Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583589) - 2021 - CRC - 10/1/20
Driving and Operating 185
.Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal
and steer the way you want the vehicle
to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions. Stopping
distance can be longer and vehicle control
can be affected when traction is reduced
by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues—such as enough water,
ice, or packed snow on the road to make
a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only
the braking skid.
Track Events and Competitive
Driving
{Danger
High-performance features are intended
for use only on closed tracks by
experienced and qualified drivers and
should not be used on public roads.
High-speed driving, aggressive cornering,
hard braking, and other high-performance
driving can be dangerous. Improper driver
inputs for the conditions may result in
loss of control of the vehicle, which could
injure or kill you or others. Always drive
safely.
If the vehicle is a Camaro High Performance
model, see the additional items in the
Camaro High Performance supplement.
Track events or competitive driving may
affect the vehicle warranty. See the
warranty manual before using the vehicle
for racing or other competitive driving.
The Engine Sound Management setting (if
equipped) should not be set to Stealth Mode
during track events and competitive driving.
See Driver Mode Control 0216.
{Warning
Prior to each track event and again
before returning to public roads, tighten
the wheel nuts with a torque wrench to
the proper torque specification. Wheel
nuts that are improperly or incorrectly
tightened can cause the wheels to
become loose or come off, resulting in a
crash. See Capacities and Specifications
0 318 for wheel nut torque specifications.
Engine Oil
Caution
If you use the vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, the engine may use
more oil than it would with normal use.
Low oil levels can damage the engine. For
information on how to add oil, see
Engine Oil0242.
Be sure to check the oil level often during
racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near the upper mark
that shows the proper operating range on
the engine oil dipstick.
Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583589) - 2021 - CRC - 10/1/20
186 Driving and Operating
3.6L (LGX) V6 Engine
Change the engine oil to 0W-40 or 5W-40
that meets the dexos2 specification. If this
oil is not available, the following oil can be
used as an alternative: Valvoline SYNPOWER
MST 5W-40.
For LS/LT 1LE, add 0.9 L (1.0 qt) of oil over
the nominal fill level for a track event. After
the competitive driving, remove the excess
oil so that the level on the dipstick is not
above the upper mark that shows the
proper operating range.
During track usage, do not follow the Engine
Oil Life System status. Change the engine oil
after four hours of accumulative track usage.
Fuel
Use premium unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 93 at a track event.
Unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 91 may be used, but performance
will be degraded.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Have the transmission fluid set to the track
specific oil level prior to track usage.
Transmission fluid should be changed afterevery 15 hours of track usage. Any
transmission level set or change should be
performed at your dealer.
Manual Transmission Fluid
Manual transmission fluid should be
changed after every 15 hours of track usage.
Rear Axle Fluid
Axles must have 2 400 km (1,500 mi) before
being used in track driving.
The rear axle fluid temperatures may be
higher than when driving in severe
conditions. Drain and refill with new fluid
after the first racing or competitive driving
event, and then after every 24 hours of
racing or competitive driving. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0313.
Caution
During a first time track or racing event,
high rear axle temperatures can occur.
Damage could be caused to the rear axle
and would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not drive as long or as fast
the first time the vehicle is driven on the
track or raced.
Brake Fluid
For track events or competitive driving, it is
recommended that the brake fluid be
replaced with a high performance brake fluid
that has a dry boiling point greater than
279 °C (534 °F). After conversion to the high
performance brake fluid, follow the brake
fluid service recommendations outlined by
the fluid manufacturer. Do not use silicone
or DOT-5 brake fluids.
Brake Burnishing
To prepare the Camaro brake systems for
track events and racing, complete the
appropriate high performance brake
burnishing procedure described below.
New brake pads must be burnished before
racing or competitive driving.
Caution
These procedures are specific to the
Camaro LT with Y4Q Heavy Duty Cooling
System and J55 brakes, SS, ZL1, and
models equipped with the 1LE track
package. This procedure should not be
run on other Camaro models equipped
(Continued)
Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583589) - 2021 - CRC - 10/1/20
242 Vehicle Care
If the vehicle has a 6.2L V8 LT4 engine, see
the Camaro High Performance supplement.
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:
.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. SeeEngine Oil Life System 0244.
.Always dispose of engine oil properly. See
“What to Do with Used Oil” in this
section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly, every
650 km (400 mi), especially prior to a long
trip. The engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0238 for
the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle may be
hot; it could burn you. Use a towel or
glove to touch the dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center (DIC)
message displays, check the oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park the
vehicle on level ground. Check the engine
oil level after the engine has been off for
at least two hours. Checking the engine
oil level on steep grades or too soon after
engine shutoff can result in incorrect
readings. Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to starting.
Remove the dipstick and check the level.
