service PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Owners Manual

1996 PONTIAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1996 PONTIAC
SERVICE MANUALS OWNER’S INFORMATION
Service
Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information Owner
publications are written directly for Owner’s and
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes, intended to provide basic operational information
about the
electrical, steering, body, etc. vehicle.
The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$90.00 Schedule for all models.
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service In-Portfolio: Includes
a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $1 5.00
procedures, adjustments and specifications’for the Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
1996
GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $1 0.00
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS Service Publications are available for current and past
Service Bulletins give technical Sewice information needed model GM vehicles.
TO request an order form, please
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks. specify year and model name of the vehicle.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the
diagnosis
and service of your vehicle.
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
ProCarManuals.com

Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-36
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-33
Parking
..................................... 2-36
Pedal Travel
................................. 6-36
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-36
System Warning Light
......................... 2-78
Fluid
....................................... 6-33
Trailer
...................................... 4-35
Transmission Shift Interlock
.................... 2-39
Wear
....................................... 6-35
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking in Emergencies .......................... 4- 10
Break-In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2-21
Brightness Control .............................. 2-53
BTSI ......................................... 2-39
BTSICheck
................................... 7-41
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-37
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-6
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-69
Carbon Monoxide
.................... 2-40,4-28. 4-35
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-39
Cassette Tape Player
........................ 3-6. 3-10
Care ....................................... 3-22
Errors .................................. 3-8, 3.11
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3- 18
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
Bulb Replacement .... 6-40
Certification Label .............................. 4-30
Chains. Safety ................................. 4-35
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-52 Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-27
Chechng Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-41
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-60
Child Restraints
................................ 1-32
Securing in a Rear Seat Position
................. 1-34
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-36
TopStrap
................................... 1-33
Where
to Put ....................... ... 1-32
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-59
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-64
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-16
Cleaning
...................................... 6-53
Aluminum Wheels
.................... ... 6-59
ConvertibleTop
............................... 6-59
Check Gauges Light
............................. 2-87
Fabric
...................................... 6-54
Glass ....................................... 6-56
Inside
of Your Pontiac ......................... 6-53
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-56
Leather
..................................... 6-56
Outside of Your Pontiac
........................ 6-58
Removable Roof Panel
......................... 6-57
Stains
...................................... 6-55
Tires ....................................... 6-59
Wheels
..................................... 6-59
Special Problems
............................. 6-55
.Vinyl
....................................... 6-55
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-57
Climate Control System
........................... 3-1
Clock, Setting the
................................ 3-6
Close-Out Panel
................................ 2-58
Clutch, Hydraulic
............................... 6-25
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-1
2 . .
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Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
. . ....... ... 2-81
Engine Oil Pressure
......... ............... 2-85
Fuel
....................................... 2-87
GAWR
....................................... 4-30
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission
............. 2-28
Gear Positions. Manual Transmission
.......... 2.32. 2.33
GloveBox
.................................... 2-56
Graphic Equalizer
......................... 3.10. 3.15
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-30
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-30
Guide en Franqais
11
GVWR ....................................... 4-30
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-37
Hatch Release
.................................. 2- 10
Hatch Release. Remote
.......................... 2- 10
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-1
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlamp Bulb Replacement
...................... 6-38
Headlamp
Doors ............................... 2-51
Headlamps
.................................... 2-50
HighLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-44
OnReminder
................................ 2-50
Wiring
..................................... 6-63
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3-3
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-44
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads ......................... 4-23
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-35
Hood
Checking Things Under .......... ............ 6-6
Release ...................................... 6-7
Horn
......................................... 2-42
Hydraulic Clutch
............................... 6-25
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
................... 7-40
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-19
Ignition Switch
................................ 2-21
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-46
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-55
Inspections
.................................... 7-43
Brakesystem
................................ 7-43
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-43
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-43
RearAxle
................................... 7-43
Steering
.................................... 7-43
Suspension .................................. 7-43
Throttle Linkage
........ : ..................... 7-43
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-72
Brightness Control
............................ 2-53
Cleaning
.................................... 6-56
Cluster
............ ......... 2-74
Interior Lamps
. . ....... 2-53
Jack. Tire
.................................. 5-28
Jump Starting
................................... 5-2
Key Lock Cylinders Service
...................... 7-40
Key Release Button
............................. 2-22
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
9-5
ProCarManuals.com

