maintenance PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Owners Manual

v The 1996’Pontiac Firebird Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................. 1-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
This section explains how to start and operate your Pontiac.
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your
audio system.
FeaturesandControls .................................................................. 2-1
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..................................................... 3-1
.... Your Driving and the Road .............................................................. 4-1
..... Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 5-1
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or
overheated engine, 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 h’ow to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8-9.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
Service and Appearance Care .............................................................. 6-1
Maintenanceschedule ................................................................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information ........................................................ 8-1
Index ........................................................................\
........ 9-1
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Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information
about the air bag system.
The module records
information about the readiness of the system,
when the sensors are activated and driver’s safety
belt usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work
on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your air
bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
~~
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, they may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the
air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag covers.
Servicing ,Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac
Air bags affect how your Pontiac should be serviced.
There are
parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Pontiac dealer and the Firebird Service
Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system.
To purchase a service manual, see “Seririce and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
I A CAUTION:
II
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the
air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure’ the person
performing work for you is qualified to do
so.
’he air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten,, your
1 dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender
will be long enough for you. The extender will
‘be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat
it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
NOW and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn
01‘ frayed, get a new one right away.
Ah look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After
a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But
if the belts were stretched, as they would be if wm
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired
or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If
an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system
parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in
this section.
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.. ' When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a €Till
' ' 1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while
you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let .up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pul1ing.a trailer. See
the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation
are automatic: transmission fluid (don't
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will heip you find them quickly.
If you're trailering, it's a good idea to review these
sections befcn-e
you start yam trip.
Check;periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts .
are tight.
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Section 6 I Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your
Pontiac.
This section begins with service and fuel
infomation, and then it shows how to check important
fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical
information about your vehicle, and a part devoted to its
appearance care.
Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll
want to get the proper Pontiac Service Manual. It tells
you much more about how to service your Pontiac than
this manual can.
To order the proper service manual, see
“Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.
Service Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
Your Pontiac dealer knows your vehicle best and wants do
Your own service Work, see ‘‘Senicing YWr Air
you
to be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your Bag-Equipped Pontiac” in the Index.
dealer for all Your service meds- you’ll get genuine GM
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
parts and GM-trained and supported service people. the mileage and the date of any service work you
We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM. perform. See “Maintenance Record” in
the Index.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
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L
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if
you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
0 Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, and the proper replacement
parts and tools before you attempt
any
vehicle maintenance task.
Be me to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused. If
you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall off.
You could be hurt.
Fuel
The 8th digit of your vehicle identification number
(VIN) shows the code letter for your engine. You will
find the
VIN at the top left of your instrument panel.
(See “Vehicle Identification Number” in
the Index.)
If YQU don’t have the 5.7L Code P engine, use regular
unleaded gasoline rated at 87
octane or higher.
If you have the 5.7L Code P engine, use premium
unleaded gasoline rated at 9 1 octane or higher for best
performance.’
You may use middle grade or regular
unleaded gasolines, but your vehicle may not accelerate
as well.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet spe’cifications
ASTM D4814 in the United States and
CGSB 3.5-M93 in Canada. Improved gasoline
specifications have been develope’d
by the American
Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA)
for
better vehicle performance and engine protection.
Gasolines meeting the
AAMA specification could
provide improved driveability and emission control
system protection compared to other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane for premium is at least 91
(at least 89 for middle grade and
87 for regular). If the
octane is less than
87, you may get a heavy knocking
noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage
your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at the recommended octane or
higher and you still hear heavy knocking, your engine
needs service. But don’t worry
if you hear a.little
pinging noise when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal, and you don’t have to buy a higher
octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant
knock that means you have
a problem.
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Air Cleaner
3800 L36 (Code K) Engine
5.7L LT1 (Code P) Engine
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter. . ‘1 ’ 8.1. - ’ (<,
See “Scheduled Maintenance Senkes” in the Index.
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil
is changed.
Change both
the fluid and filter every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
con’ditions, change
the fluid and filter every 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your Pontiac dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if
you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32 ” C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
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3800 L36 Engine Transmission Dipstick
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid
level must be in the COLD area for a
cold check or in the HOT area or cross-hatched area
for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transmission fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid
HOT. (A COLD check is used only as a reference.) If
the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper
fluid to bring the level up
to the HOT area for a hot
check. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint
(0.5 L). Don’t overfill. We recommend you use only
fluid labeled DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that
label
is made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other
than DEXRON-111 is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to
Check.”
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
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Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the fluid in your manual
transmission doesn’t require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be difficult, you may choose
to have this done at your Pontiac dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission
is
cool enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the filler plug hole.
3. If the fluid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it
is fully seated. If the fluid level is low, add more
fluid as described in the next steps.
How to Add Fluid
Here’s how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind of fluid to use. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add only enough
fluid to bring the fluid level up to the bottom
of the
filler plug hole.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
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