Camaro advice needed!

[neil4374]

Hey guys,

Admin, forgive me if this is in the wrong place. I wanted to make sure the advice I got was specific for a 2011 Camaro SS L99.
I would really appreciate some advice on oil and fluid replacement for my Camaro SS 2011 (L99). I have looked in the car's manual and I can see the recommended GM products but I can't see the recommended quantities. These are the jobs I am going to do.

Engine oil and filter change
Brake fluid change
automatic transmission oil change
Engine cooling system change
differential fluid change
power steering fluid change

The questions are!

1. What do you recommend for the jobs above? (I live in South Korea but it looks like there is a lot of choice) Also , I saw some Royal purple in big 5 gallon drums. And its was cheap. Then I saw some Royal purple XPR, and that was much more money. Thoughts here please.
2. What are the quantities needed?Below is some data I gathered.


Engine oil change - 8.0 qts

Brake fluid change - 11.5 qts
change automatic transmission oil- 11.0 qts
Engine cooling system drain and refill -11.5 qts
differential fluid change-– 2 qts
power steering fluid and change – 1 qt

3. Dumb question alert!! I know I need an engine oil filter, but do I need anything else other than the oils/fluids above such as seals gaskets etc?
4. What level of expertise is needed to do the jobs above?! I don't have many tools but if I can borrow a garages ramp and tools and pay them for using it, it could save me a lot of money!

As always, any advice is most appreciated

[Vegas Bound]

Depending on how many miles on the car, the only one you should be concerned with is engine oil and filter. Use whatever is available in Korea with the appropriate weight. Very easy DIY with ramps or Jack stands and minimal tools.
Brake fluid I would leave to the pros.
Transmission is easy but a pain to refill as there is no dipstick tube.
Engine coolant, drain the radiator and refill with 50/50 dexcool.
Diff fluid is easy but make sure you get proper fluid and LSD additive.
Power steering, just keep it filled per dipstick.

[Vegas Bound]

Also, when you remove the oil filter, make sure the rubber gasket comes off with it. Double filter gaskets will leak.

[neil4374]

Originally Posted by Vegas Bound

Also, when you remove the oil filter, make sure the rubber gasket comes off with it. Double filter gaskets will leak.

Thanks for the advice
So the engine oil filter rubber gasket is the only filter I need to change?
Regarding the automatic transmission, how is new oil added without a dipstick?
And how do I know that there is enough oil in there? (Just same in as what went out)!
Thanks

[neil4374]

These are the oils and fluids I found on a Korean website. Do they seem good for a Camaro SS 2011 (L99)?
Are some of them overkill. For example the Royal purple seems like one of the most expensive oils they make! There are cheaper Royal purple oils. Also the brake fluid seems really expensive!

Sorry about the s****tty photo. I labled it to make it quicker and easier for you guys. I know most of you work out what they are!

Thanks as always

[Vegas Bound]

Originally Posted by neil4374

Thanks for the advice
So the engine oil filter rubber gasket is the only filter I need to change?
Regarding the automatic transmission, how is new oil added without a dipstick?
And how do I know that there is enough oil in there? (Just same in as what went out)!
Thanks

For the transmission, you either drain the fluid from a drain plug or just drop the pan, which ever is applicable. I changed my pan for more capacity and it has a drain plug. When you have the pan off, you will also want to change the filter. You have to pump the fluid back into the transmission from under the car, there is a fill hole. When fluid starts coming out, it is full. But the service timeline is something like 100,000 miles. Don't worry about it if you aren't there yet.

[neil4374]

Originally Posted by Vegas Bound

For the transmission, you either drain the fluid from a drain plug or just drop the pan, which ever is applicable. I changed my pan for more capacity and it has a drain plug. When you have the pan off, you will also want to change the filter. You have to pump the fluid back into the transmission from under the car, there is a fill hole. When fluid starts coming out, it is full. But the service timeline is something like 100,000 miles. Don't worry about it if you aren't there yet.

