1995 Chevrolet Corvette Owners Manual

Temperature

100

100

100

Marking

250

220

210

21 5

190

185

285

250

235

320

280

260

Your fuel gauge shows about how much fuel is in your tank. The bars light up when the ignition is on or, if the ignition is off, when you turn on your parking lamps. When the display is down to the last two bars, RESERVE will appear next to the gauge. Here are three concerns some owners have had about the fuel gauge. All these situations are normal and do not indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gauge.

At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before the gauge reads FULL (F).

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0 It takes more (or less) fuel to fill up than the gauge reads. For example, the gauge reads half full, but it took more (or less) than half of the tank's capacity to fill it.

0 The gauge moves a little when you turn, stop or

speed up.

You can use the Trip Monitor to display more detailed fuel information. Each time you press FUEL INFO, one of the following will appear next to the fuel gauge. 0 INST The fuel economy calculated for your current

driving conditions.

0 AVERAGE: The fuel economy calculated for the

current tank of fuel, or since you last reset the display.

0 RANGE: The distance you can drive before

refueling.

0 BLANK: The fuel gauge is displayed alone. You should reset the fuel information display every time you refuel. To reset the display, press FUEL INFO until AVERAGE appears. Then, press RESET FUEL on the Trip Monitor.

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Automatic Transmission Fluid Temperature Reading

I I H u h "F

Automatic transmission fluid temperature will be displayed if you press the GAUGES button on the Trip Monitor until AUTO appears. The number that appears next to the fuel gauge is the automatic transmission fluid temperature. If LO appears, the temperature is below 32°F (0°C).

It’s normal for the transmission fluid temperature to vary, depending on the type of driving you do and weather conditions. If you drive on long grades on a hot day, the transmission fluid temperature will be higher than normal driving on a cold day. If you drive your Corvette at high speeds with a lot of stop-and-go or fast accelerations, your transmission fluid temperature may also be higher. If the transmission fluid exceeds 280°F (138 “C), the CHECK GAUGES light will come on and HI AUTO will be displayed next to the transmission fluid temperature when you toggle through the GAUGES button. You should move the shift lever to DRIVE (D) and continue driving at a slower, constant speed. Monitor the transmission fluid temperature and allow it to cool to 180°F (82°C) to 200°F (93°C). Then, you should check the transmission fluid level for a low fill or overfill condition and bring your Corvette in for service as soon as possible (see “Automatic Transmission Fluid” in the Index). Also, check the engine coolant temperature. If it’s too hot, see “Cooling System” in the Index.

Check Gauges Light

This red light will come on briefly when you are starting the engine. If the light comes on and stays on while you are driving, check your gauges to see if they are in the warning areas.

This light can come on for: 0 high engine oil temperature or low oil pressure

high coolant temperature high or low battery voltage

0 low fuel level 0 high automatic transmission oil temperature

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Low Oil Light

LOW OIL

T This amber light should

come on while you are starting your engine. If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired. If the light comes on while starting your engine and stays on, your engine oil level may be too low. You may need to add oil. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.

Engine Oil Life Monitor

The amber CHANGE OIL light comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition on. It will come on and stay on when it’s time to change your oil.

The monitor uses oil temperature and engine revolutions to decide when the oil is nearly worn out. The light is only a reminder, though. You should change your oil at the intervals recommended in your Maintenance Schedule, even if the CHANGE OIL light hasn’t come on.

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Be sure to reset the monitor when your oil is changed, even if the CHANGE OIL light didn’t come on. If you don’t reset the monitor, it won’t work correctly. Follow these steps: 1. Turn the key to RUN, but don’t start the engine. 2. Press ENG MET on the Trip Monitor. Then, within

five seconds, press it again.

3. Witbin five seconds, press and hold GAUGES on the Trip’Monitor. The CHANGE OIL light should flash. 4. Hold the GAUGES button until the CHANGE OIL

light stops flashing and goes out. This should take about ten seconds.

When the light goes out, the monitor is reset. If the monitor doesn’t reset, turn the ignition off, then try again.

Service Ride Control Light

If your vehicle is equipped with Selective Ride Control, this amber light should come on for a few seconds when you start your vehicle.

SERVICE

RIDE

CONTROL

If the light stays on or comes on while you’re driving, there may be a problem with your Selective Ride Control system. You can still drive, but you should see your dealer soon. The Selective Ride Control system is designed to sense vehicle speed in the first minute after the vehicle is started. If the vehicle is not moved in that first minute, the system records a fault. The SERVICE RIDE CONTROL light comes on after three faults are recorded. If the light comes on for this reason, move your Corvette and the light should go out.

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Security Light

This amber light comes on to remind you to arm your theft-deterrent system. If it comes on and stays on when your ignition is on, there may be a problem with your theft-deterrent system.

See “Universal Theft-Deterrent” and “PASS-Key” in the Index.

The SERVICE RIDE CONTROL light may also come on if the selective ride control knob is not placed fully into a position. For example, if the selection position is between TOUR and SPORT or SPORT and PERF, the light may come on. If the light comes on for this reason, move the select switch to the desired position and the light should go out. Passive Keyless Entry Light

1 PASSIVE

KEYLESS ENTRY

This amber light will come on for about two seconds when you turn the ignition on, unless your keyless entry system is off. The light also comes on and flashes when you are programming transmitters.

See “Passive Keyless Entry System” in the Index.

