service 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.
i

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine GENERAL MOTORS, GM and the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem,
CORVETTE and the CORVETTE Emblem, are
registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet
Motor Division whenever
it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your Corvette,
so it will be
there
if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the.vehicle, please leave this manual in it
so the new
owner can
use it.
Litho in
U.S.A.
Part No. 10261 162 B First Edition
ii
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION THROUGH
National Institute for
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propri6taires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en fraqais chez
votre concessionaire
ou au:
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1500 Bonhill Rd.
Mississauga, Ontario L5T lC7
@Copyright General Motors Corporation 1995
All Rights Reserved

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. The air bag supplements the
protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute
the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s
upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags would not help you in many types
of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts,
primarily because
an occupant’s motion is not toward the
air bag. Air bags should never be regarded as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in
moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates. This occurs
so quickly that some people may not even realize the air
bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module in
the steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, or the
instrument panel for the passenger’s bag, will be hot
for a short time. The part of the bag that comes into
contact with you may be warm, but it will never be
too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming from vents
in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation will not prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor will it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history
of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out
as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
n many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
passenger air bag.
0 The air bags are designed to inflate only once. After
they inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air
bag system. If
you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module,
which records information about the air bag system.
The module records information about the readiness
of the system, when the sensors are activated and
driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air
bag system. Improper service can mean that your
air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s or the
passenger’s air bag, they may not work properly.
You may have to replace the air bag module in
the steering wheel or both the air bag module and
the instrument panel for the passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or break the air bag covers.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Corvette
Air bags affect how your Corvette should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle.
You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Corvette dealer and‘the Corvette Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
For up to two minutes after the ignition key is
turned
off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service.
You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid yellow wires, wires wrapped
with yellow tape or yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the air bag system. Be sure to
follow proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is qualified
to do
so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Should interference to this system occur, try this:
0 Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions on battery
replacement.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. This product has a maximum range.
Chkck the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
See your Chevrolet dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Changes or modifications to this system by anyone other
than an authorized service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
Operation
You don’t have to do anything for PKE to work when
the passive feature is on. Just move toward your
vehicle with the
PKE transmitter, and the system will
automatically disarm your theft-deterrent system and
unlock the doors. If it’s dark enough outside, your
interior lamps will come on.
If you move out of range, the
PKE system will:
1. Lock the doors after five seconds.
2. Arm the theft-deterrent system.
3. Sound the horn to let you know the doors are locked.
4. Turn off the interior lamps.
You can also use the buttons on the transmitter. Press
DOOR to open the passenger’s door or HATCH to open
the hatch. The HATCH button will only work when the
ignition is off.
The system has a feature that makes it difficult for you
to lock your keys
in your vehicle. If you leave your keys
in the ignition and lock the doors,
the system will unlock
the doors as soon as they are closed. If you leave the
keys in the ignition-and move away with the transmitter,
the doors still will not lock. You should notice that the
horn doesn’t sound and return to get your keys.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PASS-Key@
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
It
works when you insert or
remove the key from the
ignition.
PASS-Key uses
a resistor pellet in the ignition key that
matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter
won’t work and fuel won’t go to the engine.
If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key
during this time, the shutdown period will start over
again. This discourages someone from randomly trying
different keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt
to make a match. The
ignition key must be clean and
dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start. If
the SECURITY light comes on, the key
may be dirty
or wet.
If
this happens and the starter won’t work, turn the
ignition
off. Clean and dry the key, wait three minutes
and
try again. If the starter still won’t work, wait three
minutes and try the other ignition key. At this time, you
may also want to check the fuses (see “Fuses and Circuit
Breakers” in the Index). If the starter won’t work with
the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your vehicle
does start, the first ignition key may be faulty. See your
Chevrolet dealer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS-Key.
However, if you accidentally use a key that has a
damaged or missing resistor pellet, you will see no
SECURITY light. You don’t have to wait three minutes
before trying the proper key.
2-14
__

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the starter
won’t work. Use the other ignition key, and see your
Chevrolet dealer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS-Key to have a new key made.
If the SECURITY light comes on while driving, have
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
If you lose or damage
a PASS-Key ignition key, see
your Chevrolet dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key. In an emergency, call the Chevrolet
Roadside Assistance Program at 1 -800-CHEV-USA
(1-800-243-8872).
New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern Corvette doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0 Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the
first 500 miles (804 km).
0 Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this “breaking-in” guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first
2-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Key Release Button
If you have a manual
transmission, your ignition
lock has a key release
button. You must press the
button before you can
take your key out
of the
ignition lock.
CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key
to LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a colIision.
If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to
OFF. Don’t press the key release button while
the vehicle
is moving.
I NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn
it, be sure it is all the way in. If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
Delayed Accessory Bus (DAB)
With DAB, your power windows and the audio system
will continue to work up to
15 minutes after the ignition
key is turned to
OFF and neither door is opened. If a
door is opened, the audio system and power windows
will shut
off.
Y
2-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TOUR: Use for city and highway driving. Provides a
smooth, soft ride. Parking Brake
SPORE Use where road conditions or personal
preference demand more control. Provides more “feel,”
or response to the road conditions.
PERF’: Use for performance driving. Provides a tight,
firm ride and precise response to road conditions.
You can select a setting at any time. Based on road
conditions and your vehicle speed, the system
automatically adjusts to provide the best ride and
handling. Select a new setting whenever driving
conditions change.
The SERVICE RIDE CONTROL light monitors the
system. Refer to “Service Ride Control Light” in
the Index.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your rear axle can give you additional traction on snow,
mud, ice, sand
or gravel. It works like a standard axle
most
of the time, but when one of the rear wheels has no
traction and the other does, the limited-slip feature will
allow the wheel with traction to move the vehicle. To
set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up, then move it back down.
This sets your parking brake, even though the lever is
down. If the ignition is on, the parking brake indicator
light will come on.
2-28

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules,
the wiring
and the diagnostic module. For more
information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in
the Index.
AIR
BAG
You will see this light flash
for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition to RUN
or START. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you
start your vehicle, or stays on,
or comes on when you
are driving, your air bag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
Charging System Indicator Light
-+I
This light will come on
when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check to
show you it is working. It
should go out when the
engine starts.
If it stays on or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a loose or broken drive
belt or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this light is on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn
off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
2-76