coolant CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2002 5.G Owner's Guide

6-23
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you'll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
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 such as 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.

6-28
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for reservoir location.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
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.

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
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).
Manual
TransmissionDEXRON
-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.