change time PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 User Guide

When to Change Engine Oil:
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles
0 It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles ( 16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of
the time (as in door-to-door delivery,
or
in stop-and-go traffic).
(6 km).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
and filter every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or
3 months - whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil
every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12
months
- whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block
Heater):
An engine coolant heater can be a big
help if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil:
Did you know that used engine oil
:ontains elements that may be unhealthy
:or your skin and could even cause
:ancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your
;kin for very long. Clean your skin and
lails with soap and water, or a good hand
:leaner. Wash or properly throw away
:lothing or rags containing used engine
il. (See the manufacturer’s warnings
ibout the use and disposal of oil
xoducts.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the
mvironment. If you change your own oil,
)e sure to drain all free-flowing oil from
:he filter before disposal. Don’t ever
jispose of oil by putting it in the trash,
2ouring it on the ground, into sewers, or
into streams or bodies
of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local
recycling center for help.
3.4L L32 (Code S
Air Cleaner
iefer to the Maintenance Schedule to
letermine when to replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
In the Index.
t
195 ...
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Service and Appearance Care
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic
transmission fluid level
is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your fluid. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Pontiac dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all
the instructions here, or
you could get a
false reading on the dipstick.
Too much or too little fluid can
damage your transmission. Too much
can mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading
if you
check your transmission fluid. Wait
at least 30 minutes before checking
the transmission fluid level if you have
been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot
90°F (32°C).
weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should
be at normal operating temperature,
which is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To check transmission fluid hot: Get
the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside
temperatures
are above 50°F ( 10°C).
If it’s colder than 50°F ( lO”C), drive
the vehicle in
“D’ (Third Gear) until the
engine temperature gage moves and then
remains steady for
ten minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold
check is made after the vehicle has been
sitting for eight hours or more with the
engine
off and is used only as a reference.
Let the engine run at idle for five minutes
if outside temperatures are 50°F
(10°C)
or more. If it’s colder than 50°F (lO°C),
you may have to idle the engine longer.
Should the fluid level be low during a
cold check, you must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a
more accurate reading of the fluid level.
To check the fluid hot or cold:
0
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place
the shift lever
in “P” (Park).
With your foot on the brake pedal,
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in “P” (Park).
Let the engine
run at idle for three
minutes or more.
. . .I98
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Service and Appearance Care
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear. If
you rarely make a moderate or heavier
stop, then your brakes might not adjust
correctly. If you drive in that way,
then
- very carefully - make a few
moderate brake stops about every
1,000
miles (1 600 km), so your brakes will
adjust properly.
If your brake pedal goes down farther
than normal, your rear drum brakes may
need adjustment. Adjust them by backing
up and firmly applying the brakes a few
times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle
is complex. Its many parts have to be of
top quality and work well together if the
vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have
top-quality GM brake parts in them, as
your Pontiac does when it is new. When
you replace parts of your braking system
- for example, when your brake linings
wear down and you have to have new
ones put in
- be sure you get new
genuine GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work
. . .208
properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front
and rear brakes can change, for the worse.
The braking performance you’ve come to
expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@
battery.
You never have to add water to
one of these. When it’s time for a new
battery, we recommend a Delco
Freedom@ battery. Get one that has the
catalog number shown on the original
battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle
for
25 days or more, take off the black,
negative
(-) cable from the battery. This
will help keep your battery from running
down. Contact your dealer
to learn how to
prepare your vehicle for longer storage
periods.
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impaired customer who has access to a
TDD or a conventional teletypewriter
(TTY) can communicate with Pontiac by
dialing: 1 -800-TDD-PONT (TDD users
in Canada can dial 1-800-263-3830.)
GM Participation in
BBB AUTO LINE
-Alternative Dispute
Resolution Program
*
Both Pontiac and your Pontiac dealer are committed to making sure you are
completely satisfied with your new
vehicle. Our experience has shown that,
if
a situation arises where you feel
your concern has not been adequately addressed, the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure described earlier in this section
is very successful.
There may be instances where an
impartial third-party can assist in arriving
at
a solution to a disagreement regarding
vehicle repairs or interpretation
of the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty. To assist
in resolving these disagreements Pontiac
voluntarily participates in BBB AUTO
LINE. BBB AUTO LINE
is an out-of-court
program administered by the Better
Business Bureau system to settle disputes
between customers and automobile
manufacturers. This program is available
free of charge to customers who currently
own or lease a GM vehicle.
