engine oil CHEVROLET CAMARO SS 2018 User Guide

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348325) - 2018 - crc - 4/11/17
Driving and Operating 209
{Warning
Things inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. In the
cargo area, put them as
far forward as possible.
Try to spread the weight
evenly.
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the
vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat
folded down unless
needed.
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
Follow these recommended
guidelines during the first
2 414 km (1,500 mi) of driving this
vehicle. Parts have a break-in
period and performance will be
better in the long run. . Avoid full throttle starts and
abrupt stops.
. Do not exceed 4000
engine rpm.
. Avoid driving at any one
constant speed, fast or slow.
. Do not drive above
129 km/h (80 mph).
. Avoid downshifting to brake
or slow the vehicle when the
engine speed will exceed
4000 rpm.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine in high
gear at low speeds. With a
manual transmission, shift
to the next lower gear. This
rule applies at all times, not
just during the break-in
period.
. Do not participate in racing
events, sport driving
schools, or similar activities
during this break-in period.
. Check engine oil with every
refueling and add if
necessary. Oil and fuel
consumption may be higher
than normal during the first
2 414 km (1,500 mi).
. To break in new tires, drive
at moderate speeds and
avoid hard cornering for the
first 322 km (200 mi). New
tires do not have maximum
traction and may tend
to slip.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348325) - 2018 - crc - 4/11/17
212 Driving and Operating
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the
proper gear.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
SeeAdd-On Electrical Equipment
0 247.
For an automatic transmission,
move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the vehicle
when it is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Caution
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. For a manual transmission, place
the shift lever in Neutral with the
parking brake engaged. Hold the
clutch pedal down to the floor and
start the engine.
The RKE transmitter must be inside
the vehicle for the ignition to work.
Cell phone chargers can interfere
with the operation of the Keyless
Access system. Battery chargers
should not be plugged in when
starting or turning off the engine.
To start the vehicle:
1. For vehicles with an automatic transmission, press the brake
pedal, then press ENGINE
START/STOP on the
instrument panel. For vehicles
with a manual transmission,
press the clutch pedal first,
then press ENGINE
START/STOP.
If there is no RKE transmitter in
the vehicle or if there is
something causing interference
with it, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display a
message. 2. When the engine begins
cranking, let go of the button
and the engine cranks
automatically until it starts.
If the battery in the RKE
transmitter is weak, the DIC will
display a message. The vehicle
can still be driven.
See “Starting the Vehicle with a
Low Transmitter Battery” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 029. If the
RKE transmitter battery is
dead, insert it into the rear
cupholder to enable engine
starting.
3. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
4. If the engine does not start and no DIC message is displayed,
wait 15 seconds before trying
again to let the cranking motor
cool down.

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348325) - 2018 - crc - 4/11/17
244 Driving and Operating
Prohibited Fuels
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so
may damage the vehicle and void
its warranty:. For vehicles which are not
FlexFuel, fuel labeled
greater than 15% ethanol by
volume, such as mid-level
ethanol blends (16 –50%
ethanol), E85, or FlexFuel.
. Fuel with any amount of
methanol, methylal, and
aniline. These fuels can
corrode metal fuel system
parts or damage plastic and
rubber parts.
. Fuel containing metals such
as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT), which can damage
the emissions control
system and spark plugs.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Fuel with a posted octane
rating of less than the
recommended fuel. Using
this fuel will lower fuel
economy and performance,
and may decrease the life of
the emissions catalyst.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance may be
affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp could turn on and the vehicle
may not pass a smog-check test.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
0 123. If this occurs, return to your authorized dealer for diagnosis. If it
is determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post
fuel octane ratings in anti-knock
index (AKI). For fuel not to use in a
foreign country, see
“Prohibited
Fuels” inFuel 0243.
Fuel Additives
To keep fuel systems clean, TOP
TIER detergent gasoline is
recommended. See Fuel0243.
If TOP TIER detergent gasoline is
not available, one bottle of GM Fuel
System Treatment Cleaner added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help. GM Fuel System
Treatment Cleaner is the only
gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer.

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348325) - 2018 - crc - 4/11/17
248 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 249
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 250
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 259
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 261
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 261
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 267
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Battery - North America . . . . . . 271 Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 272
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 273
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 274
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 274
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Front Turn Signal Lamps (Passenger Side Only) . . . . . . 276
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 278
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 279
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 279
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 289
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348325) - 2018 - crc - 4/11/17
Vehicle Care 253
1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 269.
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0263.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0257.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0257.
5. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0270 and
Hydraulic Clutch 0261.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0261.
7. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 263.
8. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0280.
9. Negative (–) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0314.
10. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0314.

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348325) - 2018 - crc - 4/11/17
Vehicle Care 255
1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 269.
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0263.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0257.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0257.
5. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0270 and
Hydraulic Clutch 0261.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0261.
7. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 263.
8. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0280.
9. Negative (–) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0314.
10. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0314.

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348325) - 2018 - crc - 4/11/17
Vehicle Care 257
1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 269.
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0263.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0257.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0257.
5. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0270 and
Hydraulic Clutch 0261.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0261.
7. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 263.
8. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0280.
9. Negative (–) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0314.
10. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0314. If the vehicle has a 6.2L V8 LT4
engine, see the Camaro High
Performance supplement.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0259.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0252 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348325) - 2018 - crc - 4/11/17
258 Vehicle Care
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
LTG 2.0L L4 Engine
LGX 3.6L V6 Engine Shown, 6.2L
V8 Engine Similar
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0344.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 252 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0339.

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 259
Specification
Ask for and use full synthetic engine
oils that meet the dexos1
specification. Engine oils that have
been approved by GM as meeting
the dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below −29 °C(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade, it
is recommended to select an oil of
the correct specification. See
“Specification”
earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.

Chevrolet Camaro Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348325) - 2018 - crc - 4/11/17
260 Vehicle Care
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.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. Display the REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0130.
2. Press and hold SEL on the DIC while the Oil Life display is
active. The oil life will change
to 100%.
The oil life system can also be reset
as follows: 1. Display the REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0130.
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 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. Contact the
dealer for additional information or
the procedure can be found in the
service manual. To purchase a