instrument panel PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owner's Manual

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
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.
Th,e engine
oil dipstick is the yellow loop near the back
of the engine.
If the LOW OIL light on the instrument panel comes on,
it means you need to check your engine oil level right
away.
For more information, see “Low Oil Light” in the
Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
5.7L Engine Oil Dipstick
6- 12

Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
Do not bleach or dye sal belts. 1 v'ou do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part
No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco
smoke and dust films on
interior glass.
Don't use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on
the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped off later. If
abrasive cleaners are used on the inside
of the rear
window, an electric defogger element
may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
6-61

Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER USAGE DESCRIPTION SIZE
994954 Exterior
Polish
Polishing Cloth - Wax Treated 23 in. x 25 in. -
1050004
Exterior wash
Wash and Wax
Concentrate 16
02. (0.473 L) 1052870 Cleans
grease, grime and smoke
film Glass Cleaner 23 oz. (0.680 L) I050427
Spot and stain removal
Vinyl
Cleaner 32 oz. (0.946 L) 1050214 Exterior
cleaner and polish
Magic Mirror Cleaner Polish
1 gal. (3.785 L) 1050200
Removes soil and black marks
White Sidewall Tire Cleaner
16 02. (0.473
L)
1050 174 Removes rust and corrosion
Chrome Cleaner and Polish 16
oz. (0.473
L)
10501 73
Also removes old waxes and polishes
Tar and Road Oil
Remover 16 oz. (0.473 L) 10501 72 Shines vehicle without scratching Chamois
2.75
sq. ft.
~
10529 18**
16 02. (0.473 L) 1052925 Protects vinyl, leather and rubber
Armor
All TM Protector 8 oz. (0.237 L)
Attracts and absorbs soils Capture Dry Spot Remover
8 oz. (0.237 L)
1052930 Spray
on wheel cleaner
Wheel Cleaner
16 oz. (0.473
L)
1052929 Cleans
vinyl, cloth,
tires and mats Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner
12345002**
16 oz. (0.473 L) Armor All TM Cleaner Cleans vinyl, leather and rubber
12345725
Spot cleans paint and gives high luster
Finish Enhancer
16
oz. (0.473
L)
12377966 Protects finish and removes
fine scratches
Cleaning
Wax
16
02. (0.473 L)
12377964 Shines tires
Silicone Tire
Shine 12
oz. (0.354 L)
See your General Motors Parts Department for these products. *‘N Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.
See
“Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
6-67

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
I
ENGINE/1997 T ASSEMBLY
CODE MODEL YEAR PLANT
This is the legal identifier for your Pontiac. It appears on
a plate in the front corner
of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side.
You can see it if you look through the
windshield
from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears
on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates
of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement
parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label located on the driver’s door side.
It’s very helpful if you ever need
to order parts. On this
label is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information and
a list of all producti’on options and special
Be sure that this label
is not removed from the vehicle.
equipment.
Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Pontiac
unless you check with your dealer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Your
vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your Pontiac, see “Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac” in the Index.
6-68

Headlamps
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker.
An electrical overload will cause the lamps to go on and
off, or in some cases to remain off. If this happens, have
your headlamp wiring checked right away.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse.
If the motor overheats due to h'eavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If
the overload is caused by some electrical problem and
not snow, etc., be sure to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers protect the power windows and other
power accessories. When the current load
is too heavy,
the circuit breaker opens and closes, protecting the
circuit until the problem is fixed or goes away. The
wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible thermal links in the wiring itself. This greatly
reduces the chance
of fires caused by electrical problems.
There are two fuse centers
on your vehicle. One is in the
left side
of your instrument panel.

For prompt assistance, please have the following
information available to give the Customer
Assistance Representative:
0
0
0
0
0
Your name, address, home and business
telephone numbers
Vehicle Identification Number (This is available
from the vehicle registration or title,
or the plate at
the top left of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield
.)
Dealership name and location
Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
Nature
of concern
I
We encourage you to call us so we can give your inquiry
prompt attention. However, if you wish to write Pontiac,
address your inquiry to:
Pontiac Customer Assistance Center
One Pontiac Plaza
Pontiac,
MI 48340-2952
In Canada, write to:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre,
163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario LlH 8P7
Refer to your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information
booklet for addresses
of GM Overseas offices.
When contacting Pontiac, please remember that your
concern will likely be resolved in
the dealership, using the
dealer’s facilities, equipment and personnel. That is why we \
suggest
you follow Step One first if you have a concern.
L us’ )mer Assistance for Text
- !pT --e (TTY) Users
‘10 assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or
speech-impaired and who use Text Telephones (TTYs),
Pontiac
has TTY equipment available at its Customer
Assistance Center. Any TTY user can communicate with
Pontiac by dialing: 1-800-833-PONT.
(TTY users in
Canada can dial
1-800-263-3830.)

Brake
Adjustment .................................. 6-39
Master Cylinder .............................. 6-36
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-40
System Warning Light
......................... 2-79
Transmission Shift Interlock
.................... 2-40
Brakes, Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking in Emergencies.
.......................... 4- 10
Break-In, New Vehicle .......................... 2-23
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-54
BTSI ......................................... 2-40
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-4 1
Fluid ....................................... 6-36
Parking
..................................... 2-37
PedalTravel
................................. 6-39
Trailer
...................................... 4-35
Wear
....................................... 6-38
BTSICheck
................................... 7-46
CalipedKnuckle Maintenance Inspections .......... 7-49
Canadian Roadside Assistance
...................... 8-8
Capacities and Specifications ...................... 6-73
Carbon Monoxide
.......... 2- 10.2-41.2-42.4-29. 4-35
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-44
Cassette Tape Player ............ ......... 3-7. 3-10
Errors .................................. 3-8. 3-12
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3 - 19
Certification Label .............................. 4-30
Care
....................................... 3-23
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-44
Chains. Safety ................................. 4-35
Chains. Tire ................................... 6-57
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-26
Check Gauges Light
............................. 2-89
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-41
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-66
Child Restraints'
................................ 1-32
Securing in a Rear Seat Position
................. 1-34
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-36
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 2-59
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-69
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 4-64
Convertible Top .............................. 6-64
Glass
....................................... 6-61
Inside of Your Pontiac
......................... 6-58
Instrument Panel ............................. 6-61
Outside of Your Pontiac ........................ 6-63
Removable
Roof Panel ......................... 6-62
Special Problems ............................. 6'-59
Vinyl
....................................... 6-60
Windshield and Wiper Blades ................... 6-62
Climate Control System ........................... 3-2
Clock. Setting the ................................ 3-6
TopStrap ................................... l-33
WheretoPut ................................ 1-32
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-18
Cleaning Fabric
...................................... 6-59
Leather ..................................... 6-60
Stains
...................................... 6-59
Tires ....................................... 6-65
Wheels ..................................... 6-64
9-2

Instrument Panel ............................... 2-74
Brightness Control
............................ 2-54
Cleaning
.................................... 6-61
Cluster ..................................... 2-76
Interