1973 CHEVROLET CAMARO Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine to 0.5 grams per gallon) gasolines
to minimize emissions
or hydro­
carbons and particulates.
If un­
leaded or low-lead gasolines are
not available, gasolines containing
more than
0.5 grams per gallon
may be used.
In states using the Gasoline
Performance and Information
Sys­
tem of fuel designation, unleaded
or low-lead fuels having an anti­
knock designation of
"2" or higher
are recommended.
Gas Cap-The fuel tank filler cap
has a new two-step removal and
installation procedure plus a pres­
sure-vacuum safety relief valve. It
is equipped with a double set of
locking tangs.
To remove:
• Rotate cap one-half turn coun­
terclockwise to clear the first set
of tangs from the slots inside the
filler neck. This will allow any
residual pressure to escape.
• Pull the cap outward and rotate
one-quarter turn counterclock­
wise to clear second set of tangs
and remove the cap.
• To install, reverse this procedure.
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 and Filter
Recommendations
• Use only SE engine oil.
• Change oil each 4 months or
6,000 miles. If more than 6,000
miles are driven in a 4-month
period, change oil each
6,000
miles.
46
• Change oil each 2 months or
3,000 miles, whichever occurs
first, under
th~ following con­
ditions:
- driving in dusty conditions,
- trailer pulling,
- extensive idling,
- short-trip operation at freez-
ing temperatures (engine not
thoroughly warmed-up).
• Operation in dust storms may
require an immediate oil change.
• Replace the oil filter at the first
oil change, and every second oil
change thereafter. AC oil filters
provide excellent engine pro­
tection.
See your Chevrolet dealer for ad­
vice on the frequency of oil and
filter changes under unusual driv­
ing conditions.
The above recommendations ap­
ply to the first change
as well as
subsequent oil changes. The oil
change interval for your Camaro

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine engine is based on the use of SE oils
and quality oil filters.
Oil change in­
tervals longer than those listed
above will seriously reduce engine
life and may affect Chevrolet obli­
gation under the provisions of the
New Vehicle Warranty.
A high quality
SE oil was in­
stalled in your engine at the fac­
tory.
It is not necessary to change
this factory-installed oil prior to the
recommended normal change pe­
riod. However, check the oil level
more frequently during the break­
in period since higher oil consump­
tion
is normal until the piston rings
become seated.
NOTE: Non-detergent and other
low quality oils are specifically
not recommended.
Only the use
of
SE engine oils and proper oil
and filter change intervals assure
you of continued proper lubrica­
tion of your Camaro engine.
Recommended Viscosity
Select the proper oil viscosity from the following chart:
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY NUMBER
I I _111'1.11 11II'laU.III'11 .. 1_111'.'l!! :1. 11'1&'1_
I I
. I
I r I
-30 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 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 40oP. SAE 5W-30 vis­
cosity oil is recommended for all seasons in vehicles normally operated in
Canada.
The proper oil viscosity helps assure good cold and hot starting.
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
47
fuel stop. This will allow the oil ac­
cumulation in the engine to drain
back in the crankcase. To check
the
eve!, remove the oil gauge rod
(dip stick), wipe it clean and rein-

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 SE Engine Oil" as a
reminder to use only
SE oils.
Supplemental Engine Oil
Additives
The regular use of supplemental
additives
is specifically not recom­
mended and will increase operat­
ing costs. However, supplemental
additives are available that can
effectively and economically solve
certain specific problems without
causing other difficulties. For ex­
ample,
if higher detergency is re­
quired to reduce varnish and sludge
deposits resulting from
some unusual operational diffi­
culty, a thoroughly tested and ap­
proved additive -
"Super Engine
Oil Supplement" -is available at
your Chevrolet dealer.
In the event
of an operational problem, consult
your dealer for advice before
us­
ing supplemental additives.
Drive Belts
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
Y2 inch . If the center-to­
center distance
is7 to 10 inches,
the belt should deflect
1.4 inch.
Loose belts should be retensioned
48
to give the correct deflection.
Air Cleaner
Flame Arrester -Every 12,000
miles-Clean the arrester (located
in the base of the air cleaner) with
kerosene
or a suitable solvent. Dry
with compressed air.
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.
(For vehicles normally oper­
ated in Canada use SAE 80 GL-5
Gear Lubricant.)

