Chevrolet 2002 Corvette User manual

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2002 Chevrolet Corvette
Owner’s Manual
Litho in U.S.A. E Copyright General Motors Corporation 06/22/01
Part Number 10444233 A First Edition All Rights Reserved

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GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, the
name CORVETTE and the CORVETTE Emblem are
registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time
it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors
of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet Motor Division
whenever it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your vehicle, 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.
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propriétaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en français chez
votre concessionaire ou au:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207

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Corvette: The American
Dream Machine
In the early ’50s, 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 undeniable panache have made
Corvette one of the most celebrated sports 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 a two-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 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’s reputation as a production race car.

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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 split rear 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 sense of motion even
when standing still. And for the first time, Corvette
offered removable roof panels.

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For its 25th anniversary, the 1978 Corvette 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 that provided superior handling
and performance. Windshield angle was the sheerest of
any domestic vehicle, cornering ability the tightest of
any production car. In short, the 1984 redesign enhanced
the Corvette’s reputation as a leader in the world sports
car market.
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 rear-mounted transmission.
Available as a Coupe for 1997, the new Corvette
offered such standard features as extended-mobility
tires, a Bose
R
audio system, and a new, latch-operated
roof designed for easy removal.
With many design cues inspired by the classic models
of the 1960s, the new fifth-generation Corvette is
an impressive combination of sleek styling and
world-class sports car performance. For 1998, in
addition to the Coupe, a convertible was reintroduced.
The fifth-generation Corvette rollout was completed in
1999 with the introduction of the hardtop model.
For 2001, all hardtop models became the higher
performance Z06. The Z06 model featured the
performance enhanced LS6 engine, specific suspension
components and exterior/interior differentiation.

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Corvette Assembly Plant
The Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green,
Kentucky is one of the most sophisticated and
computerized automobile assembly facilities in
the world. To build your 2002 Corvette, over
1,025 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’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 are available.
For dates and times, call [phone].
Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more.
The new National Corvette Museum, located near
the assembly plant, opened its doors in September
of 1994. It is also attracting tourists to the area.
For more information, call 1-800-53-VETTE (83883)
or [phone].

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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
do this, it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together to explain
things quickly.
Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.
CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce
the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t,
you or others could be hurt.
You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t
let this happen.”

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Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that
can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage
would not be covered by your warranty, and it could
be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help
avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different
colors or in different words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:
D “Engine Compartment Overview”
D “Instrument Panel”
D “Comfort Controls”
D “Audio Systems”
Also see “Warning Lights and Gages” in the Index.

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These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle:

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Model Reference
This manual covers these models:
Z06
Coupe
Convertible

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Section 1Seats and Restraint Systems
Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also
learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.
1-2Seats and Seat Controls
1-7Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
1-11Here Are Questions Many People Ask
About Safety Belts -- and the Answers
1-12 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
1-13 Driver Position
1-19 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
1-20 Passenger Position
1-20 Air Bag System
1-26 Air Bag Off Switch
1-29 Children
1-32 Restraint Systems for Children
1-42 Older Children
1-45 Safety Belt Extender
1-45 Checking Your Restraint Systems
1-45Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash

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Seats and Seat Controls
This part tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them,
and also about reclining seatbacks and seatback latches.
Manual Seats
CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is
moving. The sudden movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you
don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving. To move a manual seat, pull up on the lever located in
front of the seat to unlock it. Slide the seat to where
you want it and release the lever. Then try to move the
seat with your body to make sure the seat is locked
into place.

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Power Seats (Option)
If your vehicle has this option, the control for the power
seats will be located on the outboard side of each seat,
near the base.
Different parts of the power seat control move different
parts of the seat. To move the seat forward or rearward,
move the control in that direction. Move the control up
to raise the seat and down to lower it. By tilting the back
of the control, it will raise or lower the back of the seat.
Tilting the front of the control will raise or lower the
front of the seat.
Your preferred seat position can be stored and recalled
if you have the memory option. See “Memory” in
the Index.

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Sport Seat (Option)
If your vehicle is equipped with a sport seat, there are
three other controls that help you change the shape of the
seat in addition to the power seat control. There are two
lumbar supports for the middle (A) and lower (B) back.
There’s also a side bolster control (C) that adjusts the sides
of the seat around you to give you more lateral support.
For lumbar support, move each control (A and B)
forward to inflate or rearward to deflate.
Move the side bolster control (C) up for more side
support and down for less support.
Reclining Seatbacks
The lever for the reclining seatback is located on the
outboard side of each seat, near the base.
To adjust the seatback, lean slightly forward to lift your
weight off the seatback. Pull completely up on the lever
until it stops, and lean back to position the seatback to
where you want it. Release the lever to lock the seatback
into place.

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But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle
is moving.
CAUTION:
Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is
in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle
up, your safety belts can’t do their job when
you’re reclined like this.
The shoulder belt can’t do its job because it
won’t be against your body. Instead, it will be
in front of you. In a crash you could go into it,
receiving neck or other injuries.
The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash the
belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt
forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones.
This could cause serious internal injuries.
For proper protection when the vehicle is in
motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit
well back in the seat and wear your safety
belt properly.

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Seatback Latches
Both seatbacks fold forward to give you access to
the rear area. To fold a seatback forward, lift this latch,
which is located on top of the backside of the seat, and
pull the seatback forward. The seatback will lock down
in this position.
To unlock, lift up on the latch and push the seatback
rearward. When you return the seatback to its original
position, make sure the seatback is locked in place.
CAUTION:
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.

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Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly. It also tells you some things you should not do
with safety belts.
And it explains the air bag system.
CAUTION:
Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear
a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse. You can hit things inside the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed. In the same crash, you might
not be if you are buckled up. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your passenger’s belt
is fastened properly too.
CAUTION:
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people
to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.
Your vehicle has a light
that comes on as a reminder
to buckle up. See “Safety
Belt Reminder Light” in
the Index.

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In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have
a crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter ... a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes.
Takethesimplestvehicle.Suppose it’sjustaseat onwheels.