CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2002 5.G Owners Manual

6-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.

Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed
or on any surface other than the ground.

Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.

6-10 Hood Release
NOTICE:
In order to avoid possible contact of the hood to
the headlamp doors, either take care in raising
the hood with the headlamps up, or turn off the
headlamps prior to opening the hood.
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle located
inside the vehicle below
the instrument panel
on the driver's side.
2. Go to the side of the vehicle and pull up on the rear
edge of the hood, near the windshield.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps
are on properly. Then, just pull the hood down and
close it firmly.

6-11 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood, you'll see the following:
A. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap
B. Battery
C. Engine Oil DipstickD. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
G. Brake Fluid ReservoirH. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped)
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

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.
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.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or a
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down.

6-13
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, you'll need to
add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity, see ªCapacities and
Specificationsº in the Index.
See ªRacing or Other Competitive Drivingº in the Index
for additional information on engine oil.
NOTICE:
Don't add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap
is located in the engine
compartment on top of
the valve cover on the
passenger's side of the
vehicle. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more
information on location.
Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you're through.

6-14 What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:

GM4718M
Your vehicle's engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this standard
may be identified as synthetic. However, not all
synthetic oils will meet this GM standard.
You should look for and use only an oil that
meets GM Standard GM4718M.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that don't have the GM4718M
Standard designation, you can cause engine
damage not covered by your warranty.

6-15

SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W
-30 is
best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE
10W
-30 if it's going to be 0F (-18C) or above.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 20W
-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should
also have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that are identified as meeting GM
Standard 4718M and have the starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container.
Your vehicle's engine is filled at the factory with a
Mobil 1
 synthetic oil, which meets all requirements
for your vehicle.Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain
engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M
may not be available. You can add substitute oil
designated SAE 5W
-30 with the starburst symbol at
all temperatures. If temperatures are above 0F (
-18C),
you may substitute SAE 10W
-30 with the starburst
symbol. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
Your vehicle has a computer that lets you know when
to change your engine oil and filter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not
on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage
at which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.

6-16
When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON message will
come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within
the next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that,
if you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life
system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary
for over a year. However, your engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once a year and at this time
the system must be reset. It is also important to check
your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Change Oil Soon Message
The GM Oil Life System
calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation
occurs where you change your oil prior to a CHANGE
OIL SOON message being turned on, reset the system.To reset the CHANGE OIL SOON message after an oil
change, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ON, with the engine off.
2. Press the TRIP button so the OIL LIFE percentage
is displayed.
3. Press RESET and hold for two seconds. OIL LIFE
REMAIN 100% will appear.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don't let used oil stay on your skin for very long.
Clean your skin and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or throw away clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer's
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it
to a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask your dealer,
a service station or a local recycling center for help.

6-17
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is located at the center front
of the engine compartment.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don't
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can
cause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter in place when
you're driving.

6-18 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Replacement
To remove the engine air cleaner/filter:
1. Pull up on the clips on each side to release the assembly.
2. Pull the assembly out.
3. Replace the filter. See ªNormal Maintenance
Replacement Partsº in the Index.
4. Push the assembly back into place.
5. Fasten the clips.