If
you are not satisfied after following the
Customer Satisfaction Procedure, you
may contact the BBB using the toll-free
telephone number,
or write them at the
following address:
BBB AUTO LINE
Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite
800
Arlington, VA 22203
Telephone:
1-800-955-5 100
To file a claim, you will be asked to
provide your name and address, your
vehicle identification number (VIN), and
a statement of the nature of your
complaint. Eligibility is limited by vehicle
age and mileage, and other factors.
We prefer you utilize the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure before you resort
to AUTO
LINE, but you may contact the
BBB at any time. The BBB will attempt
to resolve the complaint serving as an intermediary between you
and Pontiac.
If this mediation is unsuccessful, an
informal hearing will be scheduled where
eligible customers may present their case
to an impartial third-party arbitrator.
The arbitrator will make a decision which
you may accept or reject. If you accept
the decision, GM will be bound by that
decision. The entire dispute resolution
procedure should ordinarily take about
forty days from the time you file a claim
until a decision is made.
Some state laws may require
you to use
this program before filing a claim with a
state-run arbitration program or in the
courts. For further information, contact
the BBB at
1-800-955-5 100 or the
Pontiac Customer Assistance Center at
1 -800-PM-CARES. 1.
* This program may not be available
in all states, depending
on state law.
Canadian owners refer to your
Warranty and Owner Assistance
information booklet. General Motors
reserves the right to change eligibility
limitations and/or to discontinue its
participation in this program.
261 . .
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Customer Assistance Information
PONTIAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDER FORM
NOTE: Please complete form below (Print or Type) and MAIL TO:
Post Office Box 07130, Detroit, Michigan 48207
ORDER TOLL FREE
1-800-782-4356
(Monday-Friday 8:OO A.M.-6:00 P.M. EST)
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name, an\
d
also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the above address for quotation.
(CUSTOMER NAME) (ATENTION)
(STREET ADDRESS-NO P.O.
BOX NUMBERS) (APT. NO.)
(CITY) (STATE) (ZIP CODE) DAYTIME TELEPHONE NO. CODE
- TOTAL MATERIAL
Check or Money Michigan Purchasers Order payable to add 4% sales tax Helm, Inc. (USA Handling Charge $4.00 funds only - do not
send cash.) Canadian Postage (See Note Below) 0 MasterCard GRAND TOTAL
[7 VISA [7 Card
Account Number:
ml ml
Expiration ml 171 Check here if your billing Date molyr: address is different from your
shipping address shown.
(CUSTOMER SIGNATURE)
'
Discover
*Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring obligation. NOTE TO
CANADIAN CUSTOMERS: All listed prices are quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are
**Price to be announced at a later date. Call ,-800=182-4356 for further to make checks payable in U.S. funds. To cover Canadian postage, add $11.50 plus the U.S. Handling Charge.
Orders cannot
be returned without prior authorization. A restocking fee may apply. Please allow adequate time for postal service. Requests for manuals printed in French should be directed to Canadian General Motors dealerships.
. . .266
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Front Fuel
......................... 185
Towing Hook-ups
............. 158
Fuel Gage
..................... 90
Fuels
in Foreign Countries ........ 186
Fully Articulating Sport Seat
...... 9
Fuse Block. Main
............... 230
Fuse Block. Underhood
.......... 231
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....... 229
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.... 93
Engine Oil Pressure ........... 95
Fuel
....................... 90
Warning Lights and Indicators
... 89
Gasolines for Cleaner
Air ........ 186
Glass
......................... 224
GloveBox
.................... 83
GM Participation in BBB Auto Line
-
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Program
.................. 261
Halogen Bulbs
............... 209
Hatch Release
.................. 47
Hatch Release. Remote
.......... 47
Hazard Warning Flashers
......... 152
Head Restraints
................ 12
Headlight Doors
................ 76
Headlight High/Low Beam
....... 70
Heater Controls
................ 104
... 272
Headlights .................... 209 Heater.
Engine Coolant (Block)
.... 56
Heating
....................... 104
Highway Hypnosis
.............. 140
Hill and Mountain Roads
......... 141
Hitches
....................... 147
Hood Release
.................. 188
Hood. Checking Things under the
. . 188
Kook.Ups. Front Towing
......... 158
Kook.Ups. Rear Towing
......... 160
Horn ......................... 68
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Recovery Tank
. . . . 164
How to Add Coolant to the
Radiator
................ .165. 167
Hydraulic Clutch
............... 201
Hydroplaning
.................. 138
Hypnosis. Highway
............. 140
Identification Number. Vehicle
.... 228
Identification. Engine
............ 228
If a Tire Goes Flat
.............. 170
If You’re Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice
or Snow
.................... 180
Ignition Switch
................. 51
Inflatable Restraint System.
