.. f The 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Owner’s Manual 1-1 Seats and Restraint Systems This section tells you howto use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the air bag system. 2-1 Features and Controls This section explains howto start and operate your vehicle. 3-1 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems This section tells you howto adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system. 4-1 Your Driving and the Road Here you’ll findhelpful information and tips about theroad and how to drive under different conditions. 5-1 Problems on the Road This section tells whatto do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc. 6-1 Service and Appearance Care Here the manualtells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good. 7- 1 Maintenance Schedule This section tells youwhen to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use. 8- 1 Customer Assistance Information This section tells you howto contact Chevrolet for assistance and how to get service and owner publications. It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8-10. 9-1 Index Here’s an alphabeticallisting of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find something you want to read. i k!CHEVROLET c sqTlFlED d GENERAL MOTORS, GM,the GM Emblem, & CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem and the WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN name CORVETTE are registered trademarks of CERTIFICATION THROUGH General Motors Corporation. National Institute for AUTOMOTIVE This manual includes the latest information at the time it SERVICE was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the EXCELLENCE product after that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet For Canadian OwnersWho Prefer a Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual. French Language Manual: Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be Aux proprietaires canadiens:Vous pouvez vous there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you sell thevehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en franGais chez owner can use it. votre concessionaire ou au: DGN Marketing Services Ltd. 1500 Bonhill Rd. Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1C7 Litho inU.S.A. @CopyrightGeneral Motors Corporation 1997 Part No. 10282340 A First Edition All Rights Reserved ii CORVETTE: THE AMERICAN DREAM MACHINE In the early O OS, it was only a designer’s dream. Today the Corvette stands alone as America’s dream car -- a testament to its unmistakable charisma and the excitement it inspires. Unique styling, powerful performance and an undeniablepanache have made Corvette one of the most celebratedsports cars in the world. In 1953, Corvette produced 300 new lightweight fiberglass roadsters. A handful went to project engineers, General Motors managers, and a select group of movie stars and celebrities. With atwo-speed Powerglide automatic transmission, Blue Flame six-cylinder engine, and gleaming Polo White exterior, the Corvette began its drive into the heart of America. Designers freshened up the ’Vette in1956 by adding a removable hardtop and the famous Corvette “coves.” The sculptured body enhanced its sporty look, and a standard 210-horsepower Chevy V8 engine solidified Corvette’s reputation as a productionrace car. iii In 1963, Corvette hit the road with an eye-catching new look -- the Sting Ray coupe. An instant success, the now-classic Sting Ray featured concealed headlamps and a unique splitrear window. The split window would only be offered in 1963, making this model among the most prized Corvettes ever built. Restyled inside and out for 1968, this 'Vette sported a lean and hungry shape, creating a senseof motion even when standing still.And for the first time, Corvette offered removable roof panels. iv For its 25th anniversary, the1978 Corvette paced the 62nd Annual Indianapolis 500 and received a new fastback roofline witha wide expanse of glass that wrapped around thesides. V After 44 years of production, Corvette only got better. The fifth-generation Corvette arrived in 1997, featuring a completely restyled body and a new, all-aluminum, 5.7 Liter, 345-horsepower LS1 V8 engine. The structure of the fifth-generation redesign is the stiffest ever developed in 44 years of Corvette production, resulting in unparalleled ride quality and outstanding handling. Also unique to the new Corvette is a In 1984, the fourth generation of America’s favorite rear-mounted transmission. sports car anticipated the future with a sleek look and Available as a Coupe for 1997, the new Corvette offered advanced technology that provided superior handling such standard features as extended-mobility tires, a and performance. Windshield angle was the sheerest of Bose audio system, and a new, latch-operated roof any domestic vehicle, cornering ability the tightest of designed for easy removal. any production car. In short, the 1984 redesign enhanced the Corvette’s reputation as a leader in the world sports With many design cues inspired by the classic models car market. of the 1960s, the new fifth-generation Corvetteis an impressive combination of sleek styling and world-class sports car performance. For 1998, in addition to the Coupe, a convertible is reintroduced. vi CORVETTE ASSEMBLY PLANT The Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky is one of the most sophisticated and computerized automobile assemblyfacilities in the world. To build your 1998 Corvette, over 1,025 employes teamed up withthe 58 high-tech robots that assist ina variety of processes, from welding to painting. The Bowling Green facilityis Corvette’s third home since 1953. Since beginning production in June of 1981, it has become one of Kentucky’s most popular tourist attractions. Corvette Assembly Plant tours areavailable. For dates and times, call (502) 745-8419. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more. For more information, call (502) 745-8228. The new National Corvette Museum,located near the assembly plant, opened its doors inSeptember of 1994. It is also attracting tourists to thearea. For more information, call 1-800-53-VETTE or (502) 781-7973. > vii How to Use this Manual Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you W do this, it will help you learn about the features and These mean thereis something that could hurt controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find you or other people. that pictures and words worktogether to explain things quickly. In the caution area, we tell you what the hazardis. Then Index we tell you what todo to help avoidor reduce the A good place to look for what you needis the Index in hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or back of the manual. It’s analphabetical list of what’s in others could be hurt. the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it. You will also find acircle Safety Warnings and Symbols with a slash throughit in this book.This safety You will find a number of safety cautions in this book. symbol means “Don’t,’’ We use a box and the word CAUTIONto tell you “Don’t do this” or “Don’t about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore let this happen.” the warning. 1 1 viii Vehicle Damage Warnings In the notice area, we tell you about something that can damage your vehicle. Many times,this damage Also, in this book youwill find these notices: would not be covered by your warranty, and itcould be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the damage. KNOTICE: When you read other manuals, you mightsee These mean there is something thatcould CAUTION and NOTICE warningsin different colors damage your vehicle. or in different words. r You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use the same words, CAUTION orNOTICE. ix Vehicle Symbols These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. For example, These symbols These symbols These symbols These symbols Here are some these symbols are important have to do with are on some of are used on other symbols are used on an for you and your lamps: your controls: warning and you may see: original battery: your passengers indicator lights: whenever your CAUTION vehicle is driven: POSSIBLE A FUSE INJURY COOLANT - TEMP - PROTECT DOOR LOCK TURN EYES BY UNLOCK SIGNALS t SHIELDING BATTERY LIGHTER CHARGING I-1 Q SYSTEM CAUSTIC BAlTERY FASTEN WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER HORN b ACID COULD SEAT BRAKE (@) CAUSE BELTS BURNS FLASHER A COOLANT AVOID SPEAKER SPARKS OR WINDOW b FLAMES DEFOGGER a ENGINE OIL SPARK OR ,\I/, PRESSURE WA FUEL p3 FLAME COULD VENTILATING EXPLODE FOG LAMPS FAN ANTI-LOCK (@) BAllERY $0 BRAKES X Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Here you’ll find information about theseats in your Corvette and how to use your safetybelts properly. You can also learn about some things you shouldnot do with air bags and safety belts. 1-2 Seatsand Seat Controls 1- 18Air Bag System 1-5Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone 1-25 Children 1- 10 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About 1-27 Child Restraints Safety Belts -- and the Answers 1-34 Larger Children 1- 11 How toWear Safety Belts Properly 1-37 SafetyBelt Extender 1-11Driver Position 1-37 Checking Your Restraint Systems 1-17Safety Belt Use DuringPregnancy 1-38 Replacing Restraint System Parts 1- 18Passenger Position After a Crash 1-1 Seats and Seat Controls Power Seat This part tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them, and also about reclining seatbacks and seatback latches.