tow PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1995 Service Manual
Page 258 of 386
3.8L Transmission Dipstick Location 3.4L and 5.7L Transmission Dipstick
1.
2.
3.
Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
Check both sides
of the dipstick, and read the lower
level.
The fluid level must be in the COLD area for a cold
check or in the HOT area for a cross hatch area for a hot
check.
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Page 290 of 386
If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
area immediately or it will set.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
directions on the container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe
off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel
or cloth.
Then dry
it immediately with a blow dryer or a heat
lamp.
-
+
NOTICE:
Be careful. A blow dryer may scorch the fabric.
0 Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and stains will clean
off better with just
water and mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
0
0
Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a clean, dull knife
or scraper. Use very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths (preferably
cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the outside of
the stain, “feathering” toward the center. Keep
changing to a clean section of the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately dry
the area with a blow dryer to help prevent a cleaning
ring. (See the previous NOTICE.)
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Page 294 of 386
Cleaning the Outside of Your Pontiac
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s f”mish is to kee\
p it
clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or
that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents should be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on
the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish with a
soft, clean chamois or a
100% cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your
vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Pontiac by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get
GM approved cleaning products
from your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.)
Your Pontiac has a “basecoatklearcoat” paint finish. The
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored basecoat.
Always use waxes and polishes that are non-abrasive and
made for a basecoatklearcoat paint f~sh.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoatlclearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish
or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc. can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Pontiac garaged or covered
whenever possible.
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Page 299 of 386
Fuses tu~d Circuit Breakers
The other is in the engine CoIfipartment. Open the cover
on either of the boxes to expose the fuses.
me wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
shci'rl
circ&b by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers,
and fusible thermal
links in the wiring itself. This
greatly redtices the chance of fires caused by electrical
problems.
Thkre are two hse centers on your vehicle. One is in the
left side ok your instrument panel.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band
is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad
fuse with a new one of the correct size.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don't have a
spare
fuse, you can bortow one. Just pick some feature
of your car that you can get along without-like the
radio or cigarette lighter-ind use ite fuse,
if it is the
size
you need. ReplaGe it as soon as you can.
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Page 311 of 386
Maintenance Schedule
Schedule I Definition
Follow Maintenance Schedule I if any one of these is
true for your vehicle:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
Schedule I should also be followed if the vehicle is used
for delivery service, police, taxi, or other commercial
application.
your car.
Schedule I Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km) or 3 Months
Engine Oil and Filter Change
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
Chassis Lubrication
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) - Then Every
12,000 Miles
(25 000 km)
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
At 7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
Every 15,000 Miles (25
000 km)
Tire Rotation
Rear Axle Fluid Change (Vehicles Towing Trailers)
Rear Axle Fluid Change (Limited Slip Differential)
Air Cleaner Filter Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions
Automatic Transmission Service (severe conditions)
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement
Spark Plug Replacement (Except 5.7L Code
P engine)
Spark Plug Wire Inspection
Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection
Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection (or every
Cooling System Service (or every 24 months)
Spark Plug Replacement
(5.7L Code P engine only)
Automatic Transmission Service (normal conditions)
24 months)
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
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Maintenance Schedule I
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Sewice.
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace filter if
necessary.
An Emission Control Sewice.
Change the rear axle gear lubricant if
vehicle is used to pull a trailer.
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90 OF
(32 O C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter
at 100,000 miles (1 66 000 km).
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t require
change.
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
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I Maintenance Schedule I I
0 Replace spark plugs (except 5.7L Code P
0 Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission Control
engine). An Emission Control Service.
Service.
0 Replace air cleaner filter. Replace filter
more often under dusty conditions.
An Emission Control Service.
Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage
or leaks. Inspect
fuel cap gasket for any
damage. Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service.
17 Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one
or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
(32 0 C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
Ifyou do not use your vehicle under any of
these Conditions, change the fluid and filter
at
100,000 miles (1 66 000 km).
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t require
change.
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation’’ in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
delivery service.
, 7-13
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Page 323 of 386
1 Maintenance Schedule I 1
42,000 Miles (70 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the steering linkage. Lubricate the
transmission shift linkage (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if
vehicle is used to pull a trailer.
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more
of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90 O F
(32 O C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
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Page 327 of 386
Maintenance Schedule I
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the steering linkage. Lubricate the
transmission shift linkage (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if
vehicle is used to pull a trailer.
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F
(32 O C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter
at
100,000 miles (1 66 000 km).
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t require
change.
0 Inspect engine accessory drive (or every 24
months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission
Control Service.
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or
every 24 months, whichever occurs first).
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for what
to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure
test the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
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Maintenance . .. Schedule I
75,000 Miles (125 000 kmj
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
kilt Edission Control Service.
0 Charige the rear axle gear lubricant if
vehicle is used to pull a traiier.
c] Cliange automatic transn-ksion fluid and
filtet if the vehicle is mainly Mven under
one dr more of these conditions:
- i[i7. heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90 OF
(32 O C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- when doing frequent trailer towing.
',
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
If you do not use your vehicle under any oj
these conditions, change the fluid and filter
at
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
Manual transmission fluid doesn't require chaage.
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace filter
if
necessary. An Emission Control Service.
delivery service.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
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