flat tire PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1995 User Guide
Page 231 of 386
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.
I
I 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.
NOTICE:
If the compact spare is used as a rear tire, do not
1 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. This speed limitation
does not apply when the compact spare is used as
a front tire.
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.
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Page 282 of 386
Inflation - Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label which is on the
driver’s door shows the correct inflation pressures for
your tires, when they’re cold. “Cold” means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven no more than a mile.
If you’ll be driving at speeds higher than 100 mph (160 km/h)
where it is legal, raise the “cold” inflation pressure of\
each
tire to 35 psi (240 k Pa). When you end this very high speed
driving, reduce the “cold” inflation pressures to those
listed
on the tire loading information label.
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinnation or
overinflation
is all right. It’s not. If’ your tires don’t
have enough
air (underinflation) you can get:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
0 Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
(Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
0 Needless damage from road hazards.
. ., .. ,
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. Simply looking at the tires will not tell you the
pressure, especially if you have radial tires
-- which
may look properly inflated even
if they’re underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back
on. They help prevent leaks by keeping ou,t dirt and
moisture.
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Page 284 of 386
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures
as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the
Index.
When it’s Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s
time for new tires
is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your
tires have
only 1/16 inch (1.6
mm) or
less of tread remaining.
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Page 286 of 386
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction - A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are: A, B,
and C. They represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering
(turning) traction.
Temperature - A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which
all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
€3 and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.
These grades are molded on the sidewalls of passenger
car tires.
While the tires available as standard or optional
equipment on General Motors vehicles may vary with
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Page 308 of 386
Maintenance Schedule
IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
This section covers the maintenance required for your Pontiac. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its
safety, dependability and emission control performance.
11 motec
I
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Pontiac dealer for details.
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance or the
removal of important components can significantly
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or even the wrong tire inflation can increase the
level of emissions from your vehicle.
To help protect our
environment, and to help keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
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Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance
of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in
Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
peqorm these underhood checks at each fuel
fill.
Engine Oil Level
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mix
if necessary. See “Coolant” in the Index for
further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid
if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation
Check tire inflation. Make sure tires are inflated to the
pressures specified on the Tire-Loading Information
label located on the rear edge of the driver’s door. See
“Tires” in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck ; ,.
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Mce a Year
Hydraulic Clutch System Inspection
Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir. See
“Hydraulic Clutch Fluid” in the Index. A fluid loss in
this system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
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Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program
Security While You Travel
As the proud owner of a new Pontiac vehicle, you are
automatically enrolled in the Pontiac Roadside
Assistance Program. This value-added service is
intended to provide you with peace of mind as you drive
in the city or travel the open road.
Pontiac’s Roadside Assistance toll-free number is
staffed by a team
of technically trained advisors who are
available
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We take anxiety out of uncertain situations by providing
minor repair information over the phone or making
arrangements to tow your vehicle
to the nearest Pontiac
dealer.
We will provide the following services for
3 years/36,000 miles, at no expense to you:
Vehicle out of fuel
Keys locked in vehicle
Tow to nearest dealer for warranty
1-800-ROADSIDE 1-800-762-3743
a
a
a
Change a flat tire
Jump starts Courtesy Transportation. For warranty repairs during
the Bumper-to-Bumper coverage period, interim
transportation may be available under the Pontiac
Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult
your dealer for details.
In Canada, please consult
your GM dealer for information on Courtesy
Transportation.
We have quick, easy access to telephone numbers of the
following services depending on your needs:
Hotel
Glass replacement
Rental vehicles or taxis
Police, fire department or hospitals
In many instances, mechanical failures are covered
under Pontiac’s comprehensive warranty. However, when other outside services
are utilized, our advisors
will explain any payment obligations you might incur.
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Section 9 INDEX
Adding. Automatic Transmission Fluid ............. 6-26
Adding. Brake Fluid
............................. 6-38
Adding. Electrical Equipment
..................... 6-65
Adding. Engine Coolant
.......................... 6-31
Adding. Engine Oil
............................. 6- 15
Adding. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
.................... 6-26
Adding. Manual Transmission Fluid
................ 6-27
Adding. Power Steering Fluid
..................... 6-35
Adding. Sound Equipment
........................ 6- 14
Adding. Windshield Washer Fluid
............. 2-44. 6-35
AirBag
....................................... 1-19
Air Bag Readiness Light
.................... 1-21.2. 69
Air Bag System
................................ 1-19
Air Bag. How Does it Restrain
.................... 1-23
Air Bag.
How it Works ........................... 1-21
Air Bag Location
............................... 1-22
Air Bag. Servicing
.............................. 1-25
Air Bag. What
Makes it Inflate .................... 1-23
Air Bag. What Will You See After It inflates
......... 1-23
Air Bag. When Should it Inflate
................... 1-23
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-19
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-3
Alignment and Balance. Tires
..................... 6-54
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning ...................... 6-62
Antenna. Fixed Mast
............................ 3-16
Antenna. Power Mast Care
....................... 3-17
Anti-Lock
..................................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
......... 2.71. 4.6
Anti-Lock Brakes
............................... 4-6
Antifreeze ..................................... 6-30
Antifreeze Adding
.............................. 6-31
Antifreeze Checking
............................ 6-31
Anti-Theft Feature. Theftlock
..................... 3-12
Appearance Care
............................... 6-55
Appearance Care and Materials .................... 6-64
Ashtray and Lighter
............................. 2-62
Ashtray. Front
................................. 2-62
Audio System. Steering Wheel Touch Controls
....... 3-18
Audio System. Tips About Your
................... 3-14
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-5
Automatic Transmission
......................... 2-23
Automatic Overdrive Position .................. 2-25
First Gear
(1) Position ........................ 2-26
Neutral (N) Position
.......................... 2-24
Park (P) Position
............................. 2-23
Reverse (R) Position
.......................... 2-24
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.
