Chevrolet 1974 CAMARO User manual

1974 CHEVROLET
C""ROm ~
CAMARO
OWNER'S MANUAL
IMPORTANT OPERATING. SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

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A WORD TO CAMARO OWNERS ...
This manual has been prepared to acquaint you with the ' operation and maintenance of your 1974 Camaro, and to
provide important safety information. It is supplemented by three convenient folders which provide additional infor-
mation on vehicle maintenance, emission control, and warranties . We urge you to read these publications carefully
and follow the recommendations to help assure the most enjoyable and troublefree operation of your vehicle.
When it comes to service, remember that your Chevrolet dealer knows your vehicle best and is interested in your
complete satisfaction. Return to him for Guardian Maintenance Service and any other assistance you may require.
To assist dealers in handling your needs, Chevrolet maintains a number of Zone Offices throughout the country.
Should you have a problem that cannot be handled through normal channels, follow the procedure presented in Sec-
tion 7 of this manual under the heading, "Owner Assistance".
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing a Chevrolet product-and assure you of our con-
tinuing interest in your motoring pleasure and satisfaction.
FOR CONTINUING SATISFACTION, KEEP YOUR
GM CAR ALL GM. GENERAL MOTORS PARTS ARE
IDENTIFIED BY ONE OF THESE TRADEMARKS:
CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION

1974 CAMARO
OWNER'S
MANUAL
This manual should be considered
a permanent part of the vehicle,
and must remain with the vehicle
at time of resale.
CHEVROLET MOTOR
DIVISION
GENERAL MOTORS
CORPORATION
DETROIT. MICHIGAN 48202
All information. illustrations and specifications con-
tained in this manual are based on the latest product
information available at the time of publication. The
right is reserved to make changes at any time without
notice.
For vehicles
sold in Canada, substitute the name
General
Motors of Canada Limited, whereverthe name
Chevrolet
Motor Division appears in this manual.
ST 309-74
©GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION 1974
Table of Contents
Section
Reprinted with Permission of
General Motors Corporation
1 Before Driving Your Camaro ................................ . Page
3
2 Starting and Operating. . . . . . ... . . .. .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. .. . ... .. . .. 13
Steering Column Controls. . . . . . . .. . . .. .. . . . . . . .. .. .. . . .. .. 14
Starting Engine. .. . . . ... . .. ... .. .. . ... . ... .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. 15
Floor Controls.. . . . . .. . .. .. ... .. . .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . ... . . .. 21
Instrument Panel ......................................... , 23
Other Controls and Features. . .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. . ... . .. 35
3 In Case of Emergency.. . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. 36
4 Appearance Care ............................................. 41
5 Service and Maintenance. . . . .. . . .... . . .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. . .. . . .. 46
6 Minor Trouble Shooting. . .. . .. . .. . . .... .. .. .. . . . . .. .. . . .... .. 66
7 Specifications. Owner Assistance. Service Manuals. Index. Gas
Station Information. . . . . . .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. . .. . . . .. .. ... . . .. 70
Applicable to CALIFORNIA Sales Only
This vehicle as delivered by GM Chevrolet Division is equipped with a bumper energy
absorption system meeting California S.B.42
(1971) as set forth in Sec. 34715 Vehicle Code.
1

YOUR CAR'S FIRST
FEW HUNDRED MILES OF DRIVING
You can operate your new carfrom
its very first mile without adhering
to a formal "break-in" schedule.
However, during the first
few hun-
dred miles of driving you can, by
observing a
few simple precautions,
add to the future performance and
economy of your car.
It is recommended that your
speed during the first 500 miles
be confined to a maximum of 60
M.P.H., but do not drive for ex-
tended periods at
anyone constant
speed, either fast
or slow. Dur-
ing this period, avoid full throttle
starts and, if possible, avoid hard
stops especially during the first 200
miles of operation since brake mis-
use during this period will destroy
much future bnlke efficiency.
Always drive at moderate speed
until the engine has completely
warmed up.
If you plan to use your new car
for trailer hauling see additional
information on page 11.
SEE PAGE 64 for ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR GAS M,ILEAGE.
2

