1973 CHEVROLET CAMARO maintenance

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,
IMPORTANT OPERATING, SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

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 properly when riding. However,
if unusual conditions prohibit
use of restraints and require
Trailer Hauling
Since passenger cars are designed
and intended to be used primarily
as passenger conveyances, towing
a trailer will affect handling, dura­
bility and economy. Maximum
safety and satisfaction depends
upon proper use of correct equip­
ment and· avoiding overloads and
other abusive operation.
The maximum loaded trailer
weight which you can pull with your
Camaro depends on what special
equipment has been installed on
your car. Chevrolet does not rec­
ommend towing any trailer unless
the car
is properly equipped. Infor­
mation
ori trailer hauling capabili­
ties, special equipment required,
and optional equipment offered
by
Chevrolet is available from your that
a child must stand,
he
should stand on the floor direct­
ly behind the front seat. This will
Chevrolet Dealer or by wntmg:
Chevrolet Motor Division, Detroit,
Michigan 48202
(or in Canada
by writing to General Motors of
Canada Limited,
Owner Relations
Department,
Oshawa, Ontario).
To assist
in attaining good han­
dling of the car-trailer combina­
tion, it
is important that the trailer
tongue load be maintained at ap­
proximately 10% of the loaded
trailer weight. Tongue loads can
be
adjusted by proper distribution of
the load in the trailer, and can
be
checked by weighing separately
the loaded trailer and then the
tongue.
When towing trailers, tires should
be inflated to the highest infla­
tion pressures shown on the placard
10
help minimize the possibility of
injury from frontal impacts in
the event of an accident.
affixed to the left front door. The
allowable passenger and cargo
load, also shown on the same plac­
ard,
is reduced by an amount equal
to the trailer tongue load on the
trailer hitch.
Maintenance
More frequent vehicle mainte­
nance
is required when using your
car to pull a trailer. Change the:
• Automatic transmission fluid
each
12,000 miles,
• Rear axle fluid each 12,000
miles,
• Engine oil each 60 days or 3,000
miles, whichever occurs first,
• Positive crankcase ventilation
valve each 12 months or
12,000
miles, whichever occurs first.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine STARTING AND OPERATING
Engine Exhaust Gas Caution (Carbon Monoxide)
Avoid inhaling exhaust gases because
they contain carbon monoxide, which by
itsel# is colorless and odorless. Carbon
monoxide
Is a dangerous gas that can
cause unconsciousness and is potentially
lethal.
1# at any time you suspect that exhaust
fumes
are entering the passenger com­
partment, have the cause determined and
corrected
as soon as possible. 1# you
must drive under these conditions, drive
only with
all windows fully open.
The best protection against carbon
monoxide entry Into the
car body Is a
properly maintained engine exhaust sys­
tem, car body and body ventilation system.
It is recommended that the exhaust sys­
tem and body Is Inspected by a competent
mechanic:
• Each time the vehicle Is raised for 011
change.
• Whenever a change Is noticed In the
sound
of the exhaust system.
• Whenever the exhaust system, under­
body or rear of the vehicle Is damaged.
See your Maintenance Schedule folder
for Inspection procedure.
To allow proper operation of the car's
ventilation system, keep front ventilation
Inlet grille clear
of snow, leaves or other
obstruction
at all times.
SITTING
IN A PARKED CAR WITH
ENGINE RUNNING FOR AN EXTENDED
PERIOD IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
Do not run engine In confined areas such as garages any more than needed
to move vehicle in or out of area. When
vehicle Is stopped In an UNCONFINED
area with the engine running for any more
than
a short period, adjust heating or cooling system to force outside air Into
car as follows:
12
1. On cars not equipped with air condi­
tioning, set fan to medium or high
speed and upper control lever to any
position except OFF.
2. On cars equipped with air condition­Ing, set tan to medium or high speed
and upper control lever
to any position except OFF or MAX.
The trunk lid should be closed while
driving
to help prevent inadvertently
drawing exhaust gases into the
car. It Is
unwise to drive at high speeds tor long
durations with the trunk
lid open. How­
ever, if for some reason the trunk must
remain open
tor a period while moving,
or electrical wiring or other cable con­
nections to a trailer must pass through
the seal between trunk
lid and body, the
tollowing precautions should be observed:
• Close all windows.
• Adjust heating or cooling system to
force outside air into car as described
in items 1 and 2 above
but with tan set
at high speed.
• On cars equipped with outside air vents
in or under Instrument panel, open
vents tUlly.

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 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 However, this warranty is void if
any inflator containing sealants
is
used. Approved inflation gases are
air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and
Freon 22.
Underbody Maintenance
The effects of salt and other
corrosive materials used for ice
and snow removal and dust con­
trol can result in accelerated rust­
ing and deterioration of under­
body component s such
as brake
and fuel lines, frame, underbody
floor pan, exhaust system, brac­
kets, parking brake cables. These
corrosive effects, however , can be
reduced
by periodic flushing of the underbody
with plain water. In
geographic areas having a heavy
concentration of such corrosive
materials, it
is recommended that
the complete underbody be in­
spected and flushed at least
once
each year, preferably after a win­
ter's exposure.
Particular attention
should be given to cleaning out
underbody members where dirt
and other foreign materials may
have collected .
If desired, your Chevrolet deal­
er can perform
this service for
you. In addition , he can provide
recommendations on undercoat­
ing materials which will help pro­
tect your vehicle from corrosion.
61
Battery Care (Energizer)
Check fluid level monthly utiliz­
ing the level indicator cap marked
"Delco Eye". If the transparent eye
within the cap glows, fluid level
is
low. Add only colorless, odorless
drinking water or distilled water to
bring level to split ring in filler
opening.