PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1995 Owners Manual

What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only,
and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing it.
c,
NOTICE:
Don’t let someone put in the wrong kind of
fluid. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in
your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint, so be careful
not to spill brake fluid on your vehicle.
If
you do, wash it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care” in the Index.
Brake Wear
Unless you have the four-wheel disc brake option, your
Pontiac has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched wanzing sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads
are needed. The sound may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you
are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
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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.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected.
Also, the
rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each
time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When you have the front brakes replaced, have the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapidincrease 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.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than norrid, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjdsi them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complkx. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and wokk well.
together if the vehicle is to have really good briking.
Vehicles
we design and test have top-quality GM brake
parts
in them, as your Pontiac does when it is new.
When you replace parts of your braking system, -- for
example, when your brake linings wear down dnd yob .
have to have new ones put in -- be sure you get new
genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, yuia
brakes
may no longer work properly. For em$le, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
€& ybuf
vehicle, the balance between your front and re& btakes
can change
-- for the worse. The braking perfoi-mhnce ,
you’ve come to expect can change in many other way$ if
someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
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Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one
of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom@
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, take
off the black, negative (-) cable from the
battery.
This will help keep your battery from running
down.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulb, see
“Replacement Bulbs” in the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
Headlamps
To replace a headlamp:
1. Open the headlamp door by hand. See “Headlamp
Doors” in the Index.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
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2. Unscrew the bezel with a screwdriver and remove it. 3. Remove the screws and pull out the bulb housing.
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I I
4. Pull out the bulb and disconnect the electrical
5. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
connector.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
To replace the bulb:
1. Remove the two screws in the stoplamp lens.
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2. Gently pull the assembly out and remove the bulb from the back of the assembly.
3. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Front 'hrn Signal
1. Using a screwdriver, remove the plastic screws from
the deflector under the vehicle. Move the deflector
out
of the way.
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Rear Lamps
To change any F
housing.
ear bulb, yo1 LZ. have to remove the entire
1. Remove the trim panel from the side that you are
replacing the bulb.
2. Pull the carpet back.
2. Turn and pull out the socket and the bulb.
3. Pull out the bulb. ~
4. Reverse
the steps with a new bulb.
3. Remove the wing nuts
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4.
5.
6.
7.
hll iff the assembly fkmn the outside.
To remove a socket with a tab, press the tab and turn
the socket counterclockwise.
To remove a socket
without
a tab, turn the socket counterclockwise.
To remove the bulb, push in and turn it
counterclockwise, then pull it out.
Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Rear Sidemarker
3
To replace a rear sidemarker bulb:
1. Remove the screw from the sidemarker assembly.
2. To pull out the bulb housing, tilt the housing to
remove the tabbed end.
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P 1
3. Turn counterclockwise and pull out the socket and
the bulb.
4. Pull out the bulb.
5. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways.
To remove the wiper blade assembly:
1. Lift the wiper arm until it locks into an upright
2. Press the locking tab down while sliding the blade
position.
assembly down.
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Wiper Blade Element Replacement To replace the wiper blade element refer to the wiper
blade assembly replacement instructions.
To replace the
element follow these steps:
1. Locate the heel end of the wiper blade assembly that
has the two notches held by the wiper blade claw.
2. Hold the wiper blade assembly with one hand and
pull the element gently with the other hand.
(Replacement blade elements have three plastic caps
which retain two metal flexor strips.
Do not remove
these caps before the element is installed.)
3. At the heel end of the blade assembly, notched end
of blade element last, slide the blade element into the
blade claw sets. The plastic retainer caps
will be
forced
off as the element is fully inserted. Make sure
that all the claw sets are properly engaged in the
slots
of the blade element.
4. Install wiper blade assembly on wiper arm.
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