1973 CHEVROLET CAMARO service

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A WORD TO CAMARO OWNERS ...
This manual has been prepared to acquaint you with the operation and maintenance of your 1973 Camaro. and to
provide important safety information. It is supplemented by three convenient folders which provide additional infor­
mation on vehicle maintenance. emission control. and warranties. We urge you to read these publications carefully
and follow the recommendations to help assure the most enjoyable and troublefree operation of your vehicle.
When it comes to service. remember that your Chevrolet dealer knows your vehicle best and is interested in your
complete satisfaction. Return to him for Guardian Maintenance Service and any other assistance you may require.
To assist dealers in handling your needs. Chevrolet maintains a number of Zone Offices throughout the country.
Should you have a problem that cannot be handled through normal channels. follow the procedure presented in Sec­
tion 7 of this manual under the heading. "Owner Assistance".
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing a Chevrolet product-and assure you of our con­
tinuing interest in your motoring pleasure and satisfaction.
FOR CONTINUING SATISFACTION. KEEP YOUR GM CAR ALL GM. GENERAL MOTORS PARTS ARE IDENTIFIED BY ONE OF THESE TRADEMARKS:
CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1973 CAMARO
OWNER'S
MANUAL
CHEVROLET MOTOR
DIVISION
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48202
All information. illu$trations and specifications con­tained in this manual are based on the latest product
information available at the time of publication. The right is reserved to make changes at any time without notice .
For vehicles
sold in Canada. substitute the name
General Motors of Canada. wherever the name
Chevrolet Motor Division appears in this manual.
ST 309-73
©GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION 1972
Table of Contents
Section
1 Before Driving Your Camaro ...
Page
3
2 Starting and Operating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 12
Steering Column Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13
Starting Engine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13
Floor Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 20
Instrument Panel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22
Other Controls and Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 35
3 In Case of Emergency ........................................ 36
4 Appearance Care ............................................. 41
5 Service and Maintenance ........................ " . . . . . . . . .. 45
6 Minor Trouble Shooting ...................................... 62
7
Specifications, Owner Assistance, Service Manuals, Index, Gas Station Information ........................................ " 66
1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Break-in Schedule
In addition to the new car
break-in instructions in this man­
ual, it
is recommended that your
new Camaro be operated for
500
miles before trailer towing. If it is
necessary to tow during this period,
avoid speeds over
50 MPH and full
throttle starts. The same precau­
tions should be observed whenever
a new engine, transmission
or axle
is installed in your car.
Operation in Foreign Countries
Your Camaro is designed to op­
erate on fuel of approximately
91
research octane number or higher,
sold in the United
States and Can­
ada.
If you plan to operate your
Camaro outside the continental
limits of the United
States or Can­
ada, there
is a possibility that the
best fuels available in some coun­
tries are
so low in anti-knock
quality that excessive knocking
and serious engine damage may
result from their
use. To minimize
this possibility, write to Chevrolet
Motor Division, Service Depart- ment,
Detroit, Michigan 48202
(or in Canada write to General
Motors of Canada Limited,
Owner
Relations Department, Oshawa,
Ontario),
giving:
• The vehicle identification num­
ber ( on plate on instrument
panel ahead of the steering
wheel and visible through the
windshield, or from registration
slip or title).
• The country or countries in
which you plan to travel.
You
will be furnished informa-
11
tion on the quality of fuels avail­
able in the countries in which you
plan to travel.
It is recommended
that you not operate your Camaro
in any country not having fuels
meeting the requirements
of your
Camaro engine. Engine modifica­
tions are not available to compen­
sate for low anti-knock quality
fuels. Operation of your car under
conditions of continuous
or exces­
sive knocking constitutes misuse
of the engine for which the Chev­
rolet Division
is not responsible
under the terms of the Chevrolet
New Vehicle Warranty.

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
On cars with power brakes if
power assist to the brakes
is inter­
rupted due to a stalled engine
or
some malfunction, two or more
brake applications can be made
using reserve power.
• If the brake pedal is held down.
the system
is designed to bring
the
car to a full stop on reserve
power. However, the reserve
power
is partially depleted each
time the brake pedal
is applied
and released.
• When reserve power is exhausted,
vehicle
can still be stopped by ap­
plying 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.
• As a reminder, the brake system
warning light
is designed to glow
whenever the parking brake con­
trol ·
is not fully released , and the
ignition
is on.
• Never drive car with parking
20
brake set as this may overheat or
otherwise damage rear brakes.
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Generator Indicator Light
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 switch 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.
If
the warning light located at lower
left of instrument cluster (speed­
ometer face), glows continuously
when the ignition
is on and after
the brakes have been firmly applied
it may indicate that there
is a mal­
function in one half of the brake
hydraulic system.
On cars equipped
with front drum brakes, the light
24
will go out when foot is removed
from brake pedal.
• As a check on bulb condition
the light should glow with the
parking brake applied and the
ignition on. (Light
is also a re­
minder to release parking brake.)
• Have system repaired if light
does not come
on during check.
• This warning light is. not a' sub­
stitute for the visual check of
brake fluid level required
as part
of normal maintenance.
If the light glows red:
• The parking brake control is not
fully released or,
• The service brake system is par­
tially inoperative.
What to do:
1. Check that the parking brake is
released. If it is ...
2. Pull off the road and stop, care­
fully-remembering that:

