1971 CHEVROLET CAMARO brake

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Instruments
The instruments, gauges and in­
dicator lights conveniently grouped
in the instrument cluster are de­
signed to tell you at a glance many
important things about the per­
formance of your car. The follow­
ing information will enable you to
more quickly understand and prop­
erly interpret these instruments.
Fuel Gauge
This electrically operated gauge
registers correctly when the igni­
tion switch
is in the "on" position.
When the ignition switch
is turned
BRAKE WARNING liGHT
"off", the needle will not necessar­
ily return to the empty mark but
may stop at any point on the dial.
Oil Pressure Indicator Light
This light will be on when the
ignition switch
is turned on and
should go out after the engine
is
started. Occasionally the light may
be seen to flicker momentarily, but
this will do no harm. However, if
the light remains on during normal
driving speeds the engine should be
stopped until the cause of the trou­
ble can be located and corrected.
20
Driving the car with low oil pres­
sure can cause serious engine
damage.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Generator Indicator Light
This light provides a quick check
on the generating system of your
car. The red light will go on when
the ignition key
is in the "on" posi­
tion, but before the engine is
started. After the engine starts, the
light should go out and remain out.
If the light remains on when engine
is running, have your Authorized
Chevrolet Dealer locate and correct
the trouble
as soon as possible.
Engine Temperature
Indicator Light
This indicator light is provided
in the instrument cluster to quickly
warn of an overheated engine. With
the ignition
switGh in the START
position, the red TEMP indicator
will light to let you know that it
is
operating properly.
When the engine
is started, the
red light will go out immediately.
It will light up at no other time
unless for some reason the engine
reaches a dangerously high
oper­
ating temperature. If the red light
should come on, the engine must be
stopped until the cause of the
over­
heating is corrected. Glance at in­
strument cluster frequently as you
drive to see if this light
is on.
Brake System Warning
Light
The service brake system is de­
signed so that half of the brake sys­
tem will provide some braking ac­
tion in the event of a hydraulic leak
in the other half of the system.
When the brake apply system
is not
operating properly, a warning light
located at lower left of instrument
cluster (speedometer face) will
glow continuously when the
igni­
tion is on after the brakes have been
firmly applied.
On cars equipped
with drum brakes, the light will go
21
out when foot is removed from
brake pedal.
• As a check on bulb condition the
light should glow with the
park­
ing brake applied and the igni­
tion on. (Light is also a reminder
to release parking brake.)
• Have system repaired if light
does not come on during check.
• This warning light is nota sub­
stitute for the visual check of
brake fluid level required
as part
of normal maintenance.
If the light glows red:
• The parking brake is not fully re­
leased or,
• The service brake system is par­
tially inoperative.
What to do:
1. Check that the parking brake is
released.
2. Pull off the road and stop, care­
fully-remembering that:

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine FLOOR CONTROLS
Braking System
The service brake system is de­
signed for braking performance
under a wide range of driving con­
ditions even when the vehicle
is
loaded to its full rated vehicle load.
Power Brakes
• Cars with power brakes can
make two or more brake stops
using reserve power assist after
the engine
is off.
• When reserve power is ex­
hausted, the vehicle can still be
stopped by applying greater
force to the pedal.
Parking Brake
• To set parking brake, fully de­
press foot pedal at far left side.
• For maximum holding power,
depress regular brake pedal with
the other foot at the same time.
• To release parking brake, pull
"BRAKE RELEASE" lever on
lower left instrument panel.
• Never drive car with parking
brake set
as this may overheat or
otherwise damage rear brakes.
REMINDER: Brake pedal travel
should not be obstructed by im­
proper floor mats or other interfer­
ing material under the pedal.
NOTE: "Riding the brake" by rest­
ing your foot on the brake pedal
when not intending to brake can
cause abnormally high brake tem­
peratures, excessive lining wear
and possible damage to the brakes.
31
REMINDER: Brake linings should
be inspected for wear by a qualified
mechanic at least once a year
or
every 12,000 miles, whichever oc­
curs first. More frequent inspec­
tions should be made if driving con­
ditions in your area, such
as traffic
or terrain, or techniques of indi­
vidual drivers result in frequent
brake applications. Your Chevrolet
dealer
is best qualified to advise you
as to how often this inspection
should be performed. When brakes
require relining, use those Genuine
General Motors
Parts specifically
recommended for your car, and
Delco, brake fluid as required.
