2008 Chevrolet Corvette Owners Manual

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Information Service Manuals Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information on engines, transmission, axle suspension, brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc. Service Bulletins Service Bulletins’ give additional technical service information needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle. 7-16 Owner Information Owner publications are written speciﬁcally for owners and intended to provide basic operational information about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the Maintenance Schedule for all models. In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee Current and Past Model Order Forms Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available for current and past model GM vehicles. To request an order form, specify year and model name of the vehicle. ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123 Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com Or you can write to: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207 Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery. Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make checks payable in U.S. funds. 7-17 Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated computers that record information about the vehicle’s performance and how it is driven. For example, your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control engine and transmission performance, to monitor the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle. These modules may store data to help your dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some modules may also store data about how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat positions, and temperature settings. Event Data Recorders This vehicle has an Event Data Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as: (cid:129) How various systems in your vehicle were operating (cid:129) Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened (cid:129) How far, if at all, the driver was pressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal (cid:129) How fast the vehicle was traveling 7-18 This data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur. Important: EDR data is recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data is recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) is recorded. However, other parties, such as law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash investigation. To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special equipment, can read the information if they have access to the vehicle or the EDR. GM will not access this data or share it with others except: with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee; in response to an official request of police or similar government office; as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the discovery process; or, as required by law. Data that GM collects or receives may also be used for GM research needs or may be made available to others for research purposes, where a need is shown and the data is not tied to a speciﬁc vehicle or vehicle owner. OnStar® If your vehicle has OnStar® and you subscribe to the OnStar® services, please refer to the OnStar® Terms and Conditions for information on data collection and use. See also OnStar® System on page 2-45 in this manual for more information. 7-19 Navigation System If your vehicle has a navigation system, use of the system may result in the storage of destinations, addresses, telephone numbers, and other trip information. Refer to the navigation system operating manual for information on stored data and for deletion instructions. Radio Frequency Identiﬁcation (RFID) RFID technology is used in some vehicles for functions such as tire pressure monitoring and ignition system security, as well as in connection with conveniences such as key fobs for remote door locking/unlocking and starting, and in-vehicle transmitters for garage door openers. RFID technology in GM vehicles does not use or record personal information or link with any other GM system containing personal information. 7-20 A Accessories and Modiﬁcations ............................ 5-3 Active Handling System ..................................... 4-7 Active Handling System Light ........................... 3-41 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ....................................................... 1-58 Additives, Fuel ................................................. 5-6 Add-On Electrical Equipment ............................ 5-95 Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine ................................. 5-25 Air Conditioning .............................................. 3-25 Air Dam, Front ............................................... 2-22 Airbag Passenger Status Indicator ........................... 3-36 Readiness Light .......................................... 3-35 Airbag System ................................................ 1-44 What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? .... 1-51 When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? .................... 1-49 Where Are the Airbags? ............................... 1-47 Airbag Systems Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ................................................... 1-58 How Does an Airbag Restrain? ...................... 1-50 Passenger Sensing System ........................... 1-52 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .......... 1-57 What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? ...................... 1-50 Antenna, Diversity Antenna System .................. 3-103 Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ..................................................... 3-103 Antilock Brake System (ABS) ............................. 4-5 Antilock Brake, System Warning Light ................ 3-40 Appearance Care Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels .............. 5-92 Care of Safety Belts .................................... 5-88 Cargo Cover and Convenience Net ................ 5-88 Chemical Paint Spotting ............................... 5-93 Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses .................... 5-89 Coated Moldings ......................................... 5-87 Convertible Top ........................................... 5-91 Fabric/Carpet .............................................. 5-86 Fiberglass Springs ....................................... 5-93 Finish Care ................................................. 5-89 Finish Damage ............................................ 5-93 Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces ................................................. 5-88 Interior Cleaning .......................................... 5-85 Leather ...................................................... 5-87 Removable Roof Panel ................................. 5-91 Tires .......................................................... 5-92 Underbody Maintenance ............................... 5-93 Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials ................ 5-94 Washing Your Vehicle ................................... 5-89 Weatherstrips .............................................. 5-88 Windshield and Wiper Blades ........................ 5-90 Appointments, Scheduling Service ..................... 7-10 Ashtray ......................................................... 3-25 Audio System ................................................. 3-81 Audio Steering Wheel Controls .................... 3-101 Diversity Antenna System ............................ 3-103 Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation Manual ................................................. 3-101 Radio Reception ........................................ 3-102 Setting the Time .......................................... 3-82 Theft-Deterrent Feature ............................... 3-101 XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ........... 3-103 Audio System(s) ............................................. 3-82 Automatic Door Lock ....................................... 2-13 Automatic Transmission Fluid .......................................................... 5-27 Operation ................................................... 2-26 Battery .......................................................... 5-45 Exterior Lighting Battery Saver ...................... 3-19 Run-Down Protection ................................... 3-20 Brake Emergencies ................................................ 4-6 Brakes .......................................................... 5-42 System Warning Light .................................. 3-39 Braking ........................................................... 4-4 Braking in Emergencies ..................................... 4-6 Break-In, New Vehicle ..................................... 2-21 Bulb Replacement ........................................... 5-52 Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-52 Headlamp Aiming ........................................ 5-51 Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Parking Lamps ......................................... 5-53 High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting ........... 5-52 Replacement Bulbs ...................................... 5-55 Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps ............ 5-54 Buying New Tires ........................................... 5-73 Calibration ............................................. 2-39, 2-41 California Fuel .................................................. 