manual transmission CHEVROLET CAMARO 2020 Get To Know Guide

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556304) - 2020 - CRC - 9/3/19
184 Driving and Operating
P :This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the engine because the vehicle
cannot move easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park 0180.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. The regular brake must be
fully applied first and then the shift lever button must be pressed before
shifting from P (Park) when the
ignition is on. If you cannot shift out
of P (Park), ease pressure on the
shift lever, then push the shift lever
all the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then
press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another
gear. See
Shifting out of Park 0180.
R : Use this gear to back up.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle Is Stuck 0169. N :
In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle
is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
(Continued)

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556304) - 2020 - CRC - 9/3/19
Driving and Operating 185
Caution (Continued)
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal
driving. If more power is needed for
passing, press the accelerator
pedal down.
Powertrain Braking
When driving on steep descents
with the shift lever in D (Drive)
where frequent braking is required, the transmission will shift down a
gear to help hold vehicle speed and
reduce brake wear. If the brake
continues to be pressed, the
transmission will downshift until the
correct gear for optimal braking is
reached.
If the road levels out and the
accelerator pedal is pressed, the
transmission will upshift until the
appropriate gear is reached.
Caution
If the vehicle does not shift gears,
the transmission could be
damaged. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.
Performance Shifting
While driving in Sport Mode (L4,
if equipped or V6, if equipped),
or Sport Mode and Track Mode (V8,
if equipped), if Tap Shift has not
been activated, the transmission
determines when the vehicle is
being driven in a competitive
manner. The transmission may
remain in a gear longer than it
would in the normal driving mode
based on throttle input and vehicle
lateral acceleration. If there is a
rapid reduction in throttle from a
heavy throttle position at high rpm,
the transmission will maintain the
current gear up to near redline rpm.
While braking, the transmission will
automatically downshift to the next
lower gear keeping engine speed
above approximately 3000 rpm.
If the vehicle is then driven for a
short time at a steady speed, and
without high cornering loads, the
transmission will upshift one gear at
a time until the highest available
gear is reached. After shifting to the
highest available gear, the
transmission will return to normal
Sport Mode shifting.

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556304) - 2020 - CRC - 9/3/19
186 Driving and Operating
Manual Mode
Driver Shift Control (DSC)Caution
Driving with the engine at a high
rpm without upshifting while using
Driver Shift Control (DSC), could
damage the vehicle. Always
upshift when necessary while
using DSC.
DSC allows shifting an automatic
transmission similar to a manual
transmission. To use the DSC
feature:1. Move the shift lever to the left from D (Drive) into the side
gate marked with +/−.
2. Press the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward to
downshift.
While using the DSC feature, the
vehicle will have firmer, quicker
shifting. You can use this for sport
driving or when climbing or
descending hills, to stay in gear
longer, or to downshift for more
power or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow you
to shift into gears appropriate for the
vehicle speed and engine
revolutions per minute (rpm). The
transmission will not automatically
shift to the next lower gear if the
engine rpm is too high, nor to the
next higher gear when the maximum
engine rpm is reached. While in the DSC mode, the
transmission will automatically
downshift as the vehicle comes to a
stop. This will allow for more power
during take-off.
Tap Shift
Tap Shift allows you to manually
control the automatic transmission.
To use Tap Shift, the shift lever must
be in DSC mode. Vehicles with this
feature have indicators on the
steering wheel. The paddles are on
the back of the steering wheel. Tap
the left paddle (−) to downshift, and
the right paddle (+) to upshift. The

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556304) - 2020 - CRC - 9/3/19
Driving and Operating 187
Driver Information Center (DIC)
display indicates the gear the
vehicle is in.
Holding the left paddle for an
extended time will downshift the
transmission to the lowest
available gear.
While in Manual Mode, the
transmission will prevent shifting to
a lower gear if the engine speed is
too high. If the tap down−(Minus)
paddle is held while the vehicle
slows down, the M in the DIC will
flash, and the downshift will be
allowed when vehicle speed is low
enough. Continuing to hold the tap
down −(Minus) paddle will not
cause the transmission to continue
downshifting. Each downshift must
be requested separately by
releasing and reapplying the tap
down −(Minus) paddle.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
Vehicles equipped with a Head-Up
Display (HUD) may also have
performance shift timing lights
across the top of the display. The rows of lights get closer
together as the maximum shift point
gets closer. Shift the transmission
before the lights come together in
the display. Shift immediately if the
lights are flashing.
See
Head-Up Display (HUD) 0120.
Temporary Tap Shift Mode allows
brief entry into Tap Shift Mode while
in D (Drive). Tapping either the
upshift or downshift control will
place the transmission in Tap Shift
Mode. Exit Tap Shift Mode by
holding the upshift control for
two seconds. The system will return
to automatic shifting after
seven seconds of driving at a
steady speed, or when the vehicle
comes to a stop.
This may be used for sport driving
or when climbing or descending
hills, to stay in gear longer, or to
downshift for more power or engine
braking. The transmission will only
allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed
and engine revolutions per minute
(rpm). The transmission will not
automatically shift to the next higher gear if the engine rpm is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any
reason, the gear displayed in the
DIC will blink several times,
indicating that the transmission has
not shifted gears. While in the Tap
Shift Mode, the transmission will not
automatically downshift on hard
acceleration.

