coolant CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2001 5.G Owner's Guide

6-12
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL message on the Driver
Information Center comes on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level right away. For more
information, see ªDriver Information Centerº in the
Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil level every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick
handle is a yellow
ring located near the
coolant surge tank.
See ªEngine
Compartment
Overviewº in
the Index for
more information
on location.
Do not check the engine oil level after the engine has
been sitting overnight. A higher than normal reading
might be obtained. Check oil level with the oil warm.
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.

6-23 What to Use
To add lubricant when the level is low, use SAE 75W-90
Synthetic Gear Lubricant (GM Part No. 12378261) or
equivalent meeting GM Specification 9986115. To
completely refill after draining, add 4 ounces (118 ml)
of Limited
-Slip Differential Lubricant Additive
(GM Part No. 1052358) or equivalent. Then fill to
the bottom of the filler plug hole with the Synthetic
Gear Lubricant.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.

6-24 What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL
coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL
coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don't have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.

6-25 Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment behind the passenger's side headlamp.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the FULL
COLD mark. The FULL COLD mark is on the front
of the coolant surge tank. Don't overfill the surge tank.
Too much coolant can result in an overflow when the
fluid is hot.

6-26
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is hand-tight.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
The surge tank pressure cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
information on location.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.

6-28 Adding Washer Fluid
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY.
Add washer fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:

When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.

Don't mix water with ready
-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn't clean as well as washer fluid.

Fill your washer fluid tank only
three
-quarters full when it's very cold. This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.

Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.

6-76 Engine Specifications
Type5.7L V8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VIN Engine Code
LS1 G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LS6 S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement346 cubic inches (5665 cc) . . . . . . . . .
Fuel DeliverySequential Multi
-Port . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Injection (SFI)
Valve ArrangementOverhead Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Piston Displacement5.7L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bore3.90 inches (9.9 cm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stroke3.62 inches (9.2 cm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compression Ratio
LS1 10.0:1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LS6 10.5:1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horsepower
LS1 350@5600 rpm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LS6 380@6000 rpm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque
LS1 (Automatic Transmission) 360@4000 rpm. . . .
LS1 (Manual Transmission) 370@4400 rpm. . . . . .
LS6 380@4800 rpm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order1
-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat Starts to Open187F (86C) . . . . . . . .
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Engine Air Cleaner/FilterA917C* . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery75P
-7YR* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Surge Tank CapGM Part No. 10296465 . . .
15 psi (105 kPa)
Engine Oil FilterPF44* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PCV ValveCV948C* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.060 inch (1.524 mm)
Spark PlugPTJ16R15 (0.060 inch Gap) . . . . . . . . . .
Denso Type Number
Windshield Wiper Blade
Length 22 inches (55.9 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Type 9 mm x 3 mm Shepherd's Hook. . . . . . . . . . . .
* ACDelco

part number.

Scheduled Maintenance
7-12
100,000 Miles (166 000 km) (Continued)
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly
reaches 90
F (32
C) or higher.
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± Uses such as high performance operation.
Manual transmission fluid doesn't require change.
If you haven't used your vehicle under severe conditions listed previously and,
therefore, haven't changed your automatic transmission fluid, change both the
fluid and filter. Manual transmission fluid doesn't require change.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill the cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use.
An Emission Control Service. ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

7-13
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture if necessary. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index for further details.Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See ªTiresº in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See ªAudio Systemsº in the
Index for further details.
Power Antenna Service
Clean power antenna mast. See ªAudio Systemsº in the
Index for further details.

7-19
Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by
name, part number or specification may be obtained
from your dealer.
USAGE
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Engine OilThe engine requires a special
engine oil meeting GM
Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting
this standard may be identified as
synthetic, and should also be
identified with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified for
Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. However, not all synthetic
API oils with the starburst symbol
will meet this GM standard.
You should look for and use
only an oil that meets GM
Standard GM4718M. For the
proper viscosity, see ªEngine Oilº
in the Index.
USAGEFLUID/LUBRICANT
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only GM
Goodwrench

DEX-COOL
or
Havoline
DEX-COOL

Coolant. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index.
Hydraulic
Brake SystemDelco Supreme 11
Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT
-3 brake fluid).
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
Washer
Solvent (GM Part No. 1051515)
or equivalent.
Hydraulic
Clutch SystemHydraulic Clutch Fluid
(GM Part No. 12345347 or
equivalent DOT
-3 brake fluid).
Power
Steering SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. 1052884
- 1 pint,
1050017
- 1 quart, or equivalent).