Low miles High years maintenance - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Inuyashas_Brother · 05-26-2013, 09:28 AM

My car is over three years old, but has only 11,000 miles. Can someone please tell me what maintenance is needed, since the manual seems to link most to mileage?

Also, in regards to checking and adding coolant, the manual is confusing. When should the coolant be added to the overflow bottle vs. the radiator cap?

Lastly, has anyone been able to visually check the level of the rear axle fluid? The process seems open to error: "If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole, add some lubricant."

Thanks!

mulletman · 06-03-2013, 01:28 AM

Add coolant at the overflow bottle. Change the oil and filter at least once a year. Check the differential fluid on a level surface by removing the top fill plug. The fluid should be even with the bottom of the hole. Both the coolant level and differential fluid should be fine unless there is a leak.

Avenging Orange · 06-03-2013, 10:35 AM

Thats why the manual is mileage based. If you dont drive it there is no wear n tear. Oil is about the only thing to worry about. Im like you, have a 2010 with 13,000. Pretty much change the oil once or twice a year and Im golden. A lot of us more anal folks like to get the factory goo out of the rear and tranny (no homo).

thesaint · 06-05-2013, 06:17 AM

I would treat years as the same as mileage if your going to keep your car and you care. Change your oil twice a year, short trip, low mile driving is also hard on oil. Coolant flush and change every 3yrs, its realy not that difficult. Brake fluid every 2yrs, it gets contanminated. Read end fluid every 2yrs, its only a quart.
Remember the manual is only a "guide" of bare minumum. They want to sell cars, not have us keep it good running order for a long time.

United_727 · 06-11-2013, 05:59 PM

The manual says to change the oil a minimum of once a year. Kinda killed me to dump my Mobil 1 after less than 1,000 miles since the last time I changed it. Last April

Moser28 · 06-12-2013, 10:49 PM

I am new to the forum as I have just purchased a 2010 RS with 9200 miles. The oil change sticker on the window said to change it 10679 or 12/13/11 whichever was first. It's been sitting in a garage the whole time but had me a little worried. I immediately changed the oil with mobile one full synthetic and a wix filter so I hope I am ok.

Big C CamaroSS · 06-13-2013, 08:43 PM

I have a 2010 SS that I have had 2 yrs today. It has 8900km (that's about 5600miles). There is some good info from you guys in this thread. I will do a spring oil change and brake fluid flush/change. I will check the diff oil to be on the safe side.

Hannibal · 06-14-2013, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moser28

I am new to the forum as I have just purchased a 2010 RS with 9200 miles. The oil change sticker on the window said to change it 10679 or 12/13/11 whichever was first. It's been sitting in a garage the whole time but had me a little worried. I immediately changed the oil with mobile one full synthetic and a wix filter so I hope I am ok.

You're fine with Mobil 1 and a Wix filter.

05-26-2013, 09:28 AM	#1
Inuyashas_Brother Drives: '10 Camaro LS - M6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 550	Low miles High years maintenance My car is over three years old, but has only 11,000 miles. Can someone please tell me what maintenance is needed, since the manual seems to link most to mileage? Also, in regards to checking and adding coolant, the manual is confusing. When should the coolant be added to the overflow bottle vs. the radiator cap? Lastly, has anyone been able to visually check the level of the rear axle fluid? The process seems open to error: "If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole, add some lubricant." Thanks! __________________

06-03-2013, 10:35 AM	#3
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	Thats why the manual is mileage based. If you dont drive it there is no wear n tear. Oil is about the only thing to worry about. Im like you, have a 2010 with 13,000. Pretty much change the oil once or twice a year and Im golden. A lot of us more anal folks like to get the factory goo out of the rear and tranny (no homo). __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

06-11-2013, 05:59 PM	#5
United_727 Parts Guru Extraordinair. Drives: '02 SS 'Vert M6 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,184	The manual says to change the oil a minimum of once a year. Kinda killed me to dump my Mobil 1 after less than 1,000 miles since the last time I changed it. Last April __________________ Please check out my other hobby ; http://jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?userid=1008

06-03-2013, 01:28 AM	#2
mulletman Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: southern Illinois trailer park Posts: 636	Add coolant at the overflow bottle. Change the oil and filter at least once a year. Check the differential fluid on a level surface by removing the top fill plug. The fluid should be even with the bottom of the hole. Both the coolant level and differential fluid should be fine unless there is a leak.

06-05-2013, 06:17 AM	#4
thesaint Drives: 2011 camaro ss/rs Join Date: May 2011 Location: south florida Posts: 57	I would treat years as the same as mileage if your going to keep your car and you care. Change your oil twice a year, short trip, low mile driving is also hard on oil. Coolant flush and change every 3yrs, its realy not that difficult. Brake fluid every 2yrs, it gets contanminated. Read end fluid every 2yrs, its only a quart. Remember the manual is only a "guide" of bare minumum. They want to sell cars, not have us keep it good running order for a long time.

06-12-2013, 10:49 PM	#6
Moser28 Drives: 2010 LT2 RS Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Mt. Juliet,TN Posts: 11	I am new to the forum as I have just purchased a 2010 RS with 9200 miles. The oil change sticker on the window said to change it 10679 or 12/13/11 whichever was first. It's been sitting in a garage the whole time but had me a little worried. I immediately changed the oil with mobile one full synthetic and a wix filter so I hope I am ok.

06-13-2013, 08:43 PM	#7
Big C CamaroSS Drives: Black Camaro 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Belleville, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,145	I have a 2010 SS that I have had 2 yrs today. It has 8900km (that's about 5600miles). There is some good info from you guys in this thread. I will do a spring oil change and brake fluid flush/change. I will check the diff oil to be on the safe side.