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Driver Information Center

SERVICE

ASR

ASR OFF

SERVICE LTPWS

LOWlFLAT

TIRE

ASR

ACTIVE

LOW

COOLANT

AIR BAG

ABS

ACTIVE

SERVICE

RIDE

CONTROL

0 SERVICE LTPWS (Low Tire Pressure Warning

System) (Option) 0 LOWELAT TIRE

ASR ACTIVE LOW COOLANT AIRBAG

PASSIVE KEYLESS ENTRY

SERVICE

115-

SOON

SERVICE

(@I

LOW OIL

0 ABS ACTIVE (Anti-Lock Brake System Active)

SERVICE RIDE CONTROL (Option) PASSIVE KEYLESS ENTRY

The Driver Information Center (DIC) gives you important safety and maintenance facts. It will display warning lights for the following:

SERVICE ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation) ASROFF

(Charging System)

SERVICE ENGINE SOON SERVICE ABS LOW OIL

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Convertible Top (Option) The following procedures explain the proper operation of your convertible top. To Lower Your Convertible Top

NOTICE: Don’t leave your convertible out with the top down for any long periods of time. The sun and the rain can damage your seat material and other things inside your vehicle.

1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake firmly and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P). Shift a manual transmission into REVERSE (R). Lower both windows and sunshades and turn the ignition key to LOCK. NOTICE: Before lowering the convertible top into the storage area, be sure there are no objects in the way of the folded, stored top. The weight of a stored top on items in the storage area may cause the convertible top back glass to break.

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2. Unlock the front of the convertible top by turning the

latch handles outward. Then lift the top off the windshield slightly.

n

3. Unfasten the strips at the rear of each window

opening.

4. Unfasten the lower, front corner of the top.

5. Tilt the driver's seatback forward. The convertible

top release handle is behind the driver's seat beneath the storage compartment lid. Pull the inside edge of the handle forward.

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6. From the driver’s side, lift and hold the rear of the top with your right hand. With your left hand, press the storage compartment lid release button behind the driver’s seat on the lid. (The release switch in the center console will also work.) Then raise the lid.

If your Corvette has lost power (dead battery, for example), you can still open the storage compartment using the manual release handles. The handles are near the sidewall behind the safety belt anchors on each side of your vehicle. Move the handles toward the rear of the vehicle and upward. NOTICE: Do not leave the convertible top on the closed lid when lowering the top. This may result in paint damage.

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7. Lower the rear of the top. Then lift the front with a slow, smooth motion. Fold the top into the storage compartment, making sure the fabric is folded between bows.

NOTICE: Do not lift the rear of the convertible top when lowering the top into the storage compartment or damage to the top may occur.

8. After the top is completely folded into the

compartment, turn the-latch handles toward the center of the vehicle. Close the storage compartment lid by pushing the front edge down on each side. Try to lift the lid to make sure it’s latched.

When closing the storage compartment lid, make sure the latch handles are turned back toward the center of the vehicle. If they aren’t, you may damage the paint on the lid inner panel.

To Raise Your Convertible Top 1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake firmly and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P). Shift a manual transmission into REVERSE (R). Lower both windows and sunshades and turn the ignition key to LOCK.

2. Press either the storage compartment lid release button

behind the driver’s seat or in the center console.

b-

3. Turn the latch handles outward. Pull the top up and

forward until it lines up with the windshield.

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4.

5.

Latch the top by turning the handles toward the center of the vehicle. If needed, push down on the outside corners. Lift the rear of the top and close the compartment lid firmly.

7. Fasten the strips for the headliner at the rear of each

window opening.

6. Lower the rear of the top so the latch pins align with

the holes in the lid. To secure the rear of the top, push down firmly on both corners.

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8. Then fasten the lower front corner of the top.

NOTICE: Certain automatic car washes may cause damage to your vehicle. The top fabric can be damaged by top cleaning brushes.

Please be aware that when you raise the convertible top, the bottom edge rests on a clear, protective tape strip. This protective strip protects your Corvette from paint damage so it should not be removed. For care and cleaning of your convertible top, see “Cleaning Your Convertible Top” in the Index. Convertible Hardtop (Option) The convertible hardtop is designed for extended use in both warm and cold weather, The installation and removal of this top requires two people and takes about 30 minutes. You will need the wrench and ratchet stored in your center console.

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To Remove Your Convertible Hardtop 1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake firmly

and shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (N). Lower both windows and sunshades and turn the ignition key off.

3. Move both seatbacks forward and remove the rear

trim panel.

2. Loosen the front bolts with the wrench.

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4. Loosen the rear comer bracket bolts with the ratchet.

5. Using the wrench, remove the two lower bolts (A)

from the lock pillar bracket on each side.

6. Remove the bolt (B) from the bottom flange of each

lock pillar bracket.

7. Then remove the two upper bolts (C) from the

receiver bracket on each side.

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I

8. Slide both lock pillar brackets down and forward

from the receiver brackets. You may need to lift the hardtop slightly to remove the brackets.

9. Disconnect both wire connectors located behind the

lock pillar brackets. These are the rear window defogger wires.

10. With one person on each side, gently lift the hardtop

approximately 8 inches (200 mm) straight up. Remove the hardtop over the rear of the vehicle. 11. Install the HATCH (45) fuse to enable the storage compartment lid release button and center console release switch. You will need the fuse installed if you have to raise your convertible top. The fuse that enables these releases is not installed at the assembly plant and should be in your center console. See "Instrument Panel Fuse Block" in the Index for location of the fuse when installing it.

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NOTICE: To help avoid damaging the hardtop when not in use:

Store the hardtop in its normal position, resting on its mounting brackets.

0 Store hardware and trim panel with the

hardtop.

12. Connect the rear window defogger electrical

connectors.