5-6 California Perchlorate Materials Requirements ....... 5-4 California Proposition 65 Warning ....................... 5-4 Canadian Owners ................................................ ii Capacities and Speciﬁcations .......................... 5-103 Carbon Monoxide ................... 2-14, 2-37, 4-19, 4-29 Care of Safety Belts ................................................ 5-88 Cargo Cover .................................................. 2-57 CD, MP3 ....................................................... 3-96 Center Console Storage Area ........................... 2-55 Chains, Tire ................................................... 5-79 Check Engine Light ............................................... 3-43 Checking Things Under the Hood ...................... 5-12 Chemical Paint Spotting ................................... 5-93 Child Restraints Child Restraint Systems ............................... 1-33 Infants and Young Children ........................... 1-29 Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children .......................................... 1-35, 1-39 Older Children ............................................. 1-25 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position ........................................... 1-40 Cigarette Lighter ............................................. 3-25 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels .............. 5-92 Cargo Cover and Convenience Net ................ 5-88 Coated Moldings ......................................... 5-87 Convertible Top ........................................... 5-91 Exterior Lamps/Lenses ................................. 5-89 Fabric/Carpet .............................................. 5-86 Fiberglass Springs ....................................... 5-93 Finish Care ................................................. 5-89 Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces ................................................. 5-88 Interior ....................................................... 5-85 Leather ...................................................... 5-87 Removable Roof Panel ................................. 5-91 Tires .......................................................... 5-92 Underbody Maintenance ............................... 5-93 Washing Your Vehicle ................................... 5-89 Weatherstrips .............................................. 5-88 Windshield and Wiper Blades ........................ 5-90 Climate Control System Air Filter, Passenger Compartment ................. 3-31 Dual Automatic ............................................ 3-25 Outlet Adjustment ........................................ 3-30 Clock ............................................................ 3-82 Clutch, Hydraulic ............................................. 5-27 Collision Damage Repair .................................. 7-12 Compass ............................................... 2-39, 2-41 Competitive Driving, Racing or Other ................. 4-15 Control of a Vehicle .......................................... 4-3 Convenience Net ............................................ 2-57 Convertible Top ...................................... 2-63, 2-70 Coolant Engine Temperature Gage ............................ 3-42 Heater, Engine ............................................ 2-25 Surge Tank Pressure Cap ............................. 5-31 Cooling System .............................................. 5-34 Courtesy Lamps ............................................. 3-19 Cruise Control ................................................ 3-11 Cupholder(s) .................................................. 2-55 Customer Assistance Information Courtesy Transportation ................................ 7-11 Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users ............................... 7-6 Customer Assistance Offices ........................... 7-6 Customer Satisfaction Procedure ..................... 7-2 GM Mobility Reimbursement Program ............... 7-7 Driving At Night ..................................................... 4-16 Before a Long Trip ...................................... 4-18 Defensive ..................................................... 4-2 Drunken ....................................................... 4-2 Highway Hypnosis ....................................... 4-18 Hill and Mountain Roads .............................. 4-18 In Rain and on Wet Roads ........................... 4-16 Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out ................. 4-24 Winter ........................................................ 4-19 Dual Automatic Climate Control System ............. 3-25 EDR ............................................................. 7-18 Electrical System Add-On Equipment ...................................... 5-95 Engine Compartment Fuse Block ................. 5-100 Fuses and Circuit Breakers ........................... 5-96 Headlamp Wiring ......................................... 5-96 Instrument Panel Fuse Block ......................... 5-96 Power Windows and Other Power Options ...... 5-96 Windshield Wiper Fuses ............................... 5-96 Customer Assistance Information (cont.) Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors .................................................... 7-16 Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government ............................................ 7-16 Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government ................................... 7-15 Roadside Assistance Program ......................... 7-8 Service Publications Ordering Information ........ 7-16 Daytime Running Lamps .................................. 3-16 Defensive Driving ............................................. 4-2 Disc, MP3 ...................................................... 3-96 Diversity Antenna System ............................... 3-103 Doing Your Own Service Work ........................... 5-4 Door Automatic Door Lock .................................... 2-13 Locks ........................................................ 2-10 Power Door Locks ....................................... 2-12 Programmable Automatic Door Unlock ............ 2-13 Driver Information Center (DIC) ......................... 3-49 DIC Operation and Displays .......................... 3-50 DIC Vehicle Personalization .......................... 3-72 DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-55 Other Messages .......................................... 3-71 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ......................................... 5-25 Check and Service Engine Soon Light ............ 3-43 Coolant ...................................................... 5-28 Coolant Heater ............................................ 2-25 Coolant Temperature Gage ........................... 3-42 Drive Belt Routing ....................................... 6-14 Engine Compartment Overview ...................... 5-14 Exhaust ..................................................... 2-37 Oil ............................................................. 5-17 Oil Life System ........................................... 5-23 Oil Pressure Gage ....................................... 3-46 Overheated Protection Operating Mode ........... 5-33 Overheating ................................................ 5-31 Running While Parked .................................. 2-38 Starting ...................................................... 2-23 Entry/Exit Lighting ........................................... 3-19 Event Data Recorders ..................................... 7-18 Extender, Safety Belt ....................................... 1-25 Exterior Lamps ............................................... 3-15 Exterior Lighting Battery Saver .......................... 3-19 Filter Engine Air Cleaner ...................................... 5-25 Finish Damage ............................................... 5-93 Flashers, Hazard Warning .................................. 3-6 Flash-to-Pass ................................................... 3-9 Flat Tire ........................................................ 5-84 Floor Mats ..................................................... 2-55 Fluid ............................................................. 5-27 Power Steering ........................................... 5-39 Windshield Washer ...................................... 5-41 Fog Lamp Fog ........................................................... 3-17 Fog Lamp Light .............................................. 3-47 Front Air Dam ................................................ 2-22 ............................................................... 5-5 Fuel Additives ...................................................... 5-6 California Fuel .............................................. 5-6 Filling a Portable Fuel Container .................... 5-11 Filling the Tank ............................................. 5-8 Fuels in Foreign Countries .............................. 5-7 Gage ......................................................... 3-48 Gasoline Octane ........................................... 5-5 Gasoline Speciﬁcations .................................. 5-6 Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse Block ................. 5-100 Fuses and Circuit Breakers ........................... 5-96 Instrument Panel Fuse Block ......................... 5-96 Windshield Wiper ......................................... 5-96 Gage Engine Coolant Temperature ......................... 3-42 Engine Oil Pressure ..................................... 