BEFORE DRIVING YOUR CAMAR 0
DRIVER CHECKLIST
Before Entering Car
1. See that windows, mirrors and
lights are clean.
2. Visually note inflation condition
of tires.
3. Check that area to rear is clear
if about to back up.
Before Driving Off
1. Lock all doors.
2. Position seat.
3. Adjustinside andoutside mirrors.
4. Fasten seat belts.
5. Check that warning bulbs light
when key
is turned to start
position.
6. Release parking brake (and see
that brake warning light turns
off) .
7. Be sure you understand your car
and how to operate it safely.
Keys
Two separate keys are provided
for your car. Each key has a differ-
ent" cross section so that it can be
inserted only in certain locks.
• Key with square head
(stamped "J") -for ignition
switch only.
• Key with oval head (stamped
"K")-for all other locks.
fIiJJ
~===(iD
ALlOTHER~
LOCKS
3
The code number of each key is
stamped on the "knock out" plug
in the key head. Your Chevrolet
dealer removed these plugs and
placed them with the spare set of
keys in the special key envelope
that was given to 'you at time of
delivery.
For your protection:
• Record the numbers on the key
envelope and discard the key
plugs.
• Keep the key envelope in a safe
place such
as your wallet, Not
In The Car.
In the event the original keys are
lost, duplicates can be made by
your dealer
or a locksmith using
the key code information.
Be sure to lock the glove box or
console compartments and remove
the key from the car whenever it
is
necessary to leave the ignition key
with
an attendant.

Door Locks
Front side doors can be locked
from the inside by depressing the
passenger guard door lock buttons
located on the upper door panel.
All doors can be locked from the
outside by first depressing the door
lock button and closing the door.
The front doors can also be
locked by using the key.
All models have as a standard
safetyfeature overriding door locks.
When the doors are locked, the
door latch mechanism
is inopera-
tive, preventing inadvertent open-
ing of the door
by movement of the
inside handle.
REMINDER: Avoid hanging ob-
jects on the right hand coat hook
in such a way that you block the
driver's vision to the right rear
quarter.
"
REMINDER: Always lock the
doors when driving, for greater
security in the event of an accident,
to help keep children from opening
door, and for greater security
against entry
by unwelcome per-
sons while momentarily stopped.
Front Seat Backlocks
Front seat backs are equipped
with a self,locking mechanism to
keep the seat back locked in place
while
in the up position. The lock
release lever
is located at the lower
4
rear of the seat back nearest the
door.
To tilt the seat back forward,
lift the lock release lever and tilt
the seat back forward. When the
seat back
is returned to the up
position, the seat back will auto-
matically lock.
Keep seat belts and buckles clear
of mechanism when tilting folding
seats forward or backwards, to pre-
vent damage to these belt restraints.

Manually Operated
Front Seats
The front seats may be adjusted
forward or rearward by moving the
control lever at the front of the
seat to the right. Move control
lever to the right to release the
locking
mechanism; then exert
slight body pressure to move seat
to desired position. ·Release con-
trol lever to lock seat in desired
position.
Inside Rearview Mirrors
Switc.h mirror to night position
to reduce glare from following
, headlights.
To raise or lower mir-
ror
to achieve desired field of view,
grasp mirror and exert sufficient
pressure by pushing or pulling up,
down or sideways.
Occupant Restraint Belts
Lap and shoulder belts provide
added. security and comfort for you
and your passengers. Proper
use
and care of these belts will assure
continuance of this security.
Seat Belt Restraint System
This vehicle is equipped with a
belt system, starter interlock, and
a light-buzzer
reminder system
which
is designed to prevent·start-
5
ing the car until front seat occu-
pants are buckled in.
NOTE: 1974 model General
Motors passenger cars sold in
CANADA have a light-buzzer re-
minder system which reminds occu-
pants when the driver's and any
front passenger's seat belts are not
fastened. Operation of this "SEAT
BELT BUZZER / LIGHT RE-
MINDER" is explained under that
heading in this manual.
However, these cars do
NOT
have a seat belt starter interlock sys-
tem-a system which prevents start-
ing the car until the driver and the
right front passenger are buckled
up.
Therefore, the information
about the seat belt starter interlock
system under the heading "TO
START CAR" in this manual does
not apply, nor do any other refer-
ences in this manual to the seat belt
starterinterlock system apply to this
new car sold in Canada.