To Install Your Convertible Hardtop 1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake firmly and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P). Shift a manual transmission into REVERSE (R). Lower both windows and sunshades. Turn off the radio to lower the power antenna and turn the ignition key to LOCK.

2. Disconnect both rear window defogger electrical

connectors behind the lock pillar.

3. Lower the convertible top. Refer to “Convertible

Top” in the Index. This procedure will require the use of the storage compartment lid release button behind the dnver’s seat or the center console release switch. The fuse that enables these releases is not installed at the assembly plant and should be in your center console. See “Instrument Panel Fuse Block” in the Index for location of the fuse. The fuse is labeled HATCH (45). 4. With one person on each side, carefully position the hardtop over the vehicle. Lower the hardtop slowly, aligning the rear bolt spacers onto the bezels, and front conical nuts into the tapered receivers. Realign the hardtop, if necessary.

NOTICE: To help avoid damage, don’t force the rear of the hardtop down. The hardtop may rest slightly above the storage compartment lid until the release lever is pulled. See Step 8 in this procedure.

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5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

LO.

Move both seatbacks forward. Slide the lock pillar bracket into the receiver bracket until the scribed line is even with the lower edge of the receiver bracket. Connect the electrical connectors and make sure they are inside the vehicle. Insert the two upper bolts into both receiver brackets. You may have to lift the hardtop slightly to install the lock pillar bracket. If the hardtop hasn’t lowered into position, pull the release lever behind the driver’s seat under the storage compartment lid. Secure but don’t tighten the rear corner bracket bolts using the ratchet. Tighten the front bolts using the wrench.

11. Insert the lower bolt into the bottom flange of the lock pillar brackets and tighten. Install and tighten the remaining bolts into the lock pillar brackets. 12. Using the ratchet, tighten the rear corner bracket

bolts. Do not over-tighten these bolts.

13. Slide the rear trim panel in place.

14. Remove the HATCH (45) fuse. Store it in the center

console while the convertible hardtop is in use. (This will prevent accidental unlatching of the storage compartment lid.)

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Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

In this section you'll find out how to operate the comfort Manual Air Conditioner Controls control systems and audio systems offered with your Corvette. Be sure to read about the particular system supplied with your vehicle. Comfort Controls With these systems, you can control the heating, cooling and ventilation in your Corvette. Your vehicle also has the flow-through ventilation system described later in this section.

Fan Control Buttons Press the arrows on the fan switch to select the force of air you want.

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Temperature Control Lever Move the lever to change the temperature of the air flowing from the system. Move it to the right for warmer air and to the left for cooler air.

Air Control Buttons OFF: The system is off.

RECIRCULATE: Provides maximum cooling or

quick cool-down on very hot days. This setting recirculates most of the air inside your vehicle. If it is used for long periods of time, the air may become dry. This setting directs air through the upper air vents. It will work when the outside temperatures are above freezing. '''9 NORMAL A/C: Use for normal cooling on hot days. This setting cools outside air and directs it through the instrument panel vents. The air conditioner compressor also operates in DEFROST. It only works when the outside temperature is above freezing. When the air conditioner compressor is on, you may sometimes notice slight changes in your vehicle's engine speed and power. This is normal because the system is designed to cycle the compressor on and off to keep the desired cooling and help fuel economy.

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A. *P@ BI-LEVEL: This setting cools or heats outside air and directs it through the instrument panel vents and the floor ducts. 9 VENT: Air flows through the instrument panel vents. The air conditioning compressor does not work in VENT mode. wj HEATER: This setting directs most of the air through the floor ducts and some of the air through the defroster vents. The air conditioning compressor does not work in HEATER mode.

DEFROST This setting directs most of the air

through the windshield defroster and side window defogger vents and some of the air through the floor ducts.

Heating The heater works best if you keep your windows closed while using it. Press HEATER and FAN UP, then slide the temperature control lever to a comfortable setting.

Defogging and Defrosting Windows Your vehicle has several settings for clearing your windows. The air conditioner compressor will run to help remove moisture from the air. To defrost the windshield quickly, press DEFROST and FAN UP, then slide the temperature control lever all the way to the right or to the FULL HOT position. To defrost the side windows quickly, press BI-LEVEL and FAN UP. Then slide the temperature control lever all the way to the right. Direct airflow through the air conditioning outlets closest to the side windows.

If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater and you use it in cold weather, 0 “F (- 18 “C) or lower, your heating system can provide heat more quickly because the engine coolant is already warmed. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.

Bi-Level You may want to use BI-LEVEL on cool, but sunny days. This setting directs outside air through the instrument panel vents and the floor ducts. Press BI-LEVEL and FAN UP, then slide the temperature control lever to a comfortable setting.

Ventilation For mild outside temperatures, when little heating or cooling is needed, you can still direct outside air through your vehicle. Press VENT and FAN UP, then slide the temperature control lever to a comfortable setting.

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Cooling The air conditioner works best if you keep your windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows just long enough for the hot air to escape. Press RECIRCULATE and FAN UP, then slide the temperature control lever to a comfortable setting. After cool-down, adjust the air control buttons to another setting. The compressor works in all settings except VENT and HEATER and at all temperatures above freezing. When the air conditioner is on, you may notice slight changes in your vehicle's engine speed and power. This is normal because the system is designed to cycle the compressor on and off to keep the desired temperature and help fuel economy.

Automatic Electronic Climate Control (Option)

With this system, you set a temperature and then either let the system adjust airflow and force to maintain the temperature, or you can manually adjust flow and force.

Fan Control Buttons Press the arrows on the fan switch to select the force of air you want. Press AUTO FAN to let the system select the force of air.

