SS M6 will drain battery if not parked in Reverse - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Top Thrill · 06-22-2009, 07:47 PM

I stopped by a local dealer today, not my dealer, to see a 1SS RS that I had heard they had sitting there. When I pulled in, there where two 2SS M6 Camaros out front waiting to be delivered. To make a long story short wile talking to the owners and the salesman it was stated by the salesman that when the car is parked the trans should be in reverse. He said if wasn’t it would drain the battery. It would take at few days for it to get low and the car not start but it was best it get in the habit of parking the car with it in reverse.

Has anyone heard of anything about this? I did a search and did not find anything. I also do not know if this is just on the SS M6 cars or also on the LT M6 cars.

This makes no sense to me. If the key is off what difference would it make what gear it was left in?

ljustin293 · 06-22-2009, 07:50 PM

that sounds odd...who knows??

mitchellmcfly2010 · 06-22-2009, 07:55 PM

I heard the same thing from a friend with a c6 vette

Rockytophummer · 06-22-2009, 07:56 PM

That just don't make sensce! But it is very interesting.

1320junkie · 06-22-2009, 07:56 PM

It used to happen on some vettes..I never had the problem..go to the vettee forum and search its over there somewhere

laborsmith · 06-22-2009, 07:58 PM

My Corvette C6 needed to be parked BOTH in reverse AND with the parking/emergency brake pulled up. Shortly after getting it, we went to New Orleans for a week, valet parking at a per day cost, and no matter what we said, each time we needed to use it it had to be jump started. The last couple of times we parked it, needed a valey to accompany us, as even the hotel staff started to believe.

We got it at the end of August and we were in New Orleans in October, if I remember correctly.

laborsmith

ZZcamaro · 06-22-2009, 07:59 PM

I have not had any problems as of yet. I do not always park in reverse...I park in 1st sometimes depending on if I am on a hill. No problems yet.

laborsmith · 06-22-2009, 08:09 PM

For the 'Vette, it was the amount of time (over 8 plus hours) and the Manual definitively stated parking in Reverse with parking brake engaged or the battery would drain.

Since I can't find this language in the 2010 Camaro Owner Manual, Chevrolet may have realized this can be more of a pain than a value.

laborsmith

JBsC6 · 06-22-2009, 08:19 PM

2005 c6 manuals had this issue. GM realized the pain in the butt it was causing and did away with the requirement to put the transmission into reverse and pull the emergency brake.

I'd be really surprised if GM made the same mistake with the camaro ...

I think your dealer salesman was wrong.

JMO

Top Thrill · 06-22-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBsC6

2005 c6 manuals had this issue. GM realized the pain in the butt it was causing and did away with the requirement to put the transmission into reverse and pull the emergency brake.

I'd be really surprised if GM made the same mistake with the camaro ...

I think your dealer salesman was wrong.

JMO

I was thinking the salesman was wrong. I just wanted to see if anyone else on Camaro5 had heard anything about this.

Gentry78 · 06-22-2009, 08:54 PM

thats crazy i never heard of that before, interesting

better safe than sorry i guess

Rogue Leader · 06-22-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBsC6

2005 c6 manuals had this issue. GM realized the pain in the butt it was causing and did away with the requirement to put the transmission into reverse and pull the emergency brake.

I'd be really surprised if GM made the same mistake with the camaro ...

I think your dealer salesman was wrong.

JMO

Why does it drain the battery? Is it like a penalty for not parking in reverse?

Hebe4 · 06-22-2009, 10:53 PM

New vettes with MT are all parked in reverse at my dealers lot.
When I got out of one, I was told to put it in reverse to save the battery.

THE EVIL TW1N · 06-22-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

Why does it drain the battery? Is it like a penalty for not parking in reverse?

well, reverse is usually the shortest ratio. but I never heard of anything like this.

novajess1972 · 06-23-2009, 12:10 AM

Yeah, true or not....how in the HELL does the gear parked in affect or drain a battery? I
m not saying I don't believe it...I just wanna know how it works.

91Z28350 · 06-23-2009, 12:20 AM

2005 C6's DEFINITELY had this feature. My Dad's '05 Z51 drained the battery all the time until he figured it out. To my knowledge, his 07 Z06 does not require this.

a6pk2go · 06-23-2009, 01:01 AM

It should have an automatic shutoff for the power after 30min or so just so it don't drain the power. My Buick Regal has one and it isn't that fancy of a car.