Automatic Brake Adjusters
• Brakes on this car are self-adjust­
ing, designed to eliminate peri­
odic brake adjustments.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • Drum brake adjustment is made
automatically
as the brakes are
applied while car
is moving back­
wards.
• Disc brake adjustment is made
automatically with each brake
application.
• If excess brake pedal travel de­
velops, drive alternately back­
ward and forward (several
times) and apply brakes firmly
in each direction.
• See your dealer if normal pedal
travel
is not restored, or if there
is a
rapid increase in pedal
travel, which could be a sign of
other brake trouble.
Clutch Adjustment
Clutch adjustment should be
checked and adjusted periodically
as necessary to compensate for
clutch facing wear. To check,
de­
press pedal by hand until resistance
is felt. Free travel of pedal should
be approximately one inch; if very little
or no free travel
is evident,
clutch adjustment
is required.
Headlight Beam Switch
"High" and "low" headlight
beams are controlled by the floor
button at your left foot. The
indi­
cator, located in the speedometer
dial, will light up when the high
beams are in use.
OTHER CONTROLS AND FEATURES
Positraction Rear Axle
The optional Positraction pro­
vides additional traction on snow,
ice, mud, sand, and gravel,
par­
ticularly when one rear wheel is on
a surface providing poor traction.
During normal driving and
cor­
nering, the Positraction unit func­
tions as a standard differential.
32
When one wheel encounters a slip­
pery surface, however, the Positrac­
tion directs driving force to the rear
wheel having the better traction.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SAFETY CHECKS
Your Camaro not only conforms to all U.S. Fed­
eral Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards applicable at
time of manufacture, but also incorporates other im­
portant General Motors safety features. Even with
these safety features, however, continued safe and
dependable operation depends greatly upon regular
vehicle maintenance.
This section discusses the various components and
systems of your vehicle that should be checked regu-
CHECK OFF EACH ITEM UNDER MIlEAGE AS SERVICE IS PERFORMED. Brakes and Power Steering -Check all lines and hoses. Check condition of brake linings and parking brake adjustment. Chassis lube and check all fluid levels,· Check condition of front and rear suspension and steerine system. Exhaust System -Check condition of system and underbody. Tires and Wheels-Check condition. (Check tire pressure at least monthly.) Engine -Change oil.· Check condition 01 all belts. -Replace oil filter (at 1st oil change and tllen every 2nd chanie). -Check air cleaner every 12,000 miles; replace every 24,000 miles. .-Replace PCV valve. -Service exhaust emission control systems (see Owner's Manual). -Change toolanl every Iwo years. Throttle linkage -Check operation and condition . Headlights -Aim. Transmission (Automatic)-Change fluid and service filter. 0 ,', III · 0
33
larly to help maintain continued safe and dependable
vehicle operation.
Some checks should be made by
your dealer or service station, and can be done con­
veniently while your vehicle
is in the shop for other
regular maintenance services.
Other checks can be
made easily by owners.
CHECKS TO BE PERFORMED BY YOUR
DEALER OR SERVICE STATION
As a service reminder to owners, all 1971 General
Motors passenger cars are equipped with a
"Vehicle
6000 12000 18000 24000 30000 36000 41000 48000 )4000
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• 0 o· 00 0 ·
0

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Maintenance Schedule" on the inside of the
glove box door
as illustrated.
The schedule lists the various safety checks to be
performed at regularly scheduled intervals,
as well
as some of the other important vehicle maintenance
requirements. You are urged to check
off each item
on the schedule after the operation has been per­
formed. Following are further details on the safety
check items:
Checks To Be Made At Oil Change Intervals
(4 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes
first)
• Brake Lines and Hoses -Check for proper at­
tachments, leaks, cracks, chafing, deterioration,
etc. Any questionable parts noted should be re­
placed or repaired immediately.
• Fluid Levels-Check level of fluid in brake master
cylinder, power steering pump, radiator, engine,
axle and transmission. Any significant
loss could
mean that a malfunction
is developing in the sys­
tem and corrective action should be taken imme­
diately.
