CHEVROLET CAMARO 2011 5.G Owners Manual
Page 281 of 414
Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-19
{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.
{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.
Page 282 of 414
Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
10-20 Vehicle Care
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 10‑25.
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.
Page 283 of 414
Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-21
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, into sewers,
into 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.
3. Turn the coolant dipstick cap counterclockwise 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.
Page 284 of 414
Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
10-22 Vehicle Care
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.
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.
Page 285 of 414
Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-23
{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 engine cover to access the radiator cap. See Engine
Cover on page 10‑9.
3. Cover the radiator cap with a thick 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.
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.
Page 286 of 414
Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
10-24 Vehicle Care
8. With the engine still running,raise the engine to 2500 RPM for
30–40 seconds.
9. Turn the engine OFF.
10. Repeat steps 2–7 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 10‑9.
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 a
DEX-COOL coolant until full.
Page 287 of 414
Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-25
Wait 30 seconds for coolant to
settle and top off if the level
drops.
Do not spill coolant on the
accessory drive belts.
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 13‑10.
If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked
on a level surface.
Page 288 of 414
Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
10-26 Vehicle Care
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.
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.
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.
Page 289 of 414
Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-27
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.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam,
idle the engine for three minutes
while parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir
is located under the engine cover
on the driver side toward the
front of the engine compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the
system or an unusual noise is
heard. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have
the system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
Check the level after the vehicle
has been driven for at least
twenty minutes so the fluid is warm.
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF and let the engine
compartment cool down.
2. Remove the engine cover. Refer toEngine Cover on page 10‑9.
3. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
4. Turn the cap counterclockwise and pull it straight up.
5. Wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Page 290 of 414
Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
10-28 Vehicle Care
6. Replace the cap and completelytighten it.
7. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
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, see Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑7. 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 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.