flat tire PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1995 Owners Manual

The 1995 Pontiac Firebird Owner’s Manual
... How to Use This Manual .............................................................. .m
Seats and Restraint Systems .................................................. .’ ....... 1-1
Features and Controls ............................................................... 2-1
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems .................................................. 3-1
This section tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage warnings\
and symbols.
This section tells
you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SIR’ system.
This section explains how to start and operate your Pontiac.
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfo\
rt controls and how to operate your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road\
and how to drive under different conditions.
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem whil\
e driving, such as a flat tire or engine
overheating, etc.
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Pontiac running properly and looking good.
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what \
fluids and lubricants to use.
This section tells
you how to contact Pontiac for assistance and how to get service publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects”\
on page 8-4.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
Your Driving and the Road ........................................................... 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad ............................................................... 5-1
Service and Appearance Care ......................................................... 6-1
Maintenanceschedule ............................................................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
..................................................... 8-1
Index ........................................................................\
..... 9-1
i
ProCarManuals.com

The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to
think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must
start when you’re not fresh -- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that First part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go.
If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
Pontiac dealerships all across North America. They’ll
be ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
a
e
a
a
a
e
e
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-22
ProCarManuals.com

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway
hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack
of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let
it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in
less than a second, and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
0 Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to
the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
0 If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service,
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
, . C? . ‘j . .i .
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.
4-23
ProCarManuals.com

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Loading Your Vehicle
TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION
VEHICLE CAP. WT.
FRT. CTR. RR. TOTAL LBS.
MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY WEIGHT XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG PSI/KPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT, ADD 4PS1/28KPa
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
\INFORMATION
Two labels on your vehicle show how much ‘weight it ’
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
found on the driver’s door tells you the proper size,
speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for
the tires
on your vehicle. It also gives you important
information about the number of people that can be in
your vehicle and the total weight that you can carry.
This weight is called the Vehicle Capacity Weight and
includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
4-29
ProCarManuals.com

If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded trailer weight
(B). If you have a “wdght-distributing” hitch, the trailer
. tongue (A) should weigh 12% of the total loaded trailer
weight
(B) .
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights
are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around
in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the
recommended pressure for cold tires. You’ll find these
numbers on the Certifiidtion label at the rear edge of the
driver’s door or see “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the
Index. Then be’sure you don’t go over the GVW limit
for your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer
tongue.
Hitclids
It’s imbortant to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by, and rough roads are
a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
0 Will you have to make my holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do,
then be sure to seal the holes later, when you remove
the hitch.
If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index). Dirt and water can, too.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for
hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them. Use only a frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to the
bumper.
ProCarManuals.com

If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot
off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
ProCarManuals.com

Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts.
Don’t remove them yet.
, .i.. ,.
fl
Position the jack under the vehicle. There is a notch in
the vehicle’s rocker flange on the coupe model. Raise
the jack head until
it fits fiiy into the notch nearest the
flat tire.
ProCarManuals.com

Raise the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough
off the ground
so there is enough room for the spare tire to fit.
Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.
Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces and spare wheel. Place the spare on the wheel
mounting surface.
ProCarManuals.com

Tighten the wheel nuts
firmly in a criss-cross
sequence as shown. Don’t try to put a center cap on your compact spare tire.
It won’t fit. Store the center cap in the rear area until
you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
NOTICE:
Center caps won’t fit on your compact spare.
If you try to put a center cap on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.
5-40
ProCarManuals.com

Replace the jack, wheel wrench and flat tire using the storage instructions. When you replace the
trim panel,
be sure to tuck it under the weatherstrip.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Trim Panel
Bolt
Cover
Jack
Wing Nut
Adapter
Compact Spare Tire
Full-Size Tire
Carpet Flap
Tire Storage Bolt
Trunk Access Pane
Knob
:1 (Convertible Only)
6
5-41
ProCarManuals.com