tire type CHEVROLET CAMARO 1997 4.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where
the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited
to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving”
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your Chevrolet’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and
lose cornering force. And
in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid
is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If you have the ASR system, remember: It helps avoid
only the acceleration skid. If
you do not have
ASR, or if the system is off, then an
acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If
you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on
the road. For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. 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.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps
avoid
only the braking skid.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a Chevrolet dealer or a professional towing
service
tow your Chevrolet.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
When
you call, tell the towing service:
0 That your vehicle cannot be towed from the front or
rear with sling-type equipment.
0 That your vehicle has rear-wheel drive.
0 The make, model and year of your vehicle.
0 Whether you can still move the shift lever.
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing
instructions and illustrations. The operator may want
to
see them.
To help avoid injury to you or others:
0 Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
0 Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
0 Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
0 Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.
0 Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.
Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulb, see
“Replacement Bulbs”
in the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has the 55 x 135 mini-quad headlamp
system. These headlamps have horizontal and vertical
aim indicators. The aim has been pre-set at the factory
and should need
no further adjustment.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident and the
headlamp aim seems to be affected, see your
Chevrolet dealer. Headlamps on damaged vehicles may
require recalibration of the horizontal aim by your
Chevrolet dealer.
To check the aim, the vehicle should be properly
prepared as follows:
0
0
0
0
0
The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
attached to it.
There should not be any cargo or loading of the
vehicle, except it should have a full tank
of gas and
one person or
160 lbs. (75 kg) on the driver’s seat.
Tires should be properly inflated.
The horizontal indicator should read
“0.”
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ~ 3. At
the heel end of the wiper blade assembly, notched
end of blade element last, slide the blade element
into the blade claw sets. The plastic retainer caps
will be forced
off as the element is fully inserted.
Make sure that all the claw sets are properly engaged
in the slots of the blade element.
4. Install the wiper blade assembly on the wiper arm.
For information on wiper blade replacement length and
type, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
Tires
Your new Chevrolet comes with high-quality tires made
by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have
questions about your tire warranty and where to obtain
service, see your Chevrolet Warranty booklet for details.
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
CAUTION: (Continued)
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as
a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
0 Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
cut, punctured or broken
by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
0 Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread
is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
See “Inflation
-- Tire Pressure’’ in this section
for inflation pressure adjustment for higher
speed driving.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put
the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10
000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment.
Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See “When It’s Time for New Tires” and
“Wheel Replacement” later in this section for
more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is
to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
c-
If you don’t have P245/5OZR16 or P275/40ZR17
Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires, use the rotation pattern
shown above for your tires.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When It’s Time for New Tires
L
One way to tell when it’s
time
for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
0 You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber.
0 The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.
0 The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because
of the size or location
of the damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number
on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an
“MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they
are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
6-54

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have
a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels,
It's all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It
was developed for use on your vehicle,
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls
of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system
does not apply
to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform
to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half
'( 1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
6-55

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your Chevrolet has P235/55R16, P245/50ZRl6
or P27940ZR17 size tires, don’t use tire chains.
They can damage your vehicle.
If you have other tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use
only SAE Class
“S” type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the rear tires
and tighten
them
as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened.
Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on
will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are toxic. Others can burst into
flame if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
Chevrolet, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s
warnings and instructions. And always open your doors
or windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
0 Gasoline
Benzene
0 Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
0 Acetone
0 Paint Thinner
0 Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
6-58

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Don’t use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Chevrolet
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Chevrolet dealer has two cleaners, a solvent-type
spot lifter and a foam-type powdered cleaner. They will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
Do not use
them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
1. Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
2. Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
3. Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean
area often. A soft brush may be used if stains
are stubborn.
4. Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
only. If you use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
5. If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately
or it will set.
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
1. Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
2. Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
3. Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the surrounding trim along stitch
or welt lines.
directions on the container label.
4. Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge. Don’t
saturate the material and don’t rub it roughly.
5. As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
6. Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
7. Wipe off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel
to remove the suds.
or cloth.
8. Dry it immediately with a blow dryer.
9. Wipe with a clean cloth.
6-59

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Chevrolet
by hand may be
necessary to remove residue from the
paint finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning
products from your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and
Materials’’ in the Index.)
Your Chevrolet has a “basecoatklearcoat” paint finish. necessary,
use non-abrasive cleaners that
are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their
toll over a period
of years.
You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Chevrolet garaged or covered
whenever possible.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
Cleaning Your Convertible Top
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoatklearcoat
paint finish. Your
convertible top should be cleaned often. If you use
an automatic car wash, use one with water jets and
hanging cloths. High pressure car washes may cause
I i water to enter your vehicle.
I NOTICE: I When you hand wash the top, do it in partial shade. Use
a mild -soap, lukewarm water and
a soft sponge. A
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
detergents, harsh cleaners, solvents or bleaching agents. finish or leave swirl marks.
can chafe the threads in the top fabric. Don’t use a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may dull the
chamois or cloth may leave lint on the top, and a brush
When
you clean the top, put one hand under it to
support
it. Wet the entire vehicle and wash the top
evenly to avoid spots or rings. Let the soap remain
on
the fabric for a few minutes. When the top is really dirty,
use a mild foam-type cleaner. Thoroughly rinse the
entire vehicle,
then let the top dry in direct sunlight.
Foreign materials such
as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
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