PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 Owners Manual

Service and Appearance Care
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.
In most cases, you will not need to have
your wheels aligned again. 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. If wheel nuts keep coming
loose, the wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts should be replaced. If the wheel
leaks air out, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes
be repaired). See your Pontiac 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.
[f you need to replace any of your wheels,
wheel bolts, or wheel nuts, replace them
mly with new
GM original equipment
sarts. This way, you will be sure to have
:he right wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts for your Pontiac model.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer/odometer
calibration, headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chain clearance to
the body and chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
. . .220
ProCarManuals.com

I Tire Chains
I
I NOTICE:
I
If your Pontiac has P235/55R 16 or
P245/50ZR16 size tires, don’t use tire
chains; they can damage your vehicle.
If
you have other tires, use tire chains
only where legal and only when you must. Use only SAE Class
“S” type
chains that are the proper size for
your tires. Install them on the rear tires
and tighten them
as tightly as possible
with the ends securely fastened.
Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you
can hear the chains contacting your
vehicle, stop and retighten them. If the
contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast with chains on
will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be
hazardous. Some are toxic. Others can
burst into flame if you strike a match
or get them on a hot part of the vehicle.
Some
are dangerous if you breathe
their fumes in a closed space. When
you use anything from a container to
clean your Pontiac, be sure to follow
the manufacturer‘s warnings and
instructions. And always open your
doors or windows when you’re
cleaning the inside. Never
use these to clean your
vehicle:
0 Gasoline
0 Benzene
0 Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
0 Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
- some more
than others
- and they can all damage
your vehicle, too.
I
:+
. C’
221 . . .
ProCarManuals.com

Service and Appearance Care
Don’t use any of these unless this manual
says you can. In many uses, these will
damage your vehicle:
0 Alcohol
Laundry Soap
0 Bleach
0 Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your
Pontiac
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of
dust and loose dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather
with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Pontiac dealer has two
GM cleaners,
a solvent-type spot lifter and a foam-type
powdered cleaner. They will clean normal
spots and stains very well. Do not use
them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
Always read the instructions on the
Clean up stains as soon as you can -
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and
cleaner
label.
before they set.
change to a clean area often. A soft
brush may be used
if stains are
stubborn.
D Use solvent-type cleaners in a
well-ventilated area only. If you use
them, don’t saturate
the stained area.
clean the entire area immediately or it
will set.
If a ring forms after spot cleaning,
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
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 with a hair dryer or heat
lamp.
You could 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:
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.
. . .222
ProCarManuals.com

When you clean a stain from fabric,
immediately dry the area with an air
hose, hair dryer, or heat lamp to help
prevent a cleaning ring. (See
the
previous NOTICE.)
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or oily stains:
Such as grease,
oil, butter, margarine, shoe polish, coffee
with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic
creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon, tar
and asphalt.
0 Carefully scrape off excess stain.
0 Follow the solvent-type instructions
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and described earlier.
asphalt will stain if left on a vehicle
seat fabric. They should be removed
as soon as possible. Be careful,
because the cleaner will dissolve them
and may cause
them to spread
Non-greasy stains: Such as catsup,
coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk,
soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine and blood.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
sponge
the soiled area with cool water.
If a stain remains, follow the foam-type
instructions described earlier. If an
odor lingers after cleaning
vomit or urine, treat the area with
a waterhaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to
1 cup
(250 ml) of lukewarm water.
If needed, clean lightly with
solvent-type cleaner.
Combination stains: Such as candy,
ice cream, mayonnaise, chili sauce and
lnknown stains.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
clean with cool water and allow to
dry-
@ If a stain remains, clean it with
solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to
remove dirt. You may have to do it
more than once.
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe
polish will stain if you don’t get them
off quickly. Use a clean cloth and a
solvent-type vinyl cleaner.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarn water and
a mild soap or saddle soap.
For stubborn stains, use a mild
solution of
10% isopropyl alcohol
(rubbing alcohol) and
90% water.
solvent-based or abrasive cleaners,
furntiure polish or shoe polish on
leather.
immediately. If dirt is allowed,to work
into finish, it can harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument
Panel
Use only mild soap and water to Clean
the top surfaces of the instrument.pane1.
Sprays containing silicones or waxes
may cause annoying reflections in the
windshield and even make it difficult to
see through the windshield under certain
conditions.
Never use oils, varnishes,
Soiled leather should be cleaned
223. . .
ProCarManuals.com

