coolant level CHEVROLET CAMARO 2010 5.G Owners Manual

Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Instruments and Controls 4-33
Engine Cooling System
Messages
A/C Off Due to High
Engine Temp
This message displays when
the engine coolant becomes
hotter than the normal operating
temperature. To avoid added
strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor
automatically turns off. When
the coolant temperature returns
to normal, the air conditioning
compressor turns back on. You can
continue to drive the vehicle.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
Coolant Level Low Add
Coolant
This message will display if the
coolant is low; seeEngine Coolant
on page 9‑18.
Engine Overheated —Idle
Engine
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down.
Engine Overheated —Stop
Engine
This message displays and a
continuous chime sounds if the
engine cooling system reaches
unsafe temperatures for operation.
Stop and turn off the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so to avoid
severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled
to a safe operating temperature.
High Coolant Temperature
This message displays if the coolant
temperature is hot; see Engine
Overheating on page 9‑23.
Engine Oil Messages
Change Engine Oil Soon
This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be
sure to reset the Oil Life System.
See Engine Oil Life System
on
page 9‑13and Driver Information
Center (DIC)on page 4‑28for
information on how to reset the
system. See Engine Oil
on
page 9‑10and Scheduled
Maintenanceon page 10‑2for more information.
Engine Oil Hot, Idle Engine
This message displays when the
engine oil temperature is too hot.
Stop and allow the vehicle to idle
until it cools down.
Engine Oil Low —Add Oil
This message displays when the
engine oil level is too low. Check
the oil level. See Engine Oil
on
page 9‑10.

Black plate (52,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
8-52 Driving and Operating
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park)
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. For vehicles with manual
transmissions, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission out of
gear and the parking brake applied,
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, seeEngine Overheating
on page 9‑23.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill
with the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet for
vehicles with an automatic
transmission, or into gear
for vehicles with a manual
transmission. Turn the wheels
into the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park) for vehicles with an
automatic transmission or into
gear for vehicles with a manual
transmission.
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.start the engine,
.shift into a gear, and
.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.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 9-13
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14 Manual Transmission
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . 9-15
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . 9-25
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . 9-31
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . 9-32
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps (Base
Vehicle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
(Up-Level Vehicle) . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . 9-41

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-17
Cooling System
When it is safe to lift the hood:
3.6 L V6 Engine
A. Coolant Recovery Bottle
B. Electric Cooling Fans
C. Radiator Cap (under engine cover)
6.2 L V8 Engines
(L99 shown LS3 similar)
A. Coolant Recovery Bottle
B. Electric Cooling Fans
C. Radiator Cap
{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 coolant
recovery bottle is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a
level surface.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
9-18 Vehicle Care
The coolant level should be
between the MIN and MAX lines.
If it is not, you 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, your 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 miles) 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.
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 five years
or 240 000 km (150,000 miles),
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 9‑23.
What to Use
{WARNING
Adding only plain water to
the cooling system can be
dangerous. Plain water, or some
other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant
mixture will. The vehicle's 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.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-19
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.
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.
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 coolant recovery bottle. See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 9‑6.
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.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
9-20 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 coolant overflow bottle
dipstick cap counterclockwise
and slowly pull out the dipstick.
2. Pour the coolant into the 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.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-21
{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 coolant
overflow bottle, add coolant as
follows:
3.6 L V6 Engine Fill Procedure
1. Locate the radiator cap. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 9‑6.
2. Remove engine cover to access the radiator cap. See Engine
Cover on page 9‑9.
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.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
9-22 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 9‑9.
13. Check the coolant level in the 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 9‑6.
2. Cover the radiator cap with athick cloth and turn it slowly
counterclockwise and remove.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2010
Vehicle Care 9-23
3. If there is no coolant visible orthe 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.
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
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 4‑15.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
See Roadside Assistance Program
on page 12‑6.
If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on
a level surface.