Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-24 Driving and Operating
3. Remove the retainer and theshift lock manual release cover.
4. Push and hold the manual release lever toward the rear of
the vehicle.
5. Press the select button and move the transmission gear
selector to the N (Neutral)
position.
6. Release the lever. 7. After the vehicle has been
moved, align the shift lock
manual release cover plate and
install the retainer so the
automatic transmission can
operate properly.
8. Place the console trim panel in the original position, aligning the
fasteners on the trim panel with
the slots in the console. Press in
the side trim until it clicks in
place.
The transmission selector locks if it
is moved back to the P (Park)
position.
Parking (Manual
Transmission)
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, before getting out of
the vehicle, move the shift lever into
R (Reverse), and firmly apply the
parking brake. Once the shift lever has been placed into R (Reverse)
with the clutch pedal pressed in,
turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF,
remove the key, and release the
clutch.
If parking on a hill, or if the vehicle
is pulling a trailer, see
Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑49.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{WARNING
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-26 Driving and Operating
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running. But if you ever have
to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For
more information, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 9‑25.
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the automatic
transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll. Do
not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure
the vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 9‑22.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9‑49.
Automatic
Transmission
The automatic transmission has a
shift lever located on the console
between the seats.
P (Park): This position locks the
rear wheels. It is the best position
to use when starting the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-27
{WARNING
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 9‑22.
If you are pulling a trailer, see
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips on page 9‑49.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. The regular brake must be
fully applied first and then the shift
lever button pressed before shifting
from P (Park) when the ignition key
is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out
of P (Park), ease pressure on the
shift lever, then push the shift lever
all the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then
press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another
gear. See
Shifting out of Park on
page 9‑23.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only
after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9‑11. N (Neutral):
In this position, the
engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine when
the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle is
being towed.
{WARNING
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Notice: Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-28 Driving and Operating
D (Drive):This position is for
normal driving. It provides the best
fuel economy. If more power is
needed for passing, and the
vehicle is:
.Going less than 56 km/h
(35 mph), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
.Going about 56 km/h (35 mph) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
Powertrain Braking (V8 and
V6 Engines)
When driving on steep descents in
D (Drive) or M (Manual Mode) where
frequent braking is required, the
transmission will shift down a gear
to help hold vehicle speed and
reduce brake wear. If the driver
continues to press the brake, the
transmission will downshift until
3 (Third) gear is reached. If the brake is released for some
time, the transmission will upshift a
gear. If the road levels out and the
accelerator pedal is pressed, the
transmission will upshift until the
appropriate gear is reached.
4 (Fourth) Gear Hold (V6 Engine)
If, during highway driving, you wish
to pass another vehicle, but then
change your mind (quickly pushing
the accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and then immediately
releasing the pedal), the
transmission will shift to a lower
gear and then upshift to 4 (Fourth).
This leaves the transmission
prepared with increased
responsiveness for additional driver
input. The passing maneuver can
then be resumed from 4 (Fourth)
gear, or 4 (Fourth) gear hold can be
canceled by lightly pressing on the
accelerator pedal.Notice:
If the vehicle seems to
accelerate slowly or not shift
gears when you go faster, and
you continue to drive the vehicle
that way, you could damage the
transmission. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.
M (Manual Mode): This position
allows the driver to select the range
of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions.
In M (Manual Mode) the
transmission will shift as an
automatic until the Tap Shift controls
are used. Tap Shift activates driver
manual gear selection.
While driving in M (Manual Mode),
if Tap Shift has not been activated,
the transmission determines when
the vehicle is being driven in a
competitive manner. It selects and
holds the transmission in lower
gears and has more noticeable
upshifts for sportier vehicle
performance.
See Manual Mode on page 9‑29 for
more information.
Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-31
and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift
into 1 (First).
2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal
as you let up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth), and
6 (Sixth): Shift into 3 (Third),
4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth), and 6 (Sixth) the
same way you do for 2 (Second).
Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake
pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral: Use this position when
you start or idle the engine. The
shift lever is in Neutral when it is
centered in the shift pattern, not in
any gear. R (Reverse):
To back up, press
down the clutch pedal and shift into
R (Reverse). On V8 models, apply
pressure to get the lever past
5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth) into
R (Reverse). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the
accelerator pedal.
One to Four Shift Message
(V8 Only)
Driver Information Center
When this message comes on, you
can only shift from 1 (First) to
4 (Fourth) instead of 1 (First) to 2 (Second). The message will be
displayed in the Driver Information
Center.
You must complete the shift into
4 (Fourth) to turn off this feature.
This helps you get the best possible
fuel economy.
After shifting to 4 (Fourth), you may
downshift to a lower gear if you
prefer.
Notice:
Forcing the shift lever
into any gear except 4 (Fourth)
when the 1 —4 SHIFT message
comes on may damage the
transmission. Shift only from
1 (First) to 4 (Fourth) when the
message comes on.
This message will come on when:
.The engine coolant temperature
is higher than 76°C (169°F),
.The vehicle is going 24 to
31 km/h (15 to 19 mph) and
.The vehicle is at 21 percent
throttle or less.
Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-32 Driving and Operating
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on, and it might
even be noticed that the brake
pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 5‑19. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-33
Parking Brake
To apply the parking brake, pull up
on the parking brake handle. It is
not necessary to push in on the
release button while applying the
parking brake. If the ignition is in the
ON/RUN position, the brake system
warning light will come on. See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑18.To release the parking brake:
1. Hold the brake pedal down.
2. Pull the parking brake handle up
until you can press the release
button.
3. Hold the release button in as you move the brake handle all
the way down.
Notice: Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving. Driving with the parking brake
applied will cause a warning chime
to sound and the RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE message to
appear in the DIC. The message will
remain on until:
.The parking brake is released
.The vehicle comes to a stop.
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑49.
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
Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-34 Driving and Operating
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. See
Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak
®Light on page 5‑20for
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.
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,