On cars with disc brakes, a low fluid level
in the front brake master cylinder reservoir could
34
also be an indicator that disc brake pads need
replacing.
• Front and Rear Suspension and Steering Sys­
tem-Check for damaged or missing parts, or parts
showing visible signs of excessive wear or lack of
lubrication. Questionable parts should be replaced
by a qualified mechanic without delay.
• Exhaust System -Check complete exhaust sys­
tem and nearby body areas and trunk lid for
broken, damaged, missing or mispositioned parts,
open seams, holes, loose connections
or other de­
terioration which could permit exhaust fumes to
seep into the trunk or passenger compartment. Any
defects should be corrected immediately. To help
insure continued integrity, exhaust system pipes
rearward of the
muffler must be replaced whenever
a new
muffler is installed.
• Tires and Wheels -Check tires for excessive
wear, nails, cuts or other damage. Make certain
wheels are not bent
~nd wheel nuts are tight. Un­
even or abnormal tire wear may indicate the need
for alignment service. Check tire inflation pressure
at least monthly, or more often
if daily visual
inspection indicates the need.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TREAD STILL GOOD
-
TREAD
WORN OUT
• The original equipment tires on your Camaro in­
corporate built-in tread wear indicators to assist
you in detennining when your tires have been worn
to the point of needing replacement. These indi­
cators will appear
as V2 inch wide bands when tire
tread depth
is 1;16 inch or less. When the indicators
appear in two or more adjacent grooves, tire re­
placement due to tread wear
is recommended.
35
• Drive Belts-Check fan and accessory drive belts
for cracks, wear and tension. Adjust or replace
as
necessary.
Checks To Be Made at 12 Months
or
12,000 Miles (Whichever occurs first)
• Brake Linings and Parking Brake-Check drum
brake linings or disc brake pads,
as well as the other
internal brake components at each wheel (drums,
rotors, wheel cylinders, etc.) . More frequent
checks should be made if driving conditions and
habits result in frequent brake application. Park­
ing brake adjustment should also be checked when­
ever brake linings are checked.
• Throttle Linkage-Check for damaged or missing
parts, interference or binding. Any deficiencies
should be corrected without delay by a competent
mechanic.
• Headlights -Check for proper aim. Correct as
necessary. More frequent checks should be made if
on-coming motorists signal when you are already
using your low beams, or if illumination of the road
ahead seems inadequate.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine For further details on the engine and transmission
items listed on the
"Vehicle Safety Maintenance
Schedule," and for other recommended maintenance,
refer
to the "Service and Maintenance" and "Air
Pollution. Control" Sections of this manual.
CHECKS lOBE PERFORMED
BY OWNER
Listed below are the safety checks that should be
made by the owner . These checks should be made at
least every 4 months or
6,000 miles, whichever occurs
first , or more often when so indicated . Any
deficien­
cies should be brought to the attention of your dealer
or service station, so the advice of a qualified mech­
anic is available regarding the need for repairs or
replacements.
• Anti-Theft Lock-Check for proper operation by
attempting to turn key to
LOCK position in the
various transmission gears with
car stationary. Key
should
tum to LOCK position only when trans­
mission control is in PARK on automatic trans­
mission models or in REVERSE on manual trans­
mission models.
• Seat Belts-Check lap and shoulder belts as well
as buckles, retractors and anchors for loose con-
36
nections, damage and positive latching action.
• Windshield Wipers and Washers-Check con­
dition and alignment of wiper blades. Check
amount and direction of fluid sprayed by washers
during use.
• Defrosters-Check performance by turning con­
trols to "de-ice" and "Hi" fan speed and noting
amount of air directed against the windshield.
• Wheel Alignment and Balance-In addition to
abnormal tire wear the need for wheel alignment
service may be indicated by a pull to the right or
left when driving on a straight level road. The need
for wheel balancing may be indicated by a
vibra­
tion at the steering wheel while driving.
• Parking Brake and "Park" Mechanism-Check
parking brake holding ability by parking on a fairly
steep hill and restraining the vehicle with the
parking brake only.
On cars with automatic trans­
missions, check the holding ability of the "Park"
mechanism by releasing all brakes after the trans­
mission selector lever has been placed in the "P"
position.
• Lights -Check license plate lights, side marker
lights , headlamps, parking lamps, tail lamps , brake