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Temperature Control Switch Press the arrows on the TEMP SET switch to set the temperature you want in your vehicle. The temperature you select will show on the display for a few seconds, then the outside temperature will show.

Air Control Buttons OFF: The system is off. AUTO: The system controls airflow.

RECIRCULATE: Provides maximum cooling or

quick cool-down on very hot days. This setting recirculates most of the air inside your vehicle. If it is used for long periods of time, the air may become dry. This setting directs air through the upper air vents. It will not work when the outside temperature is above freezing. -A* 49 BI-LEVEL: This setting directs outside air through the instrument panel and side window defogger vents and the floor ducts. 9 VENT Outside air flows through the instrument panel vents.

w2 HEATER: This setting directs all of the air through the floor ducts.

DEFROST This setting directs most of the air

through the windshield defroster and side window defogger vents and some of the air through the floor ducts. *’ DEFOG: If you have the automatic system, this setting directs air to the floor and defroster vents.

I 0 0

To turn on DEFOG, push the DEFROST and HEATER buttons at the same time. Both green lights above the buttons will come on to let you know that DEFOG is working.

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Temperature Sensors Sunload: This sensor is on top of the instrument panel. When the inside temperature is increased by sunlight, the system will lower the inside temperature up to 5°F (3 “C) below the setting on the display. Outside Temperature: This sensor is on the right side of the upper radiator support in the grille opening. This is what you usually see on the display. If the outside temperature goes up, the displayed temperature will not change until: a Vehicle speed is above 25 mph (40 km/h) for at least

3 minutes, or

0 Vehicle speed is above 45 mph (72 km/h) for

1 1/2 minutes.

This delay helps prevent a false reading. If vehicle speed remains above 25 mph (40 km/h) or the temperature goes down, the display is updated immediately. If your vehicle has been off for more than three hours, the current outside temperature will be stored in the system when you start the vehicle. Inside temperature: This sensor is in the center air outlet on the passenger side. If you block or cover either interior sensor, the system will give a false reading. 3-6

Automatic Control The system will adjust to maintain the temperature you set. It will select the best fan speed and aifflow setting to keep you comfortable with the least amount of noise. Press the arrows on the TEMP SET switch’to set a comfortable temperature. Then press AUTO and the fan speed will adjust automatically unless you press the arrows on the switch.

Manual Heating The heater works best if you keep your windows closed while using it. Press the arrows on the TEMP SET switch to set a comfortable temperature. Then press HEATER and, if you don’t like the automatic setting, press the arrows on the fan speed switch. In AUTO FAN on cold days, the fan will stay off until the coolant warms up enough to heat your vehicle. If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater and you use it in cold weather, 0 OF (- 18 O C) or lower, your heating system can provide heat more quickly because the engine coolant is already warmed. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.

Manual Bi-Level BI-LEVEL can heat or cool outside air and direct it in two directions. Press the arrows on the TEMP SET switch to set a comfortable temperature. Press VENT and, if you don’t like the automatic setting, press the arrows on the fan speed switch.

Manual Ventilation For mild outside temperatures, when little heating or cooling is needed, you can still direct outside air through your vehicle. Press the arrows on the TEMP SET switch to set a comfortable temperature. For ventilation, the system can’t cool the vehicle below the outside temperature. Press VENT and, if you don’t like the automatic setting, press the arrows on the fan speed switch.

Manual Cooling The air conditioner works best if you keep your windows closed. On very hot days: open the windows just long enough for the hot air to escape. Press the arrows on the TEMP SET switch to set a comfortable temperature. Press RECIRCULATE. After cool-down, adjust the airflow to another setting. The compressor works in all settings except VENT and HEATER and at all temperatures above freezing. Press the arrows on the fan speed switch if you don’t like the automatic setting. In AUTO FAN on hot days, the fan speed will be low at first to help get rid of the hot inside air. When the air conditioner is on, you may notice slight changes in your vehicle’s engine speed and power. This is normal because the system is designed to cycle the compressor on and off to keep the desired temperature and help fuel economy.

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Defogging and Defrosting Windows Your vehicle has several settings for clearing your windows. The air conditioner compressor will run to help remove moisture from the air. To defrost the windshield quickly, press the arrows on the TEMP SET switch to set a comfortable temperature. Press DEFROST and the fan will go to high speed. After the windows are clear, you can lower the speed using the downward arrow or AUTO FAN. With the automatic system, to warm passengers while keeping the windshield clear? press the arrows on the TEMP SET switch to set a comfortable temperature. Press HEATER and DEFROST at the same time and, if you don’t like the automatic setting, press the arrows on the fan speed switch. To defrost the side windows quickly, press the arrows on the TEMP SET switch to set a comfortable temperature. Then press DEFROST and, if you don’t like the automatic setting, press the arrows on the fan speed switch.

System Problems If the light above an air control button flashes when you turn on the ignition, your system may have an electrical problem. The flashing will continue for one minute, then stop. The flashing light could also mean the refrigerant level is too low in your system. The light will continue to flash, even if refrigerant is added, until the system is reset. Have your system checked and serviced if needed. To reset your system: 1. Turn your ignition key to OFF or LOCK. 2. Remove the courtesy lamps and radio fuses from the main fuse panel and wait one minute. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index.

3. Put the fuses back in and start your vehicle. The light shouldn’t come on and your system should be working properly. If you still have a problem, see your dealer.