.If unable to wait two hours, the engine
must be off for at least 15 minutes if the
engine is warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out the
dipstick, wipe it with a clean 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
LTG 2.0L L4 Engine
LGX 3.6L V6 Engine Shown, 6.2L V8 Engine Similar
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at
the tip of the dipstick and the engine has
been off for at least 15 minutes, add 1 L (1
qt) of the recommended oil and then
recheck the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for an
explanation of what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities
and Specifications 0318.
Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583589) - 2021 - CRC - 10/1/20
Vehicle Care 243
Caution
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 the oil level is 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. Drain the excess oil or limit
driving of the vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the excess oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0238 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.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil (2.0L (LTG)
L4 and 3.6L (LGX) V6 Engines)
Selecting the right engine oil depends on
both the proper oil specification and
viscosity grade. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0313. Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that meet the
dexos1 specification. Engine oils that have
been approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked with the
dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended engine
oil or equivalent can result in engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an area of
extreme cold, where the temperature falls
below −29 °C (−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may
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, it is recommended to select
an oil of the correct specification. See
“Specification”
earlier in this section.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil (6.2L (LT1)
V8 Engine)
Selecting the right engine oil depends on
both the proper oil specification and
viscosity grade. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0313.
Specification
Use engine oils that meet the dexos2
specification. Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the dexos2
specification are marked with the dexos2
approved logo. See www.gmdexos.com.
Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583589) - 2021 - CRC - 10/1/20
244 Vehicle Care
Caution
Failure to use the recommended engine
oil or equivalent can result in engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 0W-40 viscosity grade engine oil.
When selecting an oil of the appropriate
viscosity grade, it is recommended to select
an oil of the correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
If 0W-40 dexos2 oil is not available, SAE
5W-30 dexos1 full synthetic engine oil may
be used for street use.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the dexos
specification 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.
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. 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.
Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583589) - 2021 - CRC - 10/1/20
Vehicle Care 245
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. Display the REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
0 97.
2. Press and hold SEL on the DIC while the Oil Life display is active. The oil life will
change to 100%.
The oil life system can also be reset as
follows: 1. Display the REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC with the engine off. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 097.
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 Publication Ordering
Information 0330.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage the
vehicle, and the damage may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always
use the correct automatic transmission
fluid. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0313. Change the fluid and filter at the intervals
listed in
Maintenance Schedule 0304, and
be sure to use the fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants 0313.
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 0313
for the proper fluid to use.
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.
Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583589) - 2021 - CRC - 10/1/20
246 Vehicle Care
When to Check and What to Use
The brake/hydraulic clutch fluid reservoir cap
has this symbol on it. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0238 for reservoir
location. The common hydraulic clutch and
brake master cylinder fluid reservoir is filled
with brake fluid as indicated on the reservoir
cap. See Brake Fluid 0254 for brake fluid
to use.
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.
Engine Air Filter Life System (2.0L
LTG and 3.6L LGX Engines Only)
When to Change Engine Air Filter
If equipped, this feature provides an
indication of when to change the engine air
filter. It is based on driving conditions,
which can cause when to change to vary
greatly. It is possible an air filter change
may not be indicated for up to four years.
When the "Replace at Next Oil Change"
message displays, the engine air filter
should be replaced at the time of the next
engine oil change. When the "Replace
Engine Air Filter Now" message displays, the
engine air filter should be replaced as soon
as possible. Reset the engine air filter life
system after the engine air filter is replaced.
See your dealer for service and to reset the
system.
How to Reset Engine Air Filter Life
System
Reset the system whenever the engine air
filter is replaced so that the system can
calculate the next engine air filter change.
To reset:
1. Place the vehicle in P (Park). 2. Select Engine Air Filter Life on the DIC
menu. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 097.
3. Press
pto move to the Reset/Disable
display area. Select Reset then press SEL.
Then press Yes to confirm the reset.
4. 100% Air Filter Life will be displayed when the Engine Air Filter Life System is
successfully reset.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
If the vehicle has a 6.2L V8 LT4 engine, see
the Camaro High Performance supplement.
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the engine
compartment on the driver side of the
vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview
0 238 for location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter
.For intervals on changing and inspecting
the engine air filter, see Maintenance
Schedule 0304.
.If equipped with Engine Air Filter Life
System, see Engine Air Filter Life System
(2.0L LTG and 3.6L LGX Engines Only)
0 246.
Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583589) - 2021 - CRC - 10/1/20
250 Vehicle Care
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.
It is normal to see coolant moving in the
upper coolant hose return line when the
engine is running. It is also normal to see
bubbles entering the surge tank through the
small hose.Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the
coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is
not at or above the cold fill line, add a
50/50 mixture of clean drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is cool before
this is done.
It is normal for the coolant level in the
bottom chamber to rise and fall with
operating temperature and ambient
conditions. Coolant will evaporate from the
bottom chamber in normal operation. This
will happen faster when the vehicle is driven
for long periods in hot, dry conditions.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant surge
tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If no problem is found, check to see if
coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is
not at the bottom of the fill neck, add a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant surge tank,but be sure the cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool
before you do it.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.