
Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
8-10 Driving and Operating
.Top of hills: Be alert—
something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C
(32°F) when freezing rain begins to
fall, resulting in even less traction.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in
freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction. Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
The
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 8‑31improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on
slippery roads, but apply the brakes
sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain
icy when the surrounding roads
are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped,
on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use the Roadside
Assistance Program
on page 12‑6.
To get help and keep everyone in
the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
Carbon Monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
(Continued) 

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Driving and Operating 8-29
Manual Mode
Tap Shift
Back of steering wheel
Tap Shift allows the driver to
manually control the automatic
transmission. To use Tap Shift, the
shift lever must be in M (Manual
Mode). Vehicles with this feature
have indicators on the steering
wheel. The controls are on the
back of the steering wheel. Tap the
left control to downshift, and the
right control to upshift. A Driver Information Center (DIC) message
indicates the gear the vehicle is in.
See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 4‑28.
While using the Tap Shift feature,
the vehicle will have firmer, quicker
shifting for increased performance.
You can use this for sport driving or
when climbing or descending hills,
to stay in gear longer, or to down
shift for more power or engine
braking. The transmission will
only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed
and engine Revolutions Per Minute
(RPM). The transmission will not
automatically shift to the next higher
gear if the engine RPM is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any
reason, the message Shift Denied
will appear in the DIC, indicating
that the transmission has not
shifted gears. While in the Tap Shift
mode, the transmission will not
automatically downshift on hard
acceleration. When coasting to a stop, the
V6 transmission will automatically
downshift to 1 (First) gear, and the
V8 transmission will automatically
downshift to 2 (Second) gear.
A 1 (First) gear start can be selected
using the Tap Shift controls on
V8 models When accelerating from
a stop the transmissions will hold
these gears until the driver manually
selects higher gears using the Tap
Shift controls.
When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
you may want to shift into second
gear. A higher gear ratio allows you
to gain more traction on slippery
surfaces. 

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
8-34 Driving and Operating
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin.
The system utilizes engine and
braking controls to control wheel
spin during acceleration at all
driving speeds for maximum driver
control regardless of conditions.
When the system senses impending
wheel slip during acceleration, it
signals the throttle control to reduce
drive wheel torque. Under extreme
situations, such as going from
pavement to ice during acceleration,
the system will selectively apply
the brakes to maintain control.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working, but this is
normal.The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light
flashes when the traction control
system is limiting wheel spin.
The StabiliTrak/TCS warning light
comes on solid if there is a problem
with the traction control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak
®Lighton page 4‑25for
more information. If the light stays
on, see your dealer for service.
When the TCS/StabiliTrak warning
light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
TCS automatically comes on
whenever the vehicle is started.
To limit wheel spin, especially in
slippery road conditions, the system should always be left on, but it may
be necessary to turn the system off
if the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud
or snow and rocking the vehicle is
required. Also, turn TCS off while
in deep snow or on loose gravel,
to assist vehicle motion at lower
speeds. See
If the Vehicle is Stuck
on page 8‑12for more information.
See also Winter Drivingon
page 8‑10for information on using
TCS when driving in snowy or icy
conditions.
To turn the system off, press and
release the StabiliTrak/TCS button
located on the console in front of the
shift lever. 

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Driving and Operating 8-35
Press and release the StabiliTrak/
TCS button and the traction control
system turns off and the TCS
warning light comes on. Press and
release the button again to turn the
system back on. For information on
turning StabiliTrak off and on, see
StabiliTrak System following.
StabiliTrak System
The vehicle has an electronic
stability control system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer controlled system that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a discrepancy
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any
one of the vehicle's brakes to help
steer the vehicle in the direction
which you are steering.
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control will automatically disengage.
Press the cruise control button to
reengage when road conditions
allow. SeeCruise Control
on
page 8‑39for more information.
The StabiliTrak/TCS button is
located in front of the shift lever.
When the system activates, the
StabiliTrak/Traction Control System
(TCS) warning light flashes on the
instrument panel cluster. You may
also hear a noise or feel vibration
in the brake pedal. This is normal.
Continue to steer the vehicle in the
intended direction. 