Rear Window Defogger

The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog from the rear window. The power mirrors are also warmed when the rear window defogger is on. Press the button with the defog symbol on it to turn on the defogger. (The button is on the lower right on the manual system and on the upper right on the automatic system.) An indicator light will come on to remind you that the defogger is on. The defogger will turn off automatically after about ten minutes of use. You can

also turn the defogger off by pressing the switch again or by turning off the ignition. Do not attach anything like a tempbrary vehicle license or a decal across the defogger grid on the rear window.

I NOTICE:

Don’t use a razor blade or something else sharp on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.

Specially Treated Windshield (ZR-1) Your ZR- 1 windshield is treated to reduce the amount of solar heat entering your vehicle. It makes it easier for your air conditioning system to keep you comfortable. The windshield treatment reduces the effectiveness of some carry-on electrical equipment. Therefore, there’s an opening in the windshield treatment at the bottom center of the windshield so that carry-on electrical equipment may be used.

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Flow-Through Ventilation System Your Corvette's flow-through ventilation system supplies outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or the air conditioning fan is running.

Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater and defroster will work far better, reducing the chance of fogging the inside of your windows. When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, adjust the fan to the highest speed for a few moments before driving off. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

Audio Systems Your Delco@ audio system has been designed to operate easily and give years of listening pleasure. But you will get the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it first. Find out what your Delco system can do and how to operate all its controls, to be sure you're getting the most out of the advanced engineering that went into it. Setting the Clock Press SET. Within five seconds, press and hold TUNE until the correct hour appears. Press and hold TUNE A until the correct minute appears. Noise Reduction Your audio system has automatic Dolby@ B Noise Reduction. Dolby and the 00' are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Noise reduction system manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

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AM/FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player

0 O I

0 0 0

0 0 0

L/F

R/I

To Play the Radio Turn the upper knob to turn the system on or off. VOL: Turn the upper knob to adjust the volume. RCL: Press the upper knob to recall the station being played or the clock display.

Finding a Station AM-FM: Press this button to get AM or FM. The lighted display shows your selection. TUNE: Press TUNE or A to choose radio stations. For fast tuning, press and hold one side of the button, then press the other side. SEEK: Press AUTO then TUNE 7 or A and the radio will tune to the next lower or higher station and stay there. PUSHBUTTONS: The six pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. To set up to 12 stations (6 AM and 6 FM), just: 1. Tune in the station. 2. Press SET. 3. Within five seconds, press one of the six

pushbuttons. Whenever you press that button, the preset station will return.Repeat these steps for each pushbutton.

Setting the Tone BASS: Turn this knob to the right to hear more bass. TREB: Turn this control behind the BASS knob to the right to hear more treble.

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Delco/Bose@ AM/FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player (Option)

0 0

0 0 0 II

'I

Adjusting the Speakers BAL: Turn this control that's behind the FADE knob to move the sound between the right and left speakers if you do not have the Delco/Bose system. With the Delco/Bose system, your speakers are electronically balanced.

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FADE: Turn this knob to move the sound between the front and rear speakers. Note that, with the Delco/Bose system, if you turn the knob all the way to F or R, you may still get some sound from the opposite speakers.

To Play a Cassette Tape Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are 30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer than that are so thin they may not work well in this player. The longer side with the tape visible goes in first. If you hear nothing or hear just a garbled sound, it may not be in squarely. Press EJCT to remove the tape and start over. Once the tape is playing, use the knobs for volume, fade and balance, just as you do for radio. REV: Press this button to return to a previously played passage rapidly. Press it again to play the passage. The radio will play while the tape is rewinding. FF: Press this button to fast forward or advance the tape rapidly. Press it again to play. The radio will play while the tape is advancing.

REPT Press this button to go to the beginning of the current selection after 10 seconds or more of play. After five seconds or less of play, the player will return to the beginning of the previous selection. SRCH: Press this button to go to the beginning of the next selection. SCAN: Press this button to listen to the first eight seconds of each passage. Press it again to stop scanning. PROG: Press the upper knob to change the side of the tape that is playing. The lighted arrows show which side is currently playing. EJCT Press this button to remove the tape. STOP-PLAY: Press this button to listen to the radio without ejecting the cassette tape. Press it again to go back to the tape. CrO2: Press this button when playing high-bias chrome or metal tapes.

DelcoBose AMLFM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Players (Option)

PROG RCL BASS TREB

--e> @+

0 0

To Play the Radio Turn the upper knob to turn the system on or off. VOL: Turn the upper knob to adjust the volume. Your system also has a feature called Speed-Compensated Volume (SCV). With SCV, your audio system makes up for road noise by getting louder as you drive faster. The control behind the upper knob has three SCV positions.

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H has a higher maximum volume and gets louder faster than L. Use H when you are driving with the roof panel off, the convertible top down or the windows open. If you don’t want to use SCV, turn the control to OFF. RCL: Press the upper knob to recall the station being played or the clock display.

Finding a Station AM-FM: Press this button to get AM or FM. The lighted display shows your selection. TUNE: Press TUNE v or A to choose radio stations. For fast tuning, press and hold one side of the button, then press the other side. SEEK: Press AUTO then TUNE v or A and the radio will tune to the next lower or higher station and stay there.

PUSHBUTTONS: The six pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. To set up to 12 stations (6 AM and 6 FM), tune in the station and press SET. Within five seconds, press one of the six pushbuttons. Whenever you press that button, the preset station will return. Repeat these steps for each pushbutton.

Setting the Tone BASS: Turn this knob to the right to hear more bass. TREB: Turn this control behind the BASS knob to the right to hear more treble.

