check engine CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2002 5.G Owner's Manual

5-9
Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage on the
instrument panel cluster and a COOLANT OVER
TEMP message on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº and ªCoolant
Over Temp DIC Messageº in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists 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 system. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.

5-13
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD
mark. If it isn't, 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. 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.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they aren't, your vehicle needs service.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.
See ªOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Modeº in the Index for information on driving to
a safe place in an emergency.

5-14
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL
is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you haven't found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level isn't at the FULL COLD mark on
the coolant surge tank, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX
-COOL
coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool
before you do it. See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index
for more information.

5-20
Z06 models do not have Extended Mobility Tires.
If a Z06 model tire goes flat, avoid further tire and
wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place and
stopping. Then do this:
1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
2. Set the parking brake firmly.
3. Put the shift lever (manual transmission)
in REVERSE (R).
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Inspect the flat tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel or has
damaged sidewalls or large tears that allow rapid air
loss, call a tire repair facility. See ªRoadside Assistanceº
in the Index.
If the flat tire is due to a slow leak caused by a nail or
other similar road hazard, the tire inflator kit may be
used to repair the damaged tire temporarily. The kit uses
a liquid tire sealant to seal small punctures in the tread
area of the tire. The flat tire is then inflated to at least 26 psi (179 kPa)
and driven to evenly distribute the tire sealant. The tire
pressure is checked after driving for a maximum of
10 minutes to see if the slow leak has been stopped.
If the tire pressure is 19 psi (131 kPa) or more, inflate
the tire up to the standard operating pressure as shown
on the Tire Pressure Label found on the rear edge of the
driver's door. See ªTires, Pressureº in the Index.
You should have the damaged tire repaired as soon
as possible. The tire sealant is a temporary repair only.
For more information regarding the tire inflator kit see
ªTire Inflator Kitº following this section.
NOTICE:
If the tire pressure has dropped below 19 psi
(131 kPa), the vehicle should not be driven
further. Damage to the tire may be severe
and the sealant will not be effective. Contact
Roadside Assistance. See ªRoadside Assistanceº
in the Index.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-9 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Engine Oil
6
-17 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-19 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-20 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-21 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-22 Rear Axle
6
-23 Engine Coolant
6
-26 Surge Tank Pressure Cap
6
-27 Power Steering Fluid
6
-28 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-29 Brakes
6
-32 Battery
6
-33 Bulb Replacement
6
-38 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement6
-40 Tires
6
-53 Lifting Your Corvette
6
-57 Appearance Care
6
-57 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-60 Cleaning a Removable Roof Panel
6
-61 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-63 Cleaning Your Convertible Top
6
-63 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
6
-64 Cleaning Tires
6
-64 Finish Damage
6
-64 Underbody Maintenance
6
-66 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-67 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-67 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-68 Electrical System
6
-75 Replacement Bulbs
6
-75 Capacities and Specifications
6
-76 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-3
CAUTION:
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.

Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.

Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. ªEnglishº and ªmetricº
fasteners can be easily confused. If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall off. You could be hurt.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of
your vehicle.
Fuel
Gasoline Octane
Use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of
91 or higher for best performance. You may also use
middle grade or regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87
octane or higher, but your vehicle's acceleration may be
slightly reduced. If the octane is less than 87, you may
get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If it is bad
enough, it can damage your engine.

6-4 Gasoline Specifications
It is recommended that gasoline meet specifications
which were developed by the American Automobile
Manufacturers Association and endorsed by the
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association for better
vehicle performance and engine protection. Gasolines
meeting these specifications could provide improved
driveability and emission control system performance
compared to other gasolines.
In Canada, look for the
ªAuto Makers' Choiceº
label on the fuel pump.
Canada Only
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (see the underhood emission control label),
it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on (see ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in the
Index) and your vehicle may fail a smog
-check test.
If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by
your warranty.
Additives
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane
-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors
does not recommend the use of such gasolines.

6-5
Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark
plugs and the performance of the emission control
system may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
may turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
GM dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work properly.
You should not have to add anything to your fuel.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available
in your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly
if they comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your
fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber
parts. That damage wouldn't be covered under
your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you'll be driving.
Filling Your Tank
CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don't smoke if you're near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.

6-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.

Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed
or on any surface other than the ground.

Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.

6-12
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL message on the Driver
Information Center comes on, it means you need
to check your engine oil level right away. For more
information, see ªDriver Information Centerº in the
Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your 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 ring
located near the coolant
surge tank. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more
information on location.
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or a
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down.