CHEVROLET CORVETTE 1998 5.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
You can get GM-approved cleaning products from your
dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials” 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 a Corvette. They may not have enough clearance for the undercarriage or for the wide rear tires.
Check with the manager before using a car wash.
Cleaning Exterior LampsLenses
Use lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a liquid
hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soap to clean
exterior lamps and lenses. Follow instructions under
“Washing Your Vehicle.”
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 “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Corvette has a “basecoatlclearcoat” 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 basecoatklearcoat
paint finish.
NOTICE: I
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
1
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.
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.
When you hand wash the top, do it 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. When the top is really dirty, use a mild
foam-type cleaner. Thoroughly rinse the entire vehicle,
then let the top dry in direct sunlight.
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;
If you decide to go through an automatic car wash,
ask the manager if the equipment could damage
your top. it could leave streaks.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 or
abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could
damage the surface.
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.
Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
I 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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Magnesium Wheel Finish
NOTICE:
Improper paint repair or refinishing can cause
corrosion damage to a magnesium wheel. See
your dealer if a magnesium wheel needs paint
repair or refinishing.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fiberglass 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
NOTICE:
Don’t use corrosive or acidic cleaning agents,
the paint surface. engine degreasers, aluminum cleaning agents or
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
I
A
other harsh solvents to clean fiberglass springs;
they’ll damage the springs.
I
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, GM will
repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces
of new I I vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER USAGE DESCRIPTION
SIZE
994954
Exterior polishing cloth
Polishing Cloth - Wax
Treated
23 in. x 25 in.
1050172
Use on chrome, stainless steel, nickel, copper and brass
Chrome Cleaner and Polish 16
02. (0.473 L) 1050173 Removes
tar, road oil and asphalt
Tar and Road Oil Remover
16 02. (0.473 L)
1050174
I 16 oz. (0.473 L) I White Sidewall Tire Cleaner I Removes soil and black marks from whitewalls
1050214
I 32 oz. (0.946 L) I Vinyl Cleaner I Cleans vinyl tops, upholstery and convertible tops I
1050427 I 23 02. (0.680 L) I Glass Cleaner I Removes dirt, grime, smoke and fingerprints
1052870
I 16 02. (0.473 L) I Wash Wax Concentrate I Cleans and lightly waxes
1052918**
I 8 02. (0.237 L) I Armor AUT’ Protectant I
Protects leather, wood, acrylics, Plexiglas , plastic,
rubber and vinyl
1052925
I 16 02. (0.473 L) I Multi-Purpose Interior Cleans carpets,
seats, interior trim, door panels
I Cleaner and floor mats
1052929
I 16 oz. (0.473 L) I Wheel Cleaner I Spray on and rinse with water
1052930
Shines vehicle without scratching Synthetic Chamois
2.5 sq. ft.
12345721 Cleans and
shines a variety
of surface types Armor
All TM Cleaner
16 oz. (0.473 L)
12345002 Attracts, absorbs and
removes soils
Capture
Dry Spot Remover 8 02. (0.237 L)
12345725
See your General Motors Parts Department for these products.
** Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.
Removes
contaminants, blemishes and swirl marks Surface Cleaner
16
oz. (0.473 L) 12377984 Removes light scratches and oxidation and protects finish Cleane\
r
Wax 16 02. (0.473 L)
12377966 Removes
dust, fingerprints and surface contaminants
Finish Enhancer
16
02. (0.473 L)
12377964 Spray
on tire shine Silicone
Tire Shine 12 02. (0.354 L)
See “Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
6-61

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front comer 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 on the cover assembly for the rear
left-hand compartment storage pocket. It’s very helpful
if you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
0 your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information and
a list of all production options and special
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
equipment.
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 “Servicing
Your
Air Bag-Equipped Corvette” in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Accessory Power Plug
This plug can be used to connect electrical equipment
such as a cellular phone or
CB radio. The accessory
power plug is located behind the passenger 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:
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 left top 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.
The plug has three separate wires:
0 The orange wire connects to battery power.
The yellow wire connects to ignition power. Power is
only available
in the ignition ON position.
0 The black wire connects to ground.
NOTICE:
When using the accessory plug:
0
0
a
a
DO NOT splice wires directly into the
vehicle electrical wire harness.
If done
incorrectly, splicing may cause damage to
your electrical system and would not be,
covered by the vehicle’s warranty.
The maximum load
of any electrical
equipment should not exceed
15 amps.
Be sure to turn
off any electrical equipment
when not in use. Leaving electrical
equipment on for extended periods
of time
can drain your battery.
DO NOT use this plug if the electrical
equipment requires frequent connecting and
disconnecting.
This may cause excessive wear
on the accessory plug and damage your
electrical system
and the damage would not
be covered by your warranty.
6-63

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Headlamps
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker.
An electrical overload will cause the lamps to go on and
off, or in some cases to remain off. If this happens, have
your headlamp wiring checked right away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a fuse and
an internal circuit breaker. If the motor overheats due to
heavy snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor
cools. If the overload is caused by some electrical
problem and not snow, etc., be sure to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers protect the power seats and other power
accessories. When the current load is too heavy, the
circuit breaker opens and closes, protecting the circuit
until the problem is fixed or goes away.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of maxi-fuses,
mini-fuses and circuit breakers. This greatly reduces the
chance of fires caused by electrical problems. replace
a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have a
spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the same
amperage. Just pick some feature of your vehicle that
you can get along without
-- like the radio or cigarette
lighter
-- and use its fuse, if it is the correct amperage.
Replace it as soon as you can.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The interior fuse center is
on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle, under the
instrument panel and under
the toe-board. Remove the
toe-board and carpet
covering to access the fuse
block. Then turn the fuse
block door knob and pull
the door
to access the fuses.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuse
1
2
3
4
5
Usage
Console Cigarette Lighter
Monitored (Inadvertent) Load Control
Lumbar Seat
Driver Seat Control Module
Radio
Fuse
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22 Usage
Parking Lamps,
Taillamps
Cigarette Lighter
Stop Hazard Flashers
Body Control Module
Windshield Wipermasher
Accessory Power
Blank
Body Control Module
Crank
HazardPTurn Signal
Air Bag
TONN REL (Convertible Only)
HVAC Controls
Instrument Panel Control
Cruise Control
Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock
Body Control Module
- Ignition 3
6-65