To Start Car:
• Seat belts must be properly
buckled around each outboard
front seat occupant, after getting
in the car, before the starter will
operate.
• The reminder buzzer and light
are designed to
go on if seat
belts are unbuckled at occupied
front seats while the vehicle
is
underway (the engine will con-
tinue to
run).
• The engine may be restarted
after a stall without interlock in-
terference if the driver remains
seated.
If Starter Will Not Operate:
• Remove any objects from un-
occupied front seats.
• Re-buckle front seat belts.
NOTE: Front seating positions
contain a weight detector which is
, designed to activate the starter in-
terlock
or the buzzer and light ni-
minder whenever a nominal weight
is placed on the seat and belts are
not buckled. The weight detector
cannot distinguish between a pas-
senger and any object on the seat,
therefore, such items should be
stowed elsewhere in the vehicle.
Leaving something on the front
seat and leaving the front seat belts
fastened while the
car is parked
creates a current drain which could
result in a discharged battery after
a period of time, which will vary
depending on battery and weather
conditions.
IfStarterStiIIWiIINotOperate:
• Set parking brake firmly, move
transmission lever to "Park" (re-
verse for manual transmission
cars).
• TURN IGNITION KEY TO
"ON" ("RUN").
• Open hood and press button on
manual override switch labeled
"START", mounted on bright
6
orange support at side of engine
compartment
on driver's side-
see illustration.
• Close hood, enter car, fasten
seat belt, and follow normal
starting procedures.
NOTE: The reminder buzzer and
Light are also designed to come on
if a malfunction develops in the
starter interlock system.
If the car
will not start and the buzzer/light
reminder did
not come on, the

trouble is not likely to be due to
the starter interlock system.
If the
starter will crank, this indicates the
interlock
is not causing interfer-
ence.
Front Seat Lap-Shoulder
Belt Combination
• Adjust front seat to satisfaction
of driver and sit erect and well
back in seat.
• In a single motion, pull the lap-
shoulder belt webbing across lap
far enough
to permit inserting
metal latch plate end of belt into
the buckle, until a snap
is heard.
If webbing is not pulled out far
enough to reach buckle, let lap
belt rewind into its retractor to
release lock mechanism,
so belt
can be pulled out to the proper
length.
• Position "lap" portion of belt
across lap
as LOW ON HIPS as
possible. To reduce the risk of
sliding under belt during an ac-
cident, adjust to a SNUG FIT
by pulling belt firmly across lap
in direction of lap belt retractor
so it can take up slack. The belt
retractors are designed to auto-
matically take up excess webbing
and maintain tension on the belt.
KEEP
BELOW
HIP BONE
7
• The front seat shoulder belts in
this vehicle are equipped with a
"vehicle sensitive retractor"
which is designed to grip the
belt
only during a sudden stop
or impact. At other times it
is
designed to move freely with the
occupant, regardless of occupant
movement.
• For best restraint the slight ten-
sion on the shoulder caused by
the shoulder belt retractor
is de-
sirable.

• A comfort clip is provided for
those who
find the shou1der belt
tension a source of discomfort.
If the shoulder belt tension be-
comes uncomfortable,
puB down
on the shoulder belt (not more
than one inch) to provide the
minimum amount of slack neces-
sary to relieve tension. Thenpush
the comfort clip snuggly against
the guide loop. CAUTION: Ex-
cessive slack could result in in-
creased personal injury due to
reduced restraint system effec-
tiveness.
• To unfasten belts, depress push
button in center of buckle.
• When no longer in use, front
seat lap-shoulder belts can be
stowed
by allowing them to re-
wind into their retractors. The
comfort" clip can be adjusted
when removing belts, so shoul-
der belt slack will be fully taken
up by retractor.
NOTE: Take care not to let the
"lap" (portion of the belt) twist
while it
is being rewound into the
retractor. The bulk of the twisted
belt may cause the retractor to jam
so it will not rewind further while
at the same time the retractor's
locking mechanism prevents the
8
belt from being withdrawn. If a
belt should become jammed, you
may be able to release it by work-
ing the belt in and out until the belt
rewinds far enough to unlock.
If lap
belt (portion) remains jammed,
or other parts of the restraint sys-
tem do not operate properly take
the vehicle
to your dealer for
service.