Rogue Leader · 06-23-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novajess1972

Yeah, true or not....how in the HELL does the gear parked in affect or drain a battery? I
m not saying I don't believe it...I just wanna know how it works.

Ditto... I understand it happens, just makes no sense as to way??? WTF kind of "feature" is that?

Incidentally I park in reverse most of the time except at work I park in 1st gear since the car is on a bit of an incline. My battery hasn't died yet....

camarorick · 06-23-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a6pk2go

It should have an automatic shutoff for the power after 30min or so just so it don't drain the power. My Buick Regal has one and it isn't that fancy of a car.

There is some type of battery save feature on the Camaro... if a light or something is left on for more than 10 minutes ( not sure, maybe more ), the car will shut off the power

Crowley · 06-23-2009, 07:27 AM

I know I always park in first and I have not had any problems.

thanks,
Crowley

CamaroScotty · 06-23-2009, 07:28 AM

The vette issue was "corrected" in 2007. There are onboard computers that drain the cars. I doubt there is an issue with the Camaro...They wouldn't have repeated an old vette issue.

Advice, if you're driving your car very little, get a battery tender charger - regardless of make / model / year

Davis · 06-23-2009, 09:20 AM

Gonna have to call

on this one.

I've had mine for over 2 months now and she's sat in the garage over a long weekend of bike riding, parked in 1st. No problems.

optical · 06-23-2009, 09:25 AM

weird.....never heard anything like this before...

davidj · 06-23-2009, 02:25 PM

Well just thinking out loud. Maybe there are switches inside the trans for each gear to let the ECU know what gear the trans is in. And maybe these switches are directly connected to the battery. But why reverse dosent?

catmaster1 · 06-23-2009, 04:15 PM

weird, i will have to try it out when i pick my car up on thursday?

06-22-2009, 07:47 PM	#1
Top Thrill BOD 5/28/09 #13485 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 897	SS M6 will drain battery if not parked in Reverse I stopped by a local dealer today, not my dealer, to see a 1SS RS that I had heard they had sitting there. When I pulled in, there where two 2SS M6 Camaros out front waiting to be delivered. To make a long story short wile talking to the owners and the salesman it was stated by the salesman that when the car is parked the trans should be in reverse. He said if wasn’t it would drain the battery. It would take at few days for it to get low and the car not start but it was best it get in the habit of parking the car with it in reverse. Has anyone heard of anything about this? I did a search and did not find anything. I also do not know if this is just on the SS M6 cars or also on the LT M6 cars. This makes no sense to me. If the key is off what difference would it make what gear it was left in? __________________ Last edited by Top Thrill; 06-22-2009 at 09:01 PM.

06-22-2009, 07:56 PM	#5
1320junkie Drives: The Imperial Army Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Darkside Posts: 15,898	It used to happen on some vettes..I never had the problem..go to the vettee forum and search its over there somewhere Last edited by 1320junkie; 06-23-2009 at 08:04 AM.

06-22-2009, 08:19 PM	#9
JBsC6 Drives: 2008 Blk C6 Z51 NPP Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 185 View My Garage	2005 c6 manuals had this issue. GM realized the pain in the butt it was causing and did away with the requirement to put the transmission into reverse and pull the emergency brake. I'd be really surprised if GM made the same mistake with the camaro ... I think your dealer salesman was wrong. JMO __________________ 2008 Blk C6 Z51 NPP M6/2008 Silver CTS AWD FE2 304hp

06-23-2009, 12:10 AM	#15
novajess1972 I Done Caught Diabeetus. Drives: 1972 Chevelle SS/2010 Tundra Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston/Humble Posts: 591	Yeah, true or not....how in the HELL does the gear parked in affect or drain a battery? I m not saying I don't believe it...I just wanna know how it works. __________________ CANCELLED ORDER: 1SS/CGM/MN6/BLACK RALLY STRIPES

06-23-2009, 07:27 AM	#20
Crowley Okie doke Drives: 2012 GT500 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: McKinney Texas Posts: 3,772 View My Garage	I know I always park in first and I have not had any problems. thanks, Crowley __________________

06-22-2009, 07:50 PM	#2
ljustin293 Drives: 2010 VR CAMARO 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: GA Posts: 15,092 View My Garage	that sounds odd...who knows??

