service PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 Owners Manual

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TO THE CANADIAN
GOVERNMENT
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
Box 8880
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 352
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TO GENERAL MOTORS
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada)
in a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify
us. Please call us at 1-800-PM-CARES or write:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center P.O.
Box 436008
Pontiac, MI 48343-6008
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Ordering Service and Owner
Publications in Canada
Service manuals, owner’s manuals and other service
literature are available for purchase for all current and
past model General Motors vehicles.
The toll-free telephone number for ordering information
in Canada is 1-800-668-5539.
8-11

1998 PONTIAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1998 PONTIAC
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1998 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated RO. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual
will include the Maintenance
Schedule for
all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $1
0.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model
GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-MasterCarcCDisr)

Battery ...................................... 6-37
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Keyless Entry
.................... 2-10
warnings ................................ 5-33-5
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-9
Before Leaving
on a Long Trip .................... 4-22
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-9
Blizzard
...................................... 4-28
Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-36
Fluid
....................................... 6-33
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-33
Parking
..................................... 2-44
PedalTravel
................................. 6-36
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-37
System Warning Light
......................... 2-82
Transmission Shift Interlock
.................... 2-3 1
Wear ....................................... 6-35
Trailer
...................................... 4-35
Brakes.Anti -Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking in Emergencies
.......................... 4-10
“Break-In”. New Vehicle
......................... 2-23
Brightness Control. Instrument Panel
............... 2-55
BTSI
......................................... 2-31
BTSI Check
................................... 7-34
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-38 Canadian
Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-7
Carbon Monoxide
............... 2-1 1.2.42.4.29. 4.35
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-32
CareofYo ur ................................. 3-21
Errors ....................................... 3-9
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature
................. 3-17
CertificationLabel
.............................. 4-30
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-35
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-52
Changing a Flat Tire ............................. 5-27
Check Gages Light
.............................. 2-90
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-60
Child Restraints
................................ 1-34
Securing in a Rear Seat Position
................. 1-40
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-42
TopStrap
................................... 1-39
TLpesof
.................................... 1-34
WheretoPut
................................ 1-38
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-60
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-63
Cleaner.
Air ................................... 6-18
Cleaning AluminumWheels
............................ 6-59
ConvertibleTop
.............................. 6-58
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-68
Cassette Tape Player
......................... 3.7. 3.8
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-40
Checking
Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-47
9-2

Hydraulic Clutch System Check ................... 7-33
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4- 19
If a Tile Goes Flat .............................. 5-27
Transmission Lock Check
...................... 7-35
Ignition Positions
............................... 2-24
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-45
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-57
Inspections
.................................... 7-36
Brake System
................................ 7-37
Engine Cooling System
........................ 7-36
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-36
RearAxle
................................... 7-37
Steering .................................... 7-36
Suspension
.................................. 7-36
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-37
Instrumentpanel
............................... 2-76
Brightness Control
............................ 2-55
Cleaning
.................................... 6-55
Cluster
..................................... 2-78
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-55
.................................... J ack. Tire 5-30
Jumpstarting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-33
Key Release Button
............................. 2-25
Keyless Entry Lock Verification. Remote
............ 2-20
Keyless Entry System. Remote
..................... 2-6
Keys
.......................................... 2-2 Labels
Certification
................................. 4-30
Service Parts Identification ..................... 6-62
Tire-Loading Information
..................... -4-30
Vehicle Identification Number ................... 6-62
Courtesy
.................................... 2-55
Interior
..................................... 2-55
On Reminder
................................ 2-52
Last Door Closed Locking ......................... 2-5
Last Door Closed Locking and Lockout Prevention .... 2-20
Latches. Front Seatback
........................... 1-7
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-6
Leaving
Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-40
Lighter
....................................... 2-60
Lights
Lamps
Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1.23. 2.77
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.83. 4.7
Brake
System Warning ......................... 2-82
CheckGages
................................ 2-90
LowCoolant
................................. 2-85
Low Oil
.................................... 2-89
Low Traction
............................ 2.84. 4.9
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1.9. 2.80
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-85
Traction Control System Warning
............ 2.83. 4.9
Limited-Slip Differential. Rear Axle
................ 6-27
Loading
Your Vehicle ........................... 4-30
Lockout Prevention
......................... 2.6. 2.20
9-6

