1996 CHEVROLET CAMARO coolant level

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Coolant Light (VI3 Engine)
This warning light should
come on while you are
starting
your engine. If the
light doesn’t come on, have
it repaired.
Your Camaro
is equipped with a LOW COOLANT
indicator that is designed to detect when the coolant
level
drops below the set limit. If the low coolant level
sensor (on
the radiator) detects that the level drops while
the engine is running, the
LOW COOLANT indicator
will light and remain lit until the ignition switch is
turned to the
OFF position. Check the coolant level
and add coolant as needed. The
LOW COOLANT
light might stay on after filling
the radiator. Turn the ignition switch to the
OFF
position, then restart the engine to verify that the LOW
COOLANT light goes out. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index.
1 NOTICE:
Driving with the LOW COOLANT light on could
cause your Chevrolet to overheat. See “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
Your Chevrolet could
be damaged, and it wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The air conditioner compressor operates in MAX, A/C,
BI-LEVEL, BLEND and DEFROST when the outside
temperature is above freezing. When the air conditioner
is
on, you may sometimes notice slight changes in your
vehicle’s engine speed and power. This is normal,
because the compressor uses power and the system is
designed to cycle the compressor on and off to keep the
desired cooling and help fuel economy.
Cooling
The air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On
very hot days, open the windows
just long enough for the hot air to escape.
1. Turn the air control knob to A/C for normal cooling.
For faster cooling, move the knob
to MAX.
comfortable setting.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it.
1. Turn the air control knob to HEATER.
2. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
3. Turn the temperature control knob to a
comfortable setting.
If your vehicle is equipped with an optional engine coolant
heater, you can use it in cold weather (around 20°F/-8”C
or lower) to improve heater performance on initial
start up.
Because an engine coolant heater warms the engine
coolant, your vehicles heating system can more quickly
and efficiently provide heat for your vehicle’s passenger
area. See “Engine Coolant Heater”
in the Index.
Bi-Level Heating
You may want to use bi-level heating on cool, but sunny
days. This setting directs
cool air toward your body and
warmer air toward your feet.
1. Turn the air control knob to BI-LEVEL.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
3-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When it is cool, remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and look at the dipstick.
The coolant level should
be FULL COLD. If it isn’t, you
may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator,
water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and
you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
NOTICE:
~~~
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine
fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be running.
If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at
FULL COLD, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL ’ (orange-colored, silicate-free) antifreeze at the coolant
1 recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index
~ for more information.)
i
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant
mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system
is set for the proper coolant mix. With
CAUTION: (Continued)
- - -
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and DEX-COOL
TM antifreeze.
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mix.
5-18
t

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 6.
7.
Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan.
By this time the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower. If the level
is lower, add
more of the proper
mix through the filler neck until
the level reaches the base of the filler neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to
flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrows on the pressure cap line up like this.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and
it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
3. After the engine cools, open the air bleed valves on
the heater return hose and water pump inlet.
4. Fill with the proper mix. Add coolant until you see a
5. Close the bleed valves.
6. Continue to fill the radiator up to the base of the
7. Rinse or wipe the spilled coolant from the engine
and compartment.
8. Start the engine and allow it to run in idle for
approximately four minutes.
By this time, the
coolant level inside the radiator will be lower. Add
more
of the proper mix through the filler neck until
the level reaches the base of the filler neck.
steady stream
of coolant coming
from the bleed valves.
filler neck.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 9. Shut the engine off and replace the pressure cap.
Be sure the arrows on the cap line up like this. 10. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the
proper level.
For a complete drain,
flush and refill, see your Chevrolet
dealer or a Chevrolet Service Manual.
To purchase a
service manual, see “Service and Owner Publications”
in the Index.
5-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Use
Standard Differential
Use Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 1052271) or
SAE 80W-90 GL-5 gear lubricant.
Limited-Slip Differential
To add lubricant when the level is low, use Axle
Lubricant (GM
Part No. 12345977). To completely refill
after draining, add 2 ounces (59
ml) of Limited-Slip
Differential Lubricant Additive (GM
Part No. 1052358).
Then fill to the bottom
of the filler plug hole with Axle
Lubricant (GM Part
No. 12345977).
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating
or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Chevrolet will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (1 29°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core
or radiator
corrosion may result.
In addition, the engine
coolant
will require change sooner -- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
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