Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
9-38 Driving and Operating
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the
driver in stopping or decreasing
vehicle speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement
the power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle.
The stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time
is normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates.
The brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when
the brake pedal is released or
brake pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
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 TCS/StabiliTrak warning light
comes on solid if there is a problem
with the traction control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak
®Light on page 5‑22 for
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.
Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-39
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. SeeIf the Vehicle is Stuck
on page 9‑12 for more information.
See also Winter Driving on
page 9‑10 for information on using
TCS when driving in snowy or icy
conditions.
To turn the system off, press and
release the TCS/StabiliTrak button
located on the console in front of the
shift lever.
Press and release the TCS/
StabiliTrak 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. See Cruise Control on
page 9‑43 for more information.
Black plate (40,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
9-40 Driving and Operating
The Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak button is located in front
of the shift lever.
When the system activates, the
TCS/StabiliTrak 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.
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
display, the system is not
operational. Driving should be
adjusted accordingly. SeeRide
Control System Messages on
page 5‑38 andTraction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light on
page 5‑22 for 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 TCS/
StabiliTrak button until the Traction
Control Off light and the StabiliTrak
Off light come on in the instrument
panel cluster. If the system has
been turned off, press and release
the TCS/StabiliTrak button to turn
the system back on.
Black plate (42,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
9-42 Driving and Operating
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).
SeeRide Control System
Messages on page 5‑38.
When the StabiliTrak button is
pressed again, or the vehicle is
restarted, the StabiliTrak and TCS
systems are on.
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 9‑34.
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.
Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-43
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.
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.
The cruise control buttons are
located on the outboard side of the
steering wheel.
5(On/Off):Turns the cruise
control system on and off. An
indicator light comes on in the
instrument panel cluster.
\(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
Black plate (44,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
9-44 Driving and Operating
RES/+ (Resume/Accelerate):
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 make the vehicle decelerate.
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. Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory.
The indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster goes out when the
cruise is no longer engaged.
Once the vehicle speed reaches
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more,
press the thumbwheel up toward
RES/+ briefly on the steering wheel.
The vehicle returns to the previous
set speed and stays there.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated,
.Press the thumbwheel up toward
RES/+ and hold it until the
vehicle accelerates to the
desired speed, and then
release it.
.To increase the speed in small
amounts, press the thumbwheel
up toward RES/+ briefly and
then release it. Each time this is
done, the vehicle goes about
1.6 km/h (1 mph) faster.
Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-45
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated,
.Press the thumbwheel toward
SET/−and hold until the desired
lower speed is reached, then
release it.
.To slow down in small amounts,
press the thumbwheel toward
SET/− briefly. Each time this is
done, the vehicle goes about
1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower. Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal,
the vehicle will slow down to the
previous set cruise control speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works
on hills depends upon the vehicle's
speed, load, and the steepness
of the hills. When going up steep
hills, you might have to step on
the accelerator pedal to maintain
the vehicle speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake
or shift to a lower gear to maintain
the vehicle speed. When the brakes
are applied the cruise control is
disengaged. Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end the
cruise control:
.To disengage cruise control;
step lightly on the brake pedal
or clutch. The indicator light on
the instrument panel cluster
goes out.
.Press\on the steering wheel.
.To turn off the cruise control,
press
5on the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory by pressing
5
button or if the ignition is turned off.
Black plate (49,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-49
You can also use regular unleaded
gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher, but the vehicle's acceleration
could be slightly reduced, and
a slight audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard. If the
octane rating is less than 87, a
heavy knocking noise might be
heard when driving. If this occurs,
use a gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you could damage
the engine. If heavy knocking is
heard when using gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher, the engine
needs service.Gasoline Specifications
(U.S. and Canada Only)
At a minimum, gasoline should
meet ASTM specification
D 4814 in the United States
or CAN/CGSB‐3.5 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines
containing MMT. SeeFuel Additives
on page 9‑50 for additional
information.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards,
it is designed to operate on fuels
that meet California specifications.
See the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance might
be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog‐check test.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑18. If this occurs, return to
your authorized dealer for diagnosis.
If it is determined that the condition
is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.