CHEVROLET CORVETTE 1996 4.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 is
next to the coolant high fill
reservoir. The dipstick
handle is a round, yellow
loop.
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.
Checking Engine Oil
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, you’ll need to
add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This part
explains what kind of oil to use.
For crankcase capacity,
see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is on
top
of the engine block.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What Kind of Oil to Use
Look for two things:
GM4718M
The Corvette engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM47 18M. Oils meeting this Standard
may be identified as synthetic. However, not all
synthetic oils will meet this GM Standard. You
should look for and use only an oil that meets GM
Standard GM47
1 8M.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that don’t have the GM4718M
Standard designation, you can cause engine
damage not covered by your warranty.
.
RECOMMENDED SAE VlSCOSlTT GRADE ENGIWE OILS ~~~ ~
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COW STARTING, SELECT ME LOWEST
SAE VlSCOSlTT GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
I
“F
6100-
+ 80.
+60.
+40.
+20-
0-
7
“C
- +3a
- + 27
- + 16
- +4
--7
- - 18
-1 PREFERRED SAE I, sw-30 111 su
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
cow
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE
1OW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F (-18°C) or above.
These numbers
on an oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should also
have the “Starburst”
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates that
the oil has been certified
by the American Petroleum
Institute (API).
Do not use
any oil which does not
carry this Starburst symbol.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that are identified as meeting GM
Standard GM4718M and have the Starburst symbol on
the front of the oil container. Your
Corvette engine is filled at the factory with a
Mobil 1
@ synthetic oil, which meets all requirements
for your vehicle.
Substitute Oil: When adding oil to maintain engine
oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM47 18M may
not be available. You can add substitute oil designated
SAE 5W-30 with the “Starburst” symbol at all
temperatures.
If temperatures are above 0” F (- 18 ” C),
you may substitute SAE 1OW-30 with the “Starburst”
symbol. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM47 18M should not be used for an oil change.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Corvette dealer is
ready to advise
if you think something should be added.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine . When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance schedule:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to break
down sooner.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle,
you need to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles
(5 OOO km) or 3 months -- whichever occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
Your Corvette has an Oil Life Monitor. This featwe will
let you know when to change your
oil and filter -- usually
between
3,000 miles (5 O00 krn) and 7,500 miles
(12
500 km) since your last oil change. Under severe
conditions, the indicator may come on before
3,000 miles
(5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle more than
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months (whichever
occurs first) without
an oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil.
So, if you
drive in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
light comes on. Remember to reset the monitor when the
oil has been changed. For more information, see
“Engine Oil Life Monitor”
in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may
be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your
skin for
very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or throw away clothing or
rags containing used engine
oil. (See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to
drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects used oil.
If you have
a problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center for help\
.
6-14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Cleaner
.. n
I
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See "Scheduled Maintenance Services" in the Index.
A CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you
or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn't there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don't drive with
it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you're driving.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Filter Replacement
2. Disconnect the clamp from the manifold.
To remove the air filter:
1. Unscrew the three knobs.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3. Pull the air cleaner straight up.
4. Open the air cleaner to remove the old filter and
install the new one.
5. Reverse the steps.
0 Align the tabs to the slots in the bottom of the
assembly before you replace it.
Install the short knob into the middle hole first.
Then install the longer knobs into the outer holes.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your Corvette
dealership Service Department.
regularly
reaches 90
OF (32 O C) or higher.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get
a false reading on the dipstick.
I NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking lkansmission Fluid Hot
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24
km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). You may have to drive longer to bring the fluid
to 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C) in colder outside
temperatures. See “Automatic Transmission Fluid
Temperature Reading” in the Index.
Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the engine
off and is used
only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five
minutes
if outside temperatures are 50°F (10°C) or
more. If it’s colder than 50°F (lO”C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold.check, you
must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
0 Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
running.
in
PARK (P).
0 With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift lever in, PARK
(P) .
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
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