CHEVROLET CAMARO 1997 4.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE
VISCOSITY GRADE 011 FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
WOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
"F
+ 100-
+ 80 -
+ 60 -
+40-
+ 20 -
0-
\I
SAE SW-M PREFERRED
I SAE I law-30
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
5.7L Engine
As shown in the chart, if you have the 5.7L engine,
SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use SAE 1OW-30 if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C) or
above. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as
SAE 20W-50.
6-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine RECOMMENDED SAE VlSCOSlTT GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE
OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
WOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
wi
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SA€ 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
3800 Engine
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3800 engine, SAE
1OW-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 5W-30 if it’s going to be colder than 60°F (16°C)
before your next oil change. When it’s very cold, you
should use
SAE 5W-30. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines “Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20°F (-29”C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an
SAE OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
6-16

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Chevrolet dealer is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance schedule:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil
to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then
you need to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
(See “Change Oil Indicator” in the Index.) If
none
of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (1 2 500 km) or I2 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving
a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
(See “Change Oil Indicator” in the Index.)
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t 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 throw
away 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 real threat
to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure
to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose
of oil
by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
6-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Cleaner
rN
--‘
3800 Engine
5.7L Engine
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
6-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you
or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air,
it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Air Filter Replacement
To remove the air filter:
1. Remove the two plastic pins by pulling them
straight up.
6-19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Disconnect the plastic clamp on the duct. Pull apart
the connection. 3. Pull the air cleaner straight up. Unclamp the
metal clips.
6-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. Open the air cleaner and remove the filter.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine
oil is changed. Change
both
the fluid and filter every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
Uses such as high performance operation.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Chevrolet dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
regularly
reaches
90” F (32°C) or higher.
6-21

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if
you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F
to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Checking Transmission Fluid Hot
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
( 10" C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), drive the
vehicle in
DRIVE (D) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the engine
off and is used
only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five
minutes if outside temperatures are
50°F (10°C) or
more. If it's colder than
50°F (lO°C), you may have
to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold check, you
must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you
a more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
0 Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
0 With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
engine
running.
in PARK
(P).
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range, Then, position the shift
lever in
PARK (P).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
6-22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
3800 Engine - Transmission Dipstick
5.7L Engine - Transmission Dipstick
back of the engine. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it
with a clean rag or paper towel.
1. The transaxle fluid handle is the red loop near the
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull
it back out again.
6-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1
5.7L Engine - Tkansmission Dipstick
3.
4.
3800 Engine - Transmission Dipstick
Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the
COLD area for a
cold check or in the HOT area or cross-hatched area
for a hot check.
If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back
in all the way.
6-24