1996 CHEVROLET CAMARO check engine

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Chevrolet. This section begins with service and fuel
information, and then it shows how to check important
fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical
information about your vehicle, and
a part devoted to
its appearance care.
Service
Your Chevrolet dealer knows your vehicle best and
wants you
to be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to
your dealer for all your service needs. You’ll get
genuine
GM parts and GM-trained and supported
service people. Genuine
GM parts
have one of these marks:
1
Delco
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The 8th digit of your vehicle identification number
(VIN) shows the code letter for your engine. You will
find the VIN at the top left of your instrument panel.
(See “Vehicle Identification Number” in the Index.)
If
you don’t have the 5.7L Code P engine, use regular
unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher.
If you have the
5.7L Code P engine, use premium
unleaded gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher for best
performance. You may use middle grade or regular
unleaded gasolines, but your vehicle may not accelerate
as well.
At
a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet
specifications ASTM D4814 in the United States and
CGSB 3.5-M93 in Canada. Improved gasoline
specifications have been developed by the American
Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) for
better vehicle performance and engine protection.
Gasolines meeting the AAMA specification could
provide improved driveability and emission control system protection compared
to other gasolines. Be
sure the posted octane for premium is at least
91
(at least 89 for middle grade and 87 for regular). If the
octane is
less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough,
it can damage
your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at the recommended octane or
higher and you still hear heavy knocking, your engine
needs service. But don’t worry if you hear a little
pinging noise when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal, and you don’t have
to buy a higher
octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant
knock that means
you have a problem.
If your vehicle is certified
to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated
on the underhood tune-up label),
it is designed
to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If such fuels are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle will operate satisfactorily
on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
on
your instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Chevrolet dealer for diagnosis to determine
the cause of failure.
In the event it is determined that the
cause of the condition is the type of fuels used, repairs
may
not be covered by your warranty.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane enhancing
additive called
MMT. If such fuels are used, your
emission control system performance may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp
on your instrument
panel may also turn
on. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Chevrolet dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system, allowing your
emission control system
to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have
to add anything to the fuel. In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be
available in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts
in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that
does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write
us at the following address for
advice. Just tell
us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
North American Export Sales
(NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside
of Your Chevrolet” in the Index.
When you
put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off
or improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not
fit and your fuel tank
and emissions system might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
I A CAUTIC 1: I
-
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start
a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto
a hot engine.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on. Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
Engine Oil
LOW
OIL
If the LOW OIL light on the
instrument panel comes on,
it means you need to check
your engine oil level right
away. For more information,
see “Low Oil Light” in the
Index.
You should check
your engine oil level
regularly; this is an
added reminder.
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the back
of the engine.
It’s
a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
3800 L36 (Code K) Oil Dipstick
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5.7L LT1 (Code P) Oil Dipstick
Turn
off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
I
3800 L36 (Code K)
I ~~~ I
5.7L LT1 (Code P)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. Open the air cleaner and remove the filter.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level
is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
regularly
reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Chevrolet dealership
Service Department.
If
you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or
you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
e While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Checking Transmission Fluid Hot
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), drive the
vehicle in
DRIVE (D) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the engine off and is used
only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for five
minutes if outside temperatures are
50°F (10°C) or
more.
If it's colder than 50°F (IOOC), you may have
to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be
low
during a cold check, you must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a more accurate
reading
of the fluid level.
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