1997 CHEVROLET CAMARO Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first
is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid
is
leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should have your
brake system fixed, since
a leak means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when
you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work
is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
A CA, TION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work
is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
In~pections’~ in the Index.
6-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid level
should be above the plastic seam in the reservoir.
If it
isn’t, have your brake system checked to see if there is
a leak.
After work
is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure
the level is above the plastic seam, near the base of
the filler neck.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 1 1 @ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well,
or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
1
6-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
0
0
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind
of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Unless you have the four-wheel disc brake option, your
Chevrolet has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads
are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard
all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing
on the brake pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
6-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied
or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
See “Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection” in
Section
7 of this manual under Part C “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections.”
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected. Also, the
rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each
time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When
you have the front brakes replaced, have the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7 of this
manual under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign
of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate or
heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly.
If you drive in that way, then
-- very carefully -- make
a few moderate brake stops about every
1,000 miles
(1 600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
6-38

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle
is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality GM brake
parts in them, as your Chevrolet does when
it is new.
When you replace parts of your braking system
-- for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
have to have new ones put in
-- be sure you get new
genuine GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your
brakes may no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you’ve come to expect can change
in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new Chevrolet has a Delco Freedom@ battery.
You never have to add water to one
of these. When it’s
time for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take off the black, negative
(-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index.
6-39

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulb, see
“Replacement Bulbs”
in the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has the 55 x 135 mini-quad headlamp
system. These headlamps have horizontal and vertical
aim indicators. The aim has been pre-set at the factory
and should need
no further adjustment.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident and the
headlamp aim seems to be affected, see your
Chevrolet dealer. Headlamps on damaged vehicles may
require recalibration of the horizontal aim by your
Chevrolet dealer.
To check the aim, the vehicle should be properly
prepared as follows:
0
0
0
0
0
The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
attached to it.
There should not be any cargo or loading of the
vehicle, except it should have a full tank
of gas and
one person or
160 lbs. (75 kg) on the driver’s seat.
Tires should be properly inflated.
The horizontal indicator should read
“0.”
6-40

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I NOTICE:
To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions before
beginning. Failure to follow these instructions
could cause damage
to headlamp parts.
State inspection stations will allow a vertical reading of
plus 0.76 degrees or minus 0.76 degrees from the center
of the bubble.
It
is recommended that the upper limit not exceed plus
0.4 degrees from the center of the bubble. Other drivers
may flash their high beams at
you if your adjustment is
much above plus
0.4 degrees.
If you find that the headlamp aiming needs adjustment,
follow these steps:
To adjust the aim of your headlamps:
1. Move your vehicle to a level surface. Use a spirit level
to be sure. Be sure to remove any items that
are not
part of your original equipment from the trunk and
passenger areas. No one should be seated in the vehicle
and
your fuel tank should be about half full. Check to
be sure your tires are at the correct pressure. There are four
headlamps. Each one has its own
vertical and horizontal aim position indicator. Each
indicator has its own aiming screw.
A. Vertical Indicator
B. Horizontal Indicator
C. Vertical Aiming Screw
D. Horizontal Aiming Screw
6-41

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2.
3.
4.
Start with the horizontal (left and right) headlamp
aim. Don’t try to adjust the vertical (up and down)
aim first.
Check the horizontal aim for each headlamp and
adjust it
as necessary.
Turn the horizontal aiming screw until the pointer is
lined
up with the 0 (zero).
5. Now adjust the vertical aim. Check the vertical aim
6. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the bubble in the
for each
headlamp and adjust it as necessary.
level is centered at
0 (zero).
7. If the gage readings are not centered, repeat Steps 2
and 3.
Try not to touch threaded parts other than the vertical
and horizontal aiming screws.
6-42