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556304) - 2020 - CRC - 9/3/19
188 Driving and Operating
Manual Transmission
Shift Pattern–V8 Engine
Shift Pattern –L4 and V6 Engines
These are the shift patterns for the
6-speed manual transmissions.
Caution
The message MANUAL
TRANSMISSION —RELEASE
CLUTCH PEDAL displays and a
chime sounds if the manual
transmission clutch pedal is
partially applied for an extended
period of time while the vehicle is
being driven. Driving with the
clutch pedal applied can reduce
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the life of the clutch and/or
damage it. Fully release the
clutch pedal after each gear
change.
Caution
The message REDUCED
PERFORMANCE—REDUCE
CLUTCH USE displays and
engine torque is momentarily
limited if excessive manual
transmission clutch slip is
detected while the clutch pedal is
fully released. This could be
caused by a hot clutch. Apply less
pressure on the accelerator pedal
when accelerating from a stop.
Also, fully release the accelerator
pedal during gear changes. This
will allow the clutch to cool and
should prevent further clutch slip
while the clutch pedal is fully
(Continued)

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556304) - 2020 - CRC - 9/3/19
Driving and Operating 189
Caution (Continued)
released. If this message displays
repeatedly, see your dealer.
Repeated clutch slip could cause
permanent damage.
Caution
The message TRANSMISSION IS
HOT—SLOW DOWN displays
and a chime sounds if the manual
transmission fluid is hot and
vehicle speed is high. Driving with
the manual transmission fluid
temperature high can damage the
vehicle. Drive at a slower speed
to cool the manual transmission
fluid. This message clears when
the vehicle has slowed sufficiently
or if the manual transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
To operate the transmission: 1 :
Press the clutch pedal to the
floor and shift into 1 (First). Then
slowly let up on the clutch pedal
while pressing the accelerator
pedal.
Shift into 1 (First) when going less
than 65 km/h (40 mph). If the vehicle
comes to a complete stop and it is
hard to shift into 1 (First), put the
shift lever in Neutral and let up on
the clutch. Press the clutch pedal
back down to the floor. Then shift
into 1 (First).
2 : Press the clutch pedal to the
floor while letting up on the
accelerator pedal and shift into
2 (Second). Then, slowly let up on
the clutch pedal while pressing the
accelerator pedal.
3, 4, 5, and 6 : Shift into 3 (Third),
4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth), and 6 (Sixth) the
same way as for 2 (Second). Slowly
let up on the clutch pedal while
pressing the accelerator pedal. To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake
pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral :
Use this position when
starting or idling the engine. The
shift lever is in Neutral when it is
centered in the shift pattern, not in
any gear.
R : To back up, press the clutch
pedal to the floor and shift into
R (Reverse). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the
accelerator pedal.

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556304) - 2020 - CRC - 9/3/19
190 Driving and Operating
One to Four Shift Message
(V8 Only)
When this message comes on, the
vehicle can only be shifted from
1 (First) to 4 (Fourth) instead of
1 (First) to 2 (Second). The message
will display in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
Complete the shift into 4 (Fourth) to
turn off this feature. This helps to
get the best possible fuel economy.
After shifting to 4 (Fourth), downshift
to a lower gear, if desired.
Caution
Forcing the shift lever into any
gear except 4 (Fourth) when the
1-4 SHIFT message comes on
may damage the transmission.
Shift only from 1 (First) to
4 (Fourth) when the message
comes on.
This message will come on when:
. The engine coolant temperature
is higher than 76 °C (169 °F).
. The vehicle is accelerating from
a stop and going 24 to 31 km/h
(15 to 19 mph).
. The vehicle is at 33% throttle
or less.
Once displayed, the message will
remain in the DIC for two seconds,
even if the conditions for skip shift
are no longer satisfied.
Vehicles equipped with a Head-Up
Display (HUD) may also have
performance shift timing lights
across the top of the display. The rows of lights get closer
together as the maximum shift point
gets closer. Shift the transmission
before the lights come together in
the display. Shift immediately if the
lights are flashing.
See
Head-Up Display (HUD) 0120.
Active Rev Match
Vehicles equipped with a V8 engine
and a manual transmission have
Active Rev Match (ARM). ARM aids
in smoother shifting by matching the
engine speed to the next selected
gear. By monitoring shift lever and
clutch operation, ARM adjusts
engine speed to match a calibrated
value based on gear selection. On
upshifts and downshifts, engine
speed will be decreased and
increased to match vehicle road
speed and transmission gear
position. ARM is maintained while
the clutch pedal is pressed, but will
deactivate if the shift lever is left in
the Neutral position.

