parking brake CHEVROLET CAMARO SS 2010 Owners Manual

Brake System
Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts.
If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop the
vehicle. For good braking both parts
need to work well.
If the warning light comes on,
there is a brake problem. Have the
brake system inspected right away.
If the vehicle has antilock brakes,
this light should come on when
the key is turned to START. If it
does not come on, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a
problem.When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light also comes on
when parking brake is set. The light
stays on if the parking brake does
not fully release. If it stays on after
the parking brake is fully released,
it means the vehicle has a brake
problem.
If, while driving, the light comes on
and a brake message comes on
the Driver Information Center (DIC),
pull off the road and stop carefully.
The pedal could be harder to
push or the pedal can go closer
to the floor. It could take longer
to stop. If the light is still on, have
the vehicle towed for service.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-23
andDriving Characteristics and
Towing Tips on page 8-49.
{WARNING
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
The Brake message remains on
until the menu button is pressed.
The brake light remains until
the problem is fixed. SeeBrake
System Messages on page 4-31
for more information. United States
Canada
4-22 Instruments and Controls

Low Battery
This message is displayed when the
battery voltage is low. SeeBattery
on page 9-29for more information.
Service Battery Charging
System
This message is displayed when
there is a fault in the battery
charging system. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer for service.
Brake System Messages
Brake Fluid Low
This message is displayed when the
brake fluid level is low, seeBrake
Fluid on page 9-28.
Release Parking Brake
This message is displayed as a
reminder that the parking brake is
on. Release it before you attempt
to drive.
Compass Messages
Service Compass
This message is displayed when the
compass needs service. Take the
vehicle to your dealer/retailer for
service.
Cruise Control Messages
Apply Brakes Before Cruise
If this message displays when
attempting to activate cruise control,
apply the brake and then try again.
Cruise Set to XXX
This message will display when the
cruise control is set and it will
show the speed it was set to.
SeeCruise Control on page 8-38
for more information.
Door Ajar Messages
Driver Door Open
This message will display when the
driver door is open. Close the door
completely.
Hood Open
This message will display when
the hood is open. Close the hood
completely.
Passenger Door Open
This message will display when the
passenger door is open. Close the
door completely.
Trunk Open
This message will display when
the trunk is open. Close the trunk
completely.
Instruments and Controls 4-31

Driving and
Operating
Driving InformationDriving for Better Fuel
Economy............................8-2
Defensive Driving..................8-2
Drunk Driving.......................8-3
Control of a Vehicle...............8-3
Braking................................8-4
Steering...............................8-5
Off-Road Recovery................8-6
Loss of Control.....................8-6
Competitive Driving................8-7
Driving on Wet Roads............8-8
Highway Hypnosis.................8-9
Hill and Mountain Roads........8-9
Winter Driving.....................8-10
If the Vehicle is Stuck..........8-11
Vehicle Load Limits..............8-12
Starting and OperatingNew Vehicle Break-In...........8-16
Ignition Positions.................8-17
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................8-19
Starting the Engine..............8-19Engine Heater.....................8-20
Shifting Into Park.................8-21
Shifting Out of Park.............8-22
Parking..............................8-24
Parking Over Things
That Burn.........................8-24
Active Fuel Management™. . . .8-25
Engine ExhaustEngine Exhaust...................8-25
Running the Vehicle While
Parked.............................8-26
Automatic TransmissionAutomatic Transmission........8-26
Manual Mode......................8-29
Manual TransmissionManual Transmission...........8-30
BrakesAntilock Brake
System (ABS)...................8-31
Parking Brake.....................8-32
Brake Assist.......................8-33
Ride Control SystemsTraction Control
System (TCS)...................8-34
StabiliTrak System...............8-36
Competitive
Driving Mode.....................8-37
Limited-Slip Rear Axle..........8-38
Cruise ControlCruise Control.....................8-38
Object Detection SystemsUltrasonic Parking Assist......8-41
FuelFuel...................................8-43
Recommended Fuel.............8-44
Gasoline Specifications.........8-44
California Fuel
Requirements....................8-45
Fuels in Foreign Countries.....8-45
Fuel Additives.....................8-45
Filling the Tank...................8-46
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container..........................8-48
TowingGeneral Towing Information. . . .8-48
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips......................8-49
Trailer Towing.....................8-53
Towing Equipment...............8-55
Conversions and Add-OnsAdd-On Electrical
Equipment........................8-55
Driving and Operating 8-1

