CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2003 5.G Owners Manual

Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
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 brie¯y 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.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 Ð and even dangerous. So please get to know
your warning lights and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information Center
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-44.
3-29

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster and Driver Information Center (DIC) are designed to let you know at a glance how the
vehicle is running. You'll know how fast you're going, about how much fuel you have left and many other things
you'll need to know to drive safely and economically. The instrument panel cluster indicator warning lights, gages and
DIC messages are explained on the following pages.
United States shown, Canada similar
3-30

Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in either
miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
There is only one scale 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.
To read the odometer with the ignition off, turn on the
parking lamps.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. The mileage total of the
new odometer will be set to the original miles
(kilometers) of the old odometer. See your dealer if the
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 (6500 rpm for Z06).
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.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for several 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.
3-31

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
modules, the wiring and the diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, see
Air
Bag System on page 1-39.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ¯ash for
a few seconds. Then
the light should go out.
This means the system
is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air
bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not in¯ate in a crash, or they
could even in¯ate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the air bag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should ¯ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it ®xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
3-32

Air Bag Off Light
When you turn the passenger's air bag off, this light will
come on and stay on to remind you that the air bag
has been turned off. This light will go off when you turn
the air bag back on again. See
Air Bag Off Switch
on page 1-44for more on this, including important safety
information.
{CAUTION:
If the passenger's air bag is turned off for a
person who isn't in a risk group identi®ed by
the national government, that person won't
have the extra protection of an air bag. In a
crash, the air bag wouldn't be able to in¯ate
and help protect the person sitting there. Don't
turn off the passenger's air bag unless the
person sitting there is in a risk group. See ªAir
Bag Off Switchº in the Index for more on this,
including important safety information.
3-33

{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light ever comes on
when you have turned off the air bag, it means
that something may be wrong with the air bag
system. The passenger's air bag could in¯ate
even though the switch is off. If this ever
happens, don't let anyone whom the national
government has identi®ed as a member of a
passenger air bag risk group sit in the
passenger's position (for example, don't
secure a rear-facing child restraint in your
vehicle) until you have your vehicle serviced.
See ªAir Bag Off Switchº in the Index.
Voltmeter Gage
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 cluster
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.
3-34

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. If it
doesn't come on then,
have it ®xed 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 still be set or there could be
a brake problem. Refer to
Parking Brake on page 2-30to 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 ¯oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-33.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system 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.
3-35

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started 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
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-35. Also
see ªService ABSº underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-53.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
brie¯y when you turn the ignition key to ON. This is
normal. If the light doesn't come on then, have it ®xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
This light should come on
brie¯y as you start the
engine. If the light doesn't
come on then, have it
®xed so it will be ready to
warn you if there's a
problem.
If it stays on, or comes on and the DIC shows a
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM message when you're
driving, there's a problem with your TCS system
and your vehicle needs service. When this light is on,
the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly. If the driver turns off the Traction
Control System by pressing the button on the console,
the TCS system light will come on and the TRACTION
SYSTEM OFF message will show on the DIC.
3-36

Active Handling System Light
The Active Handling System light will come on brie¯y as
you start the engine. If the light does not come on
then, have it ®xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem. The light will also come on while the
system warms up and the ACT HNDLING WARMING
UP message will be displayed in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the light stays on or
comes on while you are
driving, a chime sounds
and a SERVICE ACTIVE
HNDLG message appears
on the DIC, there is a
problem with your Active
Handling System and
your vehicle needs service.
The driver can acknowledge this message by pressing
the RESET button. When the SERVICE ACTIVE
HNDLG message is displayed, the Active Handling
System will not assist you in controlling the vehicle. You
should have the system serviced as soon as possible.
Adjust your driving accordingly.When the system is working, you will see the ACTIVE
HANDLING message displayed in the DIC. You
may also feel or hear the system working. This is
normal.
If the driver turns off the Active Handling System by
pressing the button on the console, the Active Handling
System light will come on, a chime will sound, and
the TRAC/ACT HNDLG OFF message will be displayed
in the DIC. The Traction Control System will also be
turned off. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-53for more information.
If the Active Handling System and the Traction Control
System are off, pressing the console button momentarily
will turn both systems on. The DIC will display the
TRAC/ACT HNDLG ON message, the instrument cluster
light will be off, and a chime will sound. See
DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-53for more
information.
3-37

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the shaded area, your
engine is too hot.
This means that your engine coolant has overheated. If
you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
(The larger tic marks are in increments of 30É below
220ÉF (104ÉC) and in increments of 10É above
220ÉF (104ÉC).)
See
Engine Overheating on page 5-26for more
information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The CHECK ENGINE light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty. United States
Canada
3-38