1971 CHEVROLET CAMARO check oil

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTE: If this cap requires a re­
placement, only· a cap with these
same features should be used. Fail­
ure to use the correct cap can re­
sult in a serious malfunction of the
system. Correct replacement caps
may
be obtained from your Au­
thorized Chevrolet Dealer.
Engine Oil
Recommendations
Use only engine oil which meets
oil quality standard GM 6041-M.
High quality oils which are in­
tended for service
MS and pass car
makers' tests are
of this quality.
The oil change interval (see para­
graph entitled
"Engine Oil Change
Interval") and the new vehicle
warranty are based on the use of
oils that meet these requirements.
NOTE: Non-detergent and other
low quality oils are specifically not
recommended. The use of proper
engine oils and oil change intervals are
your best assurance of contin­
ued reliability and performance
from your Camaro engine.
Checking Oil Level
The engine oil should be main­
tained at proper level. The best
time to check it
is before operating
the engine or as
the last step in a
fuel stop. This will allow the oil ac­
cumulation in the engine to drain
back in the crankcase .
To check
the evel, remove the oil gauge rod
(dip stick), wipe it clean and rein­
sert it firmly for an accurate read­
ing. The oil gauge rod
is marked
"FULL" and "ADD." The oil level
should be maintained in the safety
margin, neither going above the
"FULL" line nor below the "ADD"
line. Reseat the gauge firmly after
taking the reading.
NOTE: The oil gauge rod is also
marked
"Use GM 6041-M Quality
MS Oil" as a reminder to use only
52
high quality oils as prescribed
under "Engine Oil Recommenda­
tions."
Supplemental Engine Oil
Additives
The regular use of supplemental
additives
is specifically not recom­
mended and will increase operat­
ing costs. However, in cases of spe­
cific problems which may arise
under certain conditions, additive
supplements are available that can
effectively and economically solve
these problems without causing
other difficulties.
For example, if
higher detergency
is required to re­
duce varnish and sludge deposits
resulting from some unusual opera­
tional difficulty, a thoroughly tested
and approved concentrate -
"En­
gine Oil Supplement"-is available
at your Chevrolet dealer.
It is sug­
gested that, in the event of
an oper­
ational problem, you consult your
dealer for advice.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil Change Interval
Change oil each 4 months. If
more than 6,000 miles are driven
in a 4-month period, change oil
each
6,000 miles.
In certain types of service in­
cluding:
• operation under dusty condi­
tions,
• trailer pulling,
• extensive idling, or
• short trip operation at freezing
temperatures (engine not
thor­
oughly warmed up),
the oil change interval should not
exceed 2 months, or
3,000 miles,
whichever occurs
first. Operation
in dust storms may require an im­
mediate change of oil. See your
Chevrolet dealer for advice on the
frequency of oil and filter changes under
unusual driving conditions.
The above recommendations
apply to the first change
as well as
subsequent oil changes. The oil
change interval for your Camaro
engine
is based on the use of oils
that
meet. the requirements indi­
cated in the section on "Engine Oil
Recommendations." Oil change in­
tervals longer than those listed
above will result in serious
reduc­
tion in engine life and may affect
Chevrolet's obligation under the
provisions of the
New Vehicle War­
ranty.
A high quality
MS oil meeting
General Motors Standard GM
6041-M was installed in your en­
gine at the factory. It is not neces­
sary to change this factory-installed
oil prior to the recommended
nor­
mal change period. However, the
oil level should
be checked more
frequently during the break-in pe­
riod since somewhat higher oil con-
53
sumption is normal until the piston
rings become seated.
Manifold Heat
Control Valve
Every 6,000 miles or 4 months,
check heat control valve for free­
dom of operation.
If shaft is stick­
ing free it up with GM Manifold
Heat Control Solvent or its equiva­
lent.
Engine
Oil Filter
Replacement
The engine oil filter should be
replaced at the first oil change and
every second oil change thereafter.
