I just got this car. I have the stock 16" wheels (P245/50ZR16 AS Performance BW
tires with 245mm width, 16.0" rim). Pulling out of my driveway the underside is meeting the pavement. This has not happened with any other car, so the driveway is not the problem. Any suggestions/remedies?

I would bet cash a C5 would bottom out on the same driveway and probably leave the front clip in the driveway.

Can you tell where, on the car, it's bottoming out? There is a plastic deflector on the front end around the radiator that sits pretty low and it doesn't take much of a hump or drop to make it rub.

Have someone watch the front end as you leave and they will be able to tell where the rubbing is. Be careful and make sure the nose of the Z is not hitting the driveway.

-Funk

[Former 4th Gen Owner]
[And 1st and 2nd and 3rd]

[This message has been edited by CFunK (edited 07-08-2002).]

[This message has been edited by CFunK (edited 07-09-2002).]

Even the front spoiler on my wife's 2000 Impala scrapes in an out of most driveways. My '96 SS Camaro does also.

Try to not approach the driveway square. If you go through at an angle it will help.

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...Dennis
"The '69 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/ww.jpg), the '96 (http://www.camaroslimited.com/graphics/memcars/96ss.jpg) & the club (http://camaroslimited.com/)"

You are correct about the deflector. THat is exactly what it is. Thank you.

Do you know if it is worth shortening a 1/4 to a 1/2 an inch. I spoke to a service technician who said the function was 1) to send more air up to the cooling system and 2) to provide high speed stability by "deflecting" the air from under the car, elliminating lift. Sounds like a pretty important part.

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Gary from NY

I wouldn't mess with it. It's primary function is to deflect air and allow the cooling system to be more efficent. Just learn to be aware of situations where it might scrape. As "D" said, take driveways at an angle.

It's a tough piece and the General designed it to take some abuse as long as you aren't playing "General Lee" with it.

Good luck and enjoy the '02.

-Funk

[This message has been edited by CFunK (edited 07-09-2002).]

I would pour a little cold patch asphalt to ease the drive transition.

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67 prostreet BB Camaro
71 BB SS Chevelle (clone)
2002 35th anniv SS Z28 conv.

Right on! Fix the driveway. There's nothing wrong with the car.

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68 Coupe, 350 4-speed
Jim's Camaro Corner (http://www.personal.psu.edu/jxu109/)

Dennis,

Thank you. The angular approach works like a charm. Too bad I didn't know this before I brought it home. There should be a "First Time Camaro Owner Primer." The deflector has a little wear on it now. It could have been worse, there could have been no forum to find out about stuff like this.

Regards

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Gary from NY

No sweat Gary,

I've owned many new cars and something my dad tought me was to avoid the worry of that 1st scratch on a new car you find some place that doesn't show and put a little scuff in the paint! http://www.camaros.net/forum/biggrin.gif In your case it's already done and it's in a chunk of plastic that you won't see unless you crawl under the car...

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...Dennis
"The '69 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/ww.jpg), the '96 (http://www.camaroslimited.com/graphics/memcars/96ss.jpg) & the club (http://camaroslimited.com/)"