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

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine the transmission sump and add ap­
proximately 2.5 quarts U.S. Mea­
sure
(2.0 quarts Imperial Mea­
sure). Operate transmission
through all shift ranges and re­
check fluid level as described
above.
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400-Lubri­
cation of your Turbo Hydra-matic
400 will, except for fluid capacity
and filter change listed below, fol­
low previously stated automatic
transmission recommendations.
After checking transmission fluid
level it
is important that the dip­
stick be pushed all the way into
the filler tube.
Every 24,000 miles -After re­
moving fluid from the transmission
sump, approximately
71h. pints
U.S. measure (6 pints Imperial
measure) of fresh fluid will be re­
quired to return level to proper mark
on the dipstick.
Every 24,000 miles the transmis­
sion sump filter should be re­
placed.
Transmission Shift and Back­
drive Linkage (Manual and
Automatic) -
Every 6,000 miles
or 4 months lubricate shift link­
age and on manual transmission
floor controls lever contacting
faces with water
resistantEP chas­
sis lubricant which meets GM
Specification 6031M.
Transmission Shift Linkage
(Manual and Automatic)
Every 6,000 miles or 4 months
lubricate shift linkage and on man­
ual transmission floor controls
lever contacting faces with water
resistant
EP chassis lubricant
which meets
GM Specification
6031M.
50
Chassis
Front Suspension
Every 6,000 miles or 4 months
-Lubricate 4 fittings · with water
resistant
EP Chassis Lubricant
which meets
GM Specification
6031M.
Ball joints should not be lu­
bricated unless their tempera­
ture
is 10°F. or higher. During
colder weather, they should be
allowed to warm up as neces­
sary before lubrication.
Steering Linkage
Every 6,000 miles or 4 months
-Lubricate 7 fittings, one at each
end of each tie rod, one at each
end of relay rod, and one
at idler
lever with water resistant
EP Chas­
sis Lubricant which meets
GM
Specification 6031 M.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Front Wheel Bearings
Every 24,000 miles-clean and
repack with a high melting point
wheel bearing lubricant.
Use wheel
bearing lubricant GM Part No.
1051344 or equivalent. This is a
premium high melting point lubri­
cant. When replacement is neces ­
sary specify Delco parts.
Brakes
Brake linings should. be periodi­
cally inspected for wear by a quali­
fied technician. The frequency of
thi s inspection depends upon driv­
ing conditions such
as traffic or
terrain, and also the driving tech­
niques of individual owners.
Your
Chevrolet Dealer is best qualified
to advise you
as to how often this inspection
should be performed.
When replacement
is required ,
specify
GM and Delco parts.
Master Cylinder -Every 6,000
miles or 4 months -Check fluid
level in each reservoir and main­
tain
1;4" below lowest edge of each
filler opening with Delco Hydrau­
lic Brake Fluid,
Supreme No. 11.
Parking Brake Pulley, Cables
and Linkage-Every 6,000 miles
or 4 months-Apply water resist­
ant EP Chassis Lubricant which
meets
GM Specification 6031 M, to
parking brake cable at cable guides
and at all operating links and
levers.
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
51
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) .
Ifa seal is replaced or
the gear is overhauled, the gear
housing should be refilled with
Part No.
105 1052 (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 603 I M, to lubricate the gear.
DO NOT OVER-FILL the gear
housing.
Power Steering System
Check the fluid level in the
pump reservoir at each oil change
period. Add GM Power Steering
Fluid
(or DEXRON Automatic

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Transmission Fluid) as necessary
to bring level into proper range on
filler cap indicator depending
upon fluid temperature .
"HOT" MARK
"COLD" MARK
t-"f. __ -"AOO"
If at operating temperature (ap­
proximately
150 ° F-hot to the
touch), fluid should be between
"HOT" and "COLD" marks. If at
room temperature (approximately
70° F), fluid should be between
"ADD" and "COLD" marks . Fluid
does not require periodic changing.
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
pivot points in release mecha­
nism,
as well as primary and
secondary 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
52
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 Condi­
tioning
System, the system will not
operate below ambient tempera­
tures of
30°F. regardless of con­
trol position.
Cooling System Care
Checking the coolant level at
each engine oil change. Level
should be
3" below bottom of filler
neck when cold.
Engine Cooling System
The standard and recovery type
cooling systems are designed
to
maintain the engine at proper op­
erating temperatures. The recovery
•

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine type cooling system is used on all
1973 Camaro air conditioned and
heavy duty cooling systems. It has
been filled at the factory with a
high-quality, inhibited, year-around
coolant that meets the standards
of General Motors Specification
1899-M. This coolant solution pro­
vides freezing protection to
-20 0 F
(-32°F in Canada), and it has
been formulated to be used for
two full calendar years
or 24,000
miles, whichever first occurs, of
normal operation without draining,
provided the proper concentration
of coolant
is maintained.
• For Recovery Systems Only­
Check the coolant level visually
at the see-through coolant reser­
voir at each oil change interval
while the engine
is at normal
operating temperature. Do not
remove radiator cap except for
draining and refilling the system.
Coolant level should be at the
"Full Hot" mark on the reservoir.
If system is checked cold, the
coolant level should be at the
"Full Cold" mark on the reser­
voir.
• For Other Than Recovery Sys­
tems-Check the coolant level
only at oil change intervals, un­
less there
is evidence of leaking
or overheating. Do not remove
radiator cap when solution
is
hot and under pressure. Coolant
level should be a maximum of
three inches below the level of
the filler neck when the engine
is cold.
• All Systems-Add a 50/50 mix­
ture of high-quality ethylene
glycol antifreeze and water if
coolant additions are necessary.
Do not overfill.
NOTE: If recommended quality
antifreeze
is used, supplemental
inhibitors or additives claiming to
53
provide increased cooling capabil­
ity are not necessary. They may be
detrimental to the efficient opera­
tion of the system, and represent
an unnecessary operating expense.
Every year, the cooling system
should be serviced
as follows:
1. Wash radiator cap and filler
neck with clean water.
2. Check coolant for proper level
and freeze protection.
3. Pressure test system and radia­
tor cap for proper pressure hold­
ing capacity (15 psi).
If re­
placement
of cap is required,
use the proper AC cap specified
for your car model.
4. Tighten hose clamps and inspect
all hoses. Replace hoses when­
ever checked, swollen
or other­
wise deteriorated.
5. Clean frontal area of radiator
core and air conditioning con­
denser.