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Clock Reset the clock, if your car is so
equipped, by pulling out the knob
and turning the hands clockwise if
slow, counterclockwise if fast. This
will, if the clock error
is five min­
utes or more, automatically com­
pensate for time gain
or lag. Sev­
eral resettings, several days apart,
may be needed to properly adjust
the clock mechanism. Have your
clock cleaned and oiled by a com­
petent clock serviceman at least
every two years.
Cigarette Lighter
The accessory cigarette lighter is
located on the instrument panel
face.
To operate, push it in. When
it becomes heated, it automatically
pops out ready for use.
Windshield Wiper
and Washer
The windshield wiping system
operates at two speeds and
is de­
signed to wipe clear designated areas
of the windshield under most
inclement weather conditions. The
windshield wipers work electrically
and are not affected by engine op­
eration. Push the control lever to the
right to start the electric windshield
wiper. The two-speed electric wiper
has both a
"low" and a "high" speed
position. Pressing the control will send a
measured amount of water or other
cleaning agent onto the windshield
and will also cause the wiper lever
to move, thus starting the wiper
motor. The wiper will then con­
tinue to operate until manually
turned off at the wiper lever.
Fill the washer jar only
% full
during the winter to allow for ex­
pansion if the temperature should
fall low enough to freeze the so­
lution.
• Check washer fluid level regu­
larly-do it frequently when the
weather is bad.
27
• Use fluid such as GM
OPTIKLEEN to prevent freez­
ing damage, and to provide bet­
ter cleaning.
• Do not use radiator anti-freeze in
windshield washer; it could
cause paint damage.
• In cold weather, warm the wind­
shield with defrosters before us­
ing
washer-to help prevent ic­
fig that may seriously obscure
vision.
Ventilation System
Your Camaro incorporates a
ventilation system that provides
improved ventilation comfort,
made possible by the addition of
air vent provisions in the rear body
lock pillar. Another feature of the
system
is continuous low-speed
operation of the air conditioner
blower, resulting
in an uninter­
rupted supply of outside air
flow

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
The time or mileage intervals on
the following pages are intended
as
a guide for establishing regular
maintenance and lubrication
periods for your car. Sustained
heavy duty
or high speed operations
or operation under adverse condi­
tions may necessitate more frequent
servicing. To determine specific
recommendations for conditions
under which you use your car, con-
Fuel
Requirements
Your Camaro is designed to op­
erate on a good quality fuel of
ap­
proximately 91 Research Octane
Number or higher, commonly sold
in the United
States and Canada.
Use of a fuel which is too low in
suIt your Authorized Chevrolet
Dealer.
Maintenance Schedule
For owner convenience, a sep­
arate maintenance folder has been
provided with your car which con­
tains a complete schedule and
brief explanation of the safety,
emission control, lubrication and
anti-knock quality will result
in
"spark knock", a metallic rapping
noise generated during the
com­
bustion process. It should be noted
that Research
Octane Number
does not completely describe fuel
octane quality. Therefore ,
if you
hear knock in your engine you
may wish
to try a different gaso­
line.
If knocking persists consult
45
general maintenance it requires.
The maintenance folder informa­
tion
is supplemented by this sec­
tion of the
Owner's Manual, as
well as the separate emission con­
trol systems folder also furnished
with your car. Read all three
pub­
lications for a full understanding
of vehicle maintenance require­
ments.
your authorized Chevrolet dealer.
In any case, continuous
or exces-
sive knocking may result in engine
.1
damage and constitutes misuse of
the engine for which Chevrolet
Motor Division
is not responsible
under the terms of the
New Vehi-
cle Warranty.
General Motors recommends
the
use of unleaded or low-lead (0

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Positraction -Drain and refill
after the first
12,000 miles then
maintain same
as standard axle but
use only the special positraction
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.
(For vehicles
normally operated in Canada use
SAE 80 GL-5 Gear Lubricant.)
If temperatures of below 3Z°F.
are expected, use SAE 80 GL-5
Gear Lubricant only.
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 6031 M.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Recommendations
Use only automatic transmis­
sion fluids identified with the
mark
DEXRON. These fluids have
been specially formulated and
tested for
use in your automatic
transmission, and are available
from your Chevrolet dealer or lo­
cal service station.
Check the fluid level at each
engine oil change period. To make
an accurate fluid level check:
Check the fluid level at each en­
gine 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 (approxi­
mately
180-190° F.).
2. Park car on a level surface.
3.
Place selector level in "Park"
and leave engine running.
49
4. Remove dipstick and wipe clean.
5. Reinsert dipstick until cap seats.
6. Remove dipstick and note read­
ing.
If fluid level is at or below the
ADD mark, add sufficient fluid to
raise the level to the
FULL mark.
One pint raises the level from ADD
to FULL.
Do not overfill.
Under normal driving condi­
tions, the transmission fluid should
be changed every
24,000 miles. If
your car is driven extensively in
heavy city traffic during hot weather,
or
is used to pull a trailer, change
fluid every
12,000 miles. Likewise,
operators of cars in commercial use
(such as taxicab, limousine
or pa­
trol car service) where the engine
idles for long periods, should
change fluid every
12,000 miles.
Changing Fluid-For Turbo Hy­
dra-Matic
350, remove fluid from