Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
9-2 Vehicle Care
Electrical System
Electrical SystemOverload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . 9-50
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56 Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-65
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-67
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-67
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-69
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . 9-69
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-71 If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . 9-71
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-73
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-79
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-79
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . 9-85
Jump Starting
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-86
Towing
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-90
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-90
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-90
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-95
Black plate (50,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
9-50 Vehicle Care
If you choose to use winter tires:
.Use tires of the same brand and
tread type on all four wheel
positions.
.Use only radial ply tires of the
same size, load range, and
speed rating as the original
equipment tires.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as your original equipment
tires may not be available for H, V,
W, Y, and ZR speed rated tires.
If you choose winter tires with a
lower speed rating, never exceed
the tire's maximum speed capability.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a
tire is molded into its sidewall.
The examples below show a
typical passenger vehicle tire
and a compact spare tire
sidewall.
Passenger (P‐Metric) Tire Example
(A) Tire Size:The tire size is
a combination of letters and
numbers used to define a
particular tire's width, height, aspect ratio, construction type,
and service description. See the
“Tire Size”
illustration later in this
section for more detail.
(B) TPC Spec (Tire
Performance Criteria
Specification)
:Original
equipment tires designed to
GM's specific tire performance
criteria have a TPC specification
code molded onto the sidewall.
GM's TPC specifications meet
or exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
(C) DOT (Department of
Transportation)
:The
Department of Transportation
(DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance
with the U.S. Department of
Transportation Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards.
Black plate (51,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-51
(D) Tire Identification Number
(TIN)
:The letters and numbers
following the DOT (Department
of Transportation) code is the
Tire Identification Number
(TIN). The TIN shows the
manufacturer and plant code,
tire size, and date the tire was
manufactured. The TIN is
molded onto both sides of the
tire, although only one side may
have the date of manufacture.
(E) Tire Ply Material
:The type
of cord and number of plies in
the sidewall and under the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality
Grading (UTQG)
:Tire
manufacturers are required
to grade tires based on three
performance factors: treadwear,
traction, and temperature
resistance. For more information
see Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
on page 9‑67. (G) Maximum Cold Inflation
Load Limit
:Maximum load
that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed
to support that load.
Compact Spare Tire Example
(A) Tire Ply Material:The type
of cord and number of plies in
the sidewall and under the tread. (B) Temporary Use Only
:
The compact spare tire or
temporary use tire has a tread
life of approximately 5 000 km
(3,000 miles) and should not be
driven at speeds over 105 km/h
(65 mph). The compact spare
tire is for emergency use when
a regular road tire has lost air
and gone flat. If your vehicle
has a compact spare tire,
see
Compact Spare Tire
on
page 9‑85
and If a Tire Goes
Flat
on page 9‑71.
(C) Tire Identification Number
(TIN)
:The letters and numbers
following the DOT (Department
of Transportation) code is the
Tire Identification Number
(TIN). The TIN shows the
manufacturer and plant code,
tire size, and date the tire was
manufactured. The TIN is
molded onto both sides of the
tire, although only one side may
have the date of manufacture.
Black plate (52,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
9-52 Vehicle Care
(D) Maximum Cold Inflation
Load Limit
:Maximum load
that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed
to support that load.
(E) Tire Inflation
:The
temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be inflated
to 420 kPa (60 psi). For more
information on tire pressure and
inflation see Tire Pressure
on
page 9‑56
.
(F) Tire Size
:A combination of
letters and numbers define a
tire's width, height, aspect ratio,
construction type, and service
description. The letter T as the
first character in the tire size
means the tire is for temporary
use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire
Performance Criteria
Specification)
:Original
equipment tires designed to
GM's specific tire performance criteria have a TPC specification
code molded onto the sidewall.
GM's TPC specifications meet
or exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
Tire Designations
Tire Size
The following illustration
shows an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P‐Metric) Tire:
The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the first character in
the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U.S.
Tire and Rim Association.(B) Tire Width
:The three‐digit
number indicates the tire section
width in millimeters from
sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio
:A two‐digit
number that indicates the tire
height‐to‐width measurements.
For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire's sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A
letter code is used to indicate
the type of ply construction in
the tire. The letter R means
radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or
bias ply construction; and the
letter B means belted‐bias ply
construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
Black plate (57,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-57
For additional information
regarding how much weight
your vehicle can carry, and
an example of the Tire and
Loading Information label,
seeVehicle Load Limits
on
page 8‑12
. How you load your
vehicle affects vehicle handling
and ride comfort. Never load
your vehicle with more weight
than it was designed to carry.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month
or more. Do not forget to check
the compact spare tire, if the
vehicle has one. The compact
spare should be at 60 psi
(420 kPa). For additional
information regarding the
compact spare tire, see
Compact Spare Tire
on
page 9‑85
. How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type
gauge to check tire pressure.
