PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 Owners Manual

Problems on the Road
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare was fully
inflated when your vehicle was new, it
can lose air after a time. Check the
inflation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa). After installing the
compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make
sure your spare tire is correctly inflated.
The compact spare is made to perform
well at posted speed limits for distances
up to
3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can
finish your trip and have your full-size
tire repaired or replaced where you want.
Of course, it’s best to replace your spare
with
a full-size tire as soon as you can.
Your spare will last longer and be in
good shape in case you need it again.
. . .I80
NOTICE:
If the compact spare is used as a rear
tire, do not drive faster than
50 mph
(80 km/h). Damage to the rear axle
may occur if the compact spare
is
driven faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).
This speed limitation does not apply
when the compact spare is used as a
front tire.
NOTICE:
Don’t take your compact spare
through an automatic car wash with
guide rails. The compact spare can
get caught on the rails. That can
damage the tire and wheel, and
maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Don’t use your compact spare on some
other vehicle.
And don’t mix your compact spare or
wheel with other wheels or tires. They
won’t fit. Keep your spare and its wheel
together.
NOTICE:
Tire chains won’t fit your compact
spare. Using them will damage your
vehicle and destroy the chains too.
Don’t use tire chains on your
compact spare.
H Zf You’re Stuck: Zn
Sand, Mud, Zce or
Snow
What you don’t want to do when your
vehicle is stuck is to spin your wheels.
The method known as “rocking” can hell
you get out when you’re stuck, but you
must use caution.
1
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NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as the
tires.
If you spin the wheels too fast
while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your trans-
mission.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and
right. That will clear the area around your
front wheels. If your vehicle has traction
control, you should
turn the system off.
(See “Traction Control System” in the
Index.) Then shift back and forth’ between
“R’ (Reverse) and a forward gear (or with
a manual transmission, between First or
Second gear and Reverse), spinning the
wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and
press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
If that
doesn’t get you out after a few tries,
you
may need to be towed out. If you:do need
to be towed out, see “Towing
Yow
Vehicle” in the Index. .’
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Notes
, . .182
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I I
Here you will find information
about the care of your Pontiac
.
This part begins with service and fuel information. and then
it
shows how to check important
fluid and lubricant levels
. There
is also technical information
about your vehicle. and a section devoted
to its
appearance care
.
Part b
Service 8t Appearance Care
Service .........................................................
Fuel ...........................................................
Checking Things under the Hood ....................................
HoodRelease ..................................................
184
185
188
188
Engineoil
.................................................... 191
Aircleaner
.................................................... 195
Automatic Transmission Fluid
..................................... 198
Manual Transmission Fluid
....................................... 200
Hydraulic Clutch
............................................... 201
RearAxle
..................................................... 201
Enginecoolant
................................................. 201
Power Steering fluid
............................................ 204
Windshield Washer Fluid
......................................... 205
Brake Master Cylinder
........................................... 206
Bulb Replacement
................................................ 209
Battery
....................................................... 208
LoadingYourVehicle
............................................. 213
Tires
........................................................... 215
Appearance Care
................................................. 221
Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials
.......................... 227
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
................................. 228
Service Parts Identification Label
.................................... 228
Add-on Electrical Equipment
....................................... 228
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
......................................... 228
ReplacementBulbs
............................................... 232
Capacities and Specifications
........................................ 233
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Service and Appearance Care
~
Service
Your Pontiac dealer knows your vehicle
best and wants you to be happy with it.
We hope you’ll go to your dealer for all
your service needs. You’ll get genuine
GM parts and GM-trained and supported
service people.
We hope you’ll want to keep your GM
vehicle all GM. Genuine GM parts have
one
of these marks.
Doing Your Own Service Work
[f you want to do some of your own
service work, you’ll want to get the
proper Pontiac Service Manual.
It tells
you much more about how
to service
your Pontiac than this manual can.
To
order the proper service manual, see
“Service Publications” in the Index.
Your vehicle has an air bag system.
Before attempting to
do your own
service work, see “Servicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Pontiac” in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts
receipts and list the mileage and the date
of any service work you
perform. See
“Maintenance Record” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you try to do your own service
work without knowing enough about
it, your vehicle could be damaged.
. . .184
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H Fuel
The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows
the code letter for your engine.
