Black plate (55,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Driving and Operating 8-55
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Use the correct hitch equipment.
See your dealer or a hitch dealer for
assistance.
.The rear bumper on the vehicle
is not intended for hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or
other bumper-type hitches to it.
Use only a frame-mounted hitch
that does not attach to the
bumper.
.Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If there
are, seal the holes when the
hitch is removed. If the holes
are not sealed, dirt, water, and
deadly carbon monoxide (CO)
from the exhaust can get into the
vehicle. SeeEngine Exhaust
on
page 8‑25.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer to help prevent the
tongue from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Leave enough slack so the rig can
turn. Never allow safety chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does the trailer have its own
brakes? Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly.
Because the vehicle has antilock
brakes, do not tap into the vehicle's
brake system. If this is done, both
brake systems will not work well,
or at all.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice: Do not add anything
electrical to the vehicle unless
you check with your dealer first.
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle and the
damage would not be covered
by the vehicle's warranty. Some
add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from
working as they should.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle battery, even if the vehicle is
not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
on page 2‑34and Adding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 2‑34.
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 9-13
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14 Manual Transmission
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . 9-15
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . 9-25
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . 9-31
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . 9-32
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps (Base
Vehicle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
(Up-Level Vehicle) . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
9-4 Vehicle Care
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories
to the vehicle can affect vehicle
performance and safety, including
such things as airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling,
emissions systems, aerodynamics,
durability, and electronic systems
like antilock brakes, traction control,
and stability control. Some of these
accessories could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from the installation or use
of non‐GM certified parts, including
control module modifications, is notcovered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. Your GM
dealer can accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories.
When you go to your GM dealer
and ask for GM Accessories, you
will know that GM-trained and
supported service technicians will
perform the work using genuine GM
Accessories.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on
page 2‑34.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{WARNING
You can be injured and the
vehicle could be damaged if you
try to do service work on a vehicle
without knowing enough about it.
.Be sure you have sufficient
knowledge, experience,
the proper replacement
parts, and tools before
attempting any vehicle
maintenance task.
.Be sure to use the proper
nuts, bolts, and other
fasteners. English and metric
fasteners can be easily
confused. If the wrong
fasteners are used, parts
can later break or fall off.
You could be hurt.
Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-7
A. Underhood Electrical Center.See Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 9‑42.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Bottle and Cap. See Engine Coolant
on page 9‑18.
C. Engine Cover on page 9‑9.
D. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
on
page 9‑17.
E. Radiator Fill Cap (Out of View). See Engine Coolant
on
page 9‑18.
F. Power Steering Reservoir and Cap (Out of View). See Power
Steering Fluid on page 9‑25.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 9‑10. H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of
View). See Engine Oil
on
page 9‑10.
I. Brake Master Cylinder and Hydraulic Clutch (if equipped
with manual transmission)
Reservoir. See Brakes
on
page 9‑27or Hydraulic Clutchon page 9‑15.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Battery on page 9‑29.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
on
page 9‑15.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on
page 9‑26.
Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-9
A. Underhood Electrical Center.See Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 9‑42.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Bottle and Cap. See Engine Coolant
on page 9‑18.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 9‑10.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Out of View). See Engine Oil
on
page 9‑10.
E. Engine Cover on page 9‑9.
F. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
on
page 9‑17.
G. Power Steering Reservoir and Cap (Under Engine Cover).
See Power Steering Fluid
on
page 9‑25. H. Brake Master Cylinder and
Hydraulic Clutch (if equipped
with manual transmission)
Reservoir. See Brakes
on
page 9‑27or Hydraulic Clutchon page 9‑15.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Battery on page 9‑29.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
on
page 9‑15.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on
page 9‑26.
L. Radiator Fill Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 9‑18.
Engine Cover
3.6 L V6 Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the engine oil fill cap (B).
2. Lift the engine cover (A) to disengage one front attachment
point.
3. Pull engine cover forward to disengage from two rear tabs.
4. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall engine cover.
Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-15
Hydraulic Clutch
It is not necessary to regularly
check brake/clutch fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the
system. Adding fluid will not correct
a leak. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What
to Use
The brake/hydraulic clutch fluid
reservoir cap has this symbol on it.
The common hydraulic clutch and
brake master cylinder fluid reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid as
indicated on the reservoir cap. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on
page 9‑6for reservoir location.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the brake/clutch fluid
reservoir to make sure the fluid level
is at the MIN (minimum) line on the
side of the reservoir. The brake/
hydraulic clutch fluid system should
be closed and sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check
the fluid level or to top‐off the fluid
level. Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper fluid
until the level reaches the MIN line.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overviewon page 9‑6for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the
Maintenance IIintervals and replace
it at the first oil change after each
50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. See
“Schedule Maintenance” in
Service and Maintenance for more
information. If driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter,
remove the filter from the vehicle
and lightly shake the filter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the filter
remains caked with dirt, a new filter
is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Open the hood. See Hood
on
page 9‑5.
2. Locate the air filter housing on the front of the driver side
of the engine compartment.
See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 9‑6.
Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-27
Brakes
This vehicle has disc 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 can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair. Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications in
Capacities and
Specifications on page 11‑2.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
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
that brake service might be
required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a 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. The vehicle was designed
and tested with top-quality brake
parts. When parts of the braking
system are replaced, be sure to get
new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
installing disc brake pads that are
wrong for the vehicle, can change
the balance between the front and
rear brakes —for the worse. The
braking performance expected can
change in many other ways if the
wrong replacement brake parts are
installed.
Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
9-28 Vehicle Care
Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch master cylinder
reservoir is filled with DOT 3 brake
fluid as indicated on the reservoir
cap. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview
on page 9‑6for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why
the fluid level in the reservoir might
go down:
.The fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake/clutch
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the brake/
clutch hydraulic system fixed,
since a leak means that sooner
or later the brakes and/or clutch
will not work well.
Do not top off the brake/clutch fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings
are worn, there will be too much
fluid when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake/clutch hydraulic
system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work
is done on the brake/clutch
hydraulic system. When the brake/clutch fluid falls to
a low level, the brake warning light
comes on. See
Brake System
Warning Light on page 4‑23.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake
fluid from a sealed container.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10‑8.
Always clean the brake/clutch
fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it.
This helps keep dirt from entering
the reservoir.
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake/clutch hydraulic system,
the brakes might not work well.
This could cause a crash. Always
use the proper brake/clutch fluid.