Service and Appearance Care
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
A CAUTION:
Do not bleach or dye safety belts.
If you
do, it may severely weaken
them.
In a crash they might not be
able to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only
with mild
soap and lukewarm water.
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass
Cleaner (GM Part
No. 1050427) or a
liquid household glass cleaner will
remove normal tobacco smoke and dust
films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass,
because they may cause scratches. Avoid
placing decals on the inside rear window,
since they may have
to be scraped off
later. If abrasive cleaners are used on the
inside of the rear window, an electric
defogger element may be damaged. Any
temporary license should not be attached
across the defogger grid.
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield
and Wiper Blades
[f the windshield is not clear after using
the windshield washer, or if the wiper
blade chatters when running, wax or
other material may be on the blade or
windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with
GM Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami
Powder@ (GM Part
No. 1050011). The
windshield is clean if beads do not form
when you rinse it with water.
Clean the blade by wiping vigorously
with a cloth soaked in full strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse
the blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked on a
regular basis and replaced when worn.
Cleaning Twin Lift-off Roof Panels
Special care is necessary when cleaning,
removing and/or storing the roof panels.
0
0
Flush with water to remove dust and
dirt, then dry the panels.
Clean the panels with GM Glass
Cleaner (GM Part
No. 1050427) or
a liquid household glass cleaner.
Leave the cleaner
on the panel for one minute, then wipe the panel with
a soft, lint-free cloth.
0 Don’t use abrasive cleaning materials.
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
finish is to keep 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 .Tiquid hand,
dish or car washing (mild-detergent)
soaps. Don’t use cleaning agents that are
petroleum based, or 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.
. . .224
ProCarManuals.com

Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of
your Pontiac may be necessary to remove
residue from the paint finish.
You can get
GM approved cleaning products from
your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and
Maintenance Materials” in the Index.)
Your Pontiac has
a “basecoatjclearcoat”
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 finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing
on a basecoatjclearcoat
paint finish may dull the finish or
leave swirl marks.
Cleaning Your Convertible Top
NOTICE:
When using an automatic car wash,
set your heating or cooling system to
“VENT” with the fan speed set to
the second highest speed. This will
prevent high pressure water from
entering around your top.
Your convertible top should be cleaned
often. Use a mild soap, lukewarm water
and a soft brush. Don’t use any harsh
cleaners or bleaching agents on the top.
They can damage the material.
When the top is really dirty, use a mild
foam-type cleaner. Use a cloth or sponge
to remove the dirt.
Thoroughly rinse the top and dry
it before
lowering it.
A damp top causes wrinkles.
Aluminum Wheels (If So Equipped)
Your aluminum wheels have a protective
coating similar to the painted surface of
your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, chrome polish, abrasive
cleaners,
or abrasive cleaning brushes
on them because you could damage this coating. After
rinsing thoroughly, a wax
may be applied.
NOTICE:
If you have aluminum wheels, don’t
use an automatic car wash that has
hard silicon carbide cleaning brushes.
These brushes can take off the
protective coating.
Tires
Your Pontiac dealer has a GM White
Sidewall Tire Cleaner.
You can use a stiff
brush with the cleaner.
When applying a tire dressing always take
care to wipe
off any overspray or splash
from painted surfaces. Petroleum-based
products may damage the paint finish.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will
make them last longer, seal better, and not
stick or squeak. Apply silicone grease
with a clean cloth at least every six
months. During
very cold, damp weather
more frequent application may be
required. (See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants’’ in the Index.)
I-
225. . .
ProCarManuals.com

Service and Appearance Care
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires
sheet metal repair or replacement, make
sure the body repair shop applies
anti-corrosion material to the parts
repaired or replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Foreign Material
Calc'ium chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap,
bird droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, and other foreign matter can
damage your vehicle's finish
if they
remain on painted surfaces. Use cleaners
that are marked safe for painted surfaces
to remove foreign matter.
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 cah collect. Dirt packed in
closed areas
of the frame should be
loosened before being flushed. Your
dealer or an underbody vehicle washing
system can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions
:an create a chemical fallout. Airborne
?ollutants can fall upon and attack painted
curfaces on your vehicle. This damage
:an take two forms: blotchy,
inglet-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
jamaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20
000 km)
of purchase, whichever comes first.
. . ,226
ProCarManuals.com

Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials
PART NUMBER USAGE DESCRIPTION
SIZE
1051516
16
02. (0.473 L) 10501 73
Also old waxes, polishes
Tar
and Road Oil Remover
16 02. (0.473 L)
10501 72 Windshield washing system and gas line
Washer
Solvent and Gas Liner De-lcer
32
02. (0.946 L)
Windshield cleaner
Bon-Ami Powder"
12
02. (0.340 kg)
105001
1 Exterior cleaner and polish
Magic Mirror Cleaner-Polish
16
02. (0.473 L)
1050201 Spot and stain removal
on cloth and fabric Spot Lifter*
8 02. (0.237 L) 1051 398 Exterior wash
Wash-Wax (Concentrated)
16
02. (0.473
L)
1052870 Vinyl, cloth, door trims, seats, carpet, tires, mats Multi-Purpo\
se Powdered Cleaner
6
Ib. (2.72 kg)
1050429 Glass cleaning and
spot cleaning on vinyls Glass
Cleaner
24 02. (0.680 L)
1050427 Spot and stain removal
on cloth and fabric Fabric
Cleaner*
16 02. (0.473 L)
1050244 Spot and stain removal
on leather
and vinyl
VinyVLeather Cleaner*
32 02. (0.946 L)
105021 4 Cleans white and black tires White Sidewall Tire Cleaner 16
02. (0.473
L)
10501 74 Removes
rust and corrosion on chrome and steel
Cleaner and Polish
*Not recommended for pigskin suede leather.
See your General Motors Dealer for these products. See the Index under "Recommended Fluids and Lubricants" for other produc\
ts.
ProCarManuals.com

Service and Appearance Care
L c
i
I
1
F
d
t!
7
1,
r
1
1
e
i
C

I
Vehicle Identification
Number
(VIN)
rhis is the' legal identifier for your
'ontiac. It appears on a plate in the front
:orner of the instrument panel, on the
lriver's side. You can see it if you look
hrough the windshield from outside your
rehicle. The
VIN also appears on the
Jehicle Certification and Service Parts
abels and the certificates of title and
egistration.
hgine Identification
?he eighth character in your VIN is the
:ngine code. This code will help you
.dentify your engine, specifications, and
*eplacement parts.
. .228
Service Parts
Identification Label
You'll find this label inside your console
storage compartment. It's very helpful if
you ever need to order parts.
On this
label is:
D your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information, and
a list of all production options and
special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed
From the vehcle.
Add-on Electrical
Equipment
NOTICE:
Don't add anything electrical to your
Pontiac unless you check with your
dealer first. Some electrical equip-
ment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn't be covered
by your warranty. Some add-on
electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they
should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system.
Before attempting to add anything
zlectrical to your Pontiac, see "Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac" in the
Index.
ProCarManuals.com

I
P
a
it
fi
'I
C'
V
I Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
'he wiring circuits in your vehicle are
rotected from short circuits by
a
ombination of fuses, circuit breakers,
nd fusible thermal links in the wiring
self. This greatly reduces the chance of
ires caused by electrical problems.
'here are two fuse centers on your ehicle. One is in the left side of your
lstrument panel.
The other is in the engine compartment.
3pen the cover on either of the boxes to
:xpose the fuses.
>oak at the silver-colored band inside the
'use. If the band is broken or melted,
.eplace the fuse. Be sure you replace a
)ad fuse with a new
one of the correct
rize.
f you ever have a problem on the road
md don't have a spare fuse, you can
)orrow one. Just pick some feature
of
Jour vehicle that you can get along
without
- like the radio or cigarette
ighter
- and use its fuse, if it is the size
IOU need. Replace it as soon as you can.
Headlights
The headlight wiring is protected by a
circuit breaker. An electrical overload
will cause the lights to go
on and off, or in
some cases to remain
off. If this happens,
have your headlight wiring checked right
away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected
by a circuit breaker and a fuse. If
the
motor overheats due to heavy snow, etc.,
the wiper will stop until the motor
cools. If the overload is caused by some
electrical problem and not snow, etc.,
be sure to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Circuit breakers protect the power
windows and other power accessories.
When the current load is too heavy,
the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the problem
is fixed or goes away.
229. . .
ProCarManuals.com