service PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
0 With an automatic transmission, the key should turn
to LOCK only when the shift lever is in
PARK (P).
LOCK only when the shift lever is in REVERSE (R).
With a manual transmission, the key should turn to
On vehicles with a key release button, try to turn the key
to LOCK without pressing the button. The key should
turn to LOCK only when you press the key button.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
PARK (P) Mechanism Check
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When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is
room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
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To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL
(N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any
areas where mud and other debris
can collect.

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should be
performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring
and fall).
You should let your GM dealer’s service
department
or other qualified service center do these jobs.
Make sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a GM service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing
parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged, missing
or
out-of-position parts as well as open seams, holes, loose
connections or other conditions which could cause a heat
build-up in the
floor pan or could let exhaust fumes into
the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust”
in the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replalced if they are
cracked, swollen
or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding, and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any cables that have
high effort or excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise conbd cables.
Wear Axle Service
Check the gear lubricant level in the rear axle and add if
needed. See “Rear Axle” in
the Index. A fluid loss may
indicate
a problem. Check the axle and repair it if needed.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses
for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other
brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc. The
parking brake is self-adjusting and no manual
adjustment
is required. You may need to have your
brakes inspected more often if
your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.

CaliperKnuckle Maintenance Inspection
If you operate your vehicle in a highly corrosive
environment, as indicated by the shaded areas on
the
map following this text, your vehicle may require
additional brake service. Refer to the appropriate
GM Service Bulletin for the proper front caliper
inspection procedure.
As necessary, front caliper pins
and knuckle brake pad abutments should be lubricated at
every other tire rotation.
Also, see your GM dealer’s
service department or qualified service center for
additional information.
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Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the
date, odometer reading and who performed the service
in the boxes provided after the maintenance interval.
Any additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance”
can be added on
the following record pages. Also, you should retain all
maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio
is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE
READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
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Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED SERVICED
BY READING
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Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
Here you will find out how to contact Pontiac if you need assistance. This section also tells you how to obtain service
publications and
how to report any safety defects.
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8-9 Pontiac
Cares
What Makes up Pontiac Cares?
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
Customer Assist'ance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Pontiac Courtesy Transportation
GM Participation in an Alternative
Dispute Resolution Program 8
- 10 Warranty
Information
8- 10 Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government
8-11 Reporting Safety Defects to
the
Canadian Government
8- 11 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
8-11 Ordering Service and Owner Publications
in Canada
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What makes up Pontiac Cares?
A 3 year/36,000 mile (60 000 km) Bumper to
Bumper Warranty
Customer Assistance
Roadside Assistance
0 Courtesy Transportation
All of these elements combine to make your driving
experience an enjoyable one, and are discussed in
greater detail further in your owner’s manual. Pontiac is
focusing
on the changing needs of our customers and
is committed
to giving you an exceptional level of
customer care throughout the ownership experience.
Our goal is to create total customer enthusiasm in our
product and our services, and
make you the most
satisfied customer in
the world.
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
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Pontiac dealers have the facilities, trained technicians
and up-to-date information to promptly address any
cancerns you may have. However, if a concern has not
been resolved
to your complete satisfaction, take the
following steps:
STEP ONE -- Discuss your concern with a member
of dealership management. Normally, concerns can
be quickly resolved at that level.
If the matter has
already been reviewed with
the sales, service or parts
manager, contact the owner of the dealership or the
General Manager.
STEP TWO -- If after contacting a member of
dealership management, it appears your concern cannot
be resolved by
the dealership without further help,
contact the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center
by
calling 1-800-PM-CARES. In Canada, contact
GM of Canada Customer Communication Centre in
Oshawa by calling 1-800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French). For help outside
of the United States and Canada, call
the following numbers
as appropriate:
0 In Mexico: (525) 625-3256
0 In Puerto Rico: 1-800-496-9992 (English) or
1-800-496-9993 (Spanish)
In the U.S. Virgin Islands: 1-800-496-9994
0 In the Dominican Republic: 1-800-75 1-41 35
(English)
or 1-800-75 1-4136 (Spanish)
0 In the Bahamas: 1-800-389-0009
e In Bermuda, Barbados, Antigua and the British
e In all other Caribbean countries: (809) 763- 13 15
In other overseas lo'cations, call GM International
Product Center in Canada at: (905) 644-4112. Virgin
Islands: 1-800-534-0122
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Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program
F=
Security While You Travel
I -8OO-ROADSmE (I -800-762-3743)
As the proud owner of a new Pontiac vehicle, you are
automatically enrolled in the Pontiac Roadside
Assistance program. This value-added service
is
intended to provide you with peace of mind as you
drive in the city or travel the open road.
Pontiac's Roadside Assistance toll-free number is staffed by
a team of technically trained advisors, who
are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We take anxiety out 'of uncertain situations by providing
minor
repair information over the phone or making
arrangements to tow your vehicle to the nearest
Pontiac dealer.

We will provide the following services for
3 years/36,000 miles (60 000 km), at no expense to you:
Fuel delivery
Keys locked in vehicle
Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service
Change a flat tire
Jump starts
0 Courtesy Transportation -- See Pontiac Courtesy
Transportation section for details
We have quick, easy access to telephone numbers of the
following additional services depending on
your needs:
Hotels
0 Glass replacement
Rental vehicle or taxis
Police, fire department or hospitals
In many instances, mechanical failures are covered
under Pontiac’s comprehensive warranty. However,
when other services are utilized, our advisors will
explain any payment obligations you might incur. For prompt and efficient assistance when calling,
please
provide the following information to give the advisor:
0 Location of vehicle
Telephone number of your location
0 Vehicle model, year and color
0 Mileage of vehicle
0 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
* Vehicle license plate number
Pontiac reserves the right to limit services
or
reimbursement to an owner or driver when in Pontiac’s
judgement the claims become excessive
in frequency or
type of occurrence.
While we hope that you never have the occasion to use
our service,
it is added security while traveling for you
and your family. Remember, we’re only a phone call
away. Pontiac Roadside Assistance
-- 1-800-ROADSIDE
or 1-800-762-3743.
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