engine coolant CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2001 5.G User Guide

2-108
REDUCE ENGINE RPM: You will hear four chimes
when this message is displayed. To acknowledge the
warning, press the RESET button. After you press the
RESET button, a message will be displayed and you
will hear a chime every minute until this condition
changes. If you do not press RESET, the message will
remain on the digital display until the condition changes.
If the engine oil temperature exceeds 320
F (160
C),
this message is displayed. You should check the engine
coolant temperature and engine oil level. If your engine
is too hot, see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index. Your
vehicle may need service, so see your dealer. You can
monitor the oil temperature with the GAGES button on
the DIC.
HIGH TRANS TEMP (Automatic Transmission
Only): You will hear four chimes when this message is
displayed. To acknowledge this warning, press the RESET
button. After you press the RESET button, the message
will be displayed every 10 minutes until the condition
changes. If you do not press RESET, the message remains
on the display until the condition changes.
If the transmission fluid temperature rises above
270
F (132
C) or rises rapidly, this message is
displayed. The transmission may shift gears or apply the
torque converter clutch to reduce the fluid temperature.
Driving aggressively or driving on long hills can causethe transmission fluid temperature to be higher than
normal. If this message appears, you may continue to
drive at a slower speed. You should also monitor the
transmission fluid temperature and allow it to cool to at
least 230
F (110
C). The transmission fluid temperature
can be monitored with the GAGES button on the DIC.
See ªAutomatic Transmission Fluidº in the Index. You
should also check the engine coolant temperature. If it is
also hot, see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
If the HIGH TRANS TEMP message is displayed during
normal vehicle operation on flat roads, your vehicle may
need service. See your dealer for an inspection.
SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING: If the SERVICE
ACTIVE HNDLG message is displayed, there is a
problem with your Active Handling System and your
vehicle needs service. The instrument cluster light will
also be on and a chime will sound. When this message is
displayed, the system is not working. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
ACTIVE HANDLING: Your vehicle is equipped with
a computer controlled system to assist the driver in
controlling the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
You may feel or hear the system working and see the
ACTIVE HANDLING message displayed in the DIC.
This is normal when the system is operating. Also see
ªAnti
-Lock Brakesº in the Index.

3-3
DEFOG: This setting divides the air between the
windshield and lower outlets with a small amount of air
directed toward the side window vents. This is useful
when fog appears on the windshield or side glass due to
rain or snowy conditions.
DEFROST: Use this setting to quickly remove fog
or frost from the windshield. This setting directs most of
the airflow to the windshield with a small amount of air
directed toward the lower and side window outlets.
Mode Buttons
These buttons control the air intake, the air conditioning
and the rear window defogger operation.
OUTSIDE AIR: Press this button and it
will bring outside air into the vehicle. The light on the
button will come on when operating. Use this setting
while trying to defrost or defog windows to help
clear moisture.
RECIRCULATE: Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering the vehicle by
recirculating most of the air inside the vehicle. The light
on the button will come on when operating. This setting
is helpful when you are trying to cool the air quickly or
to limit odors entering the vehicle. Recirculate cannot be
used while in the DEFROST or DEFOG modes.Operating the system in the recirculation mode may
cause fogging of the vehicle's windows when the
weather is cold and damp. To clear the fog, switch the
system to either the DEFOG or DEFROST mode and
increase the fan speed. To avoid re
-fogging of the
windows, operate the system in the OUTSIDE
AIR mode.
A/C: This button turns the air conditioning
compressor off or on under most conditions. The light
on the A/C button comes on when the compressor is
operating. The air conditioning does not operate at
temperatures below approximately 35
F to 40
F
(2
C to 4
C). The air conditioning cools and
dehumidifies the air coming into the vehicle. The air
conditioning cannot be turned off in DEFROST, as it
helps to remove moisture from the vehicle. It also helps
to keep the windows clear.
The air conditioning may be forced off at high engine
speeds or high engine oil or coolant temperatures.
See ªRear Window Defoggerº later in this section for
more information.

3-5
When adjusting the temperature, start with a driver-set
temperature of 73
F (23
C) until you determine
your comfort zone. If you choose 60
F (16
C), the
system will remain at maximum cooling and will not
automatically adjust fan speed or air delivery. If you
choose 90
F (32
C), the system will remain at
maximum heating and will not automatically adjust fan
speed or air delivery. Choosing either maximum setting
will not cause the system to heat or cool any faster.
Turning the knob past either maximum setting has no
effect on the operation of the system.
Passenger Temperature Offset
The PASSENGER knob changes the temperature on the
passenger's side of the vehicle. When the knob is in the
12 o'clock position, the passenger's temperature is the
same as the driver's. Turn the knob clockwise for warmer
air on the passenger's side, counterclockwise for cooler air.
If the driver
-set temperature is set at 60
F (16
C) or
90
F (32
C), turning the passenger knob has no effect
because the system is locked at a maximum setting.Automatic Operation
Press the AUTO button to place the entire system in the
automatic mode. After a five
-second display of the
current settings, only the word AUTO and the outside
temperature will be shown on the digital display unless
you are in full cold 60
F (16
C) or full hot 90
F
(32
C), then the word AUTO will not display. The
system will operate to achieve your comfort set
temperature as quickly as possible. The AUTO control
system works best with the windows up and the
removable roof installed or the convertible top up.
A Typical Cold Weather Example:
Your vehicle has been parked outside overnight in cold
weather below 32
F (0
C) and you have set the
driver temperature at 73
F (23
C) and have selected
the AUTO mode. The system will automatically adjust
the temperature output to maximum heating. The fan
will start at a low speed. This is to avoid blowing cold
air into the vehicle. The length of the delay depends on
the amount of time since the engine was last started, the
outside temperature and the engine coolant temperature.
As the coolant warms up, the fan speed will gradually
increase. Air will flow to the floor with some air to
the windshield to prevent fogging under most
normal conditions.

