check transmission fluid CHEVROLET CAMARO 2011 5.G Owners Manual

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-13
Metric
For vehicles with this gauge,
it is located in front of the shifter,
and shows the transmission oil
temperature when the ignition is on. If the gauge is reading in the red
area and/or a message appears
in the DIC, the vehicle must be
stopped and the cause checked.
One possible cause is a low fluid
level in the transmission.
For information on the DIC
messages see
Transmission
Messages on page 5‑40.
Notice: If the vehicle is
driven with the transmission
temperature gauge above the
normal operating range, the
transmission can be damaged.
This could lead to costly repairs
that would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not drive
the vehicle while the transmission
temperature gauge reading is
above normal. See your dealer
for service.
Voltmeter Gauge
English Shown, Metric Similar
For vehicles with this gauge, it is
located in front of the shifter, and
shows the battery's state of charge
in DC volts.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-9
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention
to your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find
a safe place to park the vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep interior temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving—scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{WARNING
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
{WARNING
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will
have to do all the work of slowing
down and they could get so hot
that they would not work well.
You would then have poor braking
or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear when going downhill.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in
your own lane.
.Top of hills: Be alert —
something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.

Black plate (58,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
9-58 Driving and Operating
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things
that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 10‑25.
Trailer Towing
Before pulling a trailer, there are
three important considerations that
have to do with weight:
.The weight of the trailer.
.The weight of the trailer tongue.
.The total weight on your
vehicle's tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
454 kg (1,000 lbs). But even that
can be too heavy.
It depends on how the rig is used.
For example, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature, and
how much the vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important. It can
depend on any special equipment
on the vehicle, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry.
See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue”
later in this section for more
information. Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in
the tow vehicle and it has all the
required trailering equipment.
The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Ask your dealer for our trailering
information or advice, or you can
write us at our Customer Assistance
Offices. See
Customer Assistance
Offices (U.S. and Canada) on
page 13‑4 orCustomer Assistance
Offices (Mexico) on page 13‑5 for
more information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes
the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-14
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-16 Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-25
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-27
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-32
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-34
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Windshield Replacement . . . 10-35
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38 Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking Lamps
(Base Vehicle) . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
(Up-Level Vehicle) . . . . . . . . 10-40
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-42
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-15
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN withthe engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
The system is reset when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message goes off.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check
the transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the
only reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer service department and have
it repaired as soon as possible.
The vehicle is not equipped with
a transmission fluid level dipstick.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, this should
be done at the dealer service
department. Contact the dealer
for additional information or the
procedure can be found in the
service manual. To purchase
a service manual, see
Service
Publications Ordering Information
on page 13‑15.
Change the fluid and filter at
the intervals listed in Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2, and
be sure to use the fluid listed
in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑7.