Seat Belt Buzzer/Light
Reminder
• The front seat belts are linked to
a buzzer and light which remind
occupants to fasten their belts.
• The buzzer and light are de-
signed to come on when any
outboard front seat occupant's
belt
is not fastened, while at-
tempting to start the engine; or
if any front seat belt
is un-
fastened while driving in any
forward gear.
• The reminders do not come on
when the engine
is running and
a front belt
is unbuckled if the
transmission
is in Park or neu-
tral (automatic and column-
shift transmission cars), or if the
parking brake
is engaged (floor
shift transmission cars).
If seat belt system, ignition in-
terlock system, or reminder system
does not work
as described, see
your dealer for information and
assistance.
Lap Belts (For Rear Seat
Passengers)
• Seating positions next to side
windows have retractors which
are designed to automatically
take up excess webbing and
maintain tension on the lap belt.
These belts should be positioned
and secured
as described above
under "Lap-Shoulder Belt Com-
bination.
"
Seat Belt Inspection
• Periodically inspect belts,
buckles, adjustable latch plates,
retractors, interlock and re-
minder systems, guide loops,
clips, and anchors for damage
that could lessen the effective-
ness of the restraint system.
• Keep sharp edges and damaging
objects away from belts, and
other parts of restraint system.
• Replace belts if cut, weakened,
9
frayed, or subjected to collision
loads.
• Check that anchor mounting
bolts are tight.
• Have questionable parts re -
placed.
• Keep seat belts clean and dry.
• Clean only with mild soap solu-
tion and lukewarm water.
• Do not bleach or dye belts since
this may severely weaken belts.
Child Restraint
Children in automobiles should
be restrained to lessen the risk of
injury in accidents, sudden stops
or other hazardous situations. Gen-
eral Motors dealers offer restraint
systems designed specifically for
use with infants and with small
children. The GM "Infant Love
Seat" is designed for babies up to
20 pounds. The GM "Child Love
Seat" is designed for children
weighing 20 to 40 pounds, up to 3

feet-4 inches in height, who are
able to sit up alone.
In using any infant or child re-
straint system, read and comply
with all installation and usage in-
structions. All unused seat belts
near the child should be stowed
properly to help prevent them from
striking him
or her in the event of
.an accident.
If a child is traveling in a vehicle
not equipped with a General
Motors infant or child restraint or
other safe infant or child restraint
system, the following precautions
should be taken:
1. Infants unable to sit up by them-
selves should be restrained by
placing them in a covered.
padded bassinet which is placed
crossways in the vehicle (width-
10
wise) on the rear seat. The
bassinet should be securely re-
strained with the regular vehicle
seat belts. An alternate method
is to position the bassinet so that
it rests against the back of the
front seat, again crossways in
the vehicle.
2. Children able to sit up by them-
selves should be placed on a seat
and restrained with a seat belt.
When children ride in the front
seat, both lap and shoulder belt
should be worn.
If the shoulder
belt causes neck
or face irrita-
tion due to the child's size, this
may be reduced in some cases
by positioning the child further
inboard.
If serious discomfort
continues, the child should be
lap belted in the rear seat. Never
allow a child to stand or kneel
on any seat.
3.
General Motors recommends
that children be restrained prop-

