Chevrolet 1997 Corvette User manual

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The 1997 Chevrolet Corvette Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly.It also explains the air bagsystem.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your Corvette.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audiosystem.
Your Drivingand the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells whatto do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheatedengine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Corvette running properly and looking good.
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you whento perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Chevrolet for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also givesyou information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page
8- 10.
Index
Here’s an alphabetical listingof almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
somethingyou want to read.
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GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem and the
name CORVETTE are registered trademarks of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual includesthe latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
in the
product after that time without further notice. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitutethe name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet
Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your Chevrolet,
so it will be
there
if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it
so the new
owner can use it.
Litho
in U.S.A.
Part
No. 10406716 A First Edition
WE SUPPORT
VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION THROUGH
National Institute for
AUTOMOTIVE
SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
We supportvoluntary
techniciancertification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propriktaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplairede ce guideen frangais chez
votre concessionaire
ou au:
DGN Marketing ServicesLtd.
1500 Bonhill Rd.
Mississauga, OntarioL5T IC7
@CopyrightGeneral Motors Corporation 1997
All RightsReserved
ii

CORVETTE: THE AMERICAN
DREAM MACHINE
In the early ’50s, it was only a designer’s dream. Today
the Corvette stands alone
as America’sdream car -- a
testament
to its unmistakable charisma and the
excitement
it inspires. Unique styling, powerful
performance and an undeniable panache have made
Corvetteone
of the most celebrated sports cars in
the world.
In 1953, Corvetteproduced 300 new lightweight
fiberglass roadsters.
A handful went toproject
engineers,General Motors managers, and a select group
of movie stars and celebrities.With a two-speed
Powerglide automatictransmission, Blue Flame
six-cylinder engine, and gleaming Polo White exterior,
the Corvettebegan its drive into the heart of America.
Designers freshened up the ’Vette in
1956 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’sreputation as aproduction race car.
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In 1963, Corvette hit the road with an eye-catchingnew
look -- the StingRay coupe.An instant success, the
now-classic StingRay featuredconcealedheadlamps
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 sporteda
lean and hungry shape, creating a sense of motion even
when standing still. And for the first time, Corvette
offered removable roof panels.
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Supplement to the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette Owner’sManual
This text under “RemoteHatchlTrunkLid Release ”
may replace themanual release cable information
located
in Section 2 of your Owner’sManual.
Locate the manual release cables
in your vehicle. If they
are locatedin the slots
of the bottom of the latch trim
covers (underneaththe center storage compartment
in
the trunkarea),refer topage 2-14 in your Owner’s
Manual.’
If not, followthe.directions listed here.
If your vehicle is equipped with a hatch and you have
lost battery power, use the manual release cables to open
the hatch.
To access the cables, remove the two access
panels located in the rear
of the trunk area. There is one
cable located underneath each access panel.
Pull each cable straight down
for each latch torelease
the hatch.
97CORVOO2
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For its 25th anniversary, the 1978Corvette paced the 62nd Annual Indianapolis 500 and received a new fastback
roofline with
a wide expanse of glass that wrapped around the sides.
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In 1984,the fourth generation of America’s favorite
sports car anticipated the future with a sleek look and
advanced technology thatprovided superior handling
and performance. Windshield angle was the sheerest of
any domestic vehicle, cornering ability the tightest of
any production car. In short, the 1984redesign enhanced
the Corvette’s reputation as a leader in the world sports
car market.
After 44 years
of production, Corvette only gets better.
The fifth-generation Corvettearrives 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 Corvetteproduction,
resulting.inunparalleled ride quality and outstanding
handling. Also unique to the newCorvetteis a
rear-mounted transmission.
Available as a Coupe for 1997, the new Corvette offers
such standard features as extended-mobility tires, a
Bose audio system, and a new, latch-operated roof
designed for easy removal.
With many design cues inspired by the classicmodels of
the 1960s,the new fifth generation Corvetteis an
impressive combination of sleek styling and world-class
sports car performance.
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CORVETTE ASSEMBLY PLANT
The CorvetteAssembly Plant in Bowling Green,
Kentucky
is one of the most sophisticated and
computerized automobile assembly facilities in
the world. To build your 1997Corvette, over
1,000 employes teamed up with the 58 high-tech
robots that assist in a variety of processes, from welding
to painting.
The Bowling Green facility
is Corvette’sthird home
since 1953.Sincebeginning production in June
of 1981,it has become one of Kentucky’s most
popular tourist attractions.
CorvetteAssembly Plant tours are expected to resume
April
1, 1997and will be conducted Monday through
Friday, starting at
9 a.m. and 1p.m.. Reservations are
required for groups of
10 or more. For more
information, call [phone].
The new National CorvetteMuseum, located near the
assembly plant, opened its doors in September of 1994.
It
is also attracting tourists to the area. Formore
information, call [phone].
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