Chevrolet 1998 Corvette User manual

..

f

The 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Owner’s Manual
1-1
2-1
3-1
4-1
5-1
6-1
7- 1
8- 1
9-1
Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you howto use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the air bag system.
Features and Controls
This section explains howto start and operate your vehicle.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you howto adjustthe ventilation andcomfort controls and how to operate youraudio system.
Your Drivingand the Road
Here you’ll findhelpful information and tips about theroad and howto drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells whatto do if you have a problem while driving, such as aflat tire or overheatedengine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manualtells you how to keep your vehiclerunning properly andlooking good.
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells youwhen to perform vehicle maintenance and whatfluids and lubricantsto use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you howto contact Chevroletfor assistanceand howto get service and ownerpublications.
It also gives you information on “ReportingSafetyDefects” on page
8-10.
Index
Here’s an alphabeticallisting of almost every subjectin this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you wantto read.
i

k! CHEVROLET
c
GENERALMOTORS, GM,the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET,the CHEVROLET Emblem and the
name CORVETTE
are registered trademarks of
General MotorsCorporation.
This manual includesthe latest information at the time it
was printed. We reservethe right to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice. For
vehicles first soldin Canada, substitutethe name
“GeneralMotors of CanadaLimited” for Chevrolet
Motor Divisionwheneverit appearsin this manual.
Please keep this manualin your vehicle,
so it will be
there if you everneed it when you’re on the road. If you
sell thevehicle,please leave this manual in it
so the new
owner can use it.
Litho in
U.S.A.
Part No. 10282340 A First Edition
sq TlFlED
&
d
WE SUPPORT
VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION
THROUGH
National Institute for
AUTOMOTIVE
SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux proprietaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurerun exemplairede
ce guideen franGais chez
votre concessionaireou au:
DGN Marketing ServicesLtd.
1500Bonhill Rd.
Mississauga,OntarioL5T 1C7
@CopyrightGeneral Motors Corporation 1997
All Rights Reserved
ii

CORVETTE: THE AMERICAN
DREAM MACHINE
In the early O OS, it was only a designer’sdream. Today
the Corvette stands alone as America’sdream car
-- a
testament to its unmistakable charismaand the
excitementit inspires. Unique styling, powerful
performance and an undeniablepanache have made
Corvette one
of the most celebratedsports cars in
the world.
In
1953, Corvetteproduced 300 new lightweight
fiberglassroadsters.
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 gleamingPolo White exterior,
the Corvettebegan its drive into the heart
of America.
Designers freshenedup the ’Vette in
1956 by addinga
removablehardtop and the famous Corvette “coves.”
The sculptured bodyenhancedits sportylook, and a
standard 210-horsepower Chevy V8engine solidified
Corvette’s reputation as a productionrace car.
iii

In 1963,Corvette hit the road with an eye-catching new
look
-- the StingRay coupe.An instant success, the
now-classic StingRay featured concealed headlamps
and a unique splitrear window. The split window would
only be offered in
1963, making this model among the
most prizedCorvettesever built.
Restyled inside and out for 1968, this 'Vette sported a
lean and hungryshape, creating a senseof motion even
when standing still.
And for the first time, Corvette
offered removable roof panels.
iv

For its 25th anniversary, the 1978 Corvettepaced the62nd Annual Indianapolis 500 and receiveda new fastback
roofline witha wide expanseof glass that wrapped around thesides.
V

In 1984,the fourth generationof America’sfavorite
sports car anticipatedthe future with asleek look and
advanced technologythat provided superior handling
and performance. Windshieldanglewas the sheerestof
any domestic vehicle,cornering ability the tightest of
any production car. In short,the 1984redesign enhanced
the Corvette’sreputationas a leader in the world sports
car market.
After 44 years
of production, Corvetteonly got better.
The fifth-generation Corvettearrived in 1997, featuring
a completelyrestyled body and a new, all-aluminum,
5.7 Liter, 345-horsepowerLS1 V8engine.The
structureof the fifth-generationredesign is the stiffest
ever developedin 44years of Corvetteproduction,
resultingin unparalleledride quality and outstanding
handling.Also unique to the new Corvetteis a
rear-mountedtransmission.
Available as a Coupe for 1997,the new Corvette offered
such standardfeatures as extended-mobility tires, a
Bose audio system, and
a new, latch-operated roof
designedfor easy removal.
With manydesign cues inspiredby the classic models
of the 1960s,the new fifth-generation Corvetteis an
impressivecombinationof sleek stylingand world-class
sports car performance.For 1998,in addition to the
Coupe, a convertibleis reintroduced.
vi

CORVETTE ASSEMBLY PLANT
The CorvetteAssembly Plantin Bowling Green,
Kentucky is one
of the most sophisticated and
computerized automobile assemblyfacilities in
the world.
To build your 1998Corvette, over
1,025employesteamed up withthe
58 high-tech
robots that assist ina variety of processes, from welding
to painting.
The Bowling Green facilityis Corvette’s thirdhome
since 1953.Sincebeginning productionin June
of 198
1, it has become one of Kentucky’s most
popular tourist attractions.
Corvette Assembly Plant tours areavailable.For
dates and times, call [phone].Reservations
are requiredfor groups of 10or more. For more
information,call [phone].
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-VETTEor [phone].
> vii