3-8
A/C: This button turns the air conditioning
compressor off or on under most conditions. The light
on the A/C button will come on when the compressor is
operating in either the automatic or manual mode. The
air conditioning does not operate at temperatures below
approximately 35
F to 40
F (2
C to 4
C). The light
on the A/C button will flash if pressed when air
conditioning is not available. The air conditioning cools
and dehumidifies the air coming into the vehicle. The air
conditioning cannot be turned off in DEFROST and
DEFOG, as it helps to remove moisture from the
vehicle. It also helps to keep the windows clear.
If the system is operating in the AUTO mode, turning
the air conditioning off will delete AUTO from the
digital display and show current mode and fan settings.
The AUTO button must be pressed to return to the
automatic mode operation.
The air conditioning may be forced off at high engine
speeds or high engine oil or coolant temperatures. OUTSIDE AIR: Press this button to provide
outside air. The light on this air intake button will come
on to show when it is operating. When in the AUTO
mode, the system automatically selects OUTSIDE AIR
instead of recirculate, as required, to control the
temperature in the vehicle. By pressing OUTSIDE AIR,
the system will lock into the outside air mode. Any
adjustment to the air intake must then be made
manually. OUTSIDE AIR should be used when trying to
defrost or defog windows to help reduce moisture inside
of the vehicle.
RECIRCULATE: Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering the vehicle. The light on
this air intake button will come on to show when it is
operating. Recirculate is helpful when you are trying to
cool the air quickly or trying to limit odors and dust
from entering the vehicle. When in the AUTO mode,
the system automatically selects recirculate to cool the
vehicle's temperature. By pressing this button, the
system will lock into the recirculated air mode.
Any adjustment to the air intake must then be made
manually. Recirculation is not available when using the
defrost or defog mode because outside air is need to
reduce moisture inside of the vehicle.

3-11 Heating
The heater works best if you keep the windows closed.
Maximum heating will occur when airflow direction is
in the lower mode and the temperature knob (on a
manual climate control system) is all the way in the red
area. These settings will be selected by the automatic
electronic dual climate control system if operating in
AUTO when maximum heating is required.
The BI
-LEVEL setting is designed for use on sunny
days when the air is only moderately warm or cool.
On days like these, the sun may adequately warm
your upper body, but your lower body may not be
warm enough. The BI
-LEVEL setting will direct
cooler airflow to your upper body and warmer air to the
floor area.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater and use
it during cold weather 0
F (
-18
C) or lower, the
heating system will provide heat more quickly because
the coolant is already warmed. See ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
To rapidly defrost the windshield, the FRONT defrost
mode (automatic electronic dual climate control system)
or defrost mode (manual control system) should be used
and the fan speed should be adjusted to the highest
speed. With the manual control system, turn the
temperature knob all the way to the red area.
To keep the windshield clear and provide heated air to
the floor area of the vehicle, use the DEFOG setting.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents located near the side rearview mirrors.
Rear Window Defogger
REAR: This button turns the rear defogger and the
heated outside mirrors on. The light on the button will
come on when operating. The system automatically
shuts off after approximately 15 minutes. If further
defogging is desired, press the button again and it will
operate for about seven and a half more minutes.
The rear window defogger operates only when the
engine is running.

5-8
To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles, do
the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from the
heavy, unpainted metal engine part on the vehicle
that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from
the negative terminal on the vehicle with the
good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
other vehicle.
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº and ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº in
the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage on the
instrument cluster and a COOLANT OVER TEMP
message on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
Should an overheated engine condition exist and the
messages COOLANT OVER TEMP and REDUCED
ENGINE POWER are displayed, along with the Check
Engine light, an overheat protection mode which
alternates firing 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 monitor. See ªEngine Oilº in
the Index.

5-9 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. Just 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 your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool. See ªOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Modeº in the Index.

5-10
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. See ªOverheated
Engine Protection Operating Modeº in the Index.
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. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
) or
THIRD (3) for automatic transmissions.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn't come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you're parked. If you still have the
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle until it cools down. Also, see ªOverheated
Engine Protection Operating Modeº listed previously in
this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.

5-11
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Coolant Surge Tank
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,
don't do anything else until it cools down.

5-12
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the FULL COLD mark. If it isn't, you may
have a leak 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. Don't touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.
See ªOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Modeº in the Index.