3-46 Fuel .......................................................... 3-48 Speedometer .............................................. 3-34 Tachometer ................................................. 3-34 Voltmeter Gage ........................................... 3-38 Garage Door Opener ....................................... 2-48 Gasoline Octane ........................................................ 5-5 Speciﬁcations ............................................... 5-6 Glove Box ..................................................... 2-55 GM Mobility Reimbursement Program .................. 7-7 Hatch/Trunk ................................................... 2-14 Hazard Warning Flashers ................................... 3-6 Headlamp Aiming ....................................................... 5-51 Headlamp Wiring ............................................ 5-96 Headlamps Bulb Replacement ....................................... 5-52 Daytime Running Lamps ............................... 3-16 Exterior Lamps ............................................ 3-15 Flash-to-Pass ............................................... 3-9 Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-52 Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Parking Lamps ......................................... 5-53 High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting ........... 5-52 High/Low Beam Changer ................................ 3-9 On Reminder .............................................. 3-16 Wiper Activated ........................................... 3-16 Head-Up Display (HUD) ................................... 3-20 Heated Seats ................................................... 1-4 Heater ........................................................... 3-25 Highbeam On Light ......................................... 3-47 High-Speed Operation, Tires ............................. 5-67 Highway Hypnosis ........................................... 4-18 Hill and Mountain Roads .................................. 4-18 Hood Checking Things Under ................................ 5-12 Release ..................................................... 5-13 Horn ............................................................... 3-6 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................... 1-14 Hydraulic Clutch ............................................. 5-27 I Ignition Positions ............................................. 2-22 Immobilizer .................................................... 2-20 Immobilizer Operation ...................................... 2-20 Infants and Young Children, Restraints ............... 1-29 Inﬂation - Tire Pressure ................................... 5-66 Installing the Roof Panel .................................. 2-62 Instrument Panel Overview ..................................................... 3-4 Instrument Panel (I/P) Brightness .................................................. 3-19 Cluster ....................................................... 3-33 Jump Starting ................................................. 5-46 Keyless Access System ..................................... 2-4 Keyless Access System, Operation ...................... 2-5 Keys ............................................................... 2-3 Labeling, Tire Sidewall ..................................... 5-60 Lamps Courtesy .................................................... 3-19 Exterior Lighting Battery Saver ...................... 3-19 Reading ..................................................... 3-19 Twilight Sentinel® ........................................ 3-18 Lap-Shoulder Belt ........................................... 1-22 LATCH System Child Restraints ................................... 1-35, 1-39 Latches, Seatback ............................................ 1-8 Lifting Your Vehicle, Tires ................................. 5-80 Light Active Handling System ................................ 3-41 Airbag Readiness ........................................ 3-35 Antilock Brake System Warning ..................... 3-40 Brake System Warning ................................. 3-39 Fog Lamp .................................................. 3-47 Highbeam On ............................................. 3-47 Lights On Reminder ..................................... 3-47 Malfunction Indicator .................................... 3-43 One-to-Four Shift ......................................... 3-38 Passenger Airbag Status Indicator .................. 3-36 Safety Belt Reminders .................................. 3-34 Security ..................................................... 3-47 TCS Warning Light ...................................... 3-40 Tire Pressure .............................................. 3-42 Traction Control System (TCS) Warning .......... 3-40 Lighting Lights Entry/Exit ................................................... 3-19 Exterior Lamps ............................................ 3-15 Flash-to-Pass ............................................... 3-9 High/Low Beam Changer ................................ 3-9 On Reminder .............................................. 3-16 Limited-Slip Rear Axle ....................................... 4-9 Loading Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-24 Lockout Protection .......................................... 2-13 Locks Automatic Door Lock .................................... 2-13 Door .......................................................... 2-10 Lockout Protection ....................................... 2-13 Power Door ................................................ 2-12 Programmable Automatic Door Unlock ............ 2-13 Loss of Control ............................................... 4-13 Lumbar Power and Side Bolsters ................................ 1-3 Maintenance Schedule Additional Required Services ........................... 6-6 At Each Fuel Fill ........................................... 6-8 At Least Once a Month .................................. 6-9 At Least Once a Year .................................... 6-9 Introduction .................................................. 6-2 Maintenance Schedule (cont.) Maintenance Footnotes .................................. 6-7 Maintenance Record .................................... 6-15 Maintenance Replacement Parts .................... 6-13 Maintenance Requirements ............................. 6-2 Owner Checks and Services ........................... 6-8 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 6-11 Scheduled Maintenance ................................. 6-4 Using .......................................................... 6-2 Your Vehicle and the Environment ................... 6-2 Malfunction Indicator Light ................................ 3-43 Manual Seats ................................................... 1-2 Manual Transmission Fluid .......................................................... 5-27 Operation ................................................... 2-31 Manual, Using .................................................... iii Memory Seat, Mirrors, Steering Wheel Controls .... 1-4 Message DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-55 Mirrors Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass .... 2-41 Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar® and Compass .......................................... 2-39 Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 2-44 Outside Convex Mirror ................................. 2-44 Outside Power Heated Mirrors ....................... 2-43 MP3 ............................................................. 3-96 MyGMLink.com ................................................ 7-5 N Navigation System, Privacy .............................. 7-20 Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation Manual ..................................................... 3-101 New Vehicle Break-In ...................................... 2-21 Odometer ...................................................... 3-34 Off-Road Recovery .......................................... 4-13 Oil Engine ....................................................... 5-17 Engine Oil Pressure Gage ............................ 3-46 Oil, Engine Oil Life System .............................. 5-23 Older Children, Restraints ................................ 1-25 One-to-Four Shift Light .................................... 3-38 Online Owner Center ........................................ 7-5 OnStar, Privacy .............................................. 7-19 OnStar® System, see OnStar® Manual ............... 2-45 Operation, Universal Home Remote System ........ 2-48 Other Warning Devices ...................................... 3-6 Outlet Adjustment ............................................ 3-30 Outlets Accessory Power ......................................... 3-24 Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror ............................. 2-44 Convex Mirror ............................................. 2-44 Power Heated Mirrors .................................. 2-43 Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode .......................................... 5-33 Owner Checks and Services .............................. 6-8 Owners, Canadian ............................................... ii Paint, Damage ............................................... 5-93 Park Brake .................................................... 2-34 Park (P) Shifting Into ................................................ 2-35 Shifting Out of ............................................ 2-36 Parking Over Things That Burn ................................. 