Chevrolet Corvette 1953 User manual

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INTRODUCTION
A warm welcome to a new form of motoring
pleasure is extended to you as a Corvette owner.
This Is your introduction to an all new and dis-
tinctive design in which Chevrolet combines many
of the desirable features of the passenger car in-
to a truly fine and beautiful sports car.
This temporary pamphlet has been prepared to
provide you with necessary information on fea-
tures, driving , qre and maintenance of your new
Corvette pending publication of the illustrated and
more comprehensive Maintenance Manual. The
attached stamped and self-addressed post card
has been provided for your convenience in obtain-
ing your copy of the Maintenance Manual when it
becomes available.
Read the information contained herein carefully
and keep It as a handy reference. Your Chevrolet
dealer, who is equipped to perform complete main-
tenance on the Corvette, will be glad to assist
you in any problems concerning the operation and
servicing of your car. Do not hesitate to consult
him.
All information and specifications contained in this
literature are based on the latest product informa-
tion available at the time of publication approval.
The right Is reserved to make changes at any
time without notice.
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CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCT ION
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Speedometer. . . . . . S
Fuel Gauge. . . . . . S
Temperature Gauge. S
Tachometer. . . . . . . . . . S
Ammeter. . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Oil Pressure Gauge. . . . . 6
Clock . . . . . . . . . . 6
Light Control Knob. 6
Windshield Wiper
Control. . . . . . . . 6
Heater and Defroster
Comrol. . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Key Starter and Ignition
Switc h. . . . . 7
Choke. . . . . . . 7
Radio Controls. 7
Lighter. . . . . . 8
Hood Lock Controls 8
Parking Brake and
Alarm
Light. . . 8
Directional Signal . 8
Horn Ring. . . . . . 8
Airscoop Control 9
Headlight Dimmer
Switch. . . . . . . . . . . • 9
Windshield Washer
Control.
.. .
Brake Pedal ..
..... .. .
Accelerator . ...... .
Powerglide Selector
Lever. ......... .
Seat Adjuster .. .' ... .
Door Lock I
nside
Handle . .... . ..... .
CORVETTE FEATURES
Keys and Locks . .... .
Pa ckage Compartments .
Ash
Trays . ....
Folding Top
Compartment. .
Door Ventilator and
Window . ..... .
Rear View
Mirror .....
Courtesy Lamps.
Luggage Locker . .. .. .•
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9
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9
10
10
10
10
10
10
11
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Page
OPERATING I NSTRUCT IONS
Powergllde Selector
Lever Positions . .. ... 12
Starting the Engine . .... 12-13
Driving with Powerglide.. 13-14
Driving Cautions. ..... . 1
4- 15
Towing and Pushing'
Cautions .
....... .. 15
BREAKI NG- IN PER IOD ... 16
GENERAL I NFORMATION
Gasoline and Engine Oil 16
Gasoline Filler Cap . ... 16
Cooling System Filler
Cap .............. 16
Engine Oil Filler Cap . .. 17
Engine Oil Level Rod .. . 17
Transmi ssion Oil Level
Rod ..... . .. .. 17
Use of the J ack: ...
17
Spare Tire Storage. 18
The Corvette Body . 18
Care of the Finish.
18
Care of the Cooling
System . .... . .. 19
Care of the Tir es .. 19 - 20
Use of Tire Chains. 20
Installation of Door
Ventilator and
Window . 20
Operation and Care of
the Fo lding Top.. . 21
Headlight Screens .. 21-22
License Pl ate
Compartment. ... 22
The Corvette Radio. 23 - 24
PERIODIC LUBRI CATION AND
MAINTENANCE
Engine Lubrication First
500 Miles. . . . . . . . . . 24
Engine Lubrication After
SOO Miles .. .... .
Grades of Oil. . . . . .
Types of Oil ..... .
Lubrication Points.. .
Maintenance Schedule
TECHN I CAL DATA ...
OWNER SERVICE POUCY
MANUF ACTURERS
WARRANTY ....
TIRE AND BATTERY
WARRANTIES . ..
25
25
28
26-27
28-31
32-34
35
35-36
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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
SPEEDOMETER
The speedometer located on the instrument panel above the
steering column registers both speed and accumulated mile-
age. A hood over the upper portion of the speedometer re-
duces reflections during night driving .
FUEL GAUGE
The fuel gauge located adjacent to the ignition switch is oper-
ated electrically to Indicate the amount of fuel In the 18
gallon fuel tank with the ignition switch turned on. When the
ignition is turned off, the pointer returns to the empty marlc
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
The electrically operated temperature gauge located to the
left of the tachometer shows engine coolant temperature in
the cylinder head. Temperature indications will vary with
thermostat range, outside air temperature and operating con-
ditions of the vehicle. Long hard drives or prolonged idling
In
very hot weather may produce above normal temperature
Indications.
