Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6042601) - 2014 - CRC - 1/21/14
9-30 Driving and Operating
{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.
{Caution
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.D (Drive):
This position is for
normal driving. It provides the best
fuel economy. When the ZL1 is in
D (Drive), the first shift after start will
be from 1 (First) gear. Following
starts will begin in 2 (Second) gear.
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 (V6 and
V8 Engines Except ZL1)
When driving on steep descents
with the shift lever 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.
{Caution
If the vehicle accelerates slowly,
or does not shift gears, the
transmission could be damaged.
Have the vehicle serviced
right away.
M (Manual Mode): This position
allows the driver to select gears
appropriate for current driving
conditions.
With the shift lever in M (Manual
Mode) position, vehicles with
axle code GW8 will enter ERS
Mode. See Manual Mode on
page 9-32.
Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6042601) - 2014 - CRC - 1/21/14
Driving and Operating 9-31
With the shift lever in M (Manual
Mode) position, and without using
the Tap Shift controls on the
steering wheel, vehicles with any
axle other than GW8 will be in Sport
Mode. Sport Mode provides firmer,
quicker shifting. The transmission
will shift automatically until the Tap
Shift controls are used. Tap Shift
activates driver manual gear
selection. SeeManual Mode on
page 9-32.
V6 Models without Axle GW8, V8
Models Except ZL1
While driving in Sport Mode, if Tap
Shift has not been activated, the
transmission determines when the
vehicle is being driven in a
competitive manner. The
transmission may remain in a gear
longer than it would in the normal
driving mode based on throttle input
and vehicle lateral acceleration.
If there is a rapid reduction in
throttle from a heavy throttle
position, the transmission will
maintain the current gear up to near
redline rpm. While braking, the transmission will automatically
downshift to the next lower gear
keeping engine speed above
approximately 3000 rpm. If the
vehicle is then driven for a short
time at a steady speed, and without
high cornering loads, the
transmission will up-shift one gear
at a time, until 6 (Sixth) gear. After
shifting to 6 (Sixth) gear, or coming
to a complete stop, the transmission
will return to normal Sport Mode
shifting.
ZL1
While driving in Sport Mode, if Tap
Shift has not been activated, the
transmission determines when the
vehicle is being driven in a
competitive manner, in a straight
line or while turning. The
transmission may remain in a gear
longer than it would in the normal
driving mode based on throttle input
and vehicle lateral acceleration.
If there is a rapid reduction in
throttle from a heavy throttle
position, the transmission will
maintain the current gear up toapproximately 4600 rpm. While
braking, the transmission will
automatically downshift to the next
lower gear keeping engine speed
below approximately 3000 rpm.
If the vehicle is then driven for a
short time at a steady speed, and
without high cornering loads, the
transmission will up-shift one gear
at a time, until 6 (Sixth) gear. After
shifting to 6 (Sixth) gear, or coming
to a complete stop, the transmission
will return to normal sport mode
shifting.
If the vehicle detects aggressive
cornering, even without a heavy
application of the throttle, the
transmission will downshift and hold
a lower gear to near redline rpm, to
aid in vehicle handling balance and
to improve corner exit speeds.
Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6042601) - 2014 - CRC - 1/21/14
9-32 Driving and Operating
Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Mode
Vehicles with axle code GW8 have
an ERS Mode. ERS Mode allows
you to choose the top-gear limit of
the transmission with fully automatic
gear selection. This can help control
the vehicle's speed while driving
downhill or towing a trailer. The
vehicle has an electronic shift
position indicator within the
instrument cluster. When using the
ERS mode a number will display
next to the M, indicating the current
maximum gear allowed. Vehicles
with this feature have indicators on
the steering wheel. The controls are
on the back of the steering wheel.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever toM (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus paddles on the back of the steering wheel,
to increase or decrease the gear
range available. When you shift from D (Drive) to
M (Manual Mode), the transmission
will shift to a lower gear range. The
highest gear available for this range
is displayed next to the M in the
DIC. The number displayed in the
DIC is the highest gear that the
transmission will be allowed to
operate in. This means that all
gears below that number are
available. For example, when
4 (Fourth) is shown next to the M,
1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are
automatically shifted by the vehicle.
The transmission will not shift into
5 (Fifth) until the + (Plus) paddle is
used or you shift back into D (Drive).
While in M (Manual Mode), the
transmission will prevent shifting to
a lower gear range if the engine
speed is too high. The DIC will still
indicate the lower gear range
selected, but the transmission will
not initiate the downshift until the
vehicle has met a minimum speed
requirement.
Tap Shift
Vehicles with any axle other than
GW8 have a Tap Shift Mode. Tap
Shift allows you to manually control
the automatic transmission. To use
Tap Shift, the shift lever must be in
M (Manual Mode). Vehicles with this
feature have indicators on the
steering wheel. The controls are on
the back of the steering wheel. Tap
the left control to downshift, and the
right control to upshift. The DIC
display indicates the gear the
vehicle is in.
Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6042601) - 2014 - CRC - 1/21/14
Driving and Operating 9-33
While in M (Manual Mode), the
transmission will prevent shifting to
a lower gear if the engine speed is
too high. If the tap down−(Minus)
paddle is held while the vehicle
slows down, the M in the DIC will
flash, and the downshift will be
allowed when vehicle speed is low
enough. Continuing to hold the tap
down −(Minus) paddle will not
cause the transmission to continue
downshifting. Each downshift must
be requested separately by
releasing and reapplying the tap
down −(Minus) paddle.
English
Metric
Vehicles equipped with a Head-Up
Display (HUD) may also have shift
timing lights across the top of the
display. As you approach a shift
point, the rows of lights grow closer
together. The transmission should
be shifted before the lights come
together in the middle of the display.
If the lights begin flashing, you have
exceeded the shift point. Shift
immediately.
See Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5-24 andHead-Up Display
(HUD) on page 5-28.
When in Tap Shift Mode, you can
exit Tap Shift by holding the right
(upshift) control for two seconds.
The transmission will return to
automatic shifting. You may choose to briefly enter Tap
Shift Mode while in D (Drive).
Tapping either the upshift or
downshift control will place the
transmission in Tap Shift Mode. Exit
Tap Shift Mode by holding the
upshift control for two seconds. The
system will return to automatic
shifting after 10 seconds of cruising
at a steady speed, or when the
vehicle comes to a stop.
You may use this for sport driving or
when climbing or descending hills,
to stay in gear longer, or to
downshift for more power or engine
braking. The transmission will only
allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed
and engine revolutions per minute
(rpm). The transmission will not
automatically shift to the next higher
gear if the engine rpm is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any
reason, the message SHIFT
DENIED will appear in the DIC,
indicating that the transmission has
not shifted gears. While in the Tap
Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6042601) - 2014 - CRC - 1/21/14
9-34 Driving and Operating
Shift Mode, the transmission will not
automatically downshift on hard
acceleration.
When coasting to a stop in Tap Shift
Mode, the V6 transmission will
automatically downshift to 1 (First)
gear, and the V8 transmission will
automatically downshift to
2 (Second) gear. A 1 (First) gear
start can be selected using the Tap
Shift controls on V8 models. When
accelerating from a stop, the
transmissions will hold these gears
until higher gears are manually
selected using the Tap Shift
controls.
When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
you may want to shift into
2 (Second) gear. A higher gear ratio
allows you to gain more traction on
slippery surfaces. ZL1 vehicles may
also be shifted into 3 (Third) gear.Manual Transmission
Shift Pattern (V8 Engines)
Shift Pattern (V6 Engine)
These are the shift patterns for the
6-speed manual transmissions.
To operate the transmission:
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal
and shift into 1 (First). Then slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into 1 (First) when you
are going less than 64 km/h
(40 mph). If you come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into
1 (First), put the shift lever in Neutral
Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6042601) - 2014 - CRC - 1/21/14
Driving and Operating 9-35
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.
{Caution
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.
Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6042601) - 2014 - CRC - 1/24/14
9-36 Driving and Operating
This message will come on when:
.The engine has warmed to
operating temperature.
.The vehicle is accelerating from
a stop and going 24 to 31 km/h
(15 to 19 mph).
.The vehicle is at 21% throttle
or less.
English
MetricVehicles equipped with a Head-Up
Display (HUD) may also have shift
timing lights across the top of the
display. As you approach a shift
point, the rows of lights grow closer
together. The transmission should
be shifted before the lights come
together in the middle of the display.
If the lights begin flashing, you have
exceeded the shift point. Shift
immediately.
See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5-24 andHead-Up Display
(HUD) on page 5-28.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has ABS, an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When 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. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 5-20.
Black plate (41,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6042601) - 2014 - CRC - 1/21/14
Driving and Operating 9-41
Competitive Driving Mode
Competitive Driving Mode,
Performance Traction Management
(PTM), and Launch Control are
systems designed to allow
increased performance while
accelerating and/or cornering. This
is accomplished by regulating and
optimizing the engine, brakes, and
suspension performance. These
modes are for use at a closed
course race track and are not
intended for use on public roads.
They will not compensate for a
driver’s inexperience or lack of
familiarity with the race track.
Drivers who prefer to allow the
system to have more control of the
engine, brakes, and suspension are
advised to turn the normal TCS and
StabiliTrak systems on.{Caution
Attempting to shift when the drive
wheels are spinning and do not
have traction may cause damage
to the transmission. Damage
caused by misuse of the vehicle
is not covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not attempt to shift
when the drive wheels do not
have traction.
Competitive Driving Mode (SS
and ZL1 Convertible Only)
Competitive Driving Mode allows full
engine power while the StabiliTrak
system helps maintain directional
control of the vehicle by selective
brake application. In this mode, TCS
is off and Launch Control is
available. Adjust your driving style
to account for the available engine
power. See “Launch Control (V8
with Manual Transmissions except
Z/28)” later in this section.
These lights are on when the
vehicle is in the Competitive
Driving Mode.
This optional handling mode can be
selected by quickly pressing the
TCS/StabiliTrak button on the
console two times. The appropriate
message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5-38.