Page 263 of 404

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-15
Hydraulic Clutch
For vehicles with a manual
transmission, it is not necessary to
regularly check brake/clutch fluid
unless there is a leak suspected.
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 10‑6for 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.
Page 264 of 404

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
10-16 Vehicle Care
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
and replace it at the first oil change
after each 80 000 km (50,000 mi)
interval. See Maintenance Schedule
on page 11‑3 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 covered with dirt, a new
filter is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Open the hood. See Hood on
page 10‑5.
2. Locate the air filter housing on the front of the driver side of the
engine compartment. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6.
Page 265 of 404

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-17
3.6 L V6 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Housing Shown (6.2 L V8 Engines Similar) 3. Loosen the clamp at the duct of
the air cleaner/filter housing.
4. Unlatch the retaining clips on the air cleaner/filter housing.
5. Lift the cover at the retaining clip location high enough to clear the
retaining clips and pull the cover
outward to remove it from the air
cleaner/filter housing hinges.
6. Pull straight up on the cover; while holding the cover, remove
the air filter.
7. Inspect or replace the air filter. See Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 11‑15.
8. Reverse steps 6 through 1 to the install cover.
{WARNING
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
Notice: If the air cleaner/filter is
off, dirt can easily get into the
engine, which could damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter
in place when you are driving.
Page 266 of 404
Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
10-18 Vehicle Care
Cooling System
When it is safe to lift the hood:
3.6L V6 Engine
A. Engine Coolant Recovery Bottle
B. Electric Cooling Fans (Out of View)
C. Radiator Cap (Under Engine Cover)
6.2L V8 Engines (L99 shown LS3
similar)
A. Engine Coolant Recovery Bottle
B. Electric Cooling Fans (Out of View)
C. Radiator Cap (Out of View)
{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 engine
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, the vehicle may have a
leak at the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump,
or somewhere else in the cooling
system.
Page 267 of 404

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-19
{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, the vehicle
needs service. Turn off the engine. Notice:
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 mi)
or 24 months, whichever occurs
first. Any repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating on
page 10‑24.
Page 268 of 404

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
10-20 Vehicle Care
What to Use
{WARNING
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:.Gives freezing protection down
to
−37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to
129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
.Protects against rust and
corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Notice: If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts. Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check coolant as follows:
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Locate the engine coolant
recovery bottle. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6.
Page 269 of 404

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-21
3. Turn the coolant dipstick capcounterclockwise and slowly pull
out the dipstick.
4. There are maximum andminimum markings on the
dipstick. When the engine is
cold, the coolant level should be
at or above the MIN mark on the
dipstick. After the vehicle has been driven and the engine is at
normal operating temperature,
the level should be somewhere
between half full and the
maximum mark.
5. If the coolant level is correct, replace the dipstick and turn the
cap clockwise to secure.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Recovery Bottle
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged. Notice:
If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts.
Add coolant as follows:
1. Turn the engine coolant recovery
bottle dipstick cap
counterclockwise and slowly pull
out the dipstick.
2. Pour the coolant into the engine coolant recovery bottle.
3. When the level is correct, replace the dipstick and turn the
cap clockwise to secure.
Page 270 of 404

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
10-22 Vehicle Care
How to Add Coolant to the
Radiator
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
{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.
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn
the surge tank pressure
cap —even a little —they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the surge tank
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
mixture directly to the radiator, but
be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done. If no coolant is visible in the engine
coolant recovery bottle, add coolant
as follows:
3.6 L V6 Engine Fill Procedure
1. Locate the radiator cap. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6.
2. Remove the engine cover to access the radiator cap. See
Engine Cover on page 10‑10.
3. Cover the radiator cap with athick cloth and turn it slowly
counterclockwise and remove.
4. If there is no coolant visible or the level is low, slowly fill the
system through the radiator cap
opening with a 50/50 mixture of
DEX-COOL and clean drinkable
water.