CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2000 5.G Owners Manual

2-33 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).

2-34
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. 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.

2-35
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.

2-36
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.

2-37
Selective Real Time Damping
(SRTD) (Option)
You may have a ride control system on your vehicle
called Selective Real Time Damping (SRTD). The
system provides the following performance benefits:

Reduced Impact Harshness

Improved Road Isolation

Improved High
-Speed Stability

Improved Handling Response
This switch is located on the center console. Turn it to
select the suspension characteristic of your choice.TOUR: Use for normal city and highway driving.
This setting provides a smooth, soft ride.
SPORT: Use where road conditions or personal
preference demand more control. This setting provides
more ªfeel,º or response to the road conditions.
PERF: Use for performance driving. This setting
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 (DIC)
messages that are displayed when a malfunction occurs
with the SRTD system. Refer to ªDIC Warnings and
Messagesº in the Index.

2-38
Windows
Power Windows
With power windows, switches on the door control each
window when the ignition is on or when RAP is present.
(See ªRetained Accessory Power (RAP)º in the Index.)
Express
-Down Windows
Both the driver's and passenger's window switches have
the express
-down feature. Tap AUTO and immediately
release. The window will lower completely. To stop the
express
-down feature from lowering the window
completely, simply tap 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 the
steering wheel.

2-39
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.
The lever is located on the left side of the steering
column. 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
steering wheel into place.
Telescopic Steering Wheel (Option)
The telescopic steering wheel switch is located on the
right side of the steering column.
To operate the telescopic
steering wheel, push the
switch forward and the
wheel will move away
from you. Pull the switch
rearward and the wheel
will move toward you.
The telescopic steering wheel position can be stored
with your memory settings. See ªMemoryº in the Index
for more information.

2-40
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The multifunction lever on the left side of the steering
column includes your:

Turn Signal and Lane Change Control

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer

Cruise Control

Headlamps Switch

Flash
-to-Pass Feature
Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the multifunction lever all the
way up or down. When the turn is finished, the lever
will return automatically.
An arrow on the
instrument panel cluster
will flash in the direction
of the turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
If you signal a turn or a lane change and the arrows flash
faster than normal, a signal bulb may be burned out.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuses and check for burned
-out
bulbs. (See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.)

2-41
Turn Signal on Chime
A chime will remind you if you leave the turn signal on
for more than 3/4 mile (1.2 km) of driving.
If you need to leave the turn signal on for more than
3/4 mile (1.2 km), turn off the signal and then turn it
back on.
Headlamps
The headlamp band on the turn signal/multifunction
lever controls these lamps:

Headlamps

Taillamps

Parking lamps

Sidemarker lamps
Turn the band to this symbol to turn on the parking
and other operating lamps except for the headlamps.
Turn the band to this symbol to turn on the
headlamps and other operating lamps.
Turn the band to OFF to turn off the lamps.
To read the odometer with the ignition off, turn on the
parking lamps.Headlamp Doors
The headlamp doors are designed to open when you
turn the headlamps on, and close when you turn the
headlamps and parking lamps off. If you turn the
headlamps on, then turn back to the parking lamps
setting, the headlamp doors will stay open.

2-42
You can open the doors manually using the knob next to
the headlamp assembly. Turn the knob counterclockwise
until the doors are open. Turn the knob clockwise to
close the doors manually.
The headlamp doors should be open when driving in icy
or snowy conditions to prevent the doors from freezing
closed and when washing the vehicle to help clean
the headlamps.
NOTICE:
In order to avoid possible contact of the hood to
the headlamp doors, care should be taken in
raising the hood with the headlamps up, or shut
off the headlamps prior to opening the hood.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
to low, push the turn signal lever all the way forward.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on. To change
the headlamps from high to
low, pull the lever rearward.
Lamps on Reminder
If you turn the ignition off and leave the headlamps or
parking lamps on and open a door, you will hear a chime
reminding you to turn off the lamps.
Flash-to-Pass Feature
To use the flash-to-pass feature, momentarily pull the
turn signal lever toward you. The high
-beam indicator
will flash to indicate to the other driver that you intend
to pass. If the low
-beam headlamps are off and you have
the optional fog lamps on, the fog lamps will flash.