Page 255 of 404
Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-7
A. Underhood Electrical Center.See Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑40.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Bottle and Cap. See Engine Coolant
on page 10‑19.
C. Engine Cover on page 10‑10.
D. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10‑18.
E. Radiator Fill Cap (Out of View). See Engine Coolant on
page 10‑19. F. Power Steering Reservoir and
Cap (Out of View). See Power
Steering Fluid on page 10‑26.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑10.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil on
page 10‑10.
I. Brake Master Cylinder and Hydraulic Clutch Reservoir
(if equipped with manual
transmission). See Brakes on
page 10‑28 orHydraulic Clutch
on page 10‑15. J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
See Battery on page 10‑30.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑16.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑27.
Page 256 of 404
Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
10-8 Vehicle Care
6.2L V8 Engine (L99 Engine Shown LS3 Similar)
Page 257 of 404
Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-9
A. Underhood Electrical Center.See Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑40.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Bottle and Cap. See Engine Coolant
on page 10‑19.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑10.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Out of View). See Engine Oil on
page 10‑10.
E. Engine Cover on page 10‑10. F. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of
View). See Cooling System on
page 10‑18.
G. Power Steering Reservoir and Cap (Under Engine Cover). See
Power Steering Fluid on
page 10‑26.
H. Brake Master Cylinder and Hydraulic Clutch Reservoir
(if equipped with manual
transmission). See Brakes on
page 10‑28 orHydraulic Clutch
on page 10‑15. I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
See Battery on page 10‑30.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑16.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑27.
L. Radiator Fill Cap (Out of View). See Engine Coolant on
page 10‑19.
Page 258 of 404

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
10-10 Vehicle Care
Engine Cover
3.6L V6 Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the engine oilfill cap (B).
2. Lift the engine cover (A) to disengage one front attachment
point.
3. Pull the engine cover forward to disengage it from the two
rear tabs. 4. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to
reinstall the engine cover.
6.2L V8 Engine Cover (L99
Engine Shown LS3 Similar)
To remove:
1. Remove the engine oil
fill cap (A).
2. Lift the engine cover (B) to disengage the two front
attachment points.
3. Pull the engine cover forward to disengage it from the horizontal
rear attachments. 4. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to
reinstall the engine cover.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10‑13.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Page 259 of 404

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-11
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow
loop. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6 for the
location of the engine oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then
push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip
down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
and then recheck the level. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil” in
this section for an explanation of
what kind of oil to use. For engine
oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2. Notice:
Do not add too much oil.
Oil levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Page 260 of 404

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
10-12 Vehicle Care
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13.
Specification
Use and ask for licensed engine oils
with the dexos1™ approved
certification mark. Engine oils
meeting the requirements for the
vehicle should have the dexos1
approved certification mark. This
certification mark indicates that the
oil has been approved to the dexos1
specification.
Notice: Failure to use the
recommended engine oil or
equivalent can result in engine
damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Check with your
dealer or service provider on
whether the oil is approved to the
dexos1 specification.
Viscosity Grade
SAE 5W‐30 is the best viscosity
grade for the vehicle. Do not use
other viscosity grade oils such as
SAE 10W‐30, 10W‐40, or 20W‐50. If in an area of extreme cold, where
the temperature falls below
−20°F
(−29°C), an SAE 0W‐30 oil should
be used. An oil of this viscosity
grade will provide easier cold
starting for the engine at extremely
low temperatures. When selecting
an oil of the appropriate viscosity
grade, always select an oil that
meets the dexos1 specification or
equivalent. See “Specification”for
more information.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils with the dexos
specification and displaying the
dexos certification mark 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.
Page 261 of 404

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-13
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 or 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.
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 a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
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. See
Engine Oil Messages on page 5‑34.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval 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 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
Page 262 of 404

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
10-14 Vehicle Care
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN withthe engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
The system is reset when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message goes off.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
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 and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
The vehicle is not equipped with a
transmission fluid level dipstick.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, this should be
done at the dealer. Contact the
dealer for additional information or the procedure can be found in the
service manual. To purchase a
service manual, see
Service
Publications Ordering Information
on page 13‑16.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed in Maintenance
Schedule on page 11‑3, and be sure
to use the fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13.
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 and have it repaired as soon
as possible. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 11‑13
for the proper fluid to use.