Labels Certification
................................. 4-30
Service
Parts Identification ..................... 6-62
Tire-Loading Information
....................... 4-29
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-62
Lamps
........................................ 2-50
Courtesy
.................................... 2-53
Interior
..................................... 2-53
On Reminder
................................ 2-50
Last Door Closed Locking Feature
............. 2.4. 2.17
Last Door Closed LoclungLockout Prevention
....... 2-17
Latches. Front Seatback
........................... 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle .............................. 2-5
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-38
Lighter
....................................... 2-59
Lights
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-2 1. 2-77
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.78. 4.6
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-78
CheckGauges
............................... 2-87
Interior
..................................... 2-53
LowCoolant
................................. 2-82
LowOil
.................................... 2-86
Low Traction
............................ 2-81, 4-8
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-7. 2-76
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-83
Traction Control System Warning
............ 2-80. 4-9
Limited-Slip Differential. Rear Axle
................ 6-26
Loading
Your Vehicle ........................... 4-29
Lockout Prevention
......................... 2-4, 2-17
Cylinders
................................... 7-40
Door
........................................ 2-3
Locks
......................................... 2-3
Key Lock
Cylinder Service ..................... 7-40
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-42
Low Coolant Light ............................... 2-82
LowOilLight
................................. 2-86
Low Traction Light
......................... 2-81, 4-8
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-44
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-40
Lumbar Controls
................................ 1-3
Main Fuse Block .................... ..... 6-65
Maintenance. Normal Replacement
Parts .......... 6-71
Maintenance Record .................. ..... 7-46
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long TripMighway Definition ................... 7-5
Long Tripmighway Intervals .................... 7-28
Owner Checks and Services ..................... 7-39
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-43
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-44
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-1
Short Trip/City Definition ....................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-6
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-38
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-1
Manual Mirror
................................. 2-55
Manual Transmission ............................ 2-31
Check
...................................... 7-40
Fluid
....................................... 6-24
Shifting
..................................... 2-32
MapPocket ................................... 2-57
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-60
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-83
9-6
ProCarManuals.com

Methanol ...................................... 6-3
Mirrors
....................................... 2-55
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-56
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-55
Manual
..................................... 2-55
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-55
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-56
Visor Vanity
.................................. 2-60
MountainRoads
................................ 4-23
Multifunction Lever
. . ............... 2-43
Neutral. Automatic Transmission
................. 2-28
Neutral. Manual Transmission
................ 2.32. 2.33
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-21
Nightvision
................................... 4-16
Odometer
.................................... 2-75
Odometer. Trip .................................. 2-75
Off-Road Recovery ............................. 4- 12
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-10
.... Overheating Engine ............................. 5- 13
.... ................ .. Overdrive. Automatic Transmission 2-29
... .. L ... Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-39
.. Owner Publications, Ordering ..................... 8- 11 .- . ..
Paint Spotting. Chemical . . ................. 6-60
Park Automatic Transmission
........................ 2-27
Shifting
Into ................................. 2-37
Shifting Out of
................................ 2-39 Parking
At Night
.... .... 2-11
Brake
....................... ......... 2-36
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-42
Lots
....................................... 2-11
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-40
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-37
Parking Your Vehicle, Manual Transmission
.......... 2-39
Passenger Position
......................... 1-26. 1-27
Passing
....................................... 4-13
PASS-Key
II ................................. 2-14
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-43
Pontiac Cares Information
......................... 8-1
Power Antenna Mast Care
............................ 3-23
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Option Fuses
................................ 6-63
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-56
Retained Accessory
........................... 2-54
Seat
......................................... 1-2
Steering
.................................... 4-10
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-30
Windows
................................... 2-42
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-26
Problems
on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner
................... 8-11
Radiator
................................ 5.20. 5.23
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-30
Radio Reception ................................ 3-20
Radios
........................................ 3-6
9-7
ProCarManuals.com

