2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Automatic Transmission Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission
uid level. A transmission uid leak is the only
reason for uid loss. If a leak occurs, take
the vehicle to the dealership service department
and have it repaired as soon as possible.
There is a special procedure for checking and
changing the transmission uid. Because
this procedure is difficult, you should have this
done at the dealership service department.
Contact your dealer for additional information or
the procedure can be found in the service manual.
To purchase a service manual, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 468.Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the automatic
transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 443.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 436, and
be sure to use the uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 443.
Manual Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the manual
transmission uid level. A transmission uid leak
is the only reason for uid loss. If a leak occurs,
take the vehicle to the dealership service
department and have it repaired as soon as
possible. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 443for the proper uid to use.
345

Hydraulic Clutch
It is not necessary to regularly check clutch uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system.
Adding uid will not correct a leak.
A uid loss in this system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
The hydraulic clutch
uid reservoir cap
has this symbol
on it. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 330for
reservoir location.Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often you should check the uid level in
your clutch master cylinder reservoir and for
the proper uid to use. SeeOwner Checks
and Services on page 438andRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 443.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Make sure the uid level is at the MIN (Minimum)
line on the side of the reservoir. If it is not,
remove the cap and add the proper uid until
the level reaches the MIN line.
346

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

Checking Coolant
The engine coolant
surge tank is located
toward the rear of the
engine compartment
on the driver’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 330for more
information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.The vehicle must be on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should
be at the FULL COLD mark. The FULL COLD
mark is on the front of the coolant surge tank.
Do not overll the surge tank. Too much coolant
can result in an overow when the uid is hot.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the surge tank,
but only when the engine is cool.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant
on hot engine parts. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol, and it will burn if
the engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure
it is hand-tight and fully seated.
349

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

If you no longer have the overheat warning,
you can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for
about 10 minutes. If the warning does not
come back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues and you are not
stopped, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the
engine for three minutes while you are parked.
If you still have the warning, turn off the engine
and get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down. Also, see “Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
messages COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE
and REDUCED ENGINE POWER are displayed,
along with the Check Engine light, an overheat
protection mode which alternates ring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In
this mode, you will notice a loss in power and
engine performance. This operating mode allows
your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency; you may drive up to 50 miles (80 km).
Notice:After driving in the overheated
engine protection operating mode, to avoid
engine damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will be
severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss, change the oil and reset the oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil on page 333.
352