Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
8-26 Driving and Operating
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running. But if you ever have
to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area
that has no fresh air ventilation.
For more information, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 8‑25.
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out
of the vehicle if the automatic
transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when
the engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure
the vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park on page 8‑22.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 8‑49.
Automatic
Transmission
The automatic transmission has a
shift lever located on the console
between the seats.
P (Park): This position locks the
rear wheels. It is the best position
to use when starting the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Driving and Operating 8-27
{WARNING
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when
the engine is running unless
you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park
on
page 8‑22
. If you are pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 8‑49.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. The regular brake must be
fully applied first and then the shift
lever button pressed before shifting
from P (Park) when the ignition key
is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out
of P (Park), ease pressure on the
shift lever, then push the shift lever
all the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then
press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another
gear. See
Shifting Out of Park
on
page 8‑23.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only
after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle is Stuck on page 8‑12. N (Neutral):
In this position, the
engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine when
the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle is
being towed.
{WARNING
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Notice: Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
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 (32,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
8-32 Driving and Operating
If driving safely on a wet road
and it becomes necessary to slam
on the brakes and continue braking
to avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately work
the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decreasestopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake
To apply the parking brake, pull up
on the parking brake handle. It is
not necessary to push in on the
release button while applying the
parking brake. If the ignition is in
the ON/RUN position, the brake
system warning light will come on.
See
Brake System Warning Light
on page 4‑23.
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 (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.