2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood,
here is what you will see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
B. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the
hood can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
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The coolant level should be at the FULL COLD
mark on the front of the coolant surge tank. If it is
not, you may have a leak at the pressure cap or in
the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other
engine parts, can be very hot. Do not
touch them. If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run the engine, it could lose all
coolant. That could cause an engine re,
and you could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fan is
running. If the engine is overheating, the fan should
be running. If it is not, your vehicle needs service.Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 352for information
on driving to a safe place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing sooner,
at 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.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, check
to see if coolant is visible in the surge tank.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not
at the FULL COLD mark on the front of the
coolant surge tank, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at
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the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure
cap, is cool before you do it. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 347for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add
coolant as follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system can blow out and burn
you badly. They are under pressure, and if
you turn the coolant surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when
the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and coolant
surge tank pressure cap to cool if you
ever have to turn the pressure cap.
{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:In cold weather, water can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts. Use the recommended coolant
and the proper coolant mixture.
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{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.
1. You can remove the coolant surge tank
pressure cap when the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure
cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about one-quarter turn and then stop.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
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3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture until the level inside stabilizes at
the FULL COLD mark on the front of the
surge tank.4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot.
Watch out for the engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the level
is lower, add more of the proper mixture
to the coolant surge tank until the level
stabilizes at the FULL COLD mark on the
coolant surge tank.
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5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Check the level in the surge tank when
the system has cooled down. If the coolant
is not at the proper level, repeat Steps 1
through 4, then reinstall the pressure cap.
If the coolant is not at the proper level when
the system cools down again, see your dealer.Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 330for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power
steering uid unless you suspect there is a leak
in the system or you hear an unusual noise.
A uid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
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How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition off and let the engine
compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with
a clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the
uid level on the dipstick. There are markings
on both sides of the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark.
If necessary, add only enough uid to bring
the level up to the mark.When the engine
compartment is hot,
the level should
be at the HOT mark.
When the engine
compartment is
cool, the level
should be at the
FULL COLD mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 443.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the
proper uid can cause leaks and damage
hoses and seals.
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Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure
to read the manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be operating your vehicle in an area
where the temperature may fall below freezing,
use a uid that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid
until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 330
for reservoir location.Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
uid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze and damage your washer uid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well
as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for uid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze)
in your windshield washer. It can damage
the vehicle’s windshield washer system
and paint.
360