TACHOMETER
The tachometer located in the lower center of the instrument
panel Indicates the speed of the engine In revolutions per
minute. Incorporated into the tachometer Is a revolution
counter which Indicates the cumulative total of engine revo-
lutions.
AMMETER
This Instrument, located to the rightofthetachometer, shows
the
rate at which the battery is being charged or discharged.
The generator Is equipped with a regulator which controls
the charge according to battery requirements. When the
generator is supplying more than the current demand , the
ammeter will show the charging rate , while a discharge will
be shown if the demandof the equipment switched on is greater
than the generator output. When battery is fully charged, the
charging rate will be low, thus giving an indication of the con-
dition of the battery.
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OIL PRESSURE GAUGE
This gauge on the instrument panel is installed primarily as
an indicator to show whether or not the oil pump is working
and
does not necessarily indicate the condition or quantity of
oil in the crankcase. The oil pressure gauge should always
indicate pressure when the engine is running. If no pressure
is indicated, stop the engine immediately and have the cause
corrected. When starting a cold engine, it will be noted that
the oil pressure gauge will register a high oil pressure. As
the
engine warms up, the pressure wi ll drop until it reaches
a point where changes to higher speeds will raise the pressure
very little if at all. if oil pressure registers abnormally high
after the engine is thoroughly warmed up, it may indicate the
possibility of plugged oil lines and passages and should be in -
spected to determine the cause.
CLOCK
An illuminated electric clock is located to the right of the oil
pressure gauge . The clock is set by pushing in and turning
the knob at the bottom of the dial.
LIGHT CONTROL KNOB
The light co nt rol knob is located at the extreme l eft of the
lower instrument panel and controls a two positio n push -p ull
switch. Pull knob to first position for parking, tail, license
and instrument pane l lights. In the second positio n, headlight
beams replace parking lights. Instrument panel lights may
be regulated by rotating the knob.
WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL
The windshield wiper control knob, which is rotated to reg-
ulate wiper action, is located adjacent to the light co nt ro l
knob
at the lower left side of the instrument panel.
HEATER AND DEFROSTER CONTROL
The Corvette recirculating heater and defroster, which is
available as a factory installed optional accessory, has a
single control knob l ocated above the ignition swi tc h and ad-
jacent to the speedome t er.
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To control the heater, push knob fully "In" and turn clockwise
to desired blower operation. Warm air from heater is de-
flected down towards the floor. To turn off rotate counter -
clockwise to the stop.
To operate defroster, pull knob out or partially out and turn
clockwise to desired blower velocity.
The warm air Is divided between the heater and defroster in
proportion to the amount of control knob pull-out.
KEY STARTER AND IGNITION SWITCH
The four positions of the key starter (reading clockwise) are:
LOCK, OFF, ON and START. To operate, turn switch to
START.
As soon as the engine starts, release switch, which
will
return to ON position. The key is required only when
turning to or from LOCK position,
CHOKE
The choke, located on the instrument panel above the fuel
gauge,
is used to provide a richer fuel mixture to assist in
starting a cold engine. Pull choke knob out part way or all
the way depending upon climatic condiions. This automa-
tiCally opens the throttle to provide for smooth engine oper -
ation when choking is required.
CAUTION: Excessive use of the choke will provide a fuel
mixture too rich to burn. Some of this un-
burned fuel will leak past the pistons and dilute
the engine oil, resulting in improper lubrication,
excessive engine wear and poor performance.
When it is necessary to use the choke for start -
ing,
it should be pushed part way in as soon as
the engine starts and all the way in as soon as
the engine will run smoothly without its use.
RADIO CONTROLS
The Corvette signal seeking radio is available as a factory
installed optional accessory. When installed, the radio con-
trols are located in the upper center of the instrument panel
and consist of left and right Inner and outer control knobs,
push button controls, a favorite station selector, and an auto-
matic tuning bar. A complete description of the operation of
the Corvette radio is contained on pages 23 and 24.
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LIGHTER
The lighter is located on the upper face of the instrument panel
above the oil pressure gauge and is operated by pushing in
and releasing. When heated, it automatically clicks out for
use.
HOOD LOCK CONTROLS
The hood lock is operated by two controls l ocated under each
side of the instrument panel. The hood l ock is released by
pulling
out the control knobs. This releases the hood to
enable it to be raised manually to the open position. The
hood is hinged at its forward end to suppOrts at the sides of
the radiator and is spring loaded to assist in the manual
raising of the hood. A telescoping hood suppOrt, which locks
when the hood reaches the open position, is provided. To
lower the hood, it must first be raised to disengage the hold-
open suppOrt and then lo wered fully to engage the hood lock.