06-22-2009, 07:55 PM	#3
mitchellmcfly2010 Drives: 07 Chevy Avalanche Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 78	I heard the same thing from a friend with a c6 vette

06-22-2009, 07:56 PM	#4
Rockytophummer Drives: 2006 Hummer H2 2010 2SS Camaro Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Maryville tn. Posts: 587	That just don't make sensce! But it is very interesting.

06-22-2009, 07:58 PM	#6
laborsmith Drives: 1969 Corvair Monza, 2013 Sonic RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area Posts: 112	My Corvette C6 needed to be parked BOTH in reverse AND with the parking/emergency brake pulled up. Shortly after getting it, we went to New Orleans for a week, valet parking at a per day cost, and no matter what we said, each time we needed to use it it had to be jump started. The last couple of times we parked it, needed a valey to accompany us, as even the hotel staff started to believe. We got it at the end of August and we were in New Orleans in October, if I remember correctly. laborsmith

06-22-2009, 07:59 PM	#7
ZZcamaro Drives: 2SS w/ ZZ427 Package!! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,708	I have not had any problems as of yet. I do not always park in reverse...I park in 1st sometimes depending on if I am on a hill. No problems yet.

06-22-2009, 08:09 PM	#8
laborsmith Drives: 1969 Corvair Monza, 2013 Sonic RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area Posts: 112	For the 'Vette, it was the amount of time (over 8 plus hours) and the Manual definitively stated parking in Reverse with parking brake engaged or the battery would drain. Since I can't find this language in the 2010 Camaro Owner Manual, Chevrolet may have realized this can be more of a pain than a value. laborsmith

06-22-2009, 08:54 PM	#11
Gentry78 HOOK'EM Drives: 97 c1500/92 olds Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,284	thats crazy i never heard of that before, interesting better safe than sorry i guess

06-22-2009, 10:53 PM	#13
Hebe4 Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: BC Posts: 115	New vettes with MT are all parked in reverse at my dealers lot. When I got out of one, I was told to put it in reverse to save the battery.

06-23-2009, 12:20 AM	#16
91Z28350 Drives: 2012 GT500 SVTPP 2010 Traverse LTZ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Roanoke,TX Posts: 652	2005 C6's DEFINITELY had this feature. My Dad's '05 Z51 drained the battery all the time until he figured it out. To my knowledge, his 07 Z06 does not require this.

06-23-2009, 01:01 AM	#17
a6pk2go Drives: ... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: ... Posts: 1,721	It should have an automatic shutoff for the power after 30min or so just so it don't drain the power. My Buick Regal has one and it isn't that fancy of a car.

06-23-2009, 07:28 AM	#21
CamaroScotty Account Suspended Drives: Your new SLP Camaro! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cedarburg, WI Posts: 6,806	The vette issue was "corrected" in 2007. There are onboard computers that drain the cars. I doubt there is an issue with the Camaro...They wouldn't have repeated an old vette issue. Advice, if you're driving your car very little, get a battery tender charger - regardless of make / model / year Last edited by CamaroScotty; 06-23-2009 at 09:45 AM.

06-23-2009, 09:20 AM	#22
Davis Drives: '10 Black 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 126 View My Garage	Gonna have to call on this one. I've had mine for over 2 months now and she's sat in the garage over a long weekend of bike riding, parked in 1st. No problems. __________________ Black, 2SS/RS, Manual, Inferno Orange Accent Trim Pkg, Sunroof, Rear Ground Effects Tinted Windows, DT shorty headers, !mufflers, !CAGS, Barton STS, Vararam VIN# 2G1FT1EW5A9101443 Delivered 4/17/2009

06-23-2009, 09:25 AM	#23
optical The Pilot Drives: 1993 Chevy C1500 Ext Cab, 5.7L Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 184 View My Garage	weird.....never heard anything like this before... __________________ Driving: 1993 C1500 Ext Cab Truck, 5.7L, BF Goodrich All-Terrains, Named: "SexyTruck" Future Car: 2011 IOM Camaro 2SS/RS Manual, Black Stripes, Hurst Short-Throw, IO Interior!

06-23-2009, 02:25 PM	#24
davidj Drives: . Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ventura, Ca Posts: 327	Well just thinking out loud. Maybe there are switches inside the trans for each gear to let the ECU know what gear the trans is in. And maybe these switches are directly connected to the battery. But why reverse dosent? __________________

06-23-2009, 04:15 PM	#25
catmaster1 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 370 View My Garage	weird, i will have to try it out when i pick my car up on thursday?

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