automatic transmission CHEVROLET CAMARO 1997 4.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission
into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in
the transmission.
You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever
out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK
(P)” in the Index.
When you are ready
to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transmission in REVERSE
(R) and firmly apply the
parking brake.
If your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in
the Index.
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your Chevrolet has a Brake-Transmission Shift
Interlock (BTSI). You have
to fully apply your regular
brake before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is
in the RUN position. See “Automatic
Transmission Operation” in the Index.
If you cannot shift
out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear
you wish.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out
of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to the OFF position.
2. Apply and hold the brake.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
2-41

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have
to, here are some things to know.
Idling the engme with the air system control
off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhaust”).
Also, idling in
a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO -- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard.
(See “Blizzard” in the Index.)
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set.
Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever
to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling
a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index.
2-43

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Cruise Control
a[ With cruise control,
Ti
you can maintain a
speed
of about 25 mph
(40 kmh) or more
without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. ., ,‘
This can really help on long trips. Cruise control does
not work at speeds below about
25 mph
(40 kmh).
When
you apply your brakes, or push the clutch pedal,
if you have a manual transmission, the cruise control
shuts
off.
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can’t drive safely at
a steady speed. So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
I I
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
ASR system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. (See
“ASR
System” in the Index.) When road conditions allow you
to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise control
back
on.
2-48

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ashtray and Lighter
Lift up the cover to open the ashtray. To remove it, lift
up on the right side of the ashtray. If you have an
automatic transmission, the ashtray is near the front of
your console. If you have
a manual transmission, the
ashtray is near your cupholder.
NOTICE:
Don’t put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtrays.
If you do, cigarettes or other
smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.
To use the lighter, push it in all the way and let go.
When it’s ready, it will pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it
is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to
back away from the heating element when it’s
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
If you plug accessories into your cigarette lighter, such
as heating devices or air compressors, these accessories
should have a rated current of
less than 15 amps.
Exceeding this limit will result in a blown fuse.
2-60

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You can store the sunshades two different ways:
When the T-tops are in use, store the sunshades
in their storage area
in the rear of the vehicle, and
make sure the close-out panel is in its closed,
upright position.
@ When you have the T-tops off and in their storage
slots, store the sunshades on the T-tops, in their
installed position.
Convertible Top
The following procedures explain the proper operation
of your convertible top.
Lowering Your Convertible Top
NOTICE:
Don’t leave your convertible out with the top
down for any long periods of time. The sun and
the rain can damage your seat material and other
things inside your vehicle.
1. Park on a level surface. Set the parking brake fdy. Shift
an automatic transmission into
PARIS (P) or a manual
transmission into
REVERSE (R). The ignition must be in
the
ACC or RUN position. Lower both sun visors.
I NOTICE:
Don’t lower the top if it is damp or wet. When
the top is down, trapped water can cause stains,
mildew and damage to the inside
of your vehicle.
Be sure
to dry off the top before you lower it.
2-68

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Raising Your Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface. Set the parking brake firmly.
If you have an automatic transmission, shift into
PARK (P).
If you have a manual transmission, shift
into REVERSE
(R). The ignition must be in the
ACC
or RUN position or RAP must be on. Then
lower both sun visors and lower both windows at
least
3 inches (8 cm). If the boot cover is in place, it
must be removed first.
3. Install the middle secuon of the cover by sliding the
tabs into the slots on the right side cover. Lower the
cover and engage the latch.
4. Close the trunk.
2. Open the trunk. Remove the middle piece of the cover
by pushing in on the latch and lifting up on the cover.
2-71

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Making firns
I NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t
strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
%rn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Chevrolet dealer. The green arrows
on your
instrument panel will flash whenever
you signal a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop. When
towing
a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you
start down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to
use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed
to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
If
you are towing a trailer and you have an automatic
transmission with overdrive,
you may prefer to drive in
DRIVE
(D) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@)
(or, as you need to, a lower gear). Or, if you have a
manual transmission with FIFTH (5) or SIXTH (6) gear
and
you are towing a trailer it is better not to use
FIFTH
(5) or SIXTH (6) gear. Just drive in FOURTH
(4) gear (FIFTH (5) gear if you have a six-speed manual
transmission) (or, as
you need to, a lower gear).
4-38

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on
a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start
to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift
into PARK (P)
yet, or into gear for a
manual transmission.
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are
in place, release the
regular brakes. Then apply your parking brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake and then shift to PARK(P) or REVERSE (R)
for a manual transmission.
Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling
a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are especially important
in
trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help
you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-39

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Trying to start your Chevrolet by pushing
or
pulling it could damage your vehicle, even if you
have a manual transmission. And if you have an
automatic transmission,
it won’t start that way.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2.
3.
Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each
other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want.
You wouldn’t be able to
start
your Chevrolet, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
Turn off the ignition
on both vehicles. Turn off all
lights that aren’t needed, and radios. This will avoid
sparks and help save both batteries. And it could
save your radio!
I NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
Find
the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
5-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get
a little too hot when you:
0 Climb a long hill on a hot day.
0 Stop after high-speed driving.
0 Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If
you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or
so:
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open
the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a) or
DRIVE (D) for automatic transmissions.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for two or three minutes while you’re parked,
to see if
the warning stops. But then, if you still have the
warning,
turn ofthe engine and get everyone out
of the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not
to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-15