steering wheel CHEVROLET CORVETTE 1998 5.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine There is an air bag readiness
light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air
bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See
“Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
for more information.
How the Air Bag System Works
Where are the air bags?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The passenger’s air bag is in the instrument panel on the
passenger’s side.
A CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an air
bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person. The path
of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t
put anything between an occupant and an air
bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on
or near any other air
bag covering.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When should an air bag inflate?
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crash. The
air bag will inflate
only
if the impact speed is above the system’s designed
“threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is
about
9 to 15 mph (14 to 24 km/h). The threshold level
can vary, however, with specific vehicle design,
so that
it can be somewhat above or below this range.
If your
vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such
as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The
air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers, side
impacts or rear impacts, because inflation would not
help the occupant.
It
is possible that in a crash only one of the two air bags in
your Corvette will deploy. This is rare, but can happen in a
crash just severe enough to make an
air bag inflate.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because
of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and
how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near-frontal impacts.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in
a crash. The sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
hardware are all part
of the air bag modules inside the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of
the passenger.
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.
Air bags supplement 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 those air bags. Air
bags should never be regarded as anything more than a
supplement to safety belts,
and then only in moderate to
severe fi-ontal or near-frontal collisions.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module
-- 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 parts of the bag that come into
contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch.
There will be some smoke and dust coming from vents
in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t prevent
the driver from seeing or from being able to steer the
vehicle, nor does 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.
In 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.
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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.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
passenger’s air bag, the bag 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 coverings.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle 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
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 10 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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If you put things in the hatcldtrunk area, be sure
they won’t break the glass when you close it.
Never slam the hatcldtrunk lid down. You could
break the glass or damage the defogger grid.
When you close the hatchhrunk lid, make sure
you pull down from the center, not the sides.
If
you pull the hatcldtrunk lid down from the side
too often, the weatherstrip can be damaged.
NOTICE:
Do not store heavy or sharp objects in the three
storage compartments located in the hatcldtrunk
area.
If you do, the objects could damage
the underbody.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent features, we
know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However,
there are ways you can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a tone reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your
ignition.
If you have an automatic transmission, taking
your key out also locks your transmission. And
remember to lock the doors.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OFF: The only position from which you can remove the
key. Removing the key locks your steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transmission.
If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can’t be turned to
OFF unless the shift lever is in
PARK (P).
ACC: The position in which you can operate your
electrical power accessories. With the key in this
position, the automatic transmission and steering
column will unlock.
ON: The position to which the switch returns after you
start the engine and release the switch. The switch stays
in the
ON position when the engine is running. But even
when the engine is not running, you can use
ON to
operate your electrical power accessories and to display
some instrument panel messages and telltales.
START Starts the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch will return to
ON for
normal driving.
When the engine is not running,
ACC and ON allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s door
when the ignition is in
OFF or ACC and the key is in
the ignition.
Removing the key from the ignition switch will
lock the steering column and result in a loss of
ability to steer the vehicle. This could cause a
collision.
If you need to turn the engine off while
the vehicle
is moving, turn the key to ACC.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can’t
turn
it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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, steering wheel angle and your vehicle speed,
the system automatically adjusts to provide the best ride
and handling. Select a new setting whenever driving
conditions change.
There
are three Driver Information Center messages that
are displayed when a malfunction occurs with the SRTD
system. Refer to “Driver Information Center Warnings
and Messages’’ in the Index.
Windows
Power Windows
With power windows, switches on the door control each
window when the ignition
is on or when RAP is present.
(See “Retained Accessory Power” in the Index.)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Express-Down Window
Both the driver’s and passenger’s window switches have
an express-down feature. Press AUTO and hold for less
than one-third of a second and release. The window will
lower completely. To stop express-down feature from
the lowering the window completely, simply press the
switch again.
You can also open the window any amount by pressing
and releasing the switch.
Horn
To sound the horn, press either horn symbol on your
steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever toward you. Move the steering wheel to a
comfortable level, then release the lever to lock the
wheel into place.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS system
begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions allow
you to safely use it again, you may re-engage the cruise
control. (See “Cruise Control” in the Index.)
The SERVICE TRACTION
SYSTEM message and the
TCS warning light will
come on to let you know if
there’s
a problem with your
TCS system.
See
“SERVICE TRACTION
SYSTEM Message” in
the Index. The
TCS system automatically comes on whenever you
start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin, especially in
slippery road conditions, you should always leave the
system
on. But you can turn the TCS system off if you
ever need to.
To turn the system
off, press
the button located on the
console.
You can turn the
system ON
or OFF at any
time by pressing the TCS
switch. The DIC will
display the appropriate
message when you push
the button.
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When this light and the SERVICE TRACTION
SYSTEM message are on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
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