How to Use this Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual frombeginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you
dothis, itwill help you learn about the features and
controls foryour vehicle.In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words worktogether to explain
things quickly.
Index
A good place to look forwhat you needis the Index in
back of the manual.It’s analphabeticallist
of what’s in
the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.
W
These mean thereis something that could hurt
you or other people.
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazardis. Then
we tell you what todo to help avoidor reducethe
hazard. Pleaseread thesecautions.If you don’t, you or
otherscould be
hurt.
Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a numberof safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTIONto tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.
1
1
You will alsofind acircle
with a slash throughit in
this book.
This safety
symbol means “Don’t,’’
“Don’t
do this” or “Don’t
let this happen.”
viii

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book youwill find these notices:
KNOTICE:
r
These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you aboutsomething that
can damage your vehicle. Many times,this damage
would not be coveredby your warranty,and itcould
be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help
avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you mightsee
CAUTION and NOTICE warningsin different colors
or
in different words.
You’ll also see warning labels on yourvehicle.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
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT
EYESBY
SHIELDING
Q
CAUSTIC
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
ACID COULD
BAlTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD
FLAME
EXPLODE
BAllERY
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
These symbols
have
to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS
TURN
A
FLASHER
FOG LAMPS
$0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicatorlights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(@)
COOLANT
a
ENGINEOIL
PRESSURE
WA
ANTI-LOCK (@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
t
LIGHTER
HORN
b
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3
X

Section 1 SeatsandRestraintSystems
Here you’ll find information about theseatsin your Corvette and howto use your safetybelts properly. You can also
learn about some things you should not do with air bags andsafetybelts.
1-2 SeatsandSeat Controls
1- 18AirBag System
1-5SafetyBelts: They’re forEveryone 1-25 Children
1
- 10HereAreQuestionsMany People Ask About
Safety Belts
-- and the Answers 1-27 ChildRestraints
After a Crash
1
- 18PassengerPosition 1-38 ReplacingRestraint SystemParts
1-17SafetyBelt Use DuringPregnancy
1-37 SafetyBeltExtender
1 - 11 How toWear SafetyBeltsProperly 1-34 Larger Children
1-11DriverPosition 1-37 CheckingYour Restraint Systems
1-1

Seats and Seat Controls
Power Seat
This part tells you about the seats -- how to adjustthem,
and also aboutreclining seatbacks and seatbacklatches.
Manual Front Seat (Option, Passenger Only)
Pull upon the lever in front of the seatto unlock it.
Slide the seatto where you wantit. Then release the
lever and
try to move theseat with your body to make
surethe seat
is locked intoplace.
1-2
The switch for the power seats is located on the sideof
each seat, near thebase.
Different partsof the power seat control move different
parts
of your seat. If you move the whole control, the
whole seat willmove. The back
of the control will raise
or lower the back
of the seat, and the frontof the control
will raise or lower the front of the seat.
Move the controlto the frontor to the back to move the
seat forwardorbackward. Move the control up to raise
the seat and downto lower it.
Your preferred seat position can be stored and recalled if
you have the memory option.
See “Memory” in the Index.

Sport Seat (Option) Reclining
Seatbacks
In additionto the powerseat control, there are three
other switches that help
you change the shape of your
seat. There are two lumbarsupports
(A and B) for the
middle and lower back. There’s also asidebolster
switch
(C) that adjuststhe sides of the seat around you
to give you more lateralsupport.
For lumbar support, moveeach switch
(A and B)
forward to inflate or rearwardto deflate.
Move the side bolster switch
(C) up for more side
support and down forless support.
The lever for the reclining seatback
is located on the
side
of each seat, near the base.
To adjustthe seatback,pull up on thelever andtilt the
seatbackto where
you want it.Release the lever to lock
the seatbackinto place.
1-3

But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle
is
moving.
I
Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is
in motioncan be dangerous. Evenif youbuckle
up, your safety belts can’t dotheirjob when
you’re reclined likethis.
Theshoulder belt can’t doitsjob becauseit
won’t be against yourbody. Instead, itwill bein
frontof you. In
a crash you could gointo it,
receiving neckor other injuries.
Thelap belt can’t doitsjob either. In a crash the
belt could
go up over your abdomen. The belt
forces would be there, notatyour pelvic bones.
This could cause seriousinternalinjuries.
For proper protectionwhen the vehicle is
in
motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well
back
in the seatand wear your safety belt properly.

Seatback Latches
I A CAUTION:
Both seatbacksfold forwardto give you access to the
rear area.
To fold a seatbackforward,lift this latch and
pull the seatbackforward.The seatbackwill lock down
in this position.
To unlock, lift up on the latch and push
the seatbackrearward.When youreturn the seatbackto
its originalposition,make surethe seatbackis locked.
If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That
could cause injury to the person sitting there.
Always press rearward on the seatback to be
sure it is locked.
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you howto use safetybelts
properly. It also tells you some things
you shouldnot do
with safetybelts.
And it explainsthe air bag system.
1-5