PARKING BRAKE AND ALARM LIGHT
The parking brake , which is located und er the instrument
panel to the left of the steering column, operates independently
of the se rvice brakes and is applied by pulling straight back
on the T -h andle . To release, simp ly turn the handle slightly
and push in to normal position. A parking brake alarm light,
located below the speedometer, operates only with ignition
switch on to indicate by means of a flashing red light when
the parking brak" is applied.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL
A directional signal lever is located on the left side of the
steering column forward of the steering wheel. Moving this
lever downward for a l eft turn and upward for a right turn
will impart a flashing signal through the parking and stop
lights to indicate direction of turn. The signa l direction is
indicated to the driver by a flashing arrow in the speedometer.
HORN RING
A horn ring is provided on the steering wheel to control the
operation of the horn. Finger tip pressure at any point on
this ring will provide the electrical contact necessary to blow
the horns.
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AIRSCOOP CONTROL
The air scoop is opened and closed by means of the control
handle located below the instrument panel. A rachet mecha-
nism provides several positions for the regulation of the air
admitted.
HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH
Beam selection for high or low headlight beams may be made
by exerting foot pressure on the dimmer switch located at
the left side of the ' floor toe board. A head lamp beam indi-
cator is provided in the speedometer and a small opening
beneath the 70 mile mark is illuminated when the high beams
are on.
WINDSHIELD WASHER CONTROL
The foot operated windshield washer control is located at the
left side of the floor toe board to the right of the headlight
dimmer switch . Depressing the was her control with the en-
gine running operates both the washer and the windshield
wiper.
BRAKE PEDAL
Depressing the foot operated pendent type brake pedal, which
is supp orted from the master cylinder attached to the dash
panel, applies the hydr a ulic service brakes at all four wheels
in proportion to the pres s ure applied on the pedal.
ACCELERATOR
The accelerator pedal controls engine speed and is designed
to provide the proper "feel", neither too light nor too firm,
for smoot h control.
POWERGLIDE SELECTOR LEVER
The selector lever for the transmission is mounted on the
side of the floor tunnel within convenient reach of the driver.
Lever positions are indicated on the top of the lever knob.
More detailed information on selector lever positions can be
found on page 12.
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SEAT ADJUSTER
The scat adjuster control lever is located on the front of
driver's seat frame near the left corner and when pulled up-
ward allows the seat to be adjusted forward or backward.
DOOR LOCK INSIDE HANDLE
To open the door, the lock is released from either inside or
outside the car by grasping the ball handle on the door inner
panel and pulling rearward.
CORVETTE FEATURES
KEYS AND LOCKS
A single key operates both the ignition switch and luggage
locker lid lock. Record the key number upon delivery of the
car.
PACKAGE COMPARTMENTS
A package compartment is provided in the interior paneling
of each door. The compartment has a hinged cover that may
be easily lifted with a footman strap.
ASH TRAYS
An ash tray is provided in each door forward of the package
compartment. To emtpy, simply lift ash tray and remove.
FOLDING TOP COMPARTMENT
The folding top, when lowered, is stowed in a compartment
behind the driver and passenger seats. A hing ed lid, which
is secured by a push button lock between the seat backs,
covers the top compartment and also serves to anchor the
rear of the top, when raised, by means of twO bushings in the
lid, into which are inserted the ratchet-type spring loaded
clamps on the top rear bow. See Operation of The Folding
Top, page 21.
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DOOR VENTILATOR AND WINDOW
For protection against incle ment weathe r, snap-on type plexi-
glass side window and ventipane assemb lie s are provided
which may be quickly and easily installed to or removed from
each door. The venti panes are friction type and without
handles, requiring direct hand pressure for opening and
clos ing. When not in use they are stored in a bag in the
luggage l
ocker . For in stallat ion instructions, see page 20 .
REAR VIEW MIRROR
The rear view mirror is mounted on the top center of th e
instrument pane l and is adj ust able to accom mod ate all driving
pos iti ons.
COURTESY LAMPS
Courtesy l amps are located under the bo ttom flange of the
instrument panel near each end of the panel. These l amps
illuminate the floor area and are automatically lighted by
means of a switch on the body pillar when either door is
opened.
LUGGAGE LOCKER
A spacious lu ggage storage area is provided at the rear of
the body. Access to this storage area, as well as to the spare
tire stowed beneath the lu ggage locker floor is gained by in-
serting the key into the l ock below the rear bumper and turn-
ing until the lid is released from the l ock. Then in sert
fingers und er lid edge and raise to open position. The lid
hinges are spr in g loaded for ease in ope ning and cou nt e r-
balanced to remain in the open position witho ut supp ort.
NaTE: The wheel wrench, sc i ssors jack and handle, which
ar e
provided as tools, as well as the door window
and
ventilator assemblies, are stored in the luggage
locker when not in use.
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