PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1995 Owners Manual

Checking Things Under the Hood
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull the handle inside the vehicle.
Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull up on the
hood release.
Lift the hood.
6-8
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3.4L L32 (Code S) When you open the hood you'll see:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Battery
Engine Coolant Reservoir
Engine Oil Dipstick
Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
Air Cleaner
Oil
Fill Cap
Brake Fluid Reservoir
Power Steering Reservoir
Windshield Washer Reservoir
Engine Fan Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equipped)
6-9
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3.8L L36 (Code K) When you open the hood you'll see:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Battery
Engine Coolant Reservoir Engine Oil Dipstick
Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
Air Cleaner Oil
Fill Cap
Brake Fluid Reservoir
Power Steering Reservoir Windshield Washer Reservoir
Engine Fan Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(if equipped)
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5.7L LT1 (Code P) When you open the hood you'll see:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Battery
Engine Coolant Reservoir
Engine Oil Dipstick
Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
Air Cleaner
Oil Fill Cap
. ., ' I 7: . $: ,;
Brake Fluid Reservoir ,? : .'y-;
Power Steering Reservoir .X&:
Windshield Washer Reservoir $i.
Engine Fans
Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equipped)
._ .. '$# .
jp;
d
;j
F , ,i
0 x. : .9' 2'
6-11
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Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on.
Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
Engine Oil
LOW
OIL
If the LOW OIL light on the instrument panel comes on,
it means you need to check your engine oil level right away. For more information, see
LOW OIL in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
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.
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3.4L L32 (Code S) Oil Dipstick Location 3.8L L36 (Code K) Oil Dipstick Location
6-13
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5.7L LT1 (Code P) Oil Dipstick Location 3.4L L32 (Code S) or 3.SL L36 (Code K)
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain
back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil
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 down, and check the level.
5.7L LTl (Code P)
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When to Add Oil What Kind of Oil to Use
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 part
explains what kind.of oil to use. For crankcase capacity,
see ‘‘Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
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 damaged.
Oils of the proper quality for your vehicle can be
identified by looking for the “Starburst” symbol. The
“Starburst” symbol indicates that the
oil has been
certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API), and
is preferred
for use in your gasoline engine.
Just 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.
If you change your own oil, be sure you use oil that has
the “Starburst” symbol on the front of the oil container.
If you have your oil changed
for you, be sure the oil put
ihto your engine is American Petroleum Institute
certified for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
6-15
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3.4L L32 (Code S) 5.7L LT1 (Code P)
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE UlGlNE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AN0 COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAL VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR ME EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
caul
7 "C
t 38
t 27
t 16
tb
-7
- 18
WEATHER
I IF NEITHER SAE 5W-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 DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
As shown in the chart, SAEi 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 oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as
SAE 20W-50.
6-16
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3.8L L36 (Code K)
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 I 7
“C
t 38
+ 27
+ 16
t4
-7
-18
COLD
WEATHER
I I SAE 5W-30 I
,I
SAE 1DW-30 PREFERRED above 0°F (-18T)
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30 GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C)
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However,
you can use SAE 5W-30 if it’s going
to be colder than
60 OF (1 6 O C) before your next oil
change. When it’s very cold, you should use
SAE
5W-30. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as
SAE 20W-50.
L
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines “Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the proper oil
can result in engine damage not covered by your
warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
6-17
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