Locks
Cylinders ................................... 7-33
Key Lock Cylinder Service ..................... 7-33
Low coolant Light .............................. 2-85
Low Oil Light ................................. 2-89
Low Traction Light ......................... 2-84, 4-9
Lubricants and Fluids ............................ 7-38
Lubrication Service, Body ........................ 7-33
........................................ Door 2-4
PowerDoor .................................. 2-5
LossofControl ................................ 4-14
Main Fuse Block .............................. 6-64
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ............ 6-70
Maintenance Record ............................ 7-40
Maintenance Schedule ............................ 7- 1
Long Trip/Highway Definition ................... 7-6
Long TripMghway Intervals ..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services ..................... 7-32
Periodic Maintenance Inspections ................ 7-36
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 7-38
Scheduled Maintenance Services .................. 7-4
Short TripKity Definition ....................... 7-5
Short TripKity Intervals ........................ 7-5
Maintenance. Underbody ......................... 6-60
Maintenance When Trailer Towing ................. 4-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ...................... 2-85
Manual Front Seat ............................... 1-2
Manual Remote Control Mirror . . ............. 2-57
Manual Transmission
Check
7-33
Fivespeed .................................. 2-35
Fluid ....................................... 6-24
......................................
Operation ................................... 2-35
Shift Speeds ................................. 2-37
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-26
Six Speed ...................................
Map Pocket ...................................
2-36
2-58
Methanol ...................................... 6-5
Mirrors
Convex Outside .............................. 2-58
Inside Daymight Rearview ..................... 2-57
Manual Remote Control ........................ 2-57
Outside Manual Adjustable ..................... 2-57
Power Remote Control ......................... 2-57
Multifunction Lever ............................. 2-46
Neutral, Automatic Transmission ................. 2-32
New Vehicle “Break-In” ......................... 2-23
Odometer .................................... 2-79
Odometer, Trip ................................. 2-79
Visorvanity ................................. 2-61
MountainRoads ................................ 4-23
Nightvision ................................... 4-16
Off-RoadRecovery ............................. 4-12
~~ .. 9-7

Oil. Engine .................................... 6- 12
Oil Pressure Gage .............................. 2-88
Overdrive. Automatic Transmission ................ 2-32
Overheating Engine ............................. 5- 15
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-32
Owner Publications. Ordering ..................... 8- 12
paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-60
PARK (P)
Automatic Transmission ....................... 2-30
Shifting Into ................................. 2-39
Shifting Out of ............................... 2-41
AtNight .................................... 2-13
Brake ...................................... 2-44
Brake Mechanism Check ....................... 7-35
Lots ....................................... 2-13
OverThingsThatBurn ........................ 2-42
With a Trailer ................................ 4-38
Parking Your Vehicle. Manual Transmission .......... 2-41
Passenger Position ......................... 1-22. 1-28
PASS-Key (8, II ................................. 2-17
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .................. 7-36
Pontiac Cares Information ......................... 8-2
Power
Antenna
Mast Care ............................ 3-22
DoorLocks ................................... 2-5
Option Fuses ................................ 6-63
Remote Control Mirror ........................ 2-57
Parking
Passing
....................................... 4-13
Retained Accessory ........................... 2-56
Six-WaySeat ................................. l-3
Steering .................................... 4-10
SteeringFluid ................................ 6-31
Windows ................................... 2-45
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts .................... 1-21
Problems on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner ................... 8-12
Radiator ................................ 5.21. 5.24
Radiator Pressure Cap ........................... 6-31
Radio Reception ................................ 3-20
Radios .......................... 3.7.3.8.3.11. 3.12
Rain. DrivingIn ................................ 4-17
Rear
RAP ......................................... 2-56
Axle ....................................... 6-27
Lamp Bulb Replacement ....................... 6-41
Seat Passengers .............................. 1-28
Sidemarker Bulb Replacement ................... 6-42
Towing ..................................... 5-13
Window Defogger ............................. 3-5
Rearview Mirror, Inside Daymight ................. 2-57
Reclining Front Seatbacks ......................... 1-5
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............... 7-38
Recovery Tank. Coolant .......................... 5-19
Refrigerants, Air Conditioning .................... 6-70

Remote
Hatch Release ..................
Keyless Entry Lock Verification ...
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ...
........... 2-12
........... 2-20
........... 5-28
Replacement Bulbs
...................... ........... 6-68
Wheel
.................................... 6-51
Replacing Safety Belts
....................... 1-47
Parts
....................................... 6-70
Reporting Safety Defects ........... ......... 8-10
Restraints Checking
. . ............................. 1-47
Head
........................................ l-7
Child ....................................... 1-34
Replacing Parts After a Crash
................... 1-47
System Check
................................ 7-33
Reverse, Automatic Transmission
.................. 2-3 1
Right Front Passenger Position .................... 1-22
Roadside Assistance
.............................. 8-6
Rocking Your Vehicle
........................... 5-42
Roof Panels. Twin Lift-off
....................... 2-59
WheretoPut
................................ 1-38
................................. Rotation, Tires 6-46
Safety Belt Extender
............................ 1-47
.................................... Safety Belts 1-8
Care
....................................... 6-56
Children
.................................... 1-31
Driver Position
1 - 14
Adults
...................................... 1-14
...............................
.................................. Extender
1-47
How to Wear Properly
......................... 1 . 14
Incorrect Usage
.................... 1.17. 1.45. 1-46
Lap-Shoulder
........................... 1.14. 1-28
Larger Children
.............................. 1-44
Questions and Answers
........................ 1 . 13
Rear Seat Positions
............................ 1-28
Reminder Light .......................... 1.9. 2.80
Replacing After a Crash
........................ 1-47
Right Front Passenger Position .................. 1-22
Smaller Children and Babies
.................... 1-31
They’re for Everyone
........................... 1-8
Use During Pregnancy
......................... 1-21
Safety Defects, Reporting
........................ 8-10
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................... 7-4
WhyTheyWork
.............................. 1-10
Safety Chains 4-35
Safety Warnings and Symbols
....................... 111
Seatback
..................................
...
..................................
.................................
Folding Rear 1-8
Front Latches 1-7
Reclining Front
............................... 1-5
Seats Four-Way Manual
... .....,............ l-3
Fully Articulating Sport . . ................ l-4
Restraint Systems ....... ,.................. l-1 Seat Controls ................................. 1-2
Six-Way Power 1-3 Manual Front
............ , .................. 1-2
Securing a Child Restraint
...................... 1-38
...............................
9-9

