automatic transmission CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2003 5.G Owner's Guide

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-30if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The starter should work only
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service.
On manual transmission vehicles, put the shift lever
in NEUTRAL (N), push the clutch down halfway
and try to start the engine. The starter should work
only when the clutch is pushed down all the way
to the ¯oor. If the starter works when the clutch isn't
pushed all the way down, your vehicle needs
service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See
Parking Brake
on page 2-30if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the ON position,
but don't start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
6-10

Ignition Automatic Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to OFF in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to OFF only when the shift lever is
in PARK (P).
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in OFF.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P)
Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
·To check the parking brake's holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
·To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ¯ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-11

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identi®ed below by name, part
number or speci®cation 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 identi®ed as
synthetic, and should also be
identi®ed with the American
Petroleum Institute Certi®ed 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
Engine Oil on
page 5-13.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
žCoolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-23.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake ¯uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
žWasher Solvent or
equivalent.
Hydraulic
Clutch SystemHydraulic Clutch Fluid (GM Part No.
U.S. 12345347, in Canada
10953517, or equivalent DOT-3
brake ¯uid).
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No.U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
Manual
TransmissionDEXRON
ž-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
ž-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
6-14

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-77
Automatic Transmission Check........................... 6-9
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-10
Automatic Transmission...................................2-21
Fluid..........................................................5-20
Operation...................................................2-24
B
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-8
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-17
Battery..........................................................5-40
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-24
Body Lubrication Service................................... 6-9
Brake Fluid....................................................5-37
Brake Wear...................................................5-39
Brake............................................................2-30
Parking......................................................2-30
System Inspection.......................................6-13
System Warning Light..................................3-35
Brakes..........................................................5-37
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-19
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-47
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-51
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Headlamps.................................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-51
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps..................5-49
Buying New Tires...........................................5-59
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Speci®cations............................5-92
Carbon Monoxide...................4-27, 4-35, 2-11, 2-35
Care of.........................................................5-77
Safety Belts................................................5-77
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-78
Your CD Player...........................................3-79
Your CDs ...................................................3-79
Cargo Cover..................................................2-42
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-66
Cassette Tape Player Service............................. 6-8
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-66
CD Changer, Trunk-Mounted............................3-71
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-39
Chains, Tires..................................................5-64
Check Engine Light.........................................3-38
Checking Coolant............................................5-25
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
2

Customer Assistance Information........................ 7-7
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users.............................................. 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government.............................................. 7-9
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-10
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-13
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-27
Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature.................3-77
Disarming the System.....................................2-17
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Door............................................................... 2-9
Locks.......................................................... 2-9
Power Door Locks.......................................2-10
Downshifting (Manual Transmission)..................2-29Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-44
DIC Controls and Displays............................3-45
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-53
Other Messages..........................................3-61
Driver............................................................1-13
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-13
Driving On Snow or Ice...................................4-28
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-21
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-21
Driving..........................................................4-18
At Night.....................................................4-18
City...........................................................4-22
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-25
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-19
Winter........................................................4-27
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-22
E
Electrical System............................................5-84
Accessory Power Plug.................................5-84
Add-On Equipment......................................5-84
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-86
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-85
4

Electrical System (cont.)
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-85
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-85
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
(Convertible Only)........................................2-13
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-40
Engine Accessory Drive Belt Routing.................5-95
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-89
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................. 6-8
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check..................................... 6-8
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance..................... 6-5
Engine..........................................................5-18
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-40
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-38
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-38
Coolant......................................................5-23
Cooling System Inspection............................6-13
Exhaust.....................................................2-35
Oil Pressure Gage.......................................3-41
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-26
Starting......................................................2-21
Exit/Entry Lighting...........................................3-16
Express-Down Window....................................2-15Extended Mobility Tires....................................5-54
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-20
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter.............................................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a Station....................................3-63, 3-67
Finish Care....................................................5-78
Finish Damage...............................................5-81
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-79
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-68
Floor Mats.....................................................2-40
Fluid.............................................................5-20
Automatic Transmission................................5-20
Manual Transmission....................................5-20
Power Steering...........................................5-35
Windshield Washer......................................5-36
FM ...............................................................3-77
Fog Lamps....................................................3-14
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
Front Air Dam................................................2-19
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
5

