears on the
display. Press and hold M until the correct minute
appears on the display.
3-78

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that your
brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-39.
4-6

The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles that
rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you
will nd experienced and able service experts in GM
dealerships all across North America. They will be ready
and willing to help if you need it.Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-23

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do
not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road in less than a second, and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in at or rolling terrain.
4-24

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you are
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all uid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system,
and transmission. These parts can work hard
on mountain roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of
the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, your brakes could get
so hot that they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down
to let your engine assist your brakes on a
steep downhill slope.
{CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down. They could
get so hot that they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash. Always have
your engine running and your vehicle in gear
when you go downhill.
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down to
a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine
and transmission, and you can climb the hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Do not swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could
be something in your lane, like a stalled car or an
accident.
You may see highway signs on mountains that warn
of special problems. Examples are long grades,
passing or no-passing zones, a falling rocks area,
or winding roads. Be alert to these and take
appropriate action.
4-25