flat tire CHEVROLET CORVETTE 1996 4.G Owners Manual

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The 1996 Corvette Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................... 1-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the air bag system.
Features and Controls .................................................................. 2-1
This section explains how to start and operate your Corvette.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..................................................... 3-1
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 5-1
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated
engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care.. .......................................................... 6-1
Maintenanceschedule .................................................................. 7-1
Customer Assistance Information ........................................................ 8-1
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Corvette running properly and looking good.
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
This section tells you how to contact Chevrolet for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page
8-9.
Index ........................................................................\
......... 9-1
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Coolant Warning Light
LOW
COOLANT
This light comes on when
the coolant in the system is
~ low. You may need to add
~ coolant. See “Engine
~ Overheating” in the Index.
I NOTICE:
Driving with the LOW COOLANT light on
could cause your Corvette to overheat. See
“Engine Overheating” in the Index. Your
Corvette could be damaged and it wouldn’t be
covered by your warranty.
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light (Option)
The Low Tire Pressure Warning System (LTPWS) has a
sensor on each road wheel that transmits to a receiver on
the instrument panel.
The system operates
on a radio frequency subject to
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules.
This device complies with Part
15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and
(2) This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
LOW/FLAT
TI RE
The LTPWS monitors air
pressure in each road tire
while you’re driving your
Corvette. The LOWELAT
TIRE light will come on
whenever tire pressure in
any road tire goes below
25 psi (170 kPa), and it will
stay on until
you turn off
the ignition.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The light may come on if any LTPWS parts aren’t
working properly.
For LTPWS to work properly, you must drive your
Corvette faster than
25 mph (40 km/h) and for more
than
2 miles (4 km). The system will not warn you
before you begin to drive that a tire
is flat.
When the LOWELAT TIRE light comes on, check the
tire pressure in all four road tires as soon
as you can.
Adjust the tire pressure as needed to those shown on the
Tire-Loading Information label on the driver’s door. If
the light stays on after the tire pressure is adjusted, see
your dealer.
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When the LOWELAT TIRE warning light is on,
your vehicle’s handling capabilities will be
reduced during severe maneuvers.
If you drive
too fast, you could lose control of your vehicle.
You or others could be injured. Don”t drive over
55 mph (90 km/h) when the LOWWLAT TIRE
warning light is on. Drive cautiously, and check
your tire pressures as soon
as you can.
NOTICE:
Driving with a flat tire may damage the tire, the
wheel or the tire pressure sensor installed inside
the tire
on the wheel rim. Using tire sealants may
also damage the sensor.
If you have EMTs, see “Extended Mobility Tires”
in the Index.
The LTPWS sensor is directly opposite the valve stem
on the tire. Take care when servicing or having your
tires serviced. The sensors may not work properly
if
damaged. To prevent damage to the sensors, see the
1996 Corvette Service Manual for correct tire mounting
and dismounting procedures.
The LOW/FLAT TIRE light may come on if your
vehicle
is close to another vehicle that has LTPWS and
has a tire with low pressure.
LTPWS can warn you about a low tire, but it does
not replace normal tire maintenance. See “Tires” in
the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driver Information Center
SERVICE ASR ASR OFF
ASR LOW ACTIVE COOLANT
PASSIVE
KEYLESS
ENTRY
AIR BAG
SERVICE LOWFLAT LTPWS TIRE
ABS SERVICE CONTROL
ACTIVE
RIDE
SERVICE
SERVICE
0 SOON (63)
LOW OIL
The Driver
Information Center (DIC) gives you
important safety and maintenance facts. It will display
warning lights for the following:
SERVICE ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation)
ASROW
SERVICE LTPWS (Low Tire Pressure Warning
LOWELAT TIRE
ASR ACTIVE
LOW COOLANT
AIRBAG
ABS ACTIVE (Anti-Lock Brake System Active)
SERVICE RIDE CONTROL (Option)
PASSIVE KEYLESS ENTRY
(Charging System)
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
SERVICE ABS
LOWOIL
See “Lights” in the Index for additional information.
System) (Option)
2-98

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance.
If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed according to your speedometer,’ not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you
are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
Corvette dealerships all across North America. They’ll
be ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
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Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-21 ,

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”?
Or
is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack
of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with the
same scenery, along with the hum
of the tires on the road,
the drone of the engine, and
the rush of the wind against
the vehicle’that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it happen
to you!
If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in less
than a second, and you could crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
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Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to
the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Loading Your Vehicle
Tm OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP. WT.
TIRE-LOADING
INFORMATION
FRT. CTR. RR. TOTAL LBS. KG
MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY WEIGHT XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE
SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG PSI/KPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA. IF TIRES ARE HOT, ADD 4PS1/28KPa
SEE OWNER‘S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
found on the rear edge of the driver’s door tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation.
It
also gives you important information about the number
of people that can be in your vehicle and the total weight
that you can carry. This weight is called Vehicle
Capacity Weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed options.
f I
MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP
DATE GVWR GAWR FRT GAWR RR
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLI-
CABLE
U.S. FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE
SAFETY, BUMPER, AND THEFT PREVENTION
STANDARDS
IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF
MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
The other label is the Certification label, found on the rear
edge of the driver’s door. It tells you the
gross weight
capacity of your vehicle, called the GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating). The
GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. Never exceed
the
GVWR for your vehicle, or the GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it
out. Don’t carry more than
100 pounds (45 kg) in your
rear area.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out’’ while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot
off
the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake
to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get
the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If
a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely. If your
vehicle has Extended Mobility Tires (tires with
“EMT”
molded on the sidewalls), see “Extended Mobility Tires”
in the Index.
.Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
A CAUTION:
3
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be badly injured.
Find
a level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever in
PARK (P), or shift a manual transmission
to
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
3. lbrn off the engine.
To
be even more certain the vehicle won’t move,
you can put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire on the other side of the
vehicle, at the opposite end.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. Remove the plastic wheel nut caps using the socket
end
of the wheel wrench by turning the wrench in
the direction shown. Store the caps somewhere until
you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
2. Each wheel will have one locknut. A special wheel
lock key (removal tool)
and instructions are
provided. Attach the wheel lock key to the wheel
wrench. Remove the locking wheel nut by turning
counterclockwise.
5-27

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5. When you’ve turned the wrench almost as far as it will
go, swing it around to the other side. Keep turning to
raise the jack
lift head a 3 inches (76.2 mm).
6. Position the jack under the vehicle. There are two
locator triangles
(A) on the panels (B) near each
wheel. Raise the lift head
(C) until it fits firmly
under the steel rocker flange
(D) between the
triangles nearest the flat tire.
Stay away from the moldings or fender flanges to
avoid damaging them.
5-29