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
8-36 Driving and Operating
If there is a problem detected with
StabiliTrak, a Service StabiliTrak
message displays on the DIC and
the StabiliTrak/TCS warning light on
the instrument panel cluster comes
on. When this message and warning
light displays, the system is not
operational. Driving should be
adjusted accordingly. SeeRide
Control System Messages
on
page 4‑35and Traction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak®Lighton
page 4‑25for more information.
StabiliTrak comes on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started.
The system should be left on to help
assist with directional control of the
vehicle. If StabiliTrak needs to be
turned off, press and hold the
StabiliTrak/TCS button until the
Traction Control Off light and the StabiliTrak Off light come on the
instrument panel cluster. If the
system has been turned off, press
and release the StabiliTrak/TCS
button to turn the system back on.
Engine Drag Control (EDC)
EDC improves vehicle stability by
sensing if there is difference in
speed between the free rolling front
wheels and the rear drive wheels
that often occurs when the driver
takes their foot off the accelerator
pedal on slippery surfaces (snow,
ice, etc.). When this is detected,
EDC sends more torque to the rear
wheels to make sure all four wheels
are spinning at similar speeds,
making the vehicle more stable. 

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Driving and Operating 8-37
Competitive Driving Mode
Competitive Driving Mode and
Launch Control are systems
designed to allow increased
performance while accelerating
and/or cornering. This is
accomplished by regulating and
optimizing engine and brake
performance. These modes are
for use at a closed course race
track and are not intended for
use on public roads. They will
not compensate for a driver’s
inexperience or lack of familiarity
with the race track. Drivers who
prefer to allow the system to have
more control of the engine and
brake systems are advised to turn
StabiliTrak on. See Competitive
Driving
on page 8‑7for more
information. Notice:
Do not attempt to shift
when the drive wheels are
spinning and do not have
traction. This may cause damage
to the transmission. Damage
caused by misuse of the vehicle
is not covered by the vehicle
warranty. See the warranty book
for additional information.
Competitive Driving Mode
In Competitive Driving Mode, the
StabiliTrak System helps maintain
directional control of the vehicle
by selective brake application
and controlling engine torque.
The Traction Control System (TCS)
helps control wheel spin and
Launch Control is available. Adjust
your driving style to account for the
available engine power. See Launch
Control later in this section.
This light is on when the vehicle is
in the Competitive Driving Mode.
On vehicles with a V8 engine, this
optional handling mode can be
selected by pressing the StabiliTrak/
TCS button on the console quickly
two times. “StabiliTrak Competitive
Mode” displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See Ride
Control System Messages
on
page 4‑35.
When the StabiliTrak button is
pressed again, or the vehicle is
restarted, the StabiliTrak and TCS
systems are on. 

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
8-38 Driving and Operating
Launch Control (V8 with
Manual Transmission
Models Only)
A Launch Control feature is
available, within Competitive
Driving Mode on vehicles with a
manual transmission to allow the
driver to achieve high levels of
vehicle acceleration in a straight
line. Launch Control is a form of
traction control that manages tire
spin while launching the vehicle.
This feature is intended for use
during closed course race events
where consistent zero to sixty
and quarter mile times are
desirable.Launch Control is only available
when the following criteria are met:
1. Competitive Driving Mode is
selected.
2. The vehicle is not moving.
3. The steering wheel is pointing straight.
4. The clutch is pressed and the vehicle is in first gear.
5. The accelerator pedal is rapidly applied to wide open throttle.
The Launch Control feature will
initially limit engine speed as the
driver rapidly applies the accelerator
pedal to wide open throttle.
A smooth, quick release of the
clutch, while maintaining the fully
pressed accelerator pedal, will
manage wheel slip. Complete
shifts as described in Manual
Transmission on page 8‑30. After the vehicle is launched,
the system continues in
Competitive Mode.
Competitive Driving Mode and
Launch Control are systems
designed for a closed course race
track and not intended for use on
public roads. The systems are not
intended to compensate for lack of
driver experience or familiarity with
the race track.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Vehicles with a limited-slip rear
axle can give more traction on
snow, mud, ice, sand, or gravel.
When traction is low, this feature
allows the drive wheel with the
most traction to move the vehicle.
The limited-slip rear axle also gives
the driver enhanced control when
cornering hard or completing a
maneuver, such as a lane change. 

Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Driving and Operating 8-39
Cruise Control
With cruise control, the vehicle can
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.Setting Cruise Control
The cruise control buttons are
located on the outboard side of the
steering wheel.
5(On/Off):
Turns the system on
or off. The indicator light is on when
cruise control is on and turns off
when cruise control is off.
\(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory. RES/+ (Resume/Accel):
Move the
thumbwheel up to make the vehicle
resume to a previously set speed,
or to accelerate to a higher speed.
SET/− (Set/Coast): Move the
thumbwheel down to set a speed or
to decrease the speed.
Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise control switch off when cruise
is not being used.
1. Press
5to turn cruise
control on.
2. Get to the speed desired.
3. Press the thumbwheel toward SET/− and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the
cruise control shuts off.