You will
find the VIN at the top left of your
instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number” in the Index.)
3.4L L32 (Code S)
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher. It should meet
specifications ASTM D4814 in the
U.S.
and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels
should have the proper additives,
so you
should not have
to add anything to: the
fuel.
In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the right kind of giisoline
(unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED”
right on the pump. And only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler
neck.
’ Be sure the posted octane is at least 87.
If the octane is less than 87, you may get
a heavy knochng noise when
you drive.
If it’s bad enough, it can damage your
1 engine. If
you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or
higher and you still hear heavy knoclung,
your engine needs service. But don’t
worry if you hear a little pinging noise
when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal, and you don’t have to
buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock
that means you have a problem.
5.7L LT1 (Code P)
Use premium unleaded gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher. You may use middle
grade or regular unleaded gasolines, but
your vehicle may not accelerate as well.
The gasoline you use should meet
specifications
ASTM D4814 in the U.S.
and
CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels
should have the proper additives,
so you
should not have to add anything to the
fuel.
In the
U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be
sure you get the right lund of gasoline
(unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED”
right on the pump. And only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler
neck. Be sure
the posted octane for premium
is
at least 91 (at least 89 for middle grade
and 87 for regular).
If the octane is less
than 87, you may get a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough,
it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at
91 octane or
higher and you still hear heavy knocking,
your engine needs service. But don’t
worry if you hear a little pinging noise
when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal and you don’t have to
buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock
that means you have a problem.
All Engines
What about gasoline with blending
materials that contain oxygen
(oxygenates), such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.”
Fuel that is no more than
15% MTBB is
fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol.
Properly-blended fuel that is no more
than 10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
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Service and Appearance Care
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than 5% methanol
is bad for your vehicle. Don’t use it.
It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage plastic and
rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty. And
even at
5% or less, there must be
“cosolvents” and corrosion prevent-
ers in this fuel to help avoid these
problems.
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control
additives will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system.
That helps keep your engine in tune and
your emission control system working
properly. It’s good for your vehicle, and
you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasalines are now blended with
oxygenates. General Motors recommend:
that you use gasolines with these blendin,
materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. BJ
doing
so, you can help clean the air,
especially
in those parts of the country
that have high carbon monoxide levels. n
addition, some gasoline suppliers are
low producing reformulated gasolines.
rhese gasolines are specially designed to
.educe vehicle emissions. General Motors
-ecommends that you use reformulated
;asoline. By doing
so, you can help clean
:he air, especially in those parts of the
:ountry that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station
3perators if their gasolines contain deposit
:ontrol additives and oxygenates, and
if
:hey have been reformulated to reduce
vehicle emissions.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
[f you plan on driving in another country
outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel
may be hard to find. Do not use leaded
gasoline, If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well
or at all. With continuous use, spark plugs
can get fouled, the exhaust system can
corrode, and your engine oil can
deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen
sensor will be damaged. All of that means
costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto
:lub, or contact a major oil company that
Joes business in the country where you’ll
,e driving.
You can also write us at the following
iddress for advice. Just tell
us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution
North American Export Sales (NAES) 1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Canada Corporation
. . .I86
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I
Filling Your Tank
The cap is behind a hinged door on the
left side of your vehicle. To
take
off the cap, turn it slowly to the
left (counterclockwise).
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean
gasoline from painted surfaces as soon as
possible. See “Cleaning the Outside of
Your Pontiac” in
the Index.
When
you put the cap back on, turn it to
the right until you hear at least three
:licks.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer can get
one
for you. If you get the wrong
type, it may not fit and your fuel tank
and emissions system might be dam-
aged.
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Service and Appearance Care
r-
Checking Things under
the Hood
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull the handle
nside the vehicle.
, . .I88
men go to the front of the vehicle and
pull up on the hood release.
Lift the hood.
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3.4L L32 (Code !
When you open the hood you'll see.
1. Battery
2. Engine Coolant Reservoir
3. Engine Oil Dipstick
4. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
5. Air Cleaner (if equipped)
6. Oil Fill
Cap
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir
8. Power Steering Reservoir
9. Windshield Washer Reservoir
10. Engine Fan
11. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equipped)
B
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