Rain. Driving In ................................ 4- 17
ReadingLamps
................................ 2-54
Rear Axle
........................................ 6-26
Lamp Bulb Replacement
.................. .... 6-41
Seat Passengers
............................... 1-27
Sidemarker Bulb Replacement
................... 6-42
Storage
..................................... 2-57 .
Towing ..................................... 5-11
Win'dow Defogger
............................. 3-4
Rearview Mirror, Inside Daymight
................. 2-55
Reclining Front Seatbacks
......................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............... 7-44
Recovery Tank, Coolant
.......................... 5-17
Refrigerants,
Air Conditioning .................... 6-7 1
Remote
Hatch Release ................................ 2-10
Lock Control
................................. 2-5
Lock Control Verifkation
...................... 2-18
RAP ......................................... 2-54
Replacement Bulbs
...................................... 6-68
Parts
....................................... 6-71
. Wheel ...................................... 6-51
Replacing Safety Belts
........................... 1-4 1
Reporting Safety Defects
..................... 8-9, 8-10
Restraints Checking
................................... 1-41
Child
........................................ 1-32
Head
........................................ 1-5
Replacing
Puts After a Crash ................... 1-4 1
System Check
................................ 7-40
Retained Accessory Power
........................ 2-54 Reverse. Automatic Transmission
.................. 2-28
Reverse. Manual Transmission
............... 2-32. 2-33
Right Front Passenger Position
.................... 1-26
Roadside Assistance
....................... : ...... 8-5
Roadside Assistance. Canadian ..................... 8-6
Rocking Your Vehicle
........................... 5-42
Roof Panels. %in Lift-off
....................... 2-61
Rotation. Tires
.................................. 6-47 ... ... . --,.-, ... ..... . . ..
Safety Belt Extender ... ; .............. ...... 1-41
Safety Belts
.................................... 1-7
Adults
............................. ...... 1-12
Care
....................................... 6-56
Children
.................................... 1-30
DriverPosition ............................... 1-12
Extender ..................................... 1-41
How to Wear Properly .......... .) .............. 1-12
Lap-Should&
.............. I ............ 1- 12. 1-27
LargerChildren
.............................. 1-38
Questions
and Answers ........................ 1-11
Rear Seat Positions ............................ 1-27
Reminder Light
.......................... 1-7. 2-76
Replacing After a Crash
........................ 1-41
Right Front Passenger Position .................. 1-26
Smaller Children and Babies
.................... 1-30
Why They Work ........... .................... 1-8
SafetyChains
.................................. 4-35
Safety
Warnings and Symbols ....................... iii
Scheduled Maintenance Services .................... 7-3
Incorrect Usage .................... 1-15. 1-39. 1-40
Use During Pregnancy
......................... 1-26
Safety Defects. Reporting
.................... 8-9. 8-10
ProCarManuals.com

