
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.

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.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-23
Wait 30 seconds for coolant to
settle and continue filling if the
level drops.
Do not spill coolant on the
accessory drive belts.
If a spill occurs, rinse the belt
with fresh water.
5. Start the engine.
6. With the engine idling, continue to add coolant through the
radiator cap opening until full.
Wait 30 seconds for the coolant
to settle and top off, if the level
drops.
7. Once the system is full, put the radiator cap back on by turning
clockwise.
8. With the engine still running, raise the engine to 2500 rpm for
30–40 seconds.
9. Turn the engine off.
10. Repeat steps 2 through 7 then turn the engine off. 11. Allow engine to cool for
45 minutes. Top off coolant
through the radiator cap
opening and re-install the
radiator cap.
12. Re-install the engine cover. SeeEngine Cover on
page 10‑10.
13. Check the coolant level in the engine coolant recovery bottle
and fill it until the level is at the
top symbol on the dipstick. 6.2 L V8 Engine Fill Procedure
1. Locate the radiator cap. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6.
2. Cover the radiator cap with athick cloth and turn it slowly
counterclockwise and remove.
3. 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
clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant until full.
Wait 30 seconds for coolant to
settle and top off if the level
drops.
Do not spill coolant on the
accessory drive belts.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
10-24 Vehicle Care
If a spill occurs, rinse the belt
with fresh water.
4. Start the engine.
5. With the engine idling, top off the coolant through the radiator cap
opening until full.
Wait 30 seconds for the coolant
to settle and top off, if the level
drops.
6. Once the system is full, put the radiator cap back on by turning
clockwise.
7. Turn the engine off.
8. Check the coolant level in the engine coolant recovery bottle
and fill it until the level is at the
top mark on the dipstick.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
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. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
on page 5‑11.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
See Roadside Assistance Program
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑7 or
Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑9.
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.

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-25
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice: If the engine catches fire
because of being driven with no
coolant, the 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.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer. If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest
temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge
is no longer in the overheat zone
or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slow
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front
of you. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-27
When the engine is hot, the level
should be at the hot MAX level.
When the engine is cold, the
fluid level should be between
MIN and MAX on the dipstick.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13. Always
use the proper fluid.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid is
needed, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. If operating the vehicle in an
area where the temperature can fall
below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the reservoir is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6 for reservoir location. Notice
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer's instructions
for adding water.
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer fluid.
.Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
for fluid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is
completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
11-4 Service and Maintenance
Engine Oil Change
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, have the
engine oil and filter changed within
the next 1 000 km/600 mi. If driven
under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system might not
indicate the need for vehicle service
for more than a year. The engine oil
and filter must be changed at least
once a year and the oil life system
must be reset. Your trained dealer
technician can perform this work.
If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 mi since the
last service. Reset the oil life
system when the oil is changed.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 10‑13.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation on page 10‑60.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑10 andEngine
Oil Life System on page 10‑13.
.Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
.Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑27.
.Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking, or
contamination. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑88. Replace
worn or damaged wiper blades.
See Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 10‑33.
.Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑54.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑60.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑16.
.Inspect brake system.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-13
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of
the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is
recommended. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑10.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant.
See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 88862806, in
Canada 88862807).
Hydraulic Clutch System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 88862806, in
Canada 88862807).
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 89020661, in
Canada 89021186).
Parking Brake Cable Guides Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC‐LB.
Automatic Transmission DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Manual Transmission (V6 Engine) SAE 75W-90 GL5 Gear Oil (GM Part No. 88862475, in Canada 88862476).
Manual Transmission (V8 Engine) Manual Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 88861800, in Canada 88861801).