PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 Owners Manual

Service and Appearance Care
5.7L LTl (Code
When you open the hood you'll see:
1. Battery
2. Engine Coolant Reservoir
3. Engine Oil Dipstick
4. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
5. Air Cleaner (if equipped)
6. Oil Fill
Cap
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir
8. Power Steering Reservoir
9. Windshield Washer Reservoir
IO. Engine Fans
11. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equippec Before closing the hood,
be sure all the
filler caps are on.
Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
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OIL
Engine Oii
If the “LOW OIL” light on the instrumenl
panel comes on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level right away.
For more information, see
“Low Oil
Light”
in the Index. You should check
your engine oil level regularly; this is an
added reminder.
3.4L L32 (Code S)
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil
every time you get fuel. In order to get an
accurate reading, the oil must be warm
and the vehicle must be on level ground.
5.7L LTl (Code P)
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few
ninutes to drain back into the oil pan. If
’ou don’t, the oil dipstick might not show
he actual level.
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Service and Appearance Care
To Check Engine Oil
(3.4L L32 (Code S) Engine)
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a
paper towel or cloth, then push it back
in
all the way. Remove it again, keeping the
tip lower, and check the level.
To Check Engine Oil
(5.7L LT1 (Code P) Engine)
Pull out the dipstick slightly. Pinch the
end of the dipstick tube as you remove
the dipstick to wipe the oil from it. Then
push it all the way back in. Now remove
it without pinching the tube, keeping the
tip lower.
3.4L L32 (Code S)
When to Add Oil:
If the oil is at or below the “ADD’ line,
then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This section
explains what kind of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
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NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your
engine has
so much oil that the oil
level gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper operating
range, your engine could be dam-
aged.
5.7L LTl (Code P)
lust fill it enough to put the level
somewhere
in the proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way back
in
when you’re through.
t
What Kind of Oil to Use:
3eginning midyear 1993, oils of the
roper quality for your vehicle will be
dentified with this new “starburst”
‘ymbol. The “starburst” symbol indicates
hat the oil has been certified by the
imerican Petroleum Institute (API), and
s preferred for use in your gasoline
mgine.
r‘ou should
look for this on the front of
he oil container, and use only oils that
lisplay this new symbol.
You should also use
the proper viscosity
il for your vehicle, as shown in the
following chart.
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Service and Appearance Care
Recommended SAE Viscosity
Grade Engine
Oils
For best fuel economy and cold starting,
select the
lowest SAE viscosity grade oil
for the expected temperature range.
HOT
WEATHER
J
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
COLD
WEATHER
IF NllTHER SAE SW-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30 GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE
MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE
40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED. Dd NO? USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30
is best for your vehicle. However,
you can use
SAE 1OW-30 if it’s
going to be
0°F (-18°C) or above.
These numbers on an oii container
show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do
not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
If you cannot find oils with
the new
“starburst” symbol on the front of the
container, you should look for and use
oils containing the following three
things:
0
0
0
SH or SG
“SH” or “SG” must be on the oil
container, eithet by itself or
combined
with other quality
designations, such as “SWCD,”
“SH, SG, CD,” “SGKD,” etc.
These letters show American
Petroleum Institute
(API) levels of
quality.
SAE 5W-30
Energy Conserving
I1
Oils with these words on the
container will help you save fuel. These three things are usually
included in a doughnut shaped logo
(symbol) on most containers. If you
cannot find oils with the “starburst”
symbol, you should look for oils
with the doughnut shaped symbol,
containing the three things noted
above.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have
either the “starburst” symbol or an
API SH or SG designation, you can
cause engine damage not covered
by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil
(in Canada,
GM Engine Oil) meets all the
requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives:
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your
Pontiac dealer is ready to advise
if you
think something should be added.
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When to Change Engine Oil:
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles
0 It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles ( 16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of
the time (as in door-to-door delivery,
or
in stop-and-go traffic).
(6 km).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
and filter every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or
3 months - whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil
every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12
months
- whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block
Heater):
An engine coolant heater can be a big
help if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil:
Did you know that used engine oil
:ontains elements that may be unhealthy
:or your skin and could even cause
:ancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your
;kin for very long. Clean your skin and
lails with soap and water, or a good hand
:leaner. Wash or properly throw away
:lothing or rags containing used engine
il. (See the manufacturer’s warnings
ibout the use and disposal of oil
xoducts.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the
mvironment. If you change your own oil,
)e sure to drain all free-flowing oil from
:he filter before disposal. Don’t ever
jispose of oil by putting it in the trash,
2ouring it on the ground, into sewers, or
into streams or bodies
of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local
recycling center for help.
3.4L L32 (Code S
Air Cleaner
iefer to the Maintenance Schedule to
letermine when to replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
In the Index.
t
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Service and Appearance Care
5.7L LT1 (Code E
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NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can
cause a damaging engine fire. And,
dirt can easily get into your engine,
which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner in place when you’re
driving.
Air Filter Replacement
To remove the air filter:
1. Remove the plastic pin by pulling it
straight up.
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2. Disconnect the plastic clamp on the
duct. Pull apart the connection. 3. Pull the air cleaner straight up.
Unclamp the metal clips.
4. Open the air cleaner and remove the
filter.
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Service and Appearance Care
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. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your fluid. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Pontiac dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all
the instructions here, or
you could get a
false reading on the dipstick.
Too much or too little fluid can
damage your transmission. Too much
can mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading
if you
check your transmission fluid. Wait
at least 30 minutes before checking
the transmission fluid level if you have
been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot
90°F (32°C).
weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should
be at normal operating temperature,
which is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To check transmission fluid hot: Get
the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside
temperatures
are above 50°F ( 10°C).
If it’s colder than 50°F ( lO”C), drive
the vehicle in
“D’ (Third Gear) until the
engine temperature gage moves and then
remains steady for
ten minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold
check is made after the vehicle has been
sitting for eight hours or more with the
engine
off and is used only as a reference.
Let the engine run at idle for five minutes
if outside temperatures are 50°F
(10°C)
or more. If it’s colder than 50°F (lO°C),
you may have to idle the engine longer.
Should the fluid level be low during a
cold check, you must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a
more accurate reading of the fluid level.
To check the fluid hot or cold:
0
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place
the shift lever
in “P” (Park).
With your foot on the brake pedal,
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in “P” (Park).
Let the engine
run at idle for three
minutes or more.
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3.4L L32 (Code S)
Then, without shutting off the engine,
follow these steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
1.7L LTI (Code P)
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three
seconds and then pull it back out
again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and
i-ead the lower level. The fluid level
must be in the “COLD” area
for a colc
check
or in the “HOT” area or
cross-hatched area for
a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable
range. push the dipstick back
in all the
way.
How to Add Fluid:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind
of transmission fluid
to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
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