This recommendation
is based on
the use of engine oils that meet the
requirements indicated in the
sec­
tion on "Engine Oil Recommenda­
tions," and the use of a quality oil
filter. AC
Oil Filters provide maxi­
mum engine protection.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Recommended Viscosity
The following chart will serve as
a guide for selecting the proper oil
viscosity. The
proper viscosity helps assure
good cold and hot starting by re­
ducing friction and thus increasing
cranking speed.
OSITY NUMBER
-20 0 20 60 0
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE. OF.
NOTE: SAE 5W-20 oils are not recommended for sustained high-speed
driving.
SAE 30 oils may be used at temperatures above 40°F.
Engine Tune-Up, Emission
Control and Electrical
System Checks
Fuel and electrical systems are
subject to wear and contamination
and require periodic cleaning and
adjustments to maintain maximum economy
and performance. Proper
adjustment of carburetor idle
speed, engine timing and dwell, and
operation of the Positive Crankcase
Ventilation Valve
(PCV) are im­
portant to control hydrocarbon
and
CO emissions within govern-
54
ment legislated levels. These ad­
justments should be made at the
first oil change
(4 months or 6,000
miles, whichever occurs first). The
above fuel and electrical system
checks also are included in engine
tune-ups which are recommended
at one year or 12,000-mile inter­
vals.
Air Injection Reactor (A.I.R.)
The Air Injection Reactor sys­
tem should have the A.I.R. pump
drive belt inspected for wear and
tension every 12 months or
12,000
miles, whichever occurs first.
Positive Crankcase
Ventilation
Valve
Replacement
Crankcase vapors and other im­
purities can cause malfunction of

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine the crankcase ventilation valve.
Regular replacement of the PCV
Valve
is recommended at 24-month
or
24,000-mile intervals.
G.M. Evaporation
Control SYltem
The Evaporation Control System
requires only periodic canister filter
servicing.
Every 12 months
or 12,000
miles, whichever occurs first, (more
often under dusty conditions) the
filter in the base of the canister
must be replaced and the canister
inspected.
Drive Beltl
Every 6,000 miles or 4 months­
inspect drive belts for wear, fray­
ing, cracking, and tension. Belts
which are in poor condition should
be replaced immediately.
Check tension by applying
mod­
erate thumb pressure midway be­
tween pUlleys. If the center-to­
center distance between pulleys
is
13 to 16 inches, the belt should
deflect
lh inch. If the center-to­
center distance
is 7 to 10 inches,
the belt should deflect
1;4 inch.
Loose belts should be retensioned
to give the correct deflection.
Air Cleaner
Paper Ellment Type -First
12,000 miles, inspect element for
dust leaks, holes
or other damage,
replace
if necessary. If satisfac­
tory, rotate element
1800 from
originally installed position.
Re­
place element at 24,000, miles.
Element must not be washed,
oiled, tapped or cleaned with an
air hose.
Crankca.e Ventilation Filter
(located within Air Cleaner)­
If so equipped, inspect at every oil
change and replace if necessary.
Replace at least every
24,000
miles; more often under dusty
driving conditions.
Flame Arrester -Every 12,000
55
miles-Clean the arrester (located
in the base of the air cleaner) with
kerosene
or a suitable solvent. Dry
with compressed air.
The engine air cleaner should
be installed at all times unless
temporary removal
is necessary
during repair or maintenance of
the vehicle, because in the absence
of the air cleaner backfiring could
cause
fire in the engine compart­
ment.
For maximum protection spe­
cify an AC Acron air filter ele­
ment.
Fuel Filter
Replace carburetor inlet filter
element every 12 months or
12,000 miles, whichever occurs
first or, if an in-line filter
is also
used, every
24,000 miles.
Replace in-line filter every
24,000 miles.
When replacement
is necessary,
always insist on AC Acron filters.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Distributor Cam Lubricator
6 Cylinder Engine -Rotate cam
lubricator
1800 at 12,000 mile in­
tervals -Replace at
24,000 mile
intervals.
