2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE steering

Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing
the next vehicle.
Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle too
rapidly. Even though the brake lamps are not
ashing, it might be slowing down or starting
to turn.
If you are being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps
you can ease a little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or
area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and
by not overdriving those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking
skid, the wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in
a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering
force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps
avoid only the acceleration skid. If your traction
control system is off, then an acceleration
skid is also best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
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If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you
want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly
enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always
be ready for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle
control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road
to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your
vehicle for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or
other competitive driving, the engine may
use more oil than it would with normal
use. Low oil levels can damage the engine.
For information on how to add oil, see
Engine Oil on page 333.
Z06 Only: Be sure to check the oil level often
during racing or other competitive driving
and keep the level at or near the upper mark
that shows the proper operating range on
the engine oil dipstick.
Except Z06: Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving
and keep the level at or near 1 quart (1 L)
above the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range on the engine oil dipstick.
After the competitive driving, remove excess
oil so that the level on the dipstick is not
above the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range.
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The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) improves your
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop
on a slippery road. Even though you have ABS,
you will want to begin stopping sooner than
you would on dry pavement. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) on page 279.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be
ne until you hit a spot that is covered with
ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice patches
may appear in shaded areas where the
sun cannot reach, such as around clumps
of trees, behind buildings, or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface of a curve or an
overpass may remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. If you see a
patch of ice ahead of you, brake before
you are on it. Try not to brake while you
are actually on the ice, and avoid sudden
steering maneuvers.
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be
in a serious situation. You should probably stay
with your vehicle unless you know for sure that you
are near help and you can hike through the snow.
Here are some things to do to summon help and
keep yourself and your passengers safe:
Turn on your hazard ashers.
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police
that you have been stopped by the snow.
Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket
around you. If you do not have blankets or
extra clothing, make body insulators from
newspapers, burlap bags, rags, oor
mats — anything you can wrap around
yourself or tuck under your clothing to
keep warm.
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Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right to
clear the area around the front wheels. Turn the
traction control system off. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 281. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
For a manual transmission, shift slowly
between either FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and
REVERSE (R), allowing the wheels to stop
before shifting into gear. To prevent transmission
wear, wait until the wheels stop spinning before
shifting gears. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. By slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion
that could free your vehicle. If that does not get
your vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to
be towed out. If your vehicle does need to be
towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 315.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry, the Tire and Loading
Information label and the Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
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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
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The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged
fuel door on the driver’s side of the vehicle.The fuel door release
button is located on
the instrument panel
to the left of the
steering wheel.
Push the button to
release the fuel door.
There is also a manual
fuel door release tab.
It is located against
the upper trim in
the rear compartment
on the driver’s side
of the vehicle. Pull
the tab to release
the fuel door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly
counterclockwise. The fuel cap has a spring
in it; if the cap is released too soon, it will
spring back to the right.
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A. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir
(If Equipped). SeeHydraulic Clutch
on page 346.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
See “Adding Washer Fluid” under
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 360.
C. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 361.
D. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 347.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filters. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 342.F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir.
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 358.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 333.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 333.
I. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 422.
J. Passenger Compartment Air Filter (Out of View).
SeePassenger Compartment Air Filter on
page 186.
K. Battery. SeeBattery on page 364.
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 342.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir.
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 358.
C. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 422.
D. Remote Positive Terminal (Out of View).
SeeBattery on page 364.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 333.
F. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank. See “Changing
Engine Oil and Filter (Z06 Only)”Engine Oil
on page 333.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 333.
H. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 347.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
See “Adding Washer Fluid” under
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 360.
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 361.
K. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir.
SeeHydraulic Clutch on page 346.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil (Except Z06)
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) comes on, check the
engine oil level right away. For more information,
seeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 207.
You should check the engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level
every time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate
reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle
must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 330
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil a few
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If
you do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a
lint-free paper towel or a cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down.
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