You cannot tell if your tires
are properly inflated simply by
looking at them. Radial tires may
look properly inflated even when
they are under‐inflated. Check
the tire's inflation pressure when
the tires are cold. Cold means
your vehicle has been sitting for
at least three hours or driven no
more than 1.6 km (1 mile).
Remove the valve cap from the
tire valve stem. Press the tire
gauge firmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement.
If the cold tire inflation pressure
matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label, no
further adjustment is necessary.
If the inflation pressure is low,
add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
If you overfill the tire, release air
by pushing on the metal stem
in the center of the tire valve.
Re‐check the tire pressure with
the tire gauge.
Be sure to put the valve caps
back on the valve stems. They
help prevent leaks by keeping
out dirt and moisture.
Black plate (58,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
9-58 Vehicle Care
Tire Pressure for
High-Speed Operation
{WARNING
Driving at high speeds, 160 km/h
(100 mph) or higher, puts an
additional strain on tires.
Sustained high-speed driving
causes excessive heat build up
and can cause sudden tire failure.
You could have a crash and you
or others could be killed. Some
high-speed rated tires require
inflation pressure adjustment for
high speed operation. When
speed limits and road conditions
are such that a vehicle can be
driven at high speeds, make sure
the tires are rated for high speed
operation, in excellent condition,
and set to the correct cold tire
inflation pressure for the
vehicle load.Vehicles with 245/45ZR20 103Y,
P245/50ZR19 104W and
275/40ZR20 106Y size tires,
have tires capable of high speed
use. Make sure the tires are inflated
to the recommended cold inflation
pressures before operating the
vehicle at speeds over 100 mph
(160 km/h). See
Vehicle Load Limits
on page 8‑12andTire Pressureon
page 9‑56.
When you end this high-speed
driving, return the tires to the cold
inflation pressure shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label. See
Vehicle Load Limits
on page 8‑12and Tire Pressure on page 9‑56.
Tire Pressure Monitor
System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure
levels. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in your vehicle's
tires and transmit tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in
the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare
(if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
Black plate (60,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
9-60 Vehicle Care
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn
the driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly, excluding the spare tire
and wheel assembly, if the vehicle
has one. The TPMS sensors
monitor the air pressure in the
vehicle's tires and transmits the
tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
Using the Driver Information Center
(DIC), the driver can also check
tire pressure levels using the DIC.
For additional information and
details about the DIC operation and
displays seeTire Messages
on
page 4‑36.
When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS illuminates
the low tire pressure warning light
located on the instrument panel
cluster. If the warning light comes
on, stop as soon as possible and
inflate the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the tire loading
information label. See Vehicle Load
Limits on page 8‑12.
A DIC warning message to check
the pressure in a specific tire is also
shown on the DIC display screen.
The low tire pressure warning light
and the DIC warning message come
at each ignition cycle until the tires
are inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as you start to drive. This
could be an early indicator that the
air pressure in the tire(s) are getting
low and need to be inflated to the
proper pressure.
The Tire and Loading Information
label, attached to your vehicle,
shows the size of your vehicle's
original equipment tires and the
correct inflation pressure for the
tires when they are cold. See
Vehicle Load Limits
on page 8‑12,
for an example of the Tire and
Loading Information label and its
location on your vehicle. Also see
Tire Pressure on page 9‑56.
Your vehicle's TPMS can warn you
about a low tire pressure condition
but it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. See Tire Inspection
on page 9‑63,Tire Rotationon
page 9‑63and Tires on page 9‑49.
Black plate (61,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-61
Notice:Using non‐approved tire
sealants could damage the Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
sensors. TPMS sensor damage
caused by using an incorrect tire
sealant is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use
the GM approved tire sealant
available through your dealer.
Factory-installed Tire Inflator Kits
use a GM approved liquid tire
sealant. Using non-approved tire
sealants could damage the TPMS
sensors. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
on page 9‑73for
information regarding the inflator kit
materials and instructions.
TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the
low tire warning light flashes for
about one minute and then stays
on for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. A DIC warning message is
also displayed. The low tire warning
light and DIC warning message
come on at each ignition cycle until
the problem is corrected. Some of
the conditions that can cause the
malfunction light and DIC message
to come on are:
.One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one. The spare
tire does not have a TPMS
sensor. The DIC message
should go off once you re‐install
the road tire containing the
TPMS sensor.
.The TPMS sensor matching
process was not done or not
completed successfully after
rotating the vehicle's tires.
The DIC message should go
off after successfully completing
the sensor matching process.
See “TPMS Sensor Matching
Process” later in this section.
.One or more TPMS sensors are
missing or damaged. The DIC
message and the TPMS
malfunction light should go
off when the TPMS sensors
are installed and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See your dealer
for service.
.Replacement tires or wheels do
not match your vehicle's original
equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those
recommended for your vehicle
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. See Buying
New Tires on page 9‑65.