ignition CHEVROLET CORVETTE 1999 5.G User Guide

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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 chime 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 take the key with you, and you have an
automatic transmission, it will be locked. And remember
to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it's best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your key? Do not leave
valuables in your vehicle, since there would be no place
to secure them.
Universal Theft-Deterrent System
Your vehicle has
a theft
-deterrent
alarm system.
With this system, the SECURITY light will flash as you
open the door (if your ignition is off). This light reminds
you to arm the theft
-deterrent system.

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Arming the System
Use one of the following items listed here to arm
the system:

Press the LOCK button on the key fob transmitter,

Walk out of range with the passive switch on, or

Open the door. (The SECURITY light should flash.)
Lock the door with the power door lock switch. The
SECURITY light will stop flashing and stay on.
Close the door. The SECURITY light should go off.
Testing the Alarm
Use the following to test the system:
1. Make sure the hatch/trunk lid is latched and set the
passive switch on the key fob transmitter to OFF.
2. Lower a window on the door.
3. Manually arm the system.
4. Close the doors and wait 15 seconds.
5. Reach through the open window and unlock the
door. Now open the door. The alarm should sound.
6. Turn off the alarm.If the alarm is inoperative, check to see if the horn
works. If not, check the horn fuse. See ªFuses and
Circuit Breakersº in the Index. If the horn works, but the
alarm doesn't go off, see your dealer.
Disarming the System
Always use your key or the key fob transmitter to
unlock a door. Unlocking a door any other way will set
off the alarm. If your alarm sounds, listed below are the
ways you can disarm it:

Unlock any door with your key.

Put the key in the ignition.

Press the UNLOCK button on the key
fob transmitter.

Walk into range with the passive switch on.

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Now, if a door or the hatch/trunk lid is opened without
the key or the key fob transmitter, the alarm will go off.
Your horn will sound for two minutes, then it will go off
to save battery power. And, your vehicle won't start.
The theft
-deterrent system won't arm if you lock the
doors with a key, the manual door lock, or if you use the
power door lock after the doors are closed.
If your passenger stays in the vehicle when you leave
with the keys, have the passenger lock the vehicle after
the doors are closed. This way the alarm won't arm, and
your passenger won't set it off.
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 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 ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº 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
dealer or a locksmith who can service the PASS
-Key.

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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.
If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the starter
won't work. Use the other ignition key, and see your
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 dealer or a locksmith who can service PASS
-Key.
In an emergency, call the Chevrolet Roadside Assistance
Center at 1
-800-CHEV-USA
(1-800-243-8872).
(In Canada, call 1
-800-268-6800.)
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).

Don't drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
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.

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Front Air Dam
Your vehicle is equipped with a front air dam which has
minimal ground clearance for aerodynamics. For this
reason, the air dam has a spring
- loaded hinge provided
and it will retract with road contact.
In normal operation, the air dam will occasionally
contact some road surfaces (speed bumps, driveway
ramps, etc.). This can be heard inside the vehicle as a
scraping noise. This is normal and does not indicate
a problem.
Use care when approaching bumps or objects on road
surfaces and avoid them when possible.
Ignition Positions
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be injured or even killed. They could
operate power windows or other controls or even
make the vehicle move. Don't leave the keys in
the vehicle with children.
With the key in the ignition
switch, you can turn the
switch to four positions.
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).

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ACC: This is an on 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: This is the position to which the switch returns
after you start the engine and release the switch. The
switch stays in ON 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: This position 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.
CAUTION:
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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With RAP, your power windows and the audio system
will continue to work for up to 15 minutes after the
ignition key is turned to OFF and neither door is opened.
If a door is opened, the power windows and audio
system will shut off.
Starting Your Engine
This vehicle has a computer system that monitors engine
speed, throttle and pedal position, and records the
current status.
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your Chevrolet
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and start
the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the clutch pedal is
not all the way down
-- that's a safety feature.
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help
avoid draining your battery or damaging your starter.

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When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0
F or
-18
C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there. When the
engine starts, let go of the key. Use the accelerator
pedal to maintain engine speed, if you have to, until
your engine has run for a while.
2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Starter Interlock Feature
For your convenience and to avoid damage to your
starter, your vehicle is equipped with a starter interlock
feature. This feature will not allow you to crank the
engine when the vehicle is already running.

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Be sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has a
Brake
-Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI). You have to
fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift
from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
and release the shift lever button as you maintain brake
application. Then press the shift lever button and move
the shift lever into the gear you wish. If you do not
apply the brake after 15 seconds once the ignition is
turned on, you will receive a PRESS BRAKE BEFORE
SHIFT message in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.

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SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) AND SIXTH
(6): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and
SIXTH (6) the same way you do for SECOND (2).
Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL (N).
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine. Your shift lever is in NEUTRAL (N)
when it is centered in the shift pattern, not in any
other gear.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Just apply pressure
to get the lever past FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6) into
REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while
pressing the accelerator pedal.Your six-speed manual transmission has a feature that
allows you to safely shift into REVERSE (R) while the
vehicle is rolling (at less than 3 mph (5 km/h)). You will
be locked out if you try to shift into REVERSE (R)
while your vehicle is moving faster than 3 mph
(5 km/h). If you have turned your ignition off and
wish to park your vehicle in REVERSE (R), you will
have to move the shift lever quickly to the right, and
immediately forward into gear.
Shift Speeds (Manual Transmission)
CAUTION:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle.
You could injure yourself or others. Don't shift
down more than one gear at a time when you
down shift.