erly when riding. However, if
unusual conditions prohibit use
of restraints
and require that a
Trailer Hauling
Since passengercars aredesigned
and intended to be used primarily
as passenger conveyances, towing
a trailer will affect handling, dura-
bility and economy. Maximum
safety and satisfaction depends
upon proper use of correct equip-
ment and avoiding overloads and
other abusive operation.
The maximum loaded trailer
weight which you
can pull with your
Camaro depends on what special
equipment has been installed on
your car. Chevrolet does not rec-
ommend towing any trailer unless
the
car is properly equipped. Infor-
mation on trailer hauling capabili-
ties, special equipment required,
and optional equipment offered by
child must stand,
he should
stand
on the floor directly be-
hind the front seat. This will
Chevrolet
is available from your
Chevrolet Dealer
or by writing:
Chevrolet
Motor Division, Detroit,
Michigan
48202 (or in Canada
by writing to General Motors of
Canada Limited, Owner Relations
Department, Oshawa,
Ontario).
To assist in attaining good han-
dling of the car-trailer combina-
tion, it is important that the trailer
tongue load be maintained
at ap-
proximately 10% of the loaded
trailer weight. Tongue loads
can be
adjusted by proper distribution of
the load in the trailer,
and can be
checked by weighing separately the
loaded trailer and then the tongue.
Whentowing trailers, tiresshould
be inflated to the highest infla-
tion pressures shown on the placard
affixed to the left front door. The
11
help minimize the possibility of
injury from frontal impacts in
the event of an accident.
allowable passenger
and cargo
load, also shown
on the same plac-
ard , is reduced by an amount equal
to the trailer tongue load on the
trailer hitch.
Maintenance
More frequent vehicle mainte-
nance is required when using your
car to pull a trailer. Change the:
• Automatic transmission fluid
each 12,000 miles,
• Rear axle fluid each 12,000
miles,
• Engine oil each 60 days or 3,000
miles, whichever occurs first,
• Positive crankcase ventilation
valve each 12 months
or 12,000
miles, whichever occurs first.
• See index for important informa-
tion on belts, cooling system care
and automatic brake adjustment.

Break-in Schedule
In addition to the new car
break-in instructions in this man-
ual, it
is recommended that your
new Camaro be operated for 500
miles before trailer towing. If it is
necessary to tow during this period,
avoid speeds over 50 MPH and full
throttle starts. The same precau-
tions should be observed whenever
a new engine, transmission
or axle
is installed in your car.
Operation in Foreign Countries
Your Camaro is designed to op-
erate on fuel of approximately
91
research octane number or higher,
sold in the United States and Can-
ada.
If you plan to operate your
Camaro outside the continental
limits of the United States
or Can-
ada, there
is a possibility that the
best fuels available in some coun-
tries are so low in anti-knock
quality that excessive knocking
and serious engine damage may
. result from their use. To obtain
information on the quality of fuels
available in the countries in which
you plan to travel, write to Chevro-
let Motor Division, Service Depart-
ment, Detroit, Michigan 48202,
(or in Canada write to General
Motors of Canada Limited, Owner
Relations Department, Oshawa,
Ontario), giving:
• The vehicle identification num-
ber (on plate on instrument
panel ahead of the steering
wheel and visible through the
windshield, or from registration
slip or title).
• The country or countries in
12
which you plan to travel.
It
is recommended that you not
operate your Camaro in any coun-
try not having fuels meeting the
requirements of
your Camaro
engine. Engine modifications are
not available to compensate for
low anti-knock quality fuels. Op-
eration of your car under condi-
tions of continuous
or excessive
knocking constitutes misuse of the
engine and may cause engine dam-
age for which the Chevrolet Divi-
sion
is not responsible under the
terms
of the Chevrolet New
Vehicle Warranty.