If charging or jump starting the
battery does not work, remove the
plug covering the hole below the
ignition lock. Insert a screwdriver into
the opening as far as it will go and
remove the key from the ignition.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories may be
used for up to 10 minutes after
the engine is turned off:
•Audio System
•Power Windows
The power windows will continue to
work for up to 10 minutes or until any
door is opened. The radio will work
when the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is
turned from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF,
the radio will continue to work for
10 minutes, or until the driver door
is opened or the key is removed
from the ignition.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the
proper gear.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
vehicle when it is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in
N (Neutral) and the parking brake
engaged. Hold the clutch pedal
down to the floor and start the
engine. The vehicle will not start
if the clutch pedal is not all the
way down.Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to
START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as the engine
warms. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Allow
the oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key
is turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking
for a few seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine
does not start and the key
is held in START for many
seconds, cranking stops
after 15 seconds to prevent
cranking motor damage.
Driving and Operating 8-19

To Use The Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
The electrical cord is located
on the passenger side of the
engine compartment, in front
of the underhood fuse block
for V6 models.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded
110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause
an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured.
Plug the cord into a properly
grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach,
use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the cord
as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you
do not it could be damaged.
The length of time the heater
should remain plugged in depends
on several factors. Ask a dealer/
retailer in the area where you will
be parking the vehicle for the best
advice on this.
Shifting Into Park
{WARNING
It can be 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. 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, use the steps
that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeDriving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 8-49.
Use this procedure to shift into
P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down and
set the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-32
for more information.
2. Hold the button on the shift lever
and push the lever toward the
front of the vehicle into P (Park).
Driving and Operating 8-21

3. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key.
Leaving the Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running,
it could overheat and even catch
fire. You or others could be injured.
Do not leave the vehicle with the
engine running.
If you have to leave the vehicle
with the engine running, the vehicle
must be in P (Park) and the parking
brake set.
Release the button and check that
the shift lever cannot be moved
out of P (Park).
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of
the vehicle puts too much force on
the parking pawl in the transmission.
This happens when parking on a hill
and shifting the transmission into
P (Park) is not done properly and
then it is difficult to shift out of
P (Park). To prevent torque lock,
set the parking brake and then
shift into P (Park). To find out how,
see “Shifting Into P (Park)” listed
previously.
If torque lock does occur, the
vehicle may need to be pushed
uphill by another vehicle to relieve
the parking pawl pressure, so
you can shift out of P (Park).
Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is designed to:
•Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in P (Park)
with the shift lever button fully
released.
•Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park), unless the
ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY and the brake
pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of
an uncharged or low voltage
(less than 9 volt) battery.
8-22 Driving and Operating

3. Remove the retainer and the shift
lock manual release cover.
4. Push and hold the manual
release lever toward the rear
of the vehicle.
5. Press the select button and
move the transmission gear
selector to the N (Neutral)
position.6. Release the lever.
7. After the vehicle has been
moved, align the shift lock
manual release cover plate
and install the retainer so the
automatic transmission can
operate properly.
8. Place the console trim panel in
the original position, aligning
the fasteners on the trim panel
with the slots in the console.
Press in the side trim until
it clicks in place.
The transmission selector locks
if it is moved back to the P (Park)
position.
Parking
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, before getting out of
the vehicle, move the shift lever into
R (Reverse), and firmly apply the
parking brake. Once the shift lever
has been placed into R (Reverse)
with the clutch pedal pressed in,
turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF,
remove the key and release the
clutch.
If parking on a hill, or if the vehicle
is pulling a trailer, seeDriving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
on page 8-49.
Parking Over Things
That Burn
{WARNING
Things that can burn could
touch hot exhaust parts under
the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
8-24 Driving and Operating

Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running. But if you ever have
to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area
that has no fresh air ventilation.
For more information, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 8-25.
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out
of the vehicle if the automatic
transmission 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 unless you
have to. 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).
Follow the proper steps to be
sure the vehicle will not move.
SeeShifting Into Park on page 8-21.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, seeDriving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 8-49.
Automatic
Transmission
The automatic transmission has a
shift lever located on the console
between the seats.
P (Park):This position locks the
rear wheels. It is the best position
to use when starting the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
8-26 Driving and Operating

{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 unless you
have to. 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). SeeShifting
Into Park on page 8-21.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeDriving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
on page 8-49.
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 brakemust be fully applied first and then
the shift lever button pressed before
shifting from P (Park) when the
ignition key is in ON/RUN. 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. SeeShifting Out
of Park on page 8-22.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: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,
seeIf the Vehicle is Stuck on
page 8-11.N (Neutral):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. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle is
being towed.
{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.
Notice: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
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
Driving and Operating 8-27

Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and
continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately work
the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can
help the driver steer around
the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
antilock work. The antilock pump
or motor might be heard operating,
and the brake pedal might be felt to
pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake
To apply the parking brake, pull
up on the parking brake handle.
It is not necessary to push in on
the release button while applying
the parking brake. If the ignition is
in the ON/RUN position, the brake
system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 4-22.
8-32 Driving and Operating