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
10-16 Vehicle Care
Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the
only reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer service department and
have it repaired as soon as
possible. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 11‑7
for the proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
For vehicles with a manual
transmission, it is not necessary to
regularly check brake/clutch fluid
unless there is a leak suspected.
Adding fluid will not correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could
indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What
to Use
The brake/hydraulic clutch fluid
reservoir cap has this symbol on it.
The common hydraulic clutch and
brake master cylinder fluid reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid as
indicated on the reservoir cap.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for reservoir location.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the brake/clutch fluid
reservoir to make sure the fluid level
is at the MIN (minimum) line on the
side of the reservoir. The brake/
hydraulic clutch fluid system
should be closed and sealed. Do not remove the cap to check
the fluid level or to top‐off the fluid
level. Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper fluid
until the level reaches the MIN line.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
and replace it at the first oil change
after each 80 000 km (50,000 mi)
interval. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2 for
more information. If driving in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the
filter at each engine oil change.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
11-4 Service and Maintenance
.Body hinges and latches,
key lock cylinders, folding
seat hardware, and sunroof
(if equipped) lubrication.
SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑7.
More frequent lubrication may
be required when the vehicle
is exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a
clean cloth makes them last
longer, seal better, and not
stick or squeak.
.Restraint system component
check. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑22.
.Fuel system inspection for
damage or leaks.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat
shields inspection for loose or
damaged components.
Additional Required Services
Every 12 000 km/7,500 Miles
.If tire rotation is recommended
for the vehicle, rotate tires.
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km/7,500 miles. See Tire
Rotation on page 10‑66.
At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check.
See Engine Oil on page 10‑10.
.Engine coolant level check.
SeeEngine Coolant on
page 10‑20.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑28. Once a Month
.Tire inflation check. See
Tire
Pressure on page 10‑58.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑66.
.Sunroof track and seal
inspection, if equipped.
See Sunroof on page 2‑17.
Once a Year
.See Starter Switch Check on
page 10‑32.
.See Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control Function
Check on page 10‑33.
.See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑33.
.See Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check on
page 10‑34.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-5
.Accelerator pedal check for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.If the vehicle has a Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit, check the
sealant expiration date printed
on the instruction label of
the kit. SeeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 10‑78.
.Underbody flushing service.
.Hood/Decklid/Liftgate/Liftglass
Support Gas Strut Service:
Visually inspect gas strut,
if equipped, for signs of wear,
cracks, or other damage. Check
the hold open ability of the gas
strut. Contact your dealer if
service is required. First Engine Oil Change After
Every 40 000 km/25,000 Miles
.Passenger compartment
air filter replacement (or every
24 months, whichever occurs
first). More frequent replacement
may be needed if you drive
in areas with heavy traffic,
areas with poor air quality,
or areas with high dust levels.
Replacement may also be
needed if you notice reduced
air flow, windows fogging up,
or odors. Your dealer can help
you determine when it is the
right time to replace the filter.
First Engine Oil Change After
Every 80 000 km/50,000 Miles.Engine air cleaner filter
replacement. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑16.
.Automatic transmission fluid
change (severe service) for
vehicles mainly driven in
heavy city traffic in hot weather,
in hilly or mountainous terrain,
when frequently towing a
trailer, or used for taxi,
police, or delivery service.
See Automatic Transmission
Fluid on page 10‑15.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
11-6 Service and Maintenance
.Rear axle fluid change (severe
service) for vehicles mainly
driven in hilly or mountainous
terrain, when frequently towing
a trailer, used for high speed or
competitive driving, or used for
taxi, police, or delivery service.
See your dealer.
.Evaporative control system
inspection. Check all fuel and
vapor lines and hoses for proper
hook‐up, routing, and condition.
Check that the purge valve,
if the vehicle has one, works
properly. Replace as needed.
An Emission Control Service.
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board
has determined that the failure
to perform this maintenance
item will not nullify the emissionwarranty or limit recall liability
prior to the completion of
the vehicle's useful life.
We, however, urge that all
recommended maintenance
services be performed at the
indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
First Engine Oil Change After
Every 160 000 km/100,000 Miles
.Automatic transmission fluid
change (normal service).
See Automatic Transmission
Fluid on page 10‑15.
.Rear axle fluid change (normal
service). See your dealer.
.Spark plug replacement and
spark plug wires inspection.
An Emission Control Service. First Engine Oil Change After
Every 240 000 km/150,000 Miles
.Engine cooling system drain,
flush, and refill (or every five
years, whichever occurs first).
See
Cooling System on
page 10‑18. An Emission
Control Service.
.Engine drive belts inspection
for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage (or every
10 years, whichever occurs
first). Replace, if needed.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual - 2011
Technical Data 12-3
ApplicationCapacities
Metric English
Rear Axle Fluid
V6 Engine 6 —Speed Automatic 0.9 L 1.0 qt
V6 Engine 6 —Speed Manual* 0.9 L 1.0 qt
V8 Engine* 0.9 L 1.0 qt
Transmission Fluid (Pan Removal and Filter Replacement) V6 Engine 6 —Speed Automatic** 6.3 L 6.7 qt
V8 Engine 6 —Speed Automatic** 6.3 L 6.7 qt
V6 Engine 6 —Speed Manual 1.8 L 1.9 qt
V8 Engine 6 —Speed Manual 3.9 L 4.2 qt
Wheel Nut Torque 190Y 140 lb ft
*Add 2.5 oz. (75 mL) of friction modifier to the specified quantity of axle lubricant.
**See Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 10‑15 for information on checking fluid level.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.