Adjusting the Speakers BAL: With the DelcoBose system, your speakers are electronically balanced. FADE: Turn this knob to move the sound between the front and rear speakers. Note that if you turn the knob all the way to F or R, you may still get some sound from the opposite speakers.

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To Play a Cassette Tape Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are 30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer than that are so thin they may not work well in this player. The longer side with the tape visible goes in first. If you hear nothing or hear just a garbled sound, it may not be in squarely. Press EJCT to remove the tape and start over. Once the tape is playing, use the knobs for volume and fade, just as you do for radio. If both a tape and a compact disc are loaded into the system, press CAKD to select the one you want. REV: Press this button to return to a previously played passage rapidly. Press it again to play the passage. The radio will play while the tape is rewinding. FF: Press this button to fast forward or advance the tape rapidly. Press it again to play. The radio will play while the tape is advancing.

REPT Press this button to go to the beginning of the current selection after ten seconds or more of play. After five seconds or less of play, the player will return to the beginning of the previous selection. SRCH: Press this button to go to the beginning of the next selection. SCAN: Press this button to listen to the first eight seconds of each passage. Press it again to stop scanning. PROG: Press the upper knob to change the side of the tape that is playing. The lighted arrows show which side is currently playing. E JCT Press this button to remove the tape. STOP-PLAY: Press this button to listen to the radio without ejecting the cassette tape. Press it again to go back to the tape. CrO2: Press this button when playing high-bias chrome or metal tapes.

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To Play a Compact Disc Don’t use the mini-discs (three-inch singles). They will eject, but they won’t play. Use only full-size compact discs. With the audio system on, insert a disc into the slot with the label side up. CD will appear on the display and track 1 will begin to play. If both a tape and a compact disc are loaded into the system, press CA/CD to select the one you want. If the disc comes back out and ERR appears on the display, it could be that:

The disc is upside down.

0 It is dirty, scratched, or wet. 0 There’s too much moisture in the air. (Wait about an

hour and try again.)

0 You are driving on a very rough road. 0 The temperature is too hot or too cold.

RCL: Press this button to see what track is playing. Press it again within five seconds to see how long it has been playing, the elapsed time (EL TIME). REV: Press and hold this button to return to a previously played passage rapidly. The decreasing elapsed time will show on the display. FF: Press and hold this button to fast forward or advance through passages. The increasing elapsed time will show on the display. REPT Press this button to go to the beginning of the current track after eight seconds or more of play. After eight seconds or less of play, the player will return to the beginning of the previous track. SRCH: Press this button to go to the beginning of the next track. SCAN: Press this button to listen to the first eight seconds of each track. Press it again to stop scanning. COMP: Press this button to make loud and soft passages more nearly equal in volume. Press it again for normal play.

To Stop the Disc Player

To help avoid hearing loss or damage:

Turn the power off or turn the ignition key off. The disc stays in the player and will resume playing at the point where it stopped. Press STOP-PLAY to stop playing the disc and switch to radio. Press it again to restart the disc at the point where it stopped. Press EJCT to eject the disc and switch to radio. If the ignition or audio system is turned off, the player will pull the disc back in if you don’t remove it from the opening within 30 seconds.

Tips about Your Audio System Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe sound level before your hearing adapts to it.

Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting. Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably and clearly.

NOTICE: Before you add any sound equipment to your vehicle -- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile telephone or two-way radio -- be sure you can add what you want. If you can, it’s very important to do it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, Delco@ radio or other systems, and even damage them. And, your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation of sound equipment that has been added improperly. So, before adding sound equipment, check with your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules covering mobile radio and telephone units.

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Understanding Radio Reception FM Stereo FM Stereo will give you the best sound. But FM signals will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). And, tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, :ausing the sound to come and go.

4M The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night. The longer range, however, can cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it. Care of Your Cassette Tape Player A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes, or a damaged mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight, and extreme heat. If they aren't, they may not operate properly or cause failure of the tape player.

Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every 50 hours of use. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a known good cassette to see if the tape or the tape player is at fault. If this other cassette has no improvement in sound quality, clean the tape player. Cleaning may be done with a scrubbing action, non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn. It is normal for the cartridge to eject while cleaning. Insert the cassette at least 3 times to ensure thorough cleaning. A scrubbing action cleaning cassette is available through your Chevrolet dealership. You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean the tape head. This type of cleaning cassette will not eject. It may not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaner. Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may degrade over time. Always make sure that the cassette tape is in good condition before you have your tape player serviced.

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Care of Your Compact Discs Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and clean it, wiping from the center to the edge. Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge. Power Antenna Mast Care Your power antenna will look its best and work well if it’s cleaned from time to time. To clean the antenna mast: 1. Turn on the radio to raise the antenna. 2. Dampen a clean cloth with mineral spirits or an

equivalent solvent.

3. Wipe the cloth over the mast, removing any dirt. 4. Wipe the mast dry with a clean cloth. 5. Turn the radio off and on to make the antenna go up

and down.

If the antenna is still dirty, repeat the steps.

NOTICE: I could damage it. Don’t lubricate the power antenna. Lubrication I NOTICE:

Before entering an automatic car wash, turn off your radio to make the power antenna go down. This will prevent the mast from possibly getting damaged. If the antenna does not go down when you turn the radio off, it may be damaged or need to be cleaned. In either case, lower the antenna by hand by carefully pressing the antenna down.

If the antenna mast is damaged, you can replace it. See your dealer for a replacement kit and follow the instructions in the kit. The antenna mast can be replaced without removing the entire antenna from the vehicle.

