2010 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS service

California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
remote keyless transmitters, may
contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modications
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
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, are
not covered 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/retailer can accessorize
the vehicle using genuine GM
Accessories. When you go to your
GM dealer/retailer and ask for GM
Accessories, you will know that
GM-trained and supported service
technicians will perform the work
using genuine GM Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on page 2-33.
Vehicle Care 9-3

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.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
•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.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order
the proper service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering
Information on page 12-12.This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your
own service work, seeAirbag
System Check on page 2-34.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date
of any service work performed.
SeeMaintenance Records on
page 10-10.
9-4 Vehicle Care

Engine Oil Additives / Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil.
The recommended oils with
the starburst symbol that meet
GM Standard GM6094M are all
that is needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset
every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished,
it indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
SeeEngine Oil Messages on
page 4-32. Change the oil as soon
as possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 miles). It is possible that, if
driving under the best conditions,
the oil life system might not indicate
that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, the engine oil
and filter must be changed at least
once a year and at this time the
system must be reset. Your dealer/
retailer has trained service people
who will perform this work using
genuine parts and reset the system.
It is also important to check the oil
regularly and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be changed
at 5 000 km (3,000 miles) since the
last oil change. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
The Engine Oil Life System
calculates when to change the
engine oil and filter based on vehicle
use. Whenever the oil is changed,
reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required.
If a situation occurs where the oil is
changed prior to a change engine oil
message being turned on, reset the
system.
After changing the engine oil, reset
the system:
1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN
with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the
accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message is not on,
the system is reset.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes on again and stays
on for 30 seconds at the next ignition
cycle, it did not reset. The system
needs to be reset again.
Vehicle Care 9-13

What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer’s warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your own
oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose
of oil by putting it in the trash, pouring
it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects
used oil.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check
the transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the
only reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer service department
and have it repaired as soon as
possible.
There is a special procedure
for checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, you should
have this done at your dealer/
retailer service department.Contact your dealer/retailer for
additional information or the
procedure can be found in the
service manual. To purchase a
service manual, seeService
Publications Ordering Information
on page 12-12.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed inScheduled
Maintenance on page 10-2, and
be sure to use the fluid listed
inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7.
9-14 Vehicle Care

Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak occurs,
take the vehicle to your dealer/
retailer service department and
have it repaired as soon as possible.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7for the
proper fluid to use.
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. SeeEngine 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.
Vehicle Care 9-15

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on 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
MaintenanceIIintervals 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. SeeHood on
page 9-5.
2. Locate the air filter housing
on the front of the driver
side of the engine compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6.
3.6 L V6 Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter Housing shown
(6.2 L V8 Engines similar)
9-16 Vehicle Care

A. Coolant Recovery Bottle
B. Electric Cooling Fans
C. Radiator Cap
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant
recovery bottle is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on
a level surface.
The coolant level should be
between the MIN and MAX lines.
If it is not, you may have a leak at
the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump, or somewhere
else in the cooling system.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it could
lose all coolant. That could cause
an engine fire, and you could be
burned. Get any leak fixed before
you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with
the engine on, check to see if
the electric engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating,
the fans should be running. If it is
not, your vehicle needs service.
Turn off the engine. 6.2 L V8 Engines
(L99 shown LS3 similar)
9-18 Vehicle Care

Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature warning light on
your vehicle’s instrument panel.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 4-14.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 12-6.
If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked
on a level surface.Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are
not, do not continue to run the
engine and have the vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice:If the engine catches
re because of being driven with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
If Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down. Wait
until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
9-24 Vehicle Care