1974 CHEVROLET CAMARO maintenance

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1974 CHEVROLET
C""ROm ~
CAMARO
OWNER'S MANUAL
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 1974 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 1974 CAMARO
OWNER'S
MANUAL
This manual should be considered a permanent part of the vehicle,
and must remain with the vehicle
at time of resale.
CHEVROLET MOTOR
DIVISION
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION DETROIT. MICHIGAN 48202
All information. illustrations 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 Limited, wherever the name
Chevrolet Motor Division appears in this manual.
ST 309-74
©GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION 1974
Table of Contents
Section
Reprinted with Permission of
General Motors Corporation
1 Before Driving Your Camaro ................................ .
Page
3
2 Starting and Operating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13
Steering Column Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14
Starting Engine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15
Floor Controls.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 21
Instrument Panel ......................................... , 23
Other Controls and Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 35
3 I n Case of Emergency.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 36
4 Appearance Care ............................................. 41
5 Service and Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 46
6 Minor Trouble Shooting. . .. . . . . . . . . .. .. . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . .. .. .. 66
7 Specifications. Owner Assistance. Service Manuals. Index. Gas
Station Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 70
Applicable to CALIFORNIA Sales Only This vehicle as delivered by GM Chevrolet Division is equipped with a bumper energy
absorption system meeting California S.B.42 (1971) as set forth in Sec. 34715 Vehicle Code.
1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine erly when riding. However, if
unusual conditions prohibit use
of restraints
and require that a
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 on trailer hauling capabili­
ties, special equipment required,
and optional equipment offered by child
must stand,
he should
stand
on the floor directly be­
hind the front seat. This will
Chevrolet
is available from your
Chevrolet Dealer
or by writing:
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
affixed to the left front door. The
11
help minimize the possibility of
injury from frontal impacts in
the event of an accident.
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.
• See index for important informa­
tion on belts, cooling system care
and automatic brake adjustment.

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
itself is colorless and odorless. Carbon
monoxide is
a dangerous gas that can
cause unconsciousness and is potentially
lethal.
" at any time you suspect that exhaust fumes are entering the passenger com­
partment, have the cause determined and
corrected as soon as
possible. If you
must drive under these conditions, drive
only with aU 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 aI/ow proper operation of the car's
ventilation system, keep front ventilation
inlet
grille clear of snow, leaves or other
obstruction at al/ 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:
13
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 condition-• ing, set fan 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 for long
durations with the trunk
lid open. How­ever, if for some reason the trunk must
remain open for
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
following 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 fan set
at high speed.
• On cars equipped with outside air vents
in or under instrument panel, open
vents fully.

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 light comes on
during extreme driving condi­
tions, such as an extended idle, turn
off the air conditioner (if used) and
run the engine slightly faster than
idle speed with the transmission in
neutral gear.
If the light does not
go off within a short period of time
(1-2 minutes), then turn the engine
off until the cause of the overheat­
ing
is corrected. Glance at the 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
system will provide some braking
action in the event of a hydraulic
leak in the other half of the sys­
tem .
If the warning light labeled
"BRAKE, " located at lower left of
instrument cluster (speedometer
face), glows continuously when the
ignition
is on and after the brakes
have been firmly applied it may in-
25
dicate that there is a malfunction
in one half of the brake hydraulic
system .
On cars equipped with
front drum brakes, the light 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
reminder to release parking
brake).
• The light should glow during
engine starting to verify that the
bulb
is operating properly.
• 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.

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 unleaded
or low lead fuels
of at least
91 Research Octane.
These fuels will minimize spark
plug fouling and emission control 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
system
deterioration. Fuels with
Regular grade octane quality
should be used only when needed
to eliminate
knock-a metallic rap­
ping noise generated during the
combustion process. The engine
does not require
Premium fuel.
Therefore, its use would be an un­
necessary additional expense.
If
knocking persists, consult your
46
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.
authorized Chevrolet dealer.
In
any case, continuous or excessive
knocking may result in engine
damage and constitutes misuse of
the engine for which Chevrolet
Motor Division
is not responsible
under the terms of the New Vehicle
Warranty.
If the service station gas pump
has a symbol similar to the samples

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Warranty
Tires are warranted by the tire
manufacturers as covered in the
New Vehicle Warranty and
Policy
on Owner Service folder furnished
with your vehicle. However, for
the added convenience of owners,
many Chevrolet dealers are
equipped to handle tire warranty
adjustments
on certain makes of
tires provided
on 1974 Chevrolet
cars.
Tire Traction
A decrease in driving, corner­
ing, and braking traction occurs
when water, snow, ice, gravel,
or
other material is on the road sur­
face. Driving practices and
car
speed should be adjusted to the
road conditions.
When driving
on wet or slushy
roads, it is possible for a wedge of
water to build up between the tire and
road surface. This phenom­
enon, known
as hydroplaning,
may cause partial
or complete loss
of traction, which adversely affects
vehicle control and stopping abil­
ity.
To reduce the possiblity of
traction loss, the following precau­
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or
when roads are slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing
water
or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear
indicators are visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
For temporary assistance when
traction
is lost on ice or snow, the
use of
AC Liquid Tire Chain is
recommended.
REMINDER: Cars equipped with
front disc brakes have a built-in
61
wear indicator that is designed to
make a high frequency, squealing
or cricket-like warning sound when
the linings are worn to where re­
placement
is required. The sound
will occur intermittently
or con­
tinuously when wheels are rolling,
but will disappear when the brake
pedal
is applied firmly. See also the
various brake checks listed in the
Chevrolet maintenance schedule
folder.
Space Saver Spare Tire
The Space Saver Spare tire is
designed for emergency purposes
only. Continuous use
or operation
at speeds in excess of
50 mph is not
recommended. The Space Saver
Spare tire warranty
is void if any
inflation device containing sealants
is used. Approved inflation gases
are air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen,
and Freon 22.