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NOTES

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Section 4 Your Driving and the Road

Defensive Driving The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively. Please start with a very important safety device in your Corvette: Buckle up. (See “Safety Belts” in the Index.) Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.” On city streets, rural roads, or freeways, it means “always expect the unexpected.” Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do. Be ready for their mistakes. Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough following distance. It’s the best defensive driving maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.

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Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also included many other useful tips on driving.

Drunken Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims every year. Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a vehicle:

Judgment Muscular Coordination

0 Vision 0 Attentiveness Police records show that almost half of all motor vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases, these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving. In recent years, some 18,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been associated with the use of alcohol, with more than 300,000 people injured.

Many adults -- by some estimates, nearly half the adult population -- choose never to drink alcohol, so they never drive after drinking. For persons under 21, it’s against the law in every U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical, psychological and developmental reasons for these laws. The obvious way to solve this highway safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then drive. But what if people do? How much is “too much” if the driver plans to drive? It’s a lot less than many might think. Although it depends on each person and situation, here is some general information on the problem. The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of someone who is drinking depends upon four things:

How much alcohol consumed

0 The drinker’s body weight 0 The amount of food that is consumed before and

during drinking The length of time it has taken the drinker to consume the alcohol

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According to the American Medical Association, a 1 80-pound (82 kg) person who drinks three 12-ounce (355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a BAC of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach the same BAC by drinking three 4-ounce (120 ml) glasses of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1-1/2 ounces (45 ml) of a liquor like whiskey, gin or vodka.

It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person’s BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A person who consumes food just before or during drinking will have a somewhat lower BAC level. There is a gender difference, too. Women generally have a lower relative percentage of body water than men. Since alcohol is carried in body water, this means that a woman generally will reach a higher BAC level than a man of her same body weight when each has the same number of drinks. The law in many U.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC of 0.10 percent. In a growing number of U.S. states, and throughout Canada, the limit is 0.08 percent. In some other countries it’s even lower. The BAC limit for all commercial drivers in the U.S. is 0.04 percent. The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to six drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we’ve seen, it depends on how much alcohol is in the drinks, and how quickly the person drinks them.

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There’s something else about drinking and driving that many people don’t know. Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord or heart. This means that when anyone who has been drinking -- driver or passenger -- is in a crash, that person’s chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the person had not been drinking.

But the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills of many people are impaired at a BAC approaching 0.05 percent, and that the effects are worse at night. All drivers are impaired at BAC levels above 0.05 percent. Statistics show that the chance of being in a collision increas’es sharply for drivers who have a BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a collision. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of this driver having a collision is twelve times greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the chance is twenty-five times greater! The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. “I’ll be careful” isn’t the right answer. What if there’s an emergency, a need to take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street? A person with even a moderate BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the collision.

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Control of a Vehicle You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at the places where the tires meet the road.

Sometimes, as when you’re driving on snow or ice, it’s easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose control of your vehicle.

Braking Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal. That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That’s reaction time. Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But that’s only an average. It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and frustration. But even in 314 of a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important. And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface of the road (whether it’s pavement or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire tread; and the condition of your brakes.

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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking -- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and longer brake life. If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Your Corvette has an advanced electronic braking system that will help prevent a braking skid.

E RVI E

This light on the instrument panel will come on briefly when you start your vehicle.

When you start your vehicle and begin to drive away, you may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise. And you may even notice that your brake pedal moves a little while this is going on. This is the ABS system testing itself. If there’s a problem with the anti-lock brake system, the anti-lock brake system warning light will stay on. See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light” in the Index.

The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver could. The computer is programmed to make the most of available tire and road conditions.

Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet. You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with ABS. A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at the rear wheels.

You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard. As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.

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Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you, you won’t have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have anti-lock brakes.

To Use Anti-Lock Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock work for you. You may hear a motor or clicking noise and feel the brake pedal move a little during a hard stop, but this is normal. When your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid, the ABS ACTIVE light will come on. See “Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light” in the Index. ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation) System Your vehicle has a traction control system called ASR that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it senses that the rear wheels are spinning too much or are beginning to lose traction. When, this happens, the system works the rear brakes and reduces engine power (by closing the throttle and managing engine spark) to limit wheel spin.

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‘The ASR ACTIVE light will come on when the ASR system is limiting wheel spin. See “ASR System Active Light” in the Index. You may feel the system working, or you may notice some noise, but this is normal. If your vehicle is in cruise control when the ASR system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control. (See “Cruise Control” in the Index.)

The SERVICE ASR warning light will come on to let you know if there’s a problem with your ASR system.

SERVICE

ASR

See “ASR System Warning Light’’ in the Index. When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. (The ASR OFF light will also come on when the SERVICE ASR warning light comes on.)

The ASR system automatically comes on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you should always leave the system on. But you can turn the ASR system off if you ever need to. (You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow. See “Rocking Your Vehicle” in the Index.)

To turn the system off, press the button located above the headlight switch. The ASR OFF light will come on and stay on. If the ASR system is limiting wheel spin when you press the button, the system will turn off right away if you have an LT1 engine. If you have an LT5 engine, however, the system won’t turn off right away. It will wait until there’s no longer a current need to limit wheel spin. You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing the button again. The ASR OFF light should go off. Braking in Emergencies Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking.

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Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Steering Tips Driving on Curves It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here’s why: Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this.

The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control systems -- steering and acceleration -- have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Unless your ASR system is on, adding the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want to go, and slow down. Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower. If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway.

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The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly.

An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object.

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Off-Road Recovery You may find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving. If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to 1/4 turn until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

Passing The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for just the right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver? Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the worst of all traffic accidents -- the head-on collision. So here are some tips for passing:

“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for situations that might affect your passing patterns. If you have any doubt whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait for a better time. Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your pass. A broken center line usually indicates it’s all right to pass (providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid line on your side of the lane or a double solid line, even if the road seems empty of approaching traftic.