STARTING AND OPERATING
Engine Exhaust Gas Caution (Carbon Monoxide)
AvoId Inhaling exhaust gases because
they contain carbon monoxide, which by
itself is colorless and odorless. Carbon
monoxide is a dangerous gas that can
cause unconsciousness and is potentially
lethal.
" at any time you suspect that exhaust
fumes are entering the passenger com-
partment, have the cause determined and
corrected as soon as possible.
If you
must drive under these conditions, drive
only with
aU windows fully open.
The best protection against carbon
monoxIde entry Into the car body Is a
properly maintained engine exhaust sys-
tem, car body andbody ventilation system.
It is recommended that the exhaust sys-
tem and body Is Inspected by a competent
mechanic:
• Each time the vehicle Is raised for 011
change.
• Whenever a change is noticed in the
sound
of the exhaust system.
• Whenever the exhaust system, under-
body or rear of the vehicle Is damaged.
See your Maintenance Schedule folder
for inspection procedure.
To aI/ow proper operation of the car's
ventilation system, keep front ventilation
inlet
grille clear of snow, leaves or other
obstruction at al/ tImes.
SITTING IN A PARKED CAR WITH
ENGINE RUNNING
FOR AN EXTENDED
PERIOD IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
Do not run engIne In confined areas
such as garages any more than needed
to move vehicle in
or out of area. When
vehicle is stopped in an UNCONFINED
area with the engine running for any more
than a short period,
adjust heating or
cooling system to force outside air into
car as follows:
13
1. On cars not equipped with air condi-
tioning, set fan to medium or high
speed and upper control lever to any
position except
OFF.
2. On cars equipped with air condition- •
ing, set fan to medium or high speed
and upper control lever to any position
except OFF or MAX•
The trunk lid should be closed while
driving to help prevent inadvertently
drawing exhaust gases into the car.
It is
unwise to drive
at high speeds for long
durations with the trunk
lid open. How-
ever, if for some reason the trunk must
remain open for a perIod while moving,
or electrical wiring or other cable con-
nections to a trailer must pass through
the seal between
trunk lid and body, the
following precautions should be observed:
• Close all windows.
• Adjust heating or COOling system to
force outside air into car as described
in items 1 and 2 above but with fan set
at high speed.
• On cars equipped with outside air vents
in
or under instrument panel, open
vents fully.

STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
Anti-Theft Steering
Column Lock
The anti-theft lock, located on the
right side of the steering column,
has
five positions:
• Accessory -Permits operation
of electrical accessories when en-
gine
is not running. To engage,
push key in and turn toward you
(counterclockwise) .
• Lock-Normal parking position.
Locks ignition and provides
added theft protection by pre-
venting normal opera-
tion of steering wheel
and shift controls. Key
cannot be returned to
"lock" position and re-
moved until transmis-.
sion
is placed in "park"
(automatic transmis-
sion models) or in re-
verse on manual trans-
mission models.
• Off-Permits turning engine off
without locking steering wheel
and shift controls.
• Run (ON) -Normal operating
position.
• Start -Permits engagement of
starter.
NOTE: The anti-theft steering column lock
is not a substitute for the parking brake.
Always set the parking brake when leav-
ing the car unattended.
14
If difficulty is experienced in turn-
ing the ignition key and lock knob
to unlock the ignition, attempt to
turn the steering wheel
as hard as
possible in the direction the wheels
are turned. At the same time turn
the ignition-lock in a clockwise
direction with
as much effort as you
can apply with your own hand. Do
not attempt to use a tool of any kind
to apply additional force on the
lock knob,
as this could break the
knob.
Parking
When leaving your car unattended,
• Set parking brake.
• Place automatic transmission
selector in Park (Reverse for
manual transmission).
• Turn key to LOCK position.
• Remove key (the buzzer will
remind you).
• Lock all doors.