Thanks a lot
I just realised my car is in km and the manual is in miles! How dumb. So my car has done 67000 miles but dont we have to consider not just the miles but the length of time? The auto oil has been in there for 9 years!

[Vegas Bound]

Originally Posted by neil4374

These are the oils and fluids I found on a Korean website. Do they seem good for a Camaro SS 2011 (L99)?
Are some of them overkill. For example the Royal purple seems like one of the most expensive oils they make! There are cheaper Royal purple oils. Also the brake fluid seems really expensive!

Sorry about the s****tty photo. I labled it to make it quicker and easier for you guys. I know most of you work out what they are!

Thanks as always

Any name brand 5w30 oil will work. Don't waste you money on RP. I would still recommend synthetic, I use Mobil1 and a Wix 57060XP filter.

Again, stay away from doing the brake fluid. You will most likely screw it up while trying to bleed the brakes and antilock systems. You will also probably spill some on the paint and it eats paint. Let PROs do that part.

You will want to use Dex VI trans fluid but only if you have reached the recommended mileage per the owner's manual. And a quality filter, AC Delco is fine.

Top off power steering as needed. There is a dipstick, use it. Don't drain the system. You could end up with a leak if not sealed up and tightened properly.

You don't have to drain and flush the entire cooling system. Just drain the radiator, there is a valve on the bottom towards the driver's side. Top off and check your overflow tank. If you try to drain and flush the entire system, you will most likely end up with air bubbles in the system. Engine won't cool and heater won't work.

Differential is easier than engine oil. 2 plugs on passenger side. One to drain and one to fill. Make sure you have the proper fluid and friction modifier and drive in figure 8s to coat everything properly. Check YouTube for videos and instructions.

Again, ALL of this is overkill if you haven't hit the recommended service intervals in the owner's manual. Just change the oil and filter, check your engine air filter and cabin filter. Do those and enjoy the ride.

[Vegas Bound]

Originally Posted by neil4374

Thanks a lot
I just realised my car is in km and the manual is in miles! How dumb. So my car has done 67000 miles but dont we have to consider not just the miles but the length of time? The auto oil has been in there for 9 years!

Change the oil and filter NOW. Convert the odometer as needed for periodic fluid changes and perform services as recommended.

For everything other than oil and filter, take it to a shop.

[neil4374]

Sir I salute you! Thanks so much for your time and advice.
I will take your advice and follow it.
I will also recheck the mileage to change things as I think I have made some mistakes!

[Vegas Bound]

Happy to help. Everybody has to learn from someone. Luckily, my family owned a garage when I was growing up. I was working on cars before I could legally drive them.

[neil4374]

I had motorbikes and played with them. But that was a long time ago! My last car before the Camaro was a SUV. I fully replaced the sound system with a good system. It sounded great but it took me a long time and I made a mess of the car doors with the electric saw! I said I would never work on my Camaro in case I messed up!

Anyway, it looks like the vast majority of jobs can wait. Thanks for noticing that! Which means I could tackle each job as it arises and I may tackle it myself.

Its not so simple having a Camaro SS in South Korea. First 5th Gens SS were not officially imported, So Chevy garages wont touch it. Small garages looked scared of the car when I asked if they could work on it. So I can get simple jobs like engine oil changes done if I buy the oil and take it to a special garage. But more than fluid changes requires a specialist American Muscle car garage. I need one of these if anything goes wrong with the car. I did find one, 1 hour away but they didnt seem so friendly. So the search goes on......
I will consider doing some jobs myself especially if there are videos online!

One thing I should ask is this. Would your advice on not changing oil/fluids and other parts change if I told you my camaro was stored away for 8 months before I got it? It was started once a week. I also stored it over Winter for 2 months.

Thanks again

[CuseZilla]

You’re fine. Vegas has you on point. Don’t over think simple and don’t fix it if it’s not broke.
GL ������

[neil4374]

Originally Posted by CuseZilla

You’re fine. Vegas has you on point. Don’t over think simple and don’t fix it if it’s not broke.
GL ������

Thank you!
I definitely do overthink!