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0

Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especially if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also, you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance. When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t get too close. Time your move so you will be increasing speed as the time comes to move into the other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a “running start” that more than makes up for the distance you would lose by dropping back. And if something happens to cause you to cancel your pass, you need only slow down and drop back again and wait for another opportunity. If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot.

Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start your left lane change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back into the right lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you just passed may seem to be farther away from you than it really is.)

0 Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next vehicle.

0 Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the brake lights are not flashing, it may be slowing down or starting to turn.

0 If you’re being passed, make it easy for the

following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.

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Loss of Control Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger. Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive dnvers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always possible. The three types of skids correspond to your Corvette’s three control systems. In the braking skid your wheels aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. Remember: Any ASR system helps avoid only the acceleration skid.

If your ASR system is off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited. While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues -- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on the road to make a “mirrored surface” -- and slow down when you have any doubt. Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid.

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Driving at Night

Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired -- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue. Here are some tips on night driving. 0 Drive defensively. 0 Don’t drink and drive.

Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps behind you. Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles. Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlamps can light up only so much road ahead. In remote areas, watch for animals. If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.

Night Vision No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old. What you do in the daytime can also affect your night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you’re driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also make a lot of things invisible.

You can be temporarily blinded by approaching lights. It can take a second or two, or even several seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver who doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with misairned headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into the approaching lights. Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle clean -- inside and out. Glare at night is made much worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would, making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly. Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick out dimly lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night blindness -- the inability to see in dim light -- and aren’t even aware of it.

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Driving in the Rain

Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet road you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads. And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement.

The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road, and even people walking. It’s wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled. Replace your windshield wiper inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts.

Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down before you hit them.

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Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you’re going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road. Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your tires haven’t much tread or if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning.

! Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.

Some Other Rainy Weather Tips

Turn on your low-beam headlamps -- not just your parking lamps -- to help make you more visible to others. Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted by road spray. Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See “Tires” in the Index.)

City Driving

One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on them. You’ll want to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to traffic signals. Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving: 0 Know the best way to get to where you are going. Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a cross-country trip.

0 Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most

large cities. You’ll save time and energy. (See the next part, “Freeway Driving.”)

0 Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is there because the corner is busy enough to need it. When a light turns green, and just before you start to move, check both ways for vehicles that have not cleared the intersection or may be running the red light.

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Freeway Driving

Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules. The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. 4-20

At the entrance there is usually a ramp that leads to the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow. Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass. Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use your turn signal. Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind” spot. Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night. When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to the next exit. The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.

The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower than you actually are. Before Leaving on a Long Trip Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when you’re not fresh -- such as after a day’s work -- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can easily drive in. Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts in Chevrolet dealers all across North America. They’ll be ready and willing to help if you need it.

Here are some things you can check before a trip:

Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean inside and outside? Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape? Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels? Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean? Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the recommended pressure? Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route? Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system? Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?

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Hill and Mountain Roads

Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or rolling terrain.

Highway Hypnosis Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever. There is something about an easy stretch of road with the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in less than a second, and you could crash and be injured. What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be aware that it can happen. Then here are some tips:

Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a comfortably cool interior. Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your instruments frequently. If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service, or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.

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If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. 0 Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid

levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transmission. These parts can work hard on mountain roads.

0 Know how to go down hills. The most important

thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill.

0 Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down

to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine and transmission, and you can climb the hill better. Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident. You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or no-passing zones, a falling rocks area, or winding roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.

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Winter Driving

Here are some tips for winter driving: 0 Have your Corvette in good shape for winter. Be

sure your engine coolant mix is correct.

0 You may want to put winter emergency supplies in

your vehicle.

Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these items in your vehicle.

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Driving on Snow or Ice Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have good traction. However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be very careful.

What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the

least traction of all. You can get “wet ice” when it’s about freezing (32°F; 0°C) and freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there. Whatever the condition -- smooth ice, packed, blowing or loose snow -- drive with caution. Keep your ASR system on. It improves your ability to accelerate when driving on a slippery road. Even though your vehicle has the ASR system, you’ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to the road conditions. See “ASR System’’ in the Index. Your anti-lock brakes improve your ability to make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even though you have the anti-lock braking system, you’ll want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement. See “Anti-Lock” in the Index.

Allow greater following distance on any slippery road. Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine until you hit a spot that’s covered with ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in shaded areas where the sun can’t reach: around clumps of trees, behind buildings, or under bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve or an overpass may remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you are on it. Try not to brake while you’re actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.

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If You’re Caught in a Blizzard

cloth to your vehicle to alert police that you’ve been stopped by the snow. Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you. If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor mats -- anything you can wrap around yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm. You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.

If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a serious situation. You should probably stay with your vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near help and you can hike through the snow. Here are some things to do to summon help and keep yourself and your passengers safe: Turn on your hazard flashers. Tie a red

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~

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with your headlights. Let the heater run for awhile. Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until help comes.

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Loading Your Vehicle

TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION

OCCUPANTS

VEHICLE CAP. WT.

RR.

TOTAL

LBS.

KG

FRT. CTR.

MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT PRESSURE

TIRE SIZE

SPEED

COLD TIRE

XXX

PSI/KPa RTG

FRT. RR. SPA. IF TIRES ARE HOT, ADD 4PS1/28KPa SEE OWNER’S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label found on the driver’s door tells you the proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation. It also gives you important information about the number of people that can be in your vehicle and the total weight that you