oil PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 User Guide

An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine
is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing
and tools away from
any underhood electric fan,
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything
else until it cools down.
When it is cool, remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and
look at the dipstick.
The coolant level should be at FULL COLD. If it
isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in
the
cooling system.

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Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause
an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.

NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fan is running. If the engine
is
overheating, the fan should be running. If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at
FULL COLD, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water
(preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL TM
(orange-colored, silicate-free) antifreeze at the coolant
recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for
more information.)
I A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix
will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM antifreeze.
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A CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wh'eel could
fall off,
causing a serious accident.
6. Replace the wheel nuts with the rounded end of the
nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand
until
the wheel is held against the hub.
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Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States
or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. ‘Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text
on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by
use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact
a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell
us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
North American Export Sales
(NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Filling Your Tank
The cap is behind a hinged door on the left side of
your vehicle.
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Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible! See “Cleaning the
Outside
of Your Pontiac” in the Index.
When
you plat the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap
has been left of or improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator
Lamp” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you, If you get
the
wrong type, it may not fit and your fuel tank
and emissions system might
be damaged.
.j
Checking Things Und-- the Hoop
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from any
underhood electric fan.
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil,
coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
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When you open the hood of the 3800 L36 (Code K) engine you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Oil Fill Cap
D. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (if equipped) E. Engine Fan
E Windshield
Washer Reservoir
G. Power Steering Reservoir
H. Engine Oil Dipstick
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
K. Air Cleaner
(if equipped)
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When you open the hood of the 5.7L LT1 (Code P) -giro you’ll see:
d
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Power Steering Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Battery
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E Fan
G. Windshield Washer Reservoir
H. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (if equipped)
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(if equipped)
K. Air Cleaner
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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.
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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3800 L36 (Code K) Oil Dipstick
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.
Checking 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.
3800 L36 (Code K) Engine
~
5.7L LT 1 (Code P) Engine
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When to Add Oil What Kind of Oil to Use
If the oil is at or below the ARD he, then you’ll need to Oils recommended for yoar vehicle can be identified by
add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This part looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
explains what kind of oil to use. For crankcase capacity, ‘ indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
see “Capacities and Specifications” in
the Index. Petroleum Institute (AH). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
I 1
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oiI level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shm the Hrcrper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
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.
I
U-
I
P-
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
into
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:
i‘
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