Second Gear. Automatic Transmission .............. 2-33
Second-Gear
Start .............................. 2-34
Service
........................................ 6-2
Bulletins. Ordering ............................ 8-12
Engine Soon Light ............................ 2-85
Manuals. Ordering ............................ 8-12
Parts Identification Label ....................... 6-62
Publications. Ordering ......................... 8- 12
Work. Doing Your Own ......................... 6-2
Service and Appearance Care ...................... 6-1
Service and Owner Publications ................... 8- 12
Servicehblications ............................. 8-12
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac ........... 1-27
Sheet Metal Damage ............................ 6-59
Shift Speeds ................................... 2-37
shifting Automatic Transmission
....................... 2-30
Into
PARK (P) ............................... 2-39
out of PARK (P) ............................. 2-41
Shifting. Manual Transmission .................... 2-35
SignalingTurns ................................ 2-46
Six-Way Power Seat ............................. 1-3
Skidding ...................................... 4-14
Sound Equipment. Adding ........................ 3-20
Spare Tire. Compact ............................. 5-40
Specifications and Capacities ...................... 6-68
Specifications. Engine ........................... 6-68
Sportseat ...................................... 1-4
ShiftLever .................................... 2-30
Speech Impaired. Customer Assistance ............... 8-5
Speedometer ................................... 2-79
SRS ......................................... 1-22
Stains. Cleaning ................................ 6-55
Standard Differential. Rear Axle ................... 6-26
Starter Switch Check ............................ 7-34
Starting Your Engine ............................ 2-26
Steam ........................................ 5-15
Steering ...................................... 4-10
In Emergencies ............................... 4-11
Power ...................................... 4-10
Tips ........................................ 4-10
Wheel. Tilt .................................. 2-46
Wheel Touch Controls ......................... 3-19
Storage Compartments
........................... 2-58
Storage.
Vehicle ................................ 6-37
Stuck In Sand, Mud. Ice or Snow .................. 5-41
Sunshades. T-Top ............................... 2-67
Supplemental Restraint System .................... 1-22
Symbols. Vehicle .................................. v
TapePlayerCare ............................... 3-21
Temperature Control Knob ........................ 3-2
Theft Arming Method ........................... 2-21
Theft Arming Verification ........................ 2-22
Theft-Deterrent System. Content ................... 2-14
Arming the System ............................ 2-15
Disarming the System ......................... 2-16
Turning Off the Alarm ......................... 2-16
Sunvisors .................................... 2-61
Tachometer .................................. 2-79
Theft ......................................... 2-13
9-10

Transmitters. Matching to Your Vehicle .............. 2-9
Transmitters. Synchronization ...................... 2-8
Transportation. Courtesy .......................... 8-8
T-Top Sunshades ............................... 2-67
lTYUsers ..................................... 8-5
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicators ............. 2-47
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever ................... 2-46
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer ................ 4-37
Twin Lift-off Roof Panels ........................ 2-62
Tripodometer ................................. 2-79
underbody Flushing Service ..................... 7-35
Underbody Maintenance ......................... 6-60
Underhood Electrical Center ...................... 6-66
Vehicle
Controlofa
.................................. 4-5
Damagewarnings .............................. iv
Dimensions
................................. 6-70
Identification Number ......................... 6-62
Loading .................................... 4-30
Storage ..................................... 6-37
Ventilation System ............................... 3-6
Visor Vanity Mirror ............................. 2-61
Visors. Sun .................................... 2-61
Voltmeter ..................................... 2-8 1 warning
Devices
............................... 5-3
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ............... 2-79
Warranty Information ............................ 8-10
Washer Fluid. Windshield .................. 2-49. 6-32
Washing Your Vehicle ........................... 6-57
Weatherstrips .................................. 6-57
wheel
Alignment .................................. 6-51
Nut Torque ............................. 5.37. 6.68
Replacement ................................. 6-51
Wrench ..................................... 5-30
Windows ..................................... 2-45
Manual ..................................... 2-45
Power ...................................... 2-45
Windshield Washer ............................. 2-49
Fluid .................................. 2.49. 6.32
Fluid Level Check ............................ 7-32
Windshield Wipers .............................. 2-48
Blade Replacement ........................... 6-42
Fuses ...................................... 6-63
Winter Driving ................................. 4-25
Wiper Blade Check ............................. 7-33
Wiring. Headlamp .............................. 6-63
WreckerTowing ................................. 5-8
Wrench. Wheel. ................................ 5-30
9-12