2-37 Parking Your Vehicle ....................................... 2-37 Passenger Airbag Status Indicator ..................... 3-36 Passenger Compartment Air Filter ..................... 3-31 Passenger Sensing System .............................. 1-52 Passing ......................................................... 4-13 Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California ..................................................... 5-4 Power Door Locks ................................................. 2-12 Electrical System ......................................... 5-96 Lumbar and Side Bolsters .............................. 1-3 Retained Accessory (RAP) ............................ 2-23 Seat ............................................................ 1-3 Steering Fluid ............................................. 5-39 Windows .................................................... 2-17 Privacy .......................................................... 7-18 Event Data Recorders .................................. 7-18 Navigation System ....................................... 7-20 OnStar ....................................................... 7-19 Radio Frequency Identiﬁcation ....................... 7-20 Programmable Automatic Door Unlock ............... 2-13 Racing or Other Competitive Driving .................. 4-15 Radio Frequency Identiﬁcation (RFID), Privacy .... 7-20 Radios .......................................................... 3-81 Radio(s) ........................................................ 3-82 Radios Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation Manual ................................................. 3-101 Reception ................................................. 3-102 Setting the Time .......................................... 3-82 Theft-Deterrent .......................................... 3-101 10 Reading Lamps .............................................. 3-19 Rear Axle ...................................................... 5-51 Limited-Slip .................................................. 4-9 Rear Storage Area .......................................... 2-56 Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with Compass .................................................... 2-41 Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with OnStar® and Compass ................................. 2-39 Reclining Seatbacks .......................................... 1-6 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ................. 6-11 Recreational Vehicle Towing ............................. 4-29 Remote, Keyless Access System ........................ 2-4 Removing the Roof Panel ................................ 2-59 Replacement Bulbs ......................................... 5-55 Replacement Parts, Maintenance ...................... 6-13 Replacement, Windshield ................................. 5-55 Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government .................................. 7-16 General Motors ........................................... 7-16 United States Government ............................ 7-15 Restraint System Check Checking the Restraint Systems .................... 1-59 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash .......................................... 1-60 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................... 2-23 Roadside Assistance Program ....................................... 7-8 Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out .................... 4-24 Roof Panel .................................................... 2-58 Installing the Roof Panel ............................... 2-62 Removing the Roof Panel ............................. 2-59 Storing the Roof Panel ................................. 2-61 Routing, Engine Drive Belt ............................... 6-14 Run-Flat Tires ................................................ 5-64 Running the Engine While Parked ..................... 2-38 Safety Belt Safety Belts Reminder Light ............................................ 3-34 Care of ...................................................... 5-88 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................ 1-14 Lap-Shoulder Belt ........................................ 1-22 Safety Belt Extender .................................... 1-25 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ................. 1-24 Safety Belts Are for Everyone ......................... 1-9 Safety Warnings and Symbols .............................. iii Scheduled Maintenance ..................................... 6-4 Seatback Latches ............................................. 1-8 Seats Heated Seats ............................................... 1-4 Memory, Mirrors ............................................ 1-4 Power Lumbar and Side Bolsters .................... 1-3 Power Seats ................................................. 1-3 Seats (cont.) Reclining Seatbacks ...................................... 1-6 Seatback Latches .......................................... 1-8 Securing a Child Restraint Right Front Seat Position .............................. 1-40 Security Light ................................................. 3-47 Selective Ride Control ..................................... 4-10 Service ........................................................... 5-3 Accessories and Modiﬁcations ......................... 5-3 Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle ..................................................... 5-5 California Pershlorate Materials Requirements ............................................ 5-4 California Proposition 65 Warning .................... 5-4 Doing Your Own Work ................................... 5-4 Engine Soon Light ....................................... 3-43 Publications Ordering Information ................... 7-16 Service, Scheduling Appointments ..................... 7-10 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .............. 1-57 Shifting Into Park (P) ....................................... 2-35 Shifting Out of Park (P) ................................... 2-36 Signals, Turn and Lane-Change .......................... 3-8 Speciﬁcations, Capacities ............................... 5-103 Speedometer .................................................. 3-34 Starting the Engine ......................................... 2-23 Steering ........................................................ 4-11 Steering Wheel Controls, Audio ....................... 3-101 Steering Wheel Controls, Memory ....................... 1-4 Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel ................................. 3-7 11 Storage Areas Center Console Storage Area ........................ 2-55 Convenience Net ......................................... 2-57 Cupholder(s) ............................................... 2-55 Glove Box .................................................. 2-55 Rear Storage Area ....................................... 2-56 Storing the Roof Panel .................................... 2-61 Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow ..................... 4-23 Sun Visors ..................................................... 2-18 Tachometer .................................................... 3-34 Taillamps Turn Signal, and Stoplamps .......................... 5-54 TCS Warning Light .......................................... 3-40 Theft-Deterrent, Radio .................................... 3-101 Theft-Deterrent System .................................... 2-18 Theft-Deterrent Systems ................................... 2-18 Immobilizer ................................................. 2-20 Immobilizer Operation ................................... 2-20 Tilt Wheel ........................................................ 3-7 Time, Setting .................................................. 3-82 Tire Pressure Light ............................................. 3-42 12 Tires ............................................................. 5-58 Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels, Cleaning ................................................. 5-92 Buying New Tires ........................................ 5-73 Chains ....................................................... 5-79 Cleaning .................................................... 5-92 Different Size .............................................. 5-74 High-Speed Operation .................................. 5-67 If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-84 Inﬂation - Tire Pressure ................................ 5-66 Inspection and Rotation ................................ 5-71 Lifting Your Vehicle ...................................... 5-80 Pressure Monitor Operation ........................... 5-69 Pressure Monitor System .............................. 5-68 Run-Flat ..................................................... 5-64 Tire Sidewall Labeling .................................. 5-60 Tire Terminology and Deﬁnitions .................... 5-62 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ......................... 5-75 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ................. 5-76 Wheel Replacement ..................................... 5-76 When It Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-72 Winter Tires ................................................ 5-59 Towing Recreational Vehicle ..................................... 4-29 Towing a Trailer .......................................... 4-29 Your Vehicle ............................................... 4-29 Traction Active Handling System ................................. 4-7 Control System (TCS) .................................... 