8 Cylinder Engine-Change cam
lubricator end for end at
12,000
mile intervals-Replace at 24,000
mile intervals.
Rear Axle
Standard -Every 4 months or
6,000 miles, whichever occurs
first, check lubricant level and add
lubricant, if necessary, to
fill to
level of filler plug hole.
Use SAE
80 or SAE 90 GL-5 Gear Lubri­
cant.
Positraction -Same as standard
axle
but use only the special posi­
traction lubricant available from
your Chevrolet Dealer.
Manual Transmissions
3-Speed and 4-Speed -Every
6,000 miles or 4 months-Check
at operating temperature and fill
as necessary to level of filler plug
hole with SAE
80 or SAE 90 GL-
5 Gear Lubricant.
Clutch Cross-Shaft -Every
36,000 miles or sooner if neces­
sary -Remove the plug, install a
lubrication fitting
and lubricate
with water resistant
EP Chassis
Lubricant which meets
GM Speci­
fication 6031M.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Recommendations
General Motors DEXRON®
Automatic Transmission Fluid,
part no. 1050568 and United
Delco DEXRON® Automatic
Transmission Fluid, part no. 301-
RD, which have been especially
formulated and tested for use in
your automatic transmission are
recommended.
Other automatic
transmission fluids identified with
the
mark DEXRON@ are also
recommended.
56
Check the fluid level at each
engine oil change period.
To make
an accurate fluid level check:
1. Drive car several miles, making
frequent starts and stops, to
bring transmission up to normal
operating temperature (ap­
proximately 180-190 OF) .
2.
Park car on a level surface.
3. Place selector lever
in "Park"
and leave engine running.
4. Remove dipstick and
WIpe
clean.
5. Reinsert dipstick until cap seats.
6. Remove dipstick and note read­
ing.
If oil level is at or below the
"ADD" mark on the dipstick, oil
should be added as necessary.
One pint raises the level from ADD
to FULL.
Do not overfill.
Under normal driving condi­
tions, the transmission fluid should

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Standard Steering Gear
The steering gear is factory­
filled with steering gear lubricant.
Seasonal change of this lubricant
should not be performed
and the
housing should
not be drained-no
lubrication
is required for the life
of the steering gear.
Every 36,000 miles, the gear
should be inspected for seal leak­
age (actual solid
grease-not just
oily film).
If a seal is replaced or
the gear is overhauled, the gear
housing should be refilled with
Part No. 1051052 (13 oz. con­
tainer)
Steering ' Gear Lubricant
which meets
GM Specification GM
4673M, or its equivalent.
NOTE: Do not use EP Chassis
Lube, meeting
GM Specification
GM 6031 M, to lubricate the gear.
DO NOT OVER-FILL the gear
housing.
Power Steering Pump
Every 6,000 miles or 4 months­
Check level in pump reservoir. Fill
pump reservoir
as required with
GM Power Steering Fluid or, if
this
is not available, DEXRON®
Automatic Transmission fluid.
Oil
should be at operating tempera­
ture
and wheels in straight ahead
position when checking
or filling
operation is performed to ensure
against over-filling.
Hood Latches
Every 4 months or 6,000 miles,
whichever occurs first, lubricate
hood latch assembly
and hood
hinge assembly as follows:
1. Wipe off any accumulation of
dirt
or contamination on latch
parts.
2. Apply Lubriplate
or equivalent
to latch pilot bolts
and latch
locking plate.
3. Apply light engine oil to
all
59
pivot points in release mecha­
nism, as well as primary
and sec­
ondary latch mechanisms.
4. Lubricate hood hinges.
5. Make hood hinge
and latch
mechanism functional check to
assure the assembly is working
correctly.
Air Conditioning
Have your Chevrolet Dealer
check your Air Conditioning sys­
tem at some time during the winter
months to
be sure there has been
no loss in cooling output. During
the summer, see your Chevrolet
Dealer immediately if you suspect
the system is
not performing as it
should.