Supplemental
................ 23
Inflation
- Tire Pressure .......... 216
Inside Daymight Rearview
Mirror
...................... 79
Instrument Cluster
.............. 88
Instrument Panel
............. 87 Instrument Panel. Cleaning the
Topof
..................... 223
[nterior Lights
................. 78
Jump Starting
............... 153
Key Release Button
. .
Keys .............
Label. Service Parts
Lane Change Indicator.
Lap-Shoulder Belt (Safety Belts)
. e . 19
Larger Children (Safety Belts)
. . . e 38
Leaving Your Vehicle with the
Identification
...........
Turn Signal and .............. 69
Leaving Your Vehicle
............ 44
Engine Running
.............. 64
Lighter. Ashtray and ............. 85
Lighter. Cigarette
............... 85
Lights Air Bag Readiness
.... ..... 24
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
.................. 91
Brake System Warning ......... 90
Bulb Replacement
.......... 232
Daytime Running
............. 77
Front Map
................... 79
Check Gages
........ 96
Courtesy
............ 78
Fog ........................ 78
... 51
42
... 228
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Index
Steering
Storage Tips
........................ 132
Compartments
............... 83
Vehicle
..................... 208
Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow
. . 180
Sun Visors
.................... 85
Sunshades. T-Top ............... 82
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System (Air Bags)
............ 23
Switch. Ignition
................ 51
Switch. Performance Mode
....... 54
Symbols. Vehicle
............... 5
TTop Sunshades .............. 82
Tachometer .................... 89
Tank. Filling Your
.............. 187
Temperature Control Knob
....... 104
Theft
......................... 48
Theft Deterrent Feature/
THEFTLOCK
............... 120
Theft.Deterrent. PASS-Key I1 ..... 49
Thermostat
.................... 204
Tilt Wheel
..................... 69
Tips. Steering .................. 132
Tips. Ventilation
................ 108
Tire Loading
................... 2 13
Tires
......................... 215
Balance. Wheel Alignment and
. . 220
Buying New
................. 2 18
Symbols. Safety Warnings and
.... 4
... 276
Tires
Chains
..................... 221
Changing
a Flat .............. 17 1
Inflation Pressure ............. 2 16
Inspection and Rotation
........ 217
Temperature Grades
........... 2 1 9
Traction Grades .............. 219
Treadwear ................... 2 19
Uniform Quality Grading
....... 219
When It's Time for New
....... 2 18
AM/F" Stereo with Cassette Tape
Player
.................... 1 10
AM/FM Stereo with Cassette
Tape Player and Graphic
Tone.
Setting the
Equalizer
............... 1 13
A" Stereo with Compact Disc
Player
.................... I 16
A" Stereo with Compact
Disc Player and Graphic
Equalizer
............... 1 19
Top Strap (Child Restraints)
....... 32
Torque Lock
.................. 65
Towing
A Trailer .................... 144
Front Hook-Ups
.............. 158
Rear Hook-Ups .............. 160
Your Vehicle
................. 156
Traction Control System
......... 130
And Cruise Control ........... 75
Warning Light ............... 92 Trailer Brakes
.................. 147
Trailer. Towing a
............... 144
Transmission
Automatic
................... 56
Fluid. Automatic ............. 198
Fluid. Manual
................ 200
Manual. Five-Speed
........... 59
Manual. Six-Speed
............ 60
Transmitters. Matching to Your
Vehicle (Remote Lock Control)
. . 45
Transportation. Courtesy ......... 263
Trip Odometer
................. 89
Trip. Before Leaving on a Long
.... 140
Turn Signal and Lane Change
Indicator
.................... 69
Turn Signaweadlight
Beam Lever
................. 69
Twin Lift-off Roof Panels
........ 80
Underbody Maintenance ....... 226
Underhood Electrical Center
...... 231
Understanding Radio Reception
... 121
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
..... 219
Used Oil. What to Do With
....... 195
Used Replacement Wheels
........ 220
Vehicle Control of a
................. 128
Damage Warnings
............ 4
Dimensions ................. 236
Environment and Your
......... 240
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