2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE engine overheat

PRESS BRAKE TO START ENGINE
(Automatic Transmission Only)
This message displays if you try to start the
engine by pressing the keyless ignition start button
without having the brake pressed. The brake
needs to be pressed when starting the engine. See
Ignition Positions on page 90for more information.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER
If this message displays 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 dealer
as soon as possible for diagnosis and repair. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 200for
more information.Multiple chimes sound when this message is
displayed.
To acknowledge the message, press the RESET
button. The message reappears every ve minutes
until this condition changes.
If the REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is
displayed in combination with the COOLANT
OVER TEMPERATURE message, seeEngine
Overheating on page 350.SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM
This message displays if there is a problem
with the Active Handling System and your vehicle
needs service. The active handling system
light on the instrument panel cluster also turns on
and a chime sounds. See your dealer. When
this message is displayed, the system is not
working. Adjust your driving accordingly. See
Active Handling System on page 283for more
information.
224

TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE
HANDLING – ON
If the Traction Control System (TCS) and Active
Handling System are off, this message displays
briey, the instrument panel cluster light turns off,
and a chime sounds when the TCS and Active
Handling System are turned on by briey pressing
the Active Handling System button on the
console. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 281andActive Handling System on
page 283for more information.
TRACTION SYSTEM – OFF
This message displays and stays on, a single,
quick tone sounds, and the traction control system
(TCS) warning light on the instrument panel
cluster turns on when the TCS is turned off by
pressing the Active Handling System button on the
console. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 197. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 281for more information.
To acknowledge the message, press the
RESET button.
TRACTION SYSTEM – ON
This message displays and a single, quick tone
sounds when the Traction Control System (TCS) is
turned on by pressing the Active Handling System
button on the console. This message automatically
clears from the DIC display on its own. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 281for more
information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE
This message displays and four chimes sound
if the transmission uid temperature rises above
270°F (132°C) or rises rapidly. 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. 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.
SeeDIC Controls and Displays on page 208and
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 345. Also
check the engine coolant temperature. If it is also
hot, seeEngine Overheating on page 350.
231

You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you
need to spin the wheels, but you do not want
to spin the wheels too fast. The method known
as rocking can help you get out when you
are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. And, the transmission or
other parts of the vehicle can overheat.
That could cause an engine compartment
re or other damage. When you are stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible. Do not
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h)
as shown on the speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transmission back and forth, you can
destroy the transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 401.
308

Service........................................................ 319
Accessories and Modications................... 319
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 320
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 320
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...................................... 321
Fuel............................................................. 321
Gasoline Octane........................................ 321
Gasoline Specications.............................. 322
California Fuel........................................... 322
Additives................................................... 323
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 324
Filling the Tank......................................... 324
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 327
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 328
Hood Release........................................... 329
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 330
Engine Oil................................................. 333
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 340
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 342
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 345
Manual Transmission Fluid........................ 345
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 346
Engine Coolant.......................................... 347
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 350Engine Overheating................................... 350
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 352
Cooling System......................................... 353
Power Steering Fluid................................. 358
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 360
Brakes...................................................... 361
Battery...................................................... 364
Jump Starting............................................ 365
Rear Axle.................................................... 370
Bulb Replacement....................................... 371
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 371
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 372
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps....................................... 372
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps...... 374
Replacement Bulbs................................... 374
Windshield Replacement............................ 375
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 375
Tires............................................................ 378
Winter Tires.............................................. 379
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 380
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 382
Extended Mobility Tires............................. 384
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 386
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
317

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever
occurs rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system
and how to add coolant when it is low. If you
have a problem with engine overheating,
seeEngine Overheating on page 350.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in
your vehicle.
347

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times
a year, have your dealer check your cooling
system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only
the proper mixture of the engine coolant
listed in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 443for more information.
348

Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and possible engine
damage may occur. Be sure the cap is
properly and tightly secured.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must
be fully installed on the coolant surge tank.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 330for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd an engine coolant temperature
gage on the instrument panel cluster and a
COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE message
on the Driver Information Center (DIC). See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 199
andDIC Warnings and Messages on page 214
for more information.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can
burn you badly, even if you just open
the hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn it off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant
before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles
engine is overheated, the liquids in it can
catch re. You or others could be badly
burned. Stop your engine if it overheats,
and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
CAUTION: (Continued)
350

CAUTION: (Continued)
SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 352for
information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
Notice:If your engine catches re because
you keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle
can be badly damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 352for information on driving
to a safe place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see
or hear no steam, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a
little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign
of steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL (N) while stopped. If it is safe
to do so, pull off the road, shift to PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the
highest fan speed and open the windows
as necessary.
351