Second Gear (2) Position ...................... 2-25
Third Gear (3) Position
........................ 2-25 Shifting .................................... 2-23
Axle, Rear 6-29
....................................
...................................... Battery 6-40
Replacement. Remote Lock Control ............... 2-8
Warnings
................................ 5.2. 5.4
Low Maintenance ............................ 6-40
BBBAutoLine
................................. 8-3
Blizzard
...................................... 4-27
Boot Cover, Installing ........................... 2-82
Brake
............................................
Adjustment ................................. 6-39
Fluid, Adding
............................... 6-38
Master Cylinder
............................. 6-36
System Parts, Replacing ....................... 6-39
System Warning Light
........................ 2-69
Transmission Shift Interlock
.................... 2-36
System Warning Light
........................ 2-69
Brakes, Anti-Lock
............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking, In Emergencies
......................... 4- 1 1
Break-In, New Vehicle
.......................... 2-14
Parking .................................... 2-32
PedalTravel
................................ 6-39
Trailer ..................................... 4-35
Wear ...................................... 6-38
Brakes, Trailer 4-35
.................................
Bulb Replacement .............................. 6-7 1
Center High Mounted Stop Lamp ................ 6-42
Front Turn Signal Lamps
...................... 6-43
Rear Sidemarker Lamps ....................... 6-45
Headlamps ................................. 6-40
RearLamps
................................. 6-44
Canadian Roadside Assistance .................... 8-7
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-72
Cassette Tape Errors .............................. 3-8
Cassette Tape Player
............................. 3-5
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-15
CDPlayer ..................................... 3-10
CD Player Anti-Theft Feature
..................... 3-12
Center Console
................................. 2-60
Certificatioflire Label .......................... 4-30
Chains, Safety
................................. 4-35
Changing a Flat Tire ............................. 5-30
Check Gauges Light
............................. 2-79
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-40
Automatic Transmission ....................... 6-22
Brake Huid
................................. 6-37
Carbon Monoxide ......................... 4.28. 4.34
Cargocover
................................... 6-62
Center High Mounted Stop Lamp Bulb
Replacement ................................. 6-42
Chains, Tire ................................... 6-55
Checking
.............................. Engine Coolant 6-31
9-2
..... .......... . ..... - ... -8- L.
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When to Change ............................. 6-18
Overheating
................................. 5-16
Running
it While you’re Parked ................. 2-38
Specifications
............................... 6-72
Starting
.................................... 2-17
Ethanol (In Fuel) ................................ 6-3
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-37
Expectant Mothers. Use
of Safety Belts ............. 1-25
Express Down Window
.......................... 2-39
Extender. Safety Belt
............................ 1-40
Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-57
Fifth Gear (5). Manual Transmission (Five Speed) ..... 2-27
Fifth Gear (5). Manual Transmission (Six Speed)
...... 2-29
Filter
Filling Your Tank ................................ 6-6
Engine Oil .................................. 6-18
Finish Damage
................................. 6-63
First Gear (1). Manual Transmission (Five Speed)
..... 2-27
First Gear (1). Manual Transmission (Six Speed) ...... 2-28
Five Speed Manual Transmission
.................. 2-27
Fixed Mast Antenna
............................. 3- 16
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-30
Flow-Through Ventilation System
................... 3-4
Aircleaner ................................. 6-20
Finishcare
.................................... 6-61
First Gear. Automatic Transmission ................ 2-26
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 6-73
Floor Mats .................................... 2-54
FogLmps
.................................... 2-52
Folding Rear Seatback
......... , .................. 1-7
Foreign Countries, Fuel ........................... 6-5
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1-2
Fourth Gear (4), Manual Transmission (Five Speed)
... 2-27
Fourth Gear (4), Manual Transmission (Six Speed) .... 2-29
FrenchLanguageManual
11
Front Ashtray .................................. 2-62
FrontConsole
.................................. 2-60
Front Map Lamps
............................... 2-52
Front Seatback Latches
........................... 1-6
FrontTowing Hookups
.......................... 5-10
Front Turn Signal Lamps, Replacement
............. 6-43
Fuel
.. ...........................
5.7L Engine .................................. 6-4
Filling Your
Tank ............................. 6-6
Gauge
..................................... 2-79
3.4L and 3.8L Engines ......................... 6-3
Fully Articulating Sport Seat
....................... 1-3
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuse Block, Engine Compartment ............. 6-66, 6-69
Fuse Block, Main
.......................... 6-66, 6-67
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-66
Gauge. Engine Coolant Temperature .............. 2-72
Gauge. Fuel ................................... 2-79
Gasolines for Cleaner Air ......................... 6-5
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) ................ 4-30
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