2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush
attachment frequently to remove dust and loose
dirt. A canister vacuum with a beater bar in
the nozzle may only be used on oor carpet and
carpeted oor mats. For soils, always try to remove
them rst with plain water or club soda. Before
cleaning, gently remove as much of the soil
as possible using one of the following techniques:
For liquids: gently blot the remaining soil
with a paper towel. Allow the soil to absorb
into the paper towel until no more can
be removed.
For solid dry soils: remove as much as
possible and then vacuum.
To clean, use the following instructions:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with
water or club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess moisture.
3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently
rub toward the center. Continue cleaning,
using a clean area of the cloth each time it
becomes soiled.4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area until
the cleaning cloth remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a
mild soap solution and repeat the cleaning
process that was used with plain water.
If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric
cleaner or spot lifter may be necessary. When
a commercial upholstery cleaner or spot lifter
is to be used, test a small hidden area for
colorfastness rst. If the locally cleaned area
gives any impression that a ring formation may
result, clean the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been completed,
a paper towel can be used to blot excess moisture
from the fabric or carpet.
Coated Moldings
These moldings are around the hatch opening
in the rear area.
When lightly soiled, wipe with a sponge or
soft lint-free cloth dampened with water.
When heavily soiled, use warm soapy water.
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Leather
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used
to remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning
is necessary, a soft cloth dampened with a
mild soap solution can be used. Allow the
leather to dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry.
Never use steam to clean leather. Never use
spot lifters or spot removers on leather. Many
commercial leather cleaners and coatings that
are sold to preserve and protect leather may
permanently change the appearance and feel
of your leather and are not recommended. Do not
use silicone or wax-based products, or those
containing organic solvents to clean your vehicle’s
interior because they can alter the appearance
by increasing the gloss in a non-uniform manner.
Never use shoe polish on your leather.
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used
to remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning
is necessary, a clean soft cloth dampened
with a mild soap solution can be used to gently
remove dust and dirt. Never use spot lifters
or removers on plastic surfaces. Many commercial
cleaners and coatings that are sold to preserve
and protect soft plastic surfaces may permanently
change the appearance and feel of your interior
and are not recommended. Do not use silicone or
wax-based products, or those containing organic
solvents to clean your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by increasing
the gloss in a non-uniform manner.
Some commercial products may increase gloss
on your instrument panel. The increase in
gloss may cause annoying reections in the
windshield and even make it difficult to see
through the windshield under certain conditions.
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Cargo Cover and Convenience Net
Wash with warm water and mild detergent,
rinse with cold water and tumble dry on low.
Do not use chlorine bleach.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
{CAUTION:
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you
do, it may severely weaken them. In a
crash, they might not be able to provide
adequate protection. Clean safety belts
only with mild soap and lukewarm water.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth. During
very cold, damp weather frequent application
may be required. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 443.
Washing Your Vehicle
The paint nish on the vehicle provides beauty,
depth of color, gloss retention, and durability.
The best way to preserve the vehicle’s nish is to
keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm
or cold water.
Do not wash the vehicle in the direct rays of
the sun. Use a car washing soap. Do not
use strong soaps or chemical detergents.
Be sure to rinse the vehicle well, removing all
soap residue completely. GM-approved cleaning
products can be obtained from your dealer.
SeeVehicle Care/Appearance Materials on
page 417. Do not use cleaning agents that are
petroleum based, or that contain acid or abrasives.
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All cleaning agents should be ushed promptly
and not allowed to dry on the surface, or they
could stain. Dry the nish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid surface
scratches and water spotting.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle through an
automatic car wash that does not have enough
clearance for the wide rear tires and wheels,
you could damage your vehicle. Verify with the
manager of the car wash that your vehicle
will t before entering the car wash or use a
touchless car wash.
High pressure car washes may cause water to
enter the vehicle.
If you are cleaning your vehicle with the hood open,
take care not to spray water directly into either
end of the air cleaner/lter housing as this could
damage your vehicle’s engine. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 342for more information.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth
and a car washing soap to clean exterior lamps
and lenses. Follow instructions underWashing
Your Vehicle on page 411.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of the vehicle
by hand may be necessary to remove residue
from the paint nish. Approved cleaning products
can be obtained from your dealer. SeeVehicle
Care/Appearance Materials on page 417.
Notice:Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint
nish may damage it. Use only non-abrasive
waxes and polishes that are made for a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish on your vehicle.
The vehicle has a basecoat/clearcoat paint
nish. The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss
to the colored basecoat. Always use waxes
and polishes that are non-abrasive and made
for a basecoat/clearcoat paint nish.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and
other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and
tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can damage the vehicle’s
nish if they remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible. If necessary, use
non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
412

Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging,
weather, and chemical fallout that can take their
toll over a period of years. To help keep the
paint nish looking new, keep the vehicle in a
garage or covered whenever possible.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with
glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint free cloth or
paper towel soaked with windshield washer uid or
a mild detergent. Wash the windshield thoroughly
when cleaning the blades. Bugs, road grime,
sap, and a buildup of vehicle wash/wax treatments
may cause wiper streaking. Replace the wiper
blades if they are worn or damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper removal
Removable Roof Panel
Notice:If you use a glass treatment and/or
conditioner that contains ethyl alcohol or ethyl
sulfate on the roof panel, you could damage
the panel. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Only use a GM-approved
glass cleaner on the roof panel.
Special care is necessary when cleaning,
removing, and/or storing the roof panel.
Flush with water to remove dust and dirt,
then dry the panel.
Clean a transparent roof panel with GM Glass
Cleaner. Leave the cleaner on the panel
for one minute, then wipe the panel with a
soft, lint-free cloth. Do not use glass cleaner
on a painted roof panel.
Do not use abrasive cleaning materials on
either type of panel.
If water drops are frequently allowed to dry on
the roof panel, impurities in the water will adhere
to the top. These impurities may etch or mar
the nish. When the panel gets wet, dry it off.
413

Convertible Top
The vehicle’s convertible top should be cleaned
often. However, high pressure car washes
may cause water to enter your vehicle.
When you hand wash the top, do it in partial
shade. Use a mild soap, lukewarm water and
a soft sponge. A chamois or cloth may leave lint
on the top, and a brush can chafe the threads
in the top fabric. Do not use detergents, harsh
cleaners, solvents or bleaching agents.
Wet the entire vehicle and wash the top evenly
to avoid spots or rings. Let the soap remain on the
fabric for a few minutes. When the top is really
dirty, use a mild foam-type cleaner. Thoroughly
rinse the entire vehicle, then let the top dry
in direct sunlight.
To protect the convertible top:
After you wash the vehicle, make sure the
top is completely dry before you lower it.
Do not get any cleaner on the vehicle’s painted
nish; it could leave streaks.
If you decide to go through an automatic car
wash, ask the manager if the equipment
could damage your top.
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels and Trim
Your vehicle may have either aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft clean cloth
with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water.
After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean
towel. A wax may then be applied.
Notice:Chrome wheels and other chrome
trim may be damaged if you do not wash
your vehicle after driving on roads that have
been sprayed with magnesium, calcium or
sodium chloride. These chlorides are used
on roads for conditions such as ice and dust.
Always wash your vehicle’s chrome with
soap and water after exposure.
Notice:If you use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or
cleaners that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels, you could damage the
surface of the wheel(s). The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Use
only approved cleaners on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
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The surface of these wheels is similar to the
painted surface of your vehicle. Do not use strong
soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive
cleaners, cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning
brushes on them because you could damage
the surface. Do not use chrome polish on
aluminum wheels.
Notice:Using chrome polish on aluminum
wheels could damage the wheels. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Use chrome polish on chrome wheels only.
Use chrome polish only on chrome-plated wheels,
but avoid any painted surface of the wheel, and
buff off immediately after application.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle through an
automatic car wash that has silicone carbide
tire cleaning brushes, you could damage
the aluminum or chrome-plated wheels.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Never drive a vehicle equipped with
aluminum or chrome-plated wheels through
an automatic car wash that uses silicone
carbide tire cleaning brushes.Tires
To clean the tires, use a stiff brush with
tire cleaner.
Notice:Using petroleum-based tire dressing
products on your vehicle may damage the
paint nish and/or tires. When applying a
tire dressing, always wipe off any overspray
from all painted surfaces on your vehicle.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in
the nish should be repaired right away.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with
touch-up materials available from your dealer
or other service outlets. Larger areas of nish
damage can be corrected in your dealer’s
body and paint shop.
415

Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are
not removed, corrosion and rust can develop on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, oor pan,
and exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring, ush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where
mud and debris can collect. Dirt packed in close
areas of the frame should be loosened before being
ushed. Your dealer or an underbody car washing
system can do this for you.
Fiberglass Springs
(Composite Springs)
Notice:If you use acidic or corrosive cleaning
products, engine degreasers or aluminum
cleaning agents on berglass springs, you
may damage the springs. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Use only
approved cleaners when cleaning your
vehicle’s berglass springs.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can
create a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants
can fall upon and attack painted surfaces on the
vehicle. This damage can take two forms: blotchy,
ring-shaped discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
we will repair, at no charge to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout
condition within 12 months or 12,000 miles
(20 000 km) of purchase, whichever occurs rst.
416