File in Section:

Service Bulletin

Bulletin No.:
Date:

PIC5214C
June, 2014

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
Subject:

Excessive Brake Dust On Wheels

Models:

2010 - 2014 Chevrolet Camaro
2005 - 2014 Chevrolet Corvette
This PI was superseded to update Model Years. Please discard PIC5214B.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern
Some customers may comment that their wheels are collecting an excessive amount of brake dust. This is due to
two reasons; the brake pad material used for the brakes is a high performance material. One of the by-products of
the pad material is black dust. The vehicles also have large openings in the wheels between the spokes which
highlights the brake dust.

Recommendation/Instructions
This is considered a normal characteristic. Refer to the information below for cleaning – taken from the Exterior Care
section of the online Owner's Manual that resides in Service Information - SI Document 2170369.
Wheels and Trim – Aluminum or Chrome
The vehicle may have either painted, aluminum, or chrome plated wheels
Keep the wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing
thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax may then be applied.
Notice: Chrome wheels and other chrome trim may be damaged if the vehicle is not washed after driving on roads
that have been sprayed with magnesium, calcium or sodium chloride. These chlorides are used on roads for
conditions such as ice and dust. Always wash the vehicle's chrome with soap and water after exposure.
Notice: Using strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or cleaners that contain acid on
aluminum or chrome plated wheels, could damage the surface of the wheel(s) and/or the finish of the brake
caliper(s). The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Use only approved cleaners on aluminum or
chrome plated wheels.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted surface of the vehicle. Do not use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners, cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because the surface
could be damaged. Do not use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.
Notice: Notice: Using chrome polish on aluminum wheels could damage the wheels. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Use chrome polish on chrome wheels only.
Use chrome polish only on chrome plated wheels, but avoid any painted surface of the wheel, and buff off
immediately after application.
Notice: Driving the vehicle through an automatic car wash that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes, could
damage the aluminum or chrome plated wheels. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Never
drive a vehicle that has aluminum or chrome plated wheels through an automatic car wash that uses silicone carbide
tire cleaning brushes.
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is
resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.