engine coolant PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Owner's Manual

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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NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free) coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277111.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant
will require change sooner -- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets
GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use GM
Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
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 (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
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NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cos’t wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These
can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, check the dipstick on the cap
of the coolant recovery tank. The coolant level should
be at COLD, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level on the dipstick should be up to HOT, or
a little higher.
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LOW
COOLANT
If this light comes on,
it means you’re low on
engine coolant.
.. 5.7L LT1 Engine
Adding Coolant to the Recovery Tank
j,
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
emban& recovery tank, but only when your engine is
cool. If the tank is very low or empty, also add coolant
to the radiator. See “Engine Overheating” in
the Index
for
information.
LAUTION:
”urning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn
you badly-
Never turn the pressure cap -- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
I
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on
a hot engine.
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Radiator Precsure Cap (All Engines)
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is an 18 psi (124 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system.
The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
3800 L36 Engine
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid
unless you suspect there
is a leak in the system or you hear
an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired.
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1 Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
El Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Service.
Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service. .
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under
severe service conditions listed previously
and, therefore, haven’t changed your
automatic transmission fluid, change
both
the fluid and filter.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
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Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule ~
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs
first). See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Sewice.
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Service.
Replace spark .plugs.
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under
severe service conditions listed previously
and, thereforle, haven’t changed your
automatic transmission fluid, change both
the fluid and filter.
An Emission Control Service.
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
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Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in
Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
peeorm these underhood checks at eachfuelfill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mix if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in
the
Index for further details.
Windshield .Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See “Tires” in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
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Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from
your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified
FOP
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol
of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and
GM
Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL TM or
Havoline@
DEX-COOL TM
(orange-colored, silicate-free)
antifreeze conforming
to GM
Specification
6277M. See “Engine
Coolant”
in the Index.
USAGE
Coolant
Supplement
Sealer
Hydraulic Brake
System
Hydraulic Clutch System
Power Steering
System
Manual
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Key Lock
Cylinders
FLUIDLUBRICANT
GM Part No. 3634621 or
equivalent with a complete flush
and refill.
Delco Supreme
I1 @ Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 10852535 or
equivalent
DOT-3 brake fluid).
Hydraulic Clutch
Fluid (GM Part
No. 12345347
or equivalent).
GM Power Steering Fluid
1050017 - 1 qt., or equivalent).
DEXRON@-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
DEXRON@-LII Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pur
ose Lubricant,
Superlube
?& (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
(GM
Part
NO. 1052884 - 1 Pt.,
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Compact Disc Player ....................... 3- 13. 3 . 15
Errors ................................. 3.14. 3.17
Care ....................................... 3-22
Compact Spare Tire ............................. 5-40
Control of a Vehicle . . .. ........... 4-5
Convertible Top ....... .................... 2-66
Convex Outside Mirror .......................... , 2-57
Coolant ....................................... 6-26
Bleed Valves ................................. 5 -24
Heater. Engine ............................... 2-26
Recovery Tank ........................ ' ....... 5-, 17
Cooling System ................................ 5-15
Courtesy Lamps ................................ 2-53
Courtesy Transportation ........................... 8-7
Cruise Control .................................. 2-46
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users ......... 8-4
Customer Assktance Information ................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8-2
Damage. Finish ................................ 6-60
Damage. Sheet Metal ............................ 6-60
Daytime Running Lamps ......................... 2-52
Dead Battery ................................... 5-2
Defects. Reporting Safety ................... ., 8-9. 8-10
Defensive Driving ............................... 4- 1
Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 3-4
Defogging ...................................... 3-5
Defrosting ., .................................... 3-5
Delayed Illumination ............................ 2-53
Dimensions. Vehicle ............................ 6-70
Dolby@ B Noise Reduction ....... ..... 3-9
Door
Last Door Closed Locking Feature
.... . . 2-4, 2-17
Lockout Prevention
................ . . 2.4, 2.17
Locks ......................... ....... 2-3
Downshifting .................................. 2-35
Driver Position ................................. 1 . 12
Driving Driver's Door Alarm Delay/Shock Sensor Enable
..... 2-20
City.' ........................................ 4-20
Defensive .......... ................... 4.- 1
Drunken ..................................... 4-2
Freeway .................................... 4-21
In a Blizzard ................................. 4-27
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
In the Rain .................................. 4-17
Night ...................................... 4-15
On Curves .................................. 4-10
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-37
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-23
On Snow and Ice ............................. 4-26
Throughwater ............................... 4-19
WetRoads .................................. 4-17
Winter ...................................... 4-25
With a Trailer ................................ 4-36
Drunken Driving ................................ 4-2
%lectrical Equipment, Adding .......... 2-24,3-21, 6-63
Electrical System ............................... 6-63
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