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556304) - 2020 - CRC - 9/3/19
Driving and Operating 191
The system is activated and
deactivated by pressing either of the
paddles marked REV MATCH on
the steering wheel. The system
must be activated with each new
ignition cycle.
A gear indicator in the instrument
cluster displays the current gear
selected:
.When ARM is activated, the
gear number is amber.
. When ARM is deactivated, the
gear number is white.
. If no gear number is displayed
while the shift lever is in gear,
service is required. ARM will be disabled, and the malfunction
indicator lamp will be on. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
0
110. The clutch and manual
transmission will continue to
operate normally.
ARM will also:
. Only be active above 25 km/h
(16 mph).
. Only match engine speed up to
5400 rpm.
. Not operate when the
accelerator pedal is applied.
. Be disabled when the coolant
temperature is below 0 °
C (32 °F).
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent a braking skid and
maintain steering while
braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when
the vehicle is first driven.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and the brake pedal may move
slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 113.

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556304) - 2020 - CRC - 9/3/19
Driving and Operating 193
If the8light is on, pull the EPB
switch and hold it. Continue to hold
the switch until the
Yor PARK
light remains on. If the
8light
remains on, see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
pulled. If the switch is pulled until
the vehicle comes to a stop, the
EPB will remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically apply
the EPB in some situations when
the vehicle is not moving. This is
normal, and is done to periodically
check the correct operation of the
EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the
rear wheels to prevent vehicle
movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Turn the ignition on or to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal. 3. Press the EPB switch
momentarily.
The EPB is released when the
Y
or PARK light is off.
If the
8light is on, release the EPB
by pressing and holding the EPB
switch. Continue to hold the switch
until the
Yor PARK light is off.
If either light stays on after release
is attempted, see your dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
The EPB can also be used to
prevent roll back for vehicles with a
manual transmission taking off on a
hill. When no roll back is desired, an
applied EPB will allow both feet to
be used for the clutch and
accelerator pedals in preparation for
starting the vehicle moving in the
intended direction. In this case,
there is no need to press the switch
to release the EPB.
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid brake
pedal applications due to
emergency braking situations and
provides additional braking to
activate the Antilock Brake System
(ABS) if the brake pedal is not
pushed hard enough to activate
ABS normally. Minor noise, brake
pedal pulsation, and/or pedal
movement during this time may
occur. Continue to apply the brake

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556304) - 2020 - CRC - 9/3/19
196 Driving and Operating
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
Y. The traction off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster.
To turn TCS on again, press
Y.
The traction off light
idisplayed in
the instrument cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
Yis pressed, the system will not
turn off until the wheels stop
spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC, press and hold
Yuntil the
traction off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC OFF light
gcome on and stay
on in the instrument cluster. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on
again, press
Y. The traction off
light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC OFF
light
gin the instrument cluster
turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 221.
Engine Drag Control (EDC)
EDC improves vehicle stability by
sensing if there is a difference in
speed between the free rolling front
wheels and the rear drive wheels
that often occurs when the driver
takes their foot off the accelerator
pedal on slippery surfaces (snow,
ice, etc.). When this is detected,
EDC sends more torque to the rear
wheels to make sure all four wheels
are spinning at similar speeds,
making the vehicle more stable.
Driver Mode Control
Driver Mode Control adds a sportier
feel, provide a more comfortable
ride, or assist in different weather conditions or terrain. This system
simultaneously changes the
software calibration of various
sub-systems to optimize driving
performance. Depending on the
option package, available features,
and mode selected, the exhaust,
suspension, steering, and
powertrain will change calibrations
to achieve the desired mode
characteristics. If the vehicle is
equipped with Magnetic Ride
Control, selecting the various Driver
Modes adjusts the ride of the
vehicle to enhance the ride
performance for the road conditions
and the selected mode.
While in the Sport and/or Track
Modes, the vehicle monitors driving
behavior and automatically enables
Performance Shift Features in the
automatic transmission when
spirited driving is detected. These
features maintain lower
transmission gears to increase
available engine braking and
improve acceleration response. The
vehicle will exit these features and