engine CHEVROLET CORVETTE 1999 5.G Owner's Manual

yellowblue
2-33
NOTICE:
Do not try to force the shift lever into
SECOND (2) or THIRD (3) when the 1 TO
4 SHIFT light comes on. Do not try to re
-engage
FIRST (1) after starting to shift into
FOURTH (4). You will damage your
transmission. Shift only from FIRST (1) to
FOURTH (4) when the light comes on.
This light will come on when:

The engine coolant temperature is higher than
169F (76C),

you are going 15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h) and

you are at 21 percent throttle or less.
Downshifting (Manual Transmission)
Do not downshift into the gear shown below at a speed
greater than shown in the table:
FIRST (1) 50 mph (80 km/h). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECOND (2) 74 mph (119 km/h). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THIRD (3) 101 mph (163 km/h). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FOURTH (4) 130 mph (209 km/h). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NOTICE:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, or if you race the engine when you
downshift, you can damage the clutch, driveshaft
or transmission.
The six-speed transmission has a spring that centers the
gearshift lever near THIRD (3) and FOURTH (4). This
spring helps you know which gear you are in when you
are shifting. Be careful when shifting from FIRST (1) to
SECOND (2) or downshifting from SIXTH (6) to
FIFTH (5). The spring will try to pull the gearshift lever
toward FOURTH (4) and THIRD (3). Make sure you
move the lever into SECOND (2) or FIFTH (5). If you
let the gearshift lever move in the direction of the
pulling, you may end up shifting from FIRST (1) to
FOURTH (4) or from SIXTH (6) to THIRD (3).

yellowblue
2-35
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won't move, even
when you're on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the lever and pushing the lever all the way
toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
remove the key from the ignition, the vehicle is in
PARK (P).

yellowblue
2-36
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission Only)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold down
the regular brake pedal. See if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

yellowblue
2-37
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
CAUTION:
Before shifting out of PARK (P) you must fully
apply your regular brakes. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could
be injured.
Your vehicle has a Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock
(BTSI). You have to fully apply your regular brake
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transmission Operationº in
the Index.
As a prompt, you will see a message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) that will say PRESS BRAKE
BEFORE SHIFT within 15 seconds unless the brake
is pressed.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 ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACC.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have your vehicle inspected by your dealer as soon
as possible.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transmission in REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the
parking brake.

yellowblue
2-38
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over
road debris.

Repairs weren't done correctly.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

yellowblue
2-39
Running Your Engine While You're
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaustº).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
(See ªBlizzardº in the Index.)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your limited-slip 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,
this feature will allow the wheel with traction to move
the vehicle.

yellowblue
2-77 Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in either miles
per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
You may note that there are not two separate scales for
mph and km/h. When you press the E/M
(English/Metric) button on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), the cluster will calculate the proper speed
and move the needle to the correct position. Either the
MPH or the km/h telltale will illuminate, depending on
which measurement you choose.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to the
mileage total of the old odometer, then that will be done.
If it can't, then a new instrument cluster is replaced in
the vehicle and a label must be put on the driver's door
to show the old mileage reading when the new odometer
was installed. See your dealer if a new odometer must
be replaced in your vehicle.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in thousands
of revolutions per minute (rpm).
Fuel will shut off at about 6200 rpm.
If you continue to drive your vehicle at the fuel shut off
rpm, you could damage your engine. Be sure to operate
your vehicle below the fuel shut off rpm or reduce your
rpm quickly when the fuel shuts off.
Warning Lights, Gages and Messages
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.

yellowblue
2-78
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center that
works along with the warning lights and gages. See
ªDriver Information Center (DIC)º in the Index.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on until the driver's belt
is buckled.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows a deployed air bag symbol. 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
ªAir Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.

yellowblue
2-79
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Voltmeter
When the key is in ON with
the engine not running, the
voltmeter shows the voltage
output of your battery.
When the engine is running,
it shows the voltage output
of the charging system.The reading will change as the rate of charge changes
(with engine speed, for example), but if the voltmeter
reads at 9 volts or below, your instrument panel and
other systems may shut down. The Driver Information
Center (DIC) will read LOW VOLTAGE when your
vehicle is at 10 volts or below. Have it checked right
away. Driving with the voltmeter reading at 10 volts or
below could drain your battery and disable your vehicle.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
This light should come on
when you turn the ignition
key to START.

yellowblue
2-80
If it doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there's a problem. If this warning
light stays on after you start the engine, the parking
brake may not be set or there could be a brake problem.
Refer to ªParking Brakeº in the Index to see if it is set.
If the parking brake is not set, have your brake system
inspected right away.
If the light comes on while you are driving and you have
a LOW BRAKE FLUID message showing on the DIC,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.)
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake warning light is on. Driving with the
brake warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you've pulled off the
road and stopped carefully, have the vehicle
towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay on
for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you're driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you're driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn't
on, you still have brakes, but you don't have anti
-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a
problem with your regular brakes. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.