Starting Engine
Automatic Transmission
Models
1. Apply the foot brake.
2. Place transmission selector
in "P" or "N" ("P" preferred).
A starter safety switch prevents
starter operation while the trans-
mission selector
is in any drive
position.
(If it is necessary to
re-start the engine with the car
moving, place the selector lever
in "N".)
IMPORTANT: Do not keep the
starter engaged for more than
15
seconds at a time. Wait 10 or 15 sec-
onds before trying again.
.
3. Depress accelerator pedal and
activate starter
as outlined be-
low for different conditions.
• Cold. Engine -Fully depress
accelerator pedal and slowly
release. With foot
oD the
pedal, crank the engine
by
turning the ignition key to the
Start position -release when
engine starts.
If engine starts, but fails to'
run, repeat this procedure.
When engine is running
smoothly (approximately 30
seconds), the idle speed may
be reduced by slightly depress-
ing the accelerator pedal and
then slowly releasing.
• Warm Engine -Depress ac-
celerator pedal about halfway
15
and hold while cranking the
engine.
• Extremely Cold Weather
(~elow O°F.) Or After Car
Has Been Standing 'Idle
Several
Days-
Fully depress and release ac-
celerator pedal two
or three
times before cranking the en-
gine. With foot
oD the accel-
erator pedal, crank the engine
by turning the key to the
Start position and release
when engine starts. .
Manual Transmission Models
1. Apply parking brake and shift
transmission to neutral.
2.
Hold clutch pedal to floor
throughout the starting proce-
dure. A starterinterlock prevents
starter operation when clutch
is
not fully depressed. (Select the

proper gear position before re-
leasing the clutch pedal.)
3. Operate accelerator pedal and
starter
as outlined in step 3
(under Automatic Transmission
Models).
Engine Flooded
Depress accelerator pedal and
hold to floor while starting until
engine
is cleared of excess fuel and
is
running smoothly. Never
"pump" the accelerator pedal.
Warm-Up
Always let the engine idle for 20
to 30 seconds after starting and
drive at moderate speeds for several
miles, especially during cold
weather.
Driving with the Chevrolet Automatic Transmissions
The Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
and 400 are completely automatic
transmISSIons . All replace the
standard clutch and transmission.
Turbo Hydra-Malic 350
and 400
After starting the engine with the
selector lever
in N (Neutral) or P
(Park) position select the range de-
sired (see table) and depress the
accelerator. A gradual start with a
steady increase in accelerator pres-
sure will result in best possible fuel
economy. Rapid acceleration for
fast starts will result in greater
fuel consumption.
Automatic transmission shift
quadrants of all GM cars continue
the uniform sequence of selector
positions. This particularly benefits
multicar families and those who
occasionally drive other cars. Shift
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indicators are arranged with "Park"
position at one end, followed in se-
quence by "Reverse", "Neutral"
and the forward driving ranges.
All automatic transmissions are
equipped with a starter safety
switch designed to permit starting
the engine only when the trans-
mission
is in the "Park" or "Neu-
tral" position. For additional
engine braking effect,
as sometimes
needed in mountainous driving,

place the transmission in an inter-
mediate or low range. Park position. Exercise care when depressing button to prevent un-
intentional shifts to Park, L2 or
Reverse.
Floor Shift Lever
The floor shift lever may be
moved freely from Drive or Reverse
to Neutral.
Upshifts from Ll to
L2 and L2 to
Drive can be facilitated by pushing
shift lever to right while shifting.
Depress shift lever button (lo-
cated on top of shift lever)
as you
shift into other ranges. Depress the
button on top of the handle fully
when shifting into or out of the
NOTE: Shift quadrant for all
Automatic Transmissions
is located
on the instrument cluster.
P - PARK
R - REVERSE
N - NEUTRAL
D - DRIVE
L, -LOW,
Turbo Hydra-Malic 350 and 400
Use only when car is stopped.
For backing car - from stop.
For standing (Brakes Applied)
For forward driving. Depress accelerator to floor for extra acceleration
below 65 mph; depress accelerator half·way at speeds below 30 mph.
For driving in heavy traffic or on hilly terrain. Shift into L, at any vehicle
speed. The transmission will shift into second gear and remain in sec·
ond until the vehicle speed or throttle are reduced to obtain first gear
operation in the same manner as in D range. L, range position prevents
the transmission from shifting to 3rd gear .
For hard pulling through sand, snow or mud, for climbing or descending
steep grades. Shift into L, at any vehicle speed. Depending upon the
axle ratio of the vehicle the transmission will shift to second gear at
any speed above approximately 40 MPH and will shift to 1st gear as
speed is reduced below 40. L, range position prevents the transmission
from shifting out of first gear.
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