check engine light PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 1996, Model line: FIREBIRD, Model: PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996Pages: 386, PDF Size: 19.18 MB
Page 203 of 386

5. Find the positive (+) ad negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have
been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don't
need to add water to the Delco Freedom@ battery
installed in every new GM vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to take-
care
of that first. If you don't, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery
fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Dan't get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water
and get medical help immediitely.
.- :A,
,. .- , .. . ..
6. Check that the jumper cables don't have loose or
missing insulation.
If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before
you connect the cables, here are some basic
things
you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive
(+) and negative (-) will go to negative (-)
or a metal engine part. Don't connect positive.(+) to
negative
(-) or you'll get a short that would damage
the battery
and maybe other parts, too.
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away
from moving parts
once the engines are running.
,I. I'
,- . .-
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Page 251 of 386

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.
5.7L LT1 (Code P) Oil Dipstick
The engine oil dipstick is the yellow
loop near the back
of the engine.
For more information, see
"Low 0il.Light" 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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Page 267 of 386

Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance’ Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant.. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Standard Differential
Use Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 12345977) or
SAE 8OW-90 GL-5 gear lubricant. -
Limited-Slip Differential
To add lubricant when the level is low, use Axle
Lubricant
(GM Part No. 12345977). To completely refill
after draining, add
2 ounces (59 ml) of Limited-Slip
Differential Lubricant Additive
(GM Part No. 1052358).
Then fill to the bottom of the filler plug hole with Axle
Lubricant (GM,Part No. 12345977).
/
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle
for 5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is
low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
0
0
0
a
a
Give freezing protection down to -34 OF (-3 7 O C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
,. .:
. .( , <.
6-26
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Page 374 of 386

Air ~ag ...................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain .... ............. 1-23
How it Works .............................. 1-21
Location ............................... 1.21. 1.22
Readiness Light ......................... 1.21. 2.77
Servicing ................................... 1-25
What Makes it Inflate .......................... 1-23
What Will You See.After it Inflates ............... 1-24
When Should it Inflate ......................... 1-23
Aircleaner .................................... 6-16
Air Conditioning ................................ 3-2
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-7 1
Air Control. Climate Control System ................. 3-2
Alarm. Content Theft-Deterrent ................... 2- 12
Alarm/Panic Mode ............................... 2-6
Alignment and Balance. Tire ...................... 6-51
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning ...................... 6-59
Antenna. Power .............................. : . 3-23
Antifreeze ..................................... 6-26
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-78. 4-6
Brakes ....................................... 4-6
Anti-Theft. Radio .............................. 3-18
Appearance Care ............................... 6-53
Appearance Care Materials ....................... 6-61
Arbitration Program .............................. 8-8
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control 3-20
Audio Systems .................................. 3-6
Automatic Overdrive ............................ 2-29
Automatic Transmission
Check
...................................... 7-40
Fluid ....................................... 6-20
Operation ................................... 2-27
Park Mechanism Check ........................ 7-42
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-23
Axle, Limited-Slip Rear ......................... 2-35
Axle, Rear .................................... 6-26
Ashtrays .................................... 2-59
Audio Equipment. Adding ........................ 3-21
' * .......
Shifting ..................................... 2-28
Battery ....................... .............. 6-37
Jump Starting ................................. 5-2
Replacement. Remote Lock Control ............... 2-8
Warnings ................................ 5.2. 5.4
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-8
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-8
Blizzard ....................................... 4-27
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Page 377 of 386

Engine Coolant
...................................... 6-26
CoolantHeater ............................... 2-26
Coolant Level Check .......................... 7-39
Coolant Temperature Gage ..................... 2~81
Exhaust ..................................... 2-40
FuseBlocks ................................. 6-64
I'dentification ................................ 6-62
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7- 39
Overheating ................................. 5- 13
Running While Parked
......................... 2-41
Specifications
................................ 6-69
Starting Your
...................... 2-23,2-24, 2-25
Engine Oil
..................................... 6-10
Additives
................................... 6-14
Checking ................................... 6-11
Used
....................................... 6-15
Adding
..................................... 6-12
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-85
When to Change ............................... 6- 15
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-40
Exit Lighting
.............................. 2-17. 2-53
Express-Down Window
.......................... 2-42
Ethan01
......................................... 6-3
Exit Lightingmelayed Illumination
.................. 2- 17
Fabric Cleaning ................................ 6-54
Fan Control, Climate Control System ................ 3-1
Feature Customization ........................... 2- 16
Delayed Illumination
.......................... 2- 17
Driver's Door
Alarm Delay/Shock.Sensor Enable .... 2-20
Exit Lighting ................................ 2-17
Last Door Closed Locking ...................... 2- 17
Lockout Prevention ........................... 2-17
Remote Lock
Control Verification ................ 2-18
Theft-Deterrent Arming Method
................. 2-19
Theft-Deterrent Arming Verification .............. 2-19
Fifth Gear. Manual Transmission
.............. 2-32. 2.33
FillingYourTa
nk ................................ 64
Filter, Engine Oil ............................... 6-15
First Gear, Automatic 'Transmission
................ 2-30
First Gear, Manual Transmission
.............. 2-3 1 , 2-33 '
Flashers, Hazard Warning ......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-27
Floor Mats .................................... 2-61
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 7-44
FogLamps
.................................... 2-52
Folding
Rear Seatback ............................ 1-6
Foreign
Countries, Fuel ........................... 6-4
Fourth Gear, Manual Transmission ............ 2-33. 2-34
Four-Way Mmal Seat
........................... 1-2 ......
Filter, Air ..................................... 6-17
.Finishcare
.................................... 6-58
Finish Damage
................................... 6-60
French Language Manual ........................... ii~ i' T.!
Front Console ................................... 2-57
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Front
Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement .......... 6-39
F~el
.......................................... 6-2
FillingYourTank .............................. 6-4
Gage ........................................ 2-87
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-64
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
9-4
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Page 379 of 386

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
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Page 382 of 386

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
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