CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2002 5.G Owners Manual

6-59 Cleaning Interior Plastic Components
Use only a mild soap and water solution on a soft
cloth or sponge. Commercial cleaners may affect the
surface finish.
Cleaning the Security Shade 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.
Cleaning Glass Surfaces
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner or
a liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal
tobacco smoke and dust films on interior glass.
See ªAppearance Care and Materialsº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don't use abrasive cleaners on glass, because
they may cause scratches. Avoid placing decals
on the inside rear window, since they may have
to be scraped off later. If abrasive cleaners
are used on the inside of the rear window,
an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached
across the defogger grid.

6-60
Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade
or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a full
-strength
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads
do not form when you rinse it with water.
If you use a glass treatment or conditioner containing
ethyl alcohol or ethyl sulfate on your glass, be sure
to remove the acrylic roof panel, if so equipped.
These products may damage the panel.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by wiping
vigorously with a cloth soaked in full
-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth at least every six
months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent
application may be required. See ªRecommended Fluids
and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Cleaning a Removable 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 the panel with GM Glass Cleaner.
Leave the cleaner on the panel for one minute,
then wipe the panel with a soft, lint
-free cloth.

Don't use abrasive cleaning materials.

6-61
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 finish. When the
panel gets wet, you should dry it off.
NOTICE:
Do not use a glass treatment or conditioner
containing ethyl alcohol or ethyl sulfate on
the roof panel. These products may damage
the panel.
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle's finish is to
keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or
cold water.Don't wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Use a car washing soap. Don't use strong soaps or
chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle well,
removing all soap residue completely. You can get
GM
-approved cleaning products from your dealer.
See ªAppearance Care and Materialsº in the Index.
Don't use cleaning agents that are petroleum based,
or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on
the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish with a
soft, clean chamois or an all
-cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Conveyor systems on some automatic car washes
may damage your vehicle. They may not have
enough clearance for the undercarriage or for
the wide rear tires.
Check with the manager before using a car wash.

6-62 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 under ªWashing Your Vehicle.º
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get GM
-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. See ªAppearance Care and Materialsº
in the Index.
Your vehicle has a ªbasecoat/clearcoatº paint finish.
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 finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing
on a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
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 your vehicle's finish 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.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.

6-63
Cleaning Your Convertible Top
Your convertible top should be cleaned often. If you
use an automatic car wash, use one with water jets and
hanging cloths. High pressure car washes may cause
water to enter your vehicle.
For normal hand washing of the top, have your vehicle
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.
Don't 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 and rinse well.
For an occasional cleaning using GM Convertible Top
Cleaner (GM Part No. 12378520) is recommended to
keep your convertible top looking good. After cleaning,
reseal the surface with GM Water Repellent (GM Part
No. 12378519) to repel water and dirt.To protect the convertible top:

After you wash the vehicle, make sure the top is
completely dry before you lower it.

Don't get any cleaner on the vehicle's painted finish;
it could leave streaks.

If you decide to go through an automatic car wash,
ask the manager if the equipment could damage
your top.
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
Keep your 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.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don't 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.
Don't take your vehicle through an automatic car
wash that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes.
These brushes can also damage the surface of
these wheels.

6-64
Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum
-based products may damage the paint
finish and tires.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
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 finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer's body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are
not removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur
on the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame,
floor pan and exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do
this for you.

6-65
Titanium Exhaust System
(Z06 Model)
Time and high performance driving conditions can
cause a color change in titanium exhaust system parts.
This is normal for a titanium surface.
Fiberglass Springs
NOTICE:
Don't use corrosive or acidic cleaning agents,
engine degreasers, aluminum cleaning agents or
other harsh solvents to clean fiberglass springs;
they'll damage the springs.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create
a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This
damage can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet
-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched
into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
Chevrolet 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 first.

6-66
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials

6-67
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears
on a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel,
on the driver's side. You can see it if you look through
the windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help you identify your engine,
specifications and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You'll find this label located inside the glovebox.
It's very helpful if you ever need to order parts.
On this label is:

your VIN,

the model designation,

paint information and

a list of all production options and
special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.

6-68
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don't add anything electrical to your vehicle
unless you check with your dealer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Some add
-on electrical equipment
can keep other components from working as
they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your vehicle, see ªServicing
Your Air Bag
-Equipped Vehicleº in the Index.
Accessory Power Plug
The accessory power plug can be used to connect
electrical equipment such as a cellular phone or
CB radio. It is located behind the carpeting, on the
passenger's side toe
-board, at the top left corner
near the body control module. Be sure to follow the
installation instructions included with the equipment.
To use the accessory power plug, do the following:
1. Remove the toe
-board panel by lifting up on the
latches at the top of each corner of the panel.
2. Locate the black connector at the top left corner
of the compartment near the body control module
above the two white diagnostic connectors.
3. Disconnect the connector pigtail by pulling forward
on the plastic locking tab and pull the connection
apart from the wire harness.