Season 2: Quick Tip 2
How to get to the battery in a 2010 Chevy Camaro
Aired: August 12, 2009
Posted in: Quick Tips, Video
This MOTORZ TV Quick Tip shows you how to get to the battery in the trunk of a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS.
It’s in the trunk, so what?
A lot of vehicles place the battery in the trunk as opposed to the engine compartment. There are many benefits to this, mainly weight distribution and it keeps the battery cooler because it’s not positioned directly next to the engine, so the battery lasts longer.
Don’t shut that trunk!
We did this Quick Tip not because the battery is difficult to get to, but because there’s a design issue with the 2010 Camaro and I wanted to make sure Camaro owners knew about it… because I got hit with it myself. Once you disconnect your battery, do not close your trunk! Since there is no keyhole in the trunk to open it with a key, and the push button on the driver’s door to open the trunk runs off electricity (not to mention the button on your remote won’t work either), there’s no way to open it back up!
Trunk monkey to the rescue!
I did this and as soon as I heard the trunk slam closed I said to myself, “oh crap!” I’m always eager to break out my Sawzall, but I don’t think the owner would have appreciated that method of opening it back up. In order to open the trunk back up, I had to call upon my skinny daughter to navigate her way into the back seat, pull it down, then climb into the trunk to pull on the trunk release handle. It was quite a learned lesson!
The larger concern here is this scenario: what happens if your battery dies on you, and your trunk is jam-packed full of so much stuff that you can’t get to the trunk release? Time to whip out the Sawzall for real!
There’s no spare in there!
You were probably wondering where the spare tire is, if the cavity is occupied by the battery. Well, the truth is that there isn’t one. If I had to guess, the 20″ wheel on the Camaro is too large and heavy to put in the trunk. It lightens the load quite a bit for a performance-minded vehicle like this, plus it’s cheaper to produce!
Disclaimer
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THESE PROGRAMS AND WEBSITE ARE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND ARE NOT DIRECTED TO ANY PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL OR FOR ANY PARTICULAR MAKE OR MODEL OF VEHICLE. MODIFYING YOUR VEHICLE CAN BE DANGEROUS. APPROPRIATE SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES SHOULD BE USED. USE CAUTION WHEN OPERATING A MODIFIED VEHICLE AND REMEMBER YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE PROGRAMS, DEMONSTRATIONS AND/OR PROCEDURES MAY NOT PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY OR RELEVANT INFORMATION. APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS SHOULD BE CHECKED BEFORE ANY PROJECT IS COMMENCED. ADDITIONALLY, BEFORE COMMENCING YOUR PROJECT, YOU SHOULD CHECK A VEHICLE'S OWNER'S MANUAL, SHOP MANUAL, WARRANTY BOOKLET AND/OR WITH A MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT EFFECT, IF ANY, A MODIFICATION WILL HAVE ON THE SAFETY FEATURES OR THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY COVERAGE OF YOUR VEHICLE. PLEASE GET PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE IF YOU'RE NOT SURE, AND, IF PROVIDED, ALWAYS REVIEW THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS OF ANY AFTERMARKET PRODUCT. DUKE NETWORKS, LLC MAKES NO WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS, PROCEDURES, AND/OR PROGRAMS NOR DOES IT GUARANTEE THAT THE PROGRAMS WILL BE ERROR-FREE OR CONTINUOUSLY AVAILABLE. YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE AND THE PROGRAMS CONTAINED THEREIN ARE AT YOUR SOLE RISK.
Optima D35 YellowTop battery provides the extra performance and deep-cycling capability that your vehicle demands if it has a lot of accessories like running lights, high-performance stereo/AV system, winches, or hydraulics. The unique SpiralCell design provides a strong and clean power source, ensuring the safety of you, your family and the environment.
The Stanley 92-824 Black Chrome and Laser Etched Socket Set includes 69 pieces that meet or exceed the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications for combination wrenches, sockets, and ratchets. The laser etched sockets provide hi-visibility markings, making it easier to read compared to standard marked sockets.Sponsors
Cool Links
As Seen On Motorz TV
Get more usable length from your pickup’s cargo bed with a Bed X-Tender™. Made of super strong aircraft-grade aluminum, this proven design is extremely lightweight, yet tough enough to use as a bench. Whatever you load in your truck, keep it secure with the original truck bed extender – the Bed X-Tender™ designed, engineered and built by AMP Research.Win Free Parts!
Stacey David Shout Out to Motorz
Motorz App
Get our free iPhone App and follow us from your iPhone or iPod Touch!Newsletter Signup
Loading...- Add the Motorz TV Facebook App to your profile today! http://ping.fm/vkhYh
- Automotive News Mashup! http://ping.fm/HFxFV Now features recalls, AutoWeek, Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler, GM, Ford, and more! Get it!
- Sending emails to winners of Dec, Jan & Feb Motorz giveaways! They'll be announced soon. Enter this month's at www.motorz.tv/win/
- Check out the updated Muscle Car Blog website! http://ping.fm/hhwtK
Partners
|
|
|
August 13th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Battery in the trunk? Are the designers smokin pot or something as they come up with ideas on where to put engine components? I sure think they are because this is a retarded idea! Just one more reason added to the list as why GM is going rock bottom (bankrupt).
August 14th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Nice tip, actually… I'd hate to get locked out of my trunk over something so simple haha
August 14th, 2009 at 3:31 am
What's wrong with putting the battery in the trunk? Do you need regular access to your battery? Do you hate better weight distribution? Do you have a problem with being able to easily change all your spark plugs on such a big engine? I don't. I wish they'd have put it in the trunk on the 2002 models, too.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
nice tip, chris. especially the one about not closing the trunk!
August 14th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
wear's the spar tier?
August 14th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
No spare tire, most likely due to the weight and size (20")
August 14th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Factory air compressor. Nice.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
awesome
August 14th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Jason~
if you get a blowout your screwed until a tow truck shows. Tow = $100, New tire = $100-200, Labor= $5 Usually, New sport cars use nitrogen in tires = About $5, And to top it off you got to pay tax. I work as a automotive technician you'll be surprised how many blowouts come into the shop. I've already lost count for this month alone. Also many people have all sorts of runout on their tire(s) due to poor maintenance.
Now that is only a tire. If your battery dies then you got a big problem.
i have absolutely no problem changing out spark plugs in any type of engine. As for weight distribution i could care less. There is always more than one way to distribute the weight.
August 15th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
GM offered a spare as on option (I think) for those who weren't happy with the compressor.
If my battery dies, I'll open the door with the key and crawl through the back the same way Chris's daughter did.
As for blowouts… I'll cross that bridge when I get there (while hoping I won't have to).
Then again, if I end up with a flat and a dead battery…
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:12 am
not….it's snowing, it's late night, cold temps, trunk is full of skis, vacation luggage, packed full, somebody left the lights on and drained the battery, you need a jump, but you have to unload all your gear, to get the jumper cables happening.
No thanks…. please don't tell me about a 'jump' via the cigarette lighter, (is there one?) is the auto trans sealed so you can't check the level? Sounds like a heavy car, looks like it's on steroids. how much is a set of 4 new tires? $800?
can i get one without the onstar thingy? just trying to save money that's all
August 24th, 2009 at 2:56 am
There is a positive post in the engine compartment that can be used for jumping it. It'd be just as easy as with any other car.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
where is the onstar control module so that I can disconnect my onstar in the 2010 camaro?
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:51 pm
It's a Camaro…Where you going to put your ski's? Better yet take a SUV that would haul more and be more appt to driving in snow…DUH!