4-6 Control System Warning Light ....................... 3-40 Limited-Slip Rear Axle .................................... 4-9 Selective Ride Control .................................. 4-10 Transmission Fluid, Automatic ........................................... 5-27 Fluid, Manual .............................................. 5-27 One-to-Four Shift Light ................................. 3-38 Transmission Operation, Automatic .................... 2-26 Transmission Operation, Manual ........................ 2-31 Trunk/Hatch ................................................... 2-14 Turn and Lane-Change Signals .......................... 3-8 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever ........................... 3-8 Twilight Sentinel® ............................................ 3-18 Vehicle Control ........................................................ 4-3 Damage Warnings ........................................... iv Loading ...................................................... 4-24 Parking Your ............................................... 2-37 Symbols ......................................................... iv Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy .................. 7-18 Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) ............................................. 5-95 Service Parts Identiﬁcation Label ................... 5-95 Vehicle Personalization DIC ........................................................... 3-72 Ventilation Adjustment ...................................... 3-30 Visors ........................................................... 2-18 Voltmeter Gage .............................................. 3-38 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ............................ 5-75 Universal Home Remote System ....................... 2-48 Operation ................................................... 2-48 Using this Manual ............................................... iii Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators ................ 3-32 Warnings DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-55 Hazard Warning Flashers ............................... 3-6 Other Warning Devices .................................. 3-6 Safety and Symbols ......................................... iii Vehicle Damage .............................................. iv 13 Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance .......................... 5-76 Different Size .............................................. 5-74 Replacement ............................................... 5-76 Windows ....................................................... 2-16 Power ........................................................ 2-17 Windshield Replacement ............................................... 5-55 Washer ...................................................... 3-10 Washer Fluid .............................................. 5-41 Wiper Blade Replacement ............................. 5-55 Wiper Blades, Cleaning ................................ 5-90 Wiper Fuses ............................................... 5-96 Wipers ......................................................... 3-9 Winter Driving ................................................ 4-19 Winter Tires ................................................... 5-59 Wiper Activated Headlamps .............................. 3-16 XM Radio Messages ..................................... 3-100 XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System .............. 3-103 Your Vehicle and the Environment ....................... 6-2 14 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual M Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1 Front Seats ............................................... 1-2 Safety Belts .............................................. 1-9 Child Restraints ....................................... 1-25 Airbag System ......................................... 1-44 Restraint System Check ............................ 1-59 Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1 Keys ........................................................ 2-3 Doors and Locks ...................................... 2-10 Windows ................................................. 2-16 Theft-Deterrent Systems ............................ 2-18 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ........... 2-21 Mirrors .................................................... 2-39 OnStar® System ...................................... 2-45 Universal Home Remote System ................ 2-48 Storage Areas ......................................... 2-55 Roof Panel .............................................. 2-58 Convertible Top ....................................... 2-63 Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1 .......................... 3-4 ...................................... 3-25 ........ 3-32 .................. 3-49 ....................................... 3-81 Instrument Panel Overview Climate Controls Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators Driver Information Center (DIC) Audio System(s) Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Towing Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1 ..... 4-2 ................................................... 4-29 Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1 Service ..................................................... 5-3 Fuel ......................................................... 5-5 Checking Things Under the Hood ............... 5-12 Rear Axle ............................................... 5-51 Headlamp Aiming ..................................... 5-51 Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-52 Windshield Replacement ........................... 5-55 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ......... 5-55 Tires ...................................................... 5-58 Appearance Care ..................................... 5-85 Vehicle Identiﬁcation ................................. 5-95 Electrical System ...................................... 5-95 Capacities and Speciﬁcations ................... 5-103 Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1 ................................ 6-2 Customer Assistance Information .................... 7-1 ........... 7-2 ........................... 7-15 ........... 7-18 Index ................................................................ 1 Customer Assistance and Information Reporting Safety Defects Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy Maintenance Schedule Canadian Owners A French language copy of this manual can be obtained from your dealer/retailer or from: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207 1-800-551-4123 www.helminc.com Propriétaires Canadiens On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français auprès de concessionnaire ou à l’adresse suivante: Helm Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207 1-800-551-4123 www.helminc.com GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, the names CORVETTE and Z06 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. This manual describes features that may be available in this model, but your vehicle may not have all of them. For example, more than one entertainment system may be offered or your vehicle may have been ordered without a front passenger or rear seats. Keep this manual the vehicle for quick reference. Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 15865985 A First Printing ©2007 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved. ii Using this Manual Many people read the owner manual from beginning to end when they ﬁrst receive their new vehicle to learn about the vehicle’s features and controls. Pictures and words work together to explain things. Index A good place to quickly locate information about the vehicle is the Index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual and the page number where it can be found. Safety Warnings and Symbols There are a number of safety cautions in this book. A box with the word CAUTION is used to tell about things that could hurt you or others if you were to ignore the warning. {CAUTION: These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people. We tell you what the hazard is and what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you do not, you or others could be hurt. A circle with a slash through it is a safety symbol which means “Do Not,” “Do Not do this” or “Do Not let this happen.” iii Vehicle Symbols The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a speciﬁc component, control, message, gage, or indicator. Vehicle Damage Warnings You will also ﬁnd notices in this manual. Notice: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle. A notice tells about something that can damage the vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. The notice tells 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. There are also warning labels on the vehicle which use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE. iv Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Front Seats ......................................................1-2 Manual Seats ................................................1-2 Power Seats ..................................................1-3 Power Lumbar and Side Bolsters ......................1-3 Heated Seats .................................................1-4 Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel .........1-4 Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-6 Seatback Latches ...........................................1-8 Safety Belts .....................................................1-9 Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone .................1-9 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-14 Lap-Shoulder Belt .........................................1-22 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-24 Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-25 Child Restraints .............................................1-25 Older Children ..............................................1-25 Infants and Young Children ............................1-29 Child Restraint Systems .................................1-33 Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Z06 Models Only) ........................1-35 Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Coupe and Convertible Models Only) ............................................1-39 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position ............................................1-40 Airbag System ...............................................1-44 Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-47 When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? .....................1-49 What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? .......................1-50 How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-50 What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? .....1-51 Passenger Sensing System ............................1-52 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........1-57 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ....................................................1-58 Restraint System Check ..................................1-59 Checking the Restraint Systems ......................1-59 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash ...................................................1-60 1-1 Front Seats 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 do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving. To move a manual seat forward or rearward: 1. Lift the bar to unlock the seat. 2. Slide the seat to the desired position and release the bar. Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat is locked in place. 1-2 Power Seats Power Lumbar and Side Bolsters To adjust a power seat: (cid:129) Move the control forward or rearward to adjust the seat forward or rearward. (cid:129) Move the front or rear of the control up or down to adjust the height of the seat cushion. Your seat position can be stored and recalled if you have the memory option. See Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel on page 1-4. On vehicles with power lumbar and side bolsters: (A) Move forward or rearward to adjust lumbar support. (B) Move up or down to adjust the side bolsters. 1-3 To save seating positions in the memory: 1. Adjust the driver’s seat, both outside mirrors, and the telescopic steering column to a comfortable driving position. 2. Press and hold button 1 until two beeps let you know that the position has been stored in the memory. A second seating, mirror, and telescopic steering column position can be set by repeating the above steps and pressing button 2. To recall a memory position: (cid:129) On vehicles with an automatic transmission, press and release the desired button. If the vehicle is in PARK (P), a single beep sounds and the memory position is recalled after a brief delay. If the vehicle is not in PARK (P), three beeps sound and the memory position is not recalled. Heated Seats On vehicles with heated seats, the buttons are located on the center console. The ignition must be on for this feature to work. L: Press to turn the seat on at the high setting, and twice to turn it to the low setting. 9: Press to turn the system off. Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel On vehicles with the memory package, the controls are located on the driver’s door. 1: Saves the seating position for driver 1. 2: Saves the seating position for driver 2. B: Recalls the easy exit position. The numbers on the back of the keyless access transmitters correspond to the numbers on the memory buttons. 1-4 3. Press and hold the exit button until two beeps sound to let you know that the exit position is now programmed. A second exit position can be programmed by repeating the above steps and pressing button 2. To recall an exit position: (cid:129) On vehicles with an automatic transmission, the vehicle needs to be in PARK (P). (cid:129) On vehicles with a manual transmission, the parking brake needs to be set. B: Press to recall an exit position. One beep will sound and the exit position for the currently identiﬁed driver will be recalled. For vehicles with the Auto Exit Recall, see “Auto Exit Recall” under DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-72 for more information. (cid:129) On vehicles with a manual transmission, when the vehicle is on, the parking brake needs to be set to recall the memory position. Press and release the desired button. A single beep sounds and the memory position is recalled after a brief delay. If the vehicle is on and the parking brake is not set, three beeps sound and the memory position is not recalled. For vehicles with the Auto Memory Recall, see “Auto Memory Recall” under DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-72 for more information. To stop recall movement of the memory feature at any time, press one of the power seat controls, power mirror or memory buttons, or the telescopic steering column switch. Easy Exit Seat B(Easy Exit Seat): This button is used to program and recall the desired driver’s seat exit position. To program an exit position: 1. Recall the desired driving position by pressing button 1. 2. Adjust the seat and the telescopic steering column position to a comfortable exit position. 1-5 The seats have manual reclining seatbacks. The lever used to operate them is located on the outboard side of the seats. Reclining Seatbacks {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 do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving. {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. 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. 1-6 {CAUTION: Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts cannot do their job when you are reclined like this. The shoulder belt cannot do its job. In a crash, you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt cannot 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. Do not have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving. 1-7 Seatback Latches 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 is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. 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. 1-8 Safety Belts Safety Belts: They Are 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. {CAUTION: Do not let anyone ride where he or she cannot wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and you are not wearing a safety belt, your injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle harder or be ejected from it and 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) are restrained 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 indicators as a reminder to buckle your safety belts. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 3-34. In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law requires wearing safety belts. Here is why: You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you do not know if it will be a serious one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up, a person would not 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. 1-9 After more than 40 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. Put someone on it. Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat on wheels. 1-10 Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider does not stop. The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield... 1-11 or the instrument panel... 1-12 or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That is why safety belts make such good sense. Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in a crash — even one that is not your fault — you and your passenger(s) can be hurt. Being a good driver does not protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone. Questions and Answers About Safety Belts Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if I am wearing a safety belt? A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety belt or not. But your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted. And you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you are upside down. Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to wear safety belts? A: Airbags are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts — not instead of them. Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupants still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That is true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions. 1-13 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly This section is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your vehicle, see Older Children on page 1-25 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-29. Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. It is very important for all occupants to buckle up. Statistics show that unbelted people are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Occupants who are not buckled up can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts. First, before you or your passenger(s) wear a safety belt, there is important information you should know. 1-14 Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the ﬂoor in front of you. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones and you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force on your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The shoulder belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash. Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt snugly against your body. A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not give nearly as much protection this way. 1-15 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your lap belt is too loose. In a crash, you could slide under the lap belt and apply force on your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The lap belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. A: The lap belt is too loose. It will not give as much protection this way. 1-16 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash, the belt would go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not on the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you. A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. 1-17 {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt goes over an armrest like this. The belt would be much too high. In a crash, you can slide under the belt. The belt force would then be applied on the abdomen, not on the pelvic bones, and that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt goes under the armrests. Q: What is wrong with this? A: The belt is over an armrest. 1-18 Q: What is wrong with this? A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times. {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your body would move too far forward, which would increase the chance of head and neck injury. Also, the belt would apply too much force to the ribs, which are not as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. 1-19 {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured by not wearing the lap-shoulder belt properly. In a crash, you would not be restrained by the shoulder belt. Your body could move too far forward increasing the chance of head and neck injury. You might also slide under the lap belt. The belt force would then be applied right on the abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. Q: What is wrong with this? A: The belt is behind the body. 1-20 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you would not have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your dealer/retailer to ﬁx it. A: The belt is twisted across the body. 1-21 Lap-Shoulder Belt All seating positions in your vehicle have a lap-shoulder belt. Here is how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly. 1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index. 2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The lap-shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. If you ever pull the shoulder portion of a passenger belt out all the way, you may engage the child restraint locking feature. If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and start again. Engaging the child restraint locking feature may affect the passenger sensing system. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-52. 1-22 3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-25. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if necessary. 4. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the shoulder belt. It may be necessary to pull stitching on the safety belt through the latch plate to fully tighten the lap belt on smaller occupants. To unlatch the belt, push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. Before you close a door, be sure the belt is out of the way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the belt and your vehicle. 1-23 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts. Safety Belt Pretensioners Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for front outboard occupants. Although you cannot see them, they are part of the safety belt assembly. They can help tighten the safety belts during the early stages of a moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crash if the threshold conditions for pretensioner activation are met. And, if your vehicle has side impact airbags, safety belt pretensioners can help tighten the safety belts in a side crash. Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash, you will need to get new ones, and probably other new parts for your safety belt system. See Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-60. A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy. The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it is more likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly. 1-24 Child Restraints Older Children Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt is not long enough, your dealer/retailer will order you an extender. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to ﬁt. The extender has been designed for adults. Never use it for securing child seats. To wear it, attach it to the regular safety belt. For more information, see the instruction sheet that comes with the extender. Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts. 1-25 The manufacturer’s instructions that come with the booster seat, state the weight and height limitations for that booster. Use a booster seat with a lap-shoulder belt until the child passes the below ﬁt test: (cid:129) Sit all the way back on the seat. Do the knees bend at the seat edge? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat. (cid:129) Buckle the lap-shoulder belt. Does the shoulder belt rest on the shoulder? If yes, continue. If no, then return to the booster seat. (cid:129) Does the lap belt ﬁt low and snug on the hips, touching the thighs? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat. (cid:129) Can proper safety belt ﬁt be maintained for the length of the trip? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat. Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: An older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should ﬁt snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash. According to accident statistics, children and infants are safer when properly restrained in rear seating positions than in the front seating positions. In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety belts properly. 1-26 {CAUTION: Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt cannot properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time. 1-27 {CAUTION: Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. In a crash, the child would not be restrained by the shoulder belt. The child might slide under the lap belt. The belt force would then be applied right on the abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The child could also move too far forward increasing the chance of head and neck injury. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. 1-28 Infants and Young Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle. {CAUTION: Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and the safety belt continues to tighten. Never leave children unattended in a vehicle and never allow children to play with the safety belts. Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate restraints. Children who are not restrained properly can strike other people, or can be thrown out of the vehicle. In addition, young children should not use the vehicle’s adult safety belts alone; they need to use a child restraint. 1-29 {CAUTION: People should never hold an infant in their arms while riding in a vehicle. An infant does not weigh much — until a crash. During a crash an infant will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it. For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12 lb (5.5 kg) infant will suddenly become a 240 lb (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. An infant should be secured in an appropriate restraint. 1-30 {CAUTION: Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Q: What are the different types of add-on child restraints? A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height, and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used. 1-31 {CAUTION: The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that is unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children should always be secured in appropriate child restraints. For most basic types of child restraints, there are many different models available. When purchasing a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come with the restraint state the weight and height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs. {CAUTION: Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants should always be secured in appropriate infant restraints. 1-32 Child Restraint Systems A rear-facing infant seat (A) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint. A forward-facing child seat (B) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness. A booster seat (C-D) is a child restraint designed to improve the ﬁt of the vehicle’s safety belt system. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window. 1-33 Securing an Add-On Child Restraint in the Vehicle {CAUTION: A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. Make sure the child restraint is properly installed in the vehicle using the vehicle’s safety belt or LATCH system, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. To help reduce the chance of injury, the child restraint must be secured in the vehicle. Child restraint systems must be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by the LATCH system. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Z06 Models Only) on page 1-35 or Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Coupe and Convertible Models Only) on page 1-39 for more information. A child can be endangered in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle — even when no child is in it. 1-34 Securing the Child Within the Child Restraint {CAUTION: A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child is not properly secured in the child restraint. Because there are different systems, it is important to refer to the instructions that come with the restraint. Make sure the child is properly secured, following the instructions that came with that restraint. Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Z06 Models Only) Some child restraints have a LATCH system. As part of the LATCH system, your child restraint may have lower attachments and/or a top tether. The LATCH system can help hold the child restraint in place during driving or in a crash. Some vehicles have lower and/or top tether anchors designed to secure a child restraint with lower attachments and/or a top tether. Your vehicle does not have lower anchors to accommodate lower attachments. Your vehicle does have a top tether anchor. If your child restraint has a top tether, make sure your child restraint is properly installed using the top tether anchor and the vehicle’s safety belt. A child restraint must never be installed using only the top tether and anchor. Refer to your child restraint instructions and see Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position on page 1-40 for instructions on securing your child restraint using the vehicle’s safety belts. In order to use the top tether anchors in your vehicle, you need a child restraint equipped with a top tether. The child restraint manufacturer will provide you with instructions on how to use the child restraint and its top tether. The following explains how to attach a child restraint with the top tether in your vehicle. 1-35 Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B) to secure the top tether to the anchor. Some top tether-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top tether being attached. Others require the top tether always to be attached. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If the child restraint does not have a top tether, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available. A top tether (A, C) anchors the top of the child restraint to the vehicle. A top tether anchor is built into the vehicle. The top tether attachment (B) on the child restraint connects to the top tether anchor in the vehicle in order to reduce the forward movement and rotation of the child restraint during driving or in a crash. 1-36 Top Tether Anchor Locations i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors. To assist you in locating the top tether anchors, the top tether anchor symbol is located on the trim cover. The top tether anchor is located behind the passenger seat. 1-37 2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor, if equipped. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps: 2.1. Find the top tether anchor. 2.2. Press the ribbed area of the trim cover to open the cover and expose the anchor. 2.3. Route, attach and tighten the top tether according to your child restraint instructions and the following instructions: If the position you are using has a ﬁxed headrest or head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the headrest or head restraint. Securing a Child Restraint with a Top Tether {CAUTION: If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to anchors, the restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. 1. Secure the child restraint using the vehicle’s safety belt. See Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position on page 1-40. 1-38 If the position you are using has a ﬁxed headrest or head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether around the headrest or head restraint. 3. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Coupe and Convertible Models Only) Some child restraints have a LATCH system. As part of the LATCH system, your child restraint may have lower attachments and/or a top tether. The LATCH system can help hold the child restraint in place during driving or in a crash. Some vehicles have lower and/or top tether anchors designed to secure a child restraint with lower attachments and/or a top tether. Some child restraints with a top tether are designed to be used whether the top tether is anchored or not. Other child restraints require that the top tether be anchored. A national or local law may require that the top tether be anchored. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. Your vehicle does not have lower anchors or top tether anchors to secure a child restraint with the LATCH system. If a national or local law requires that your top tether be anchored, do not use a child restraint in this vehicle because a top tether cannot be properly anchored. You must use the safety belts to secure your child restraint in this vehicle, unless a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored. Refer to your child restraint instructions and instructions in this manual for securing a child restraint using the vehicle’s safety belts. See Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position on page 1-40. 1-39 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position Your vehicle has airbags. In addition, your vehicle has a passenger sensing system which is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped) under certain conditions. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-52 and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-36 for more information on this, including important safety information. A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys. 1-40 {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating airbag. Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-52 for additional information. If your child restraint has the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Z06 Models Only) on page 1-35 or Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Coupe and Convertible Models Only) on page 1-39 for how to install your child restraint using LATCH. If you secure a child restraint using a safety belt and it uses a top tether, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Z06 Models Only) on page 1-35 or Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Coupe and Convertible Models Only) on page 1-39 for top tether anchor locations. Do not secure a child seat in a position without a top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. 1. Move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the forward-facing child restraint. When the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped), the off indicator on the passenger airbag status indicator should light and stay lit when you start the vehicle. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-36. 2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 1-41 4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if necessary. 5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock. 1-42 6. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 7. If your child restraint manufacturer recommends using a top tether anchor, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the instructions that came with the child restraint and to Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Z06 Models Only) on page 1-35 or Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Coupe and Convertible Models Only) on page 1-39. 8. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. If the airbag or airbags are off, the off indicator in the passenger airbag status indicator will come on and stay on when the vehicle is started. If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint. If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion if possible. 1-43 Remove any additional material from the seat such as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters or seat massagers before reinstalling or securing the child restraint. If the on indicator is still lit, do not install a child restraint in this vehicle and check with your dealer/retailer. To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. Airbag System Your vehicle has the following airbags: (cid:129) A frontal airbag for the driver. (cid:129) A frontal airbag for the right front passenger. Your vehicle may have the following airbags: (cid:129) A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the driver. (cid:129) A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the right front passenger. All of the airbags in your vehicle will have the word AIRBAG embossed in the trim or on an attached label near the deployment opening. For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the middle part of the steering wheel for the driver and on the instrument panel for the right front passenger. With seat-mounted side impact airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the side of the seatback closest to the door. Airbags are designed to supplement the protection provided by safety belts. Even though today’s airbags are also designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inﬂating bag, all airbags must inﬂate very quickly to do their job. 1-44 Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system: {CAUTION: {CAUTION: You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not wearing your safety belt — even if you have airbags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. All airbags are designed to work with safety belts, but do not replace them.

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2008 Chevrolet Corvette Owners Manual