Just Bought a Low Mileage 2010 Camaro SS - Where Do I Go From Here
 

After wanting one since 2009, I finally was fortunate enough to be able to get my dream car, a 2010 Camaro 2SS M6, back in May. It only had 24,000 miles, and seemed to be in immaculate mechanical and physical condition. Since then, I’ve put about 5000 miles on it. My only complaint is that there is a clunking or grinding noise towards the rear end whenever turning at low speeds.

My question, what should I do maintenance-wise on it? This is my first time buying a pre-owned car that’s 14 years old. Despite the low mileage is there anything critical I should do? I’ve obviously changed the oil straight away after buying it, but other than that, everything is original from when it was built in 2009. Tires (and presumably battery) have been replaced at some point by previous owner, but they still look good at the moment.

Thanks for the advice!

Rear end oil,brake fluid,steering fluid,coolant.

My first guess on clunking noise would be swaybar connector endlinks.

Thanks! Rear diff fluid was next on the list. I’ll be sure to flush the brake fluid, power steering, and coolant as well. Anything need to be done as far as trans fluid on a manual? I’ve heard varied responses, but I’m thinking it wouldn’t be a bad idea based on age alone.

Good call on the sway bar end links, I didn’t think about that, but that sounds more apt. I was afraid it may be an axle. I took a look at the end links and don’t see any leaking grease or anything (though I imagine it’s dried up after 14 years regardless). Mounting hardware looks rusty, but otherwise look to be in good shape. I’ll probably change them regardless, because they’re inexpensive.

Also look into changing the plug wires. When i got my 2012 it was about 8 years old and changed the plugs and wires just in case and luckily that i did since 2 wires fell apart when trying to pull them off. They were dry rotted.

Good idea, much appreciated. I’m trying to get this thing back to as close to it was in 2010. I want to make sure I cover all the bases since it’s the first time I’ve bought something with as many years as this has, and I’d like to preserve it. I sadly have no prior owner service history since it was bought from a dealer and they weren’t very helpful. I’m assuming nothing was done on it since it was originally purchased though.

13.years old trans oil is very old.

For the manual V8 transmission, I use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF ("multiple vehicle formula" on front of bottle). Well, the ZL1 has it since it's a manual. But it has had no drawbacks since changing it out.

Whatever you do, don't use Dexron VI.

You COULD just go with GM 88861800 manual transmission fluid as replacement, but it's simply a revamped ATF (Dex III) with different additive package for use in manual transmissions.

According to Tremec themselves, you don't really NEED to change it, unless it's been raced a lot or lots of HD use to get the temps up.

From their FAQ:

Red Line D4 in the SS Tremec 6 speed. Went through this a nearly a decade and a half ago (got my 2010 SS on 6/17/2009). Car has been used on the street, road courses and autocrossed.

Thanks for the advice! I’m going to try and find service history for the car to see what has been done recently (if anything). I’ll be taking it in for an oil change and rear diff fluid change in a week or two. I’ll try and get a video of the clunking/grinding noise from the rear end as well.

Diff fluid
 

When the differential fluid is changed there is an additive that needs to be put in. If it is not you get clunking noises when you turn a corner. I don't recall what it is called.

I use this.

I use Amsoil for the rear diff in my ZL1