Seatback FoldingRe ar
.................................. 1-6
Front Latches
................................. 1-6
Reclining Front
.............................. 1 1-4
Seats Four-Way Manual
............................. 1-2
Fully Articulating Sport
......................... 1-3
Lumbar Control
............................... 1-3
Manual Front
............................... 1 - 1
Power ........... .................. 1-2
Restraint Systems
....... ................ 1-1
Seat Controls .................................. 1 - 1
Securing a Child Restraint
...................... 1-32
Second Gear, Automatic Transmission
.............. 2-29
Second Gear, Manual Transmission
............ 2-32, 2-33
Second-Gear Start
.............................. 2-3 1
Service ......................................... 6-1
Bulletins, Ordering ............................ 8- 1 1
En~neSoonLight ............................ 2-83
Manuals, Ordering ............................ 8-11
Parts Identification Label
....................... 6-62
Publications, Ordering
......................... 8- 11
Work, Doing Your Own ......................... 6-1
Service and Appearance Care ...................... 6-1
Service and Owner Publications ................... 8- 11
Service Publications .............................. 8- 11
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac ........... 1-25
Shi€tLever
.................................... 2-27
Shift Speeds .................................... 2-34
Shifting
Automatic Transmission ....................... 2-27
Sheet
Metal Damage
............................ 6-60
Into Park (P)
................................. 2-37
Out pf Park .................................. 2-39 Shifting.
Manual Transmission
............... 2-3 1. 2.33
Signaling Turns
................................ 2-44
Sixth Gear, Manual Transmission
.................. 2-33
Skidding
...................................... 4-14
Skip Shift Light
................................ 2-34
Sound Equipment, Adding
........................ $3-21
Spare Tire, Compact ............................. 5-40
Specifications and Capacities ...................... 6-69
Specifications, Engine
........................... 6-69
SRS
......................................... l-19
Speech
Impaired, Customer Assistance ............... 8-4
Speedometer ................................... 2-75
Sportseat
....................................... 1-3
Stains, Cleaning
................................ 6-55
Standard Differential. Rear Axle
................... 6-26
Starting Your Engine
.................. 2-23,2-24, 2-25
Starter
Switch Check
............................ 7-41
Steam
............... .................... 5-13
Steering
Column Lock Check ........................ 7-42
Power
...................................... 4-10
Tips
......................................... 4-10
Wheel Touch Controls ......................... 3-20
In Emergencies ............................... 4-11
Wheel, Tilt .................................. 2-43
Storage Areas
.................................. 2-57
Storage, Vehicle
................................ 6-37
Sunshades, T-Top ............................... 2-64
Supplemental Restraint
.......................... 1-19
Symbols, Vehicle .................................. v
Synchronization ................................. 2-7
Stuck:
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
.................. 5-42
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-60
9-9
ProCarManuals.com

TTYUsers ..................................... 8-4
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-44
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
................... 2-43
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-37
Twin Lift-off Roof Panels
........................ 2-61
underbody Flushing Service ..................... 7-42
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-60
Underhood Electrical Center
...................... 5-67
Vehicle Control
...................................... 4-5
Damagewarnings .............................. iv
Dimensions
................................. 6-70
Identification Number
......................... 6-62
Storage
...................................... 6-37
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System .......... 2-12
Alarm/PanicMode ............................. 2-6
Feature Customization
......................... 2- 16
Ventilation System
............................... 3-5
Visor Vanity Mirrors ............................ 2-60
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-60
Voltmeter
..................................... 2-77
Loading
.................................... 4-29 warning
Devices
............................... 5-2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ............... 2-75
Washer Fluid. Windshield
................... 2.46. 6.32
Washing Your Vehicle ........................... 6-58
Wheel Weatherstrips
.................................. 6-57
Alignment
.................................. 6-51
Nut Torque
.......................... .. 5.37. 6.69
Replacement ................................. 6-51 .
Wrench ..................................... 5-30
Windows ..................................... 2-42
Express-Down
............................... 2-42
Windshield Washer
............................. 2-46
Fluid
.................................. 2-46, 6-32
Fluid Level Check
............................ 7-39
Blade Replacement ........................... 6-43
Fuses ...................................... 6-63
Wiring, Headlamp .............................. 6-63
Wrecker Towing
................................. 5-7
Wrench.
Wheel ............ .. .- ..... .. -. . E ........ 3-2Q ....
Power ........................................ 2-42
Windshield Wiper
............................ 2-45
Winter Driving
................................. 4-25
'1
..
9-11
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