NOTE: On vehicles equipped with
a
Four Season Air Conditioning
System, the system will not operate
below ambient temperatures of
30oP. regardless of control posi­
tion.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Cooling System Care
Checking the coolant level at
each engine oil change. Level
should be
3" below bottom of filler
neck when cold.
Coolant Recommendations
The inhibited year-around cool­
ant, used to
fill the cooling system
at the factory,
is a high quality so­
lution that meets General Motors
Specifications 1899-M. This fac­
tory-fill coolant solution
is formu­
lated to withstand two full calendar
years of normal operation without
draining, provided the same con­
centration of coolant
is added if the
system needs additional fluid be­
tween drain periods. The original
factory-fill coolant provides freez­
ing protection to
-20°F (-32°F
in Canada).
Every two years, the cooling sys­
tem should be serviced as follows:
1. Drain coolant, when hot,
through the radiator drain valve.
2. Close valve and add sufficient
plain· water to
fill system.
3. Run engine until normal operat­
ing temperature
is reached.
4. Drain and refill the system as
described in steps 1, 2, and 3 a
sufficient number of times until
the drained liquid
is colorless.
5. Allow system to drain com­
pletely and then close radiator
drain valve tightly.
6.
Add the necessary amount of
high quality inhibited glycol
base coolant meeting GM
Speci­
fication 1899-M to provide the
required freezing and corrosion
protection
(at least to O°F.)
7. Run engine until normal oper­
ating temperature
is reached.
8. Check and adjust level of cool­
ant after system has cooled
suffi­
ciently to remove radiator cap.
60
NOTE: Addition of supplemental
additives and other available ma­
terials which have not been specifi­
cally approved by GM are not nor­
mally required in your car. Use of
these materials will result in un­
warranted operating expense.
It is the owner's responsibility to
keep the freeze protection at a level
commensurate with the tempera­
tures which may occur in the area
in which the vehicle will be oper­
ated. Regardless of whether freez­
ing temperatures are
or are not ex­
pected, cooling system protection
should be maintained at least to
OaF to provide adequate corrosion
protection. When coolant addi­
tions are required because of cool­
ant loss or to provide additional
protection against freezing at tem­
peratures lower than
-20°F,
(-32°F in Canada), a sufficient
amount of an ethylene glycol base

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
This section contains a complete summary of the scheduled maintenance recommended for your vehicle.
Intarval
Every 6,000 mile. or 4 month., which· ever occur. flrat
Service To Be Performed
• Change engine oil (normal passenger car serv­
ice"). Not to exceed 6,000 miles.
•
Lubricate front suspension and steering link­age.
• Check brake lines and hoses.
• Check all lubricant and fluid levels (power
steering pump, brake master cylinder, trans­mission, rear axle, radiator, battery).
• Check Power Steering lines and hoses.
• Hood latch lubrication.
• Check manifold
heat control valve.
•
Lubricate transmission floor shift linkage.
• Check
throttle and parking brake linkage and
body parts.
• Check emission control items at first oil
change (adjust engine idle speed, dwell, igni­tion timing) .
• Check exhaust system for proper mounting , leaks, and missing or damaged parts.
Interval
At first oil change
At first
oil change and
every second
oil change
thereafter
Every
6,000
mlle&
Service To Be Performed
• Check air conditioning system hose connec­tions, refrigerant charge and for refrigerant
leaks.
• Tire and wheel condition inspection.
• Inspect accessory drive belts.
•
Lubricate parking brake pulley, cables and linkage.
Inspect crankcase ventilation filter (located in
air cleaner) and replace if necessary.
• Set idle speed , ignition timing, and dwell to
specifications.
• Change engine oil filter."
•
Rotate ti res • Lubricate parking brake pulley, cables and
linkage .
·Servlce more often during severe operating conditions as outlined under Service and Maintenance.
66