octane PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 Owners Manual

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.
185 ...
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Service Station Information
Engine
(3.4L I
Engine Hood
Release
See Page 188 ---G A-
Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
Oil Dipstick and
Fill Cap.
J32 (Code S) Engine)
See Page 192
Oil Dipstick and
Fill Cap
(5.7L LT1 (Code P) Engine)
See Page 192
Cold Tire Pressure
See Tire-Loading Information label on the
inside
of the rear edge of the driver’s door.
See Page 213
Fuel
Capacity 15.5 U.S. Gal. (58.7 L).
Use unleaded gas only, 87 octane or
higher for
the 3.4L L32 (Code S) engine,
91 octane or higher for the 5.7L LT1
(Code
P) engine. See Page 185
See Page 205
Battery
The Delco Freedom@ battery needs
no water.
See Page 208
Cooling system Reservoir
Check coolant at the coolant recovery tank
by using the dipstick. Add coolant at the
coolant recovery tank. The fluid should be
at or a little above the “FULL HOT’’ mark
on the dipstick when the engine is warm.
If the.engine is cool, the level should be at
“FULL COLD’’ on the dipstick.
See Page 202
Spare Tire Pressure
Compact Spare: 60 psi (420 kPa).
See Page 180
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