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-12
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-22
Hydroplaning..................................................4-21
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-28
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-27
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-39
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-39
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-32
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-30
Ignition Automatic Transmission
Lock Check................................................6-11
Ignition Positions.............................................2-20
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-23
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-56
In¯ator Kit, Tire...............................................5-70
Inspection......................................................6-13
Brake System.............................................6-13
Engine Cooling System................................6-13
Exhaust System..........................................6-12
Fuel System...............................................6-13
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-12
Steering and Suspension..............................6-12
Tire and Wheel...........................................6-12
Installing the Roof Panel..................................2-47
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-15
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-86Instrument Panel.............................................3-30
Cluster.......................................................3-30
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Integrated Windshield and Rear Window
Antennas....................................................3-80
Interior Lamps................................................3-15
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-41
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service................................ 6-9
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps...........................................................3-12
Exterior......................................................3-12
Interior.......................................................3-15
Lap Belt Cinch Feature....................................1-14
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-13
LATCH System...............................................1-31
Child Restraints...........................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-33
7

LATCH System (cont.)
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
(Automatic Transmission)..............................2-32
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-10
Lifting From the Front......................................5-66
Lifting From the Rear......................................5-67
Lifting Your Corvette, Tires...............................5-64
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors..............................2-15
Light.............................................................3-37
Active Handling System................................3-37
Air Bag Off .................................................3-33
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-32
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-36
Brake System Warning.................................3-35
Check Gages Warning.................................3-42
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-38
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-31
Security.....................................................3-42
TCS Warning Light......................................3-36
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-36
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.....................................4-11
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-33
Lockout Protection..........................................2-10
Locks............................................................. 2-9
Door........................................................... 2-9
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-10
Lockout Protection.......................................2-10
Power Door................................................2-10Loss of Control...............................................4-17
Lowering the Convertible Top............................2-50
M
Magnesium Wheel Finish.................................5-81
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist Steering............4-13
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-94
Maintenance Schedule...................................... 6-8
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-8
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9
At Least Twice a Year................................... 6-9
Brake System Inspection..............................6-13
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-13
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-12
Fuel System Inspection................................6-13
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services............... 6-8
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections......6-12
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-14
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-16
Rear Axle Service........................................6-13
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Steering and Suspension Inspection...............6-12
8

Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Tire and Wheel Inspection............................6-12
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-38
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transmission Check............................... 6-9
Manual Transmission.......................................2-21
Fluid..........................................................5-20
Operation...................................................2-27
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-7
Memory.........................................................2-55
Message.......................................................3-53
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-53
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) ± Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Mirrors..........................................................2-37
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-37
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror.................2-38
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-38
Outside Power Heated Mirrors.......................2-38
Model Reference................................................ vi
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-19
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............5-94
O
Odometer......................................................3-31
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-15
Oil ................................................................3-41
Engine Oil Pressure Gage............................3-41
Engine.......................................................5-13
Older Children, Restraints................................1-21
One to Four Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)..................................2-29
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
Operating the Trunk-Mounted CD Changer
with the AM-FM Radio with Cassette..............3-73
Operating the Trunk-Mounted CD Changer with
the AM-FM Radio with CD............................3-74
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-4
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-28
Outside.........................................................2-38
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-38
Convex Mirror.............................................2-38
Power Heated Mirrors..................................2-38
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-26
Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-11
9

P
Park (P)........................................................2-31
Shifting Into................................................2-31
Shifting Out of............................................2-33
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
Park (P) Mechanism Check...........................6-11
Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-34
Parking.........................................................2-30
Brake........................................................2-30
Over Things That Burn.................................2-34
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.................. 6-8
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections..........6-12
Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-14
Part E - Maintenance Record...........................6-16
Passenger Position, Safety Belts.......................1-20
Passing.........................................................4-15
PASS-Key
ž....................................................2-17
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-7
Playing a Cassette Tape..................................3-65
Playing a Compact Disc...................................3-69
Playing the Radio...................................3-63, 3-67
Power Antenna Service..................................... 6-8
Power Steering...............................................4-13
Power...........................................................3-20
Accessory Outlets........................................3-20
Antenna Mast Care......................................3-79
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.........................................5-85Power (cont.)
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-35
Windows....................................................2-15
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-11
R
Racing or Other Competitive Driving..................2-22
Radios..........................................................3-62
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-78
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-79
Care of Your CDs........................................3-79
Radio with Cassette.....................................3-63
Radio with CD............................................3-67
Setting the Time..........................................3-62
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-75
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer..........................3-71
Understanding Reception..............................3-77
Raising the Convertible Top..............................2-53
Reading Lamps..............................................3-16
Rear Axle......................................................5-46
Limited-Slip.................................................4-11
Service......................................................6-13
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-41
Rear Window Defogger....................................3-27
10