torque PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Owners Manual

Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission) Shifting Out of PARK (P)
If you are parlung on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK
(P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult
to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P),. This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)”
in the Index.
When you
are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
(Automatic Transmission)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transmission shift interlock.
You have to fully apply your regular brake before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in
the
RUN position. See “Automatic Transmission” in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on
the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and ‘move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
If torque lock does occur, you may need
to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill
to take some of the
pressure from the transmission,
so you can pull the shift
lever out
of PARK (P). 1. Turn the key to the OFF position.
If
you
ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
Parking Your Vehicle 2. Apply and hold the brake.
(Manual Transmission) 3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transmission in REVERSE
(R) and firmly apply the
parking brake.
5. .Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
If your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
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7. Lower the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
a. Tighten the wheel
nuts firmly in a
criss-cross sequence
as shown.
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come
off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to 'use the correct wheel nuts.
If' you have
to replace them, be sure to get new
GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere
as soon as you can and have the
nuts tightened with a torque wrench to
100 lb-ft
(140 Nom).
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NOTICE:
L
ImproperIy tightened wheel nuts can.lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid
expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel
nuts
in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.
Don't try to put a c'enter cap on your compact spare tire.
It won't fit. Store the center cap in the rear area until
you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
NOTICE:
Center caps won't fit on your compact spare.
If you try to put a center cap on your compact
spare,
you could damage the cover or the spare.
Storing a Flat Tire or Spare Tire and Tools
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment m the
passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause injury. In
a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store
all these
in the proper place.
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NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong
kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care”
in the Index.
I
Brake Wear
Unless you have the four-wheel disc brake option, your
Pontiac has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal fiy).
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied
or lightly applied.
This does not
mean something is wrong with your brakes.
Free movement
of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected. Also, the
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Don’t include the compact spare tire in your
tire rotation.
After the tires
have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear
inflation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the Index.
I
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to’ which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident,
When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or
dirt from places where the wheel
attach.& to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use
a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if
you need to, to get all the rust or dirt off.
(See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the.Index.)

When It’s The for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s
time for new
tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators,
which will
appear when your
tires have
only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need
a new tire if any of the following statements
are true: . .. 1. .. . .. ...
You can see the indicators at three or more places
.. . ‘ : __ .I
around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s
rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a. bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that can’t be
repaired well because of the size or location of the damage.
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Capacities and Specifications
Engine
Type VIN Engine Code
K ...................... V6
VTN Engine Code P ...................... V8
Fuel Delivery .................... Fuel Injection
Valve Arrangement
.................... In-Head
Piston Displacement
..........................
VINEngine Code K ............ 231 CID (3.8L)
VIN Engine Code
P ............ 350 CID (5.7L)
VIN Engine Code K .............. 1-6-5-4-3-2
VIN Engine Code P ......... 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Wheel Nut Torque ............ 100 lb-ft (140 N-m)
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Type ............ ................. hook
Length ........ ... 24 inches (610 mm)
Firing Order
Capacities (Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions.
Air Conditioning?
............. See the refrigerant
information label under the hood.
Automatic Transmission
Drain and Refill ............... 10 pints (4.7 L)*
Overhaul
VIN Engine Code
K ......... 17.6 pints (8.3 L)*
VIN Engine Code P ........ 21 ..6 pints (10.2 L)*
VIN Engine Code K V)
With Manual Transmission .... 12.5 quarts (11.8 L)
With' Automatic "ransmissjon . 12.3 qums (1 1.6 L)
VIN Engine Code P
With Manual Transmission ... 15.3 quarts (14.5 L)
With Automatic Transmission 15.1 quarts (14.3
L)
Cooling System
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Tachometer .................................. 2-75
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-22
Temperature Control. Climate Control System
......... 3-1
Theft-Deterrent Th
......................................... 2-11
Arming Method
.............................. 2- 19
Arming Verification
........................... 2- 19
Feature,
CD Player ............................ 3- 18
Vehicle and Content
........................... 2-12
Thermostat
.................................... 6-30
Third Gear, Automatic Transmission
................ 2-29
Third Gear, Manual Transmission .............. 2-32, 2-33
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-43
Time, Setting the
................................ 3-6
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-52
TireLoading ................................... 4-29
Tire-Loading Information Label
......... , .......... 4-29
Tires
......................................... 6-45
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-5 1
Buying
New ................................. 6-49
Chains
..................................... 6-52
ChangingaFlat .............................. 5-27
Cleaning
.................................... 6-59
Compact Spare
............................... 5-40
Inflation .................................... 6-46
Inflation Check
............................... 7-39
Inspection and Rotation ........................ 6-47
Loading
.................................... 4-29
Pressure
.................................... 6-46
Temperature ................................. 6-50
Traction .................................... 6-50
Treadwe ar ................................... 6-50
Uniform Quality Grabg
....................... 6-50
THEFTLOCK"
................................ 3-18
Wear
Indicamrs
.............................. 6-48
Wheel Replacement
............................ 6-51
When
It's Time for New ....................... 6-48
TopStrap ..................................... 1-33
TorqueLock
................................... 2-39
Torque, Wheel Nut
......................... 5-37, 6-69
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-7
Traction Control
Off Button ............................. 4-9
Control System
................................ 4-8
Control System Warning Light
... ........... 2-80
Brakes ................................... 4-35
Driving on Grades
............................. 4-37
Drivingwith
................................. 4-36
Hitches
..................................... 4-35
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-38
Parking
on Hills .............................. 4-37
SafetyChains
................................ 4-35
Tongueweight
............................... 4-34
Total Weight
on Tires .......................... 4-34
Towing
..................................... 4-31
Turnsignals
................................. 4-37
Weight
..................................... 4-33
Automatic
................................... 4-20
Manual
..................................... 6-24
Transmitters, Remote Lock Control
.................. 2-5
Transportation, Courtesy
.......................... 8-7
Trip Odometer ................................. 2-75
T-Top Sunshades ............................... 2-64
Transmitter Range
............................... 2-6
TowingaTr~ler ................................ 4-31
Trailer
Transmission
9-10
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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
..
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