air condition PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 User Guide

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 the recommended octane or
higher and you 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.
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood emission control
label),
it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. If such fuels are not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel may turn on and/or
your vehicle may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs,
return to
your authorized Pontiac dealer for diagnosis
to determine the cause of failure. In the event it is
determined that
the cause of the condition is the type of
fuels used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for
low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT);
ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel
contains
MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use of such gasolines.
If fuels containing "'I' are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel
may
turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
Pontiac dealer for service.
6-4

If you have the 5.7L V8 engine (with the WS6 option),
your air cleaner will be located over the radiator near the
front of the engine.
To remove the filter, remove the screws (located on the
rear edge of the air cleaner), lift the
air cleaner and
remove the filter.
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.
Change both the fluid and filter every
15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more
of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
Uses such as high performance operation.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 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 every
50,000 miles (83 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
6-20

’ A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
I I
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
When you have
the front brake pads replaced, have the
rear brakes inspected, too. Brake linings should always
be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7 of
this manual under Part C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel.
This could be a sign of brake trouble.
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.
The park brake system has separate brake linings that
do not self adjust for wear. If the park brake lever pulls
up more than the normal eighteen clicks, the parking
brakes may need adjustment. See your dealer.
6-36

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 B 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.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance. Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on
a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer if any
of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know
the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment
parts. This way, you will be sure to have
the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your
Pontiac model.
6-51

Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are
not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan and
exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can
do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create
a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This
damage can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular
dark spots etched
into the paint surface.
Although no defect in
the paint job causes this, Pontiac
will repair, at no charge to the owner,
the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20
000 km) of purchase,
whichever
occurs first.
6-60

000
INJ INJ ENG SEN
STRTR ABS IGN PCM ION
000 ENG CTRL NC CRUISE
j 1:
15305530 A
Fuse
INJ
INJ
Fuse and Relay Center 2
Usage
Fuel Injectors (Not used for V6) (LH
injectors for V8 Ignition Module)
Fuel Injectors (All for
V6) (RH
injectors for V8 and Ignition Module)
ENG SEN Mass Air Flow, Heated Oxygen
Sensor,
Skip Shift Solenoid (V8
Only), Reverse Lockout Solenoid,
Brake Switch
STRTR
Powertrain Control Module and
Clutch Pedal Switch
Fuse
ABS IGN
PCM IGN
ENG CTRL
NC CRUISE
ENG CTRL
I/P- 1
IGN
m-2
Relay
AIR SOL
AIR PUMP
AIC COMP
FUELPUMP STARTER
IGN
Usage
Anti-Lock Brake System Module
Powertrain Control Module
Ignition Module
(V6 Only),
Automatic Transmission and
Charcoal
Canister Purge Solenoid
Air Conditioning Compressor Relay, Cruise Control Switches and Module
Engine Controls, Fuel
Pump, PCM,
A.I.R. and Cooling
Fans
HVAC Blower Control and Relay
Ignition Switch, Relay and Starter
Enable Relay
Instrument Panel
Fuse Center
6-67

Capacities (Approximate)
Air Conditioning? ............. See the refrigerant
Automatic Transmission information label under the hood.
Drain and
Refill ......
Overhaul
VIN Engine Code K .
VIN Engine Code G .
Cooling System
VIN Engine Code K
....... 5 quarts (4.7 L)*
... 8.8 quarts (8.3 L)*
. 10.8 quarts (10.2 L)*
With Manual
With Automatic
VIN Engine Code G
Transmission ............ 12.5 quarts (1 1.8 L)
Transmission ............ 12.3 quarts (1 1.6 L)
With Manual
Transmission
...
With Automatic Transmission
.....
. . 15.3 quarts (14.5 L)
. . 15.1 quarts (14.3 L)
Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change
3800 V6 (VIN K) ......... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)**
5.7L V8 (VIN G) ......... 5.5 quarts (5.2 L)**
Fuel Tank ................ 15.5 gallons (58.7 L)
Manual Transmission
Five-Speed
................ 3.4 quarts (3.2 L)*
Six-Speed ................... 4 quarts (3.8L)*
Rear Axle Lubricant ............ 1.75 quarts (1.7L)
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used. If
you’re not sure, ask your Pontiac dealer.
* Recheck fluid level after filling. See “Automatic
Transmission
Fluid” or “Manual Transmission Fluid”
in the Index.
** Recheck the oil level after filling. See “Engine Oil”
in the Index.
6-69

Vehicle Dimensions
Wheelbase ............ 101.1 inches (256.6 cm)
Front Tread
............. 60.7 inches (154.1 cm)
RearTread
............. 60.7inches(154.1 cm)
Length Firebird
/ Formula . . 193.5 inches (491.5 cm)
Length Trans Am ....... 193.9 inches (492.1 cm)
Width
............... 74.5 inches (1 89.3 cm)
Height.
.................. 52 inches (132.1cm)
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Filter VIN Engine Code
K .................. A1163C
VIN Engine Code G .................. A1163C
VIN Engine Code G
(with WS6 Option) .................. A1097C
Battery
................................ 75-60 Engine
Oil Filter
VIN Engine
Code K .................... PF47
VIN Engine Code
G .................... PF44
Fuel Filter
............................. GF578
PCV Valve
VIN Engine Code
K ............... CV892C
VIN Engine Code G ................. CV895C
Radiator Cap ......................... RC24
Spark Plug
VIN Engine Code
K .... 41-921 (0.060 inch Gap)
VIN Engine Code G .... 41-931 (0.060 inch Gap)
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the
air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant
is used. If
you’re not sure
ask your dealer.
6-70

I
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER I
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
I
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet, or
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 can even
affect the
quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire
inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle.
To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
7-2

How This Section is Organized
The remainder of this section is divided into five parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your dealer’s service department or another qualified
service center do these jobs.
A CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured. Do your own maintenance
work
only if you have the required know-how
and the proper tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, have a qualified
technician do the work.
If you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle, you
will probably want to get the service
information. See “Service and Owner Publications’’
in the Index.
“Part B: Owner Checks and Services” tells
you what should be checked and when. It
also explains
what you can easily do
to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections”
explains important inspections that your dealer’s
service department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
lists some recommended products to help keep your
vehicle properly maintained. These products, or their
equivalents, should be used whether
you do the work
yourself or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record” provides a place
for you to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever any maintenance is performed, be
sure to write it down in this part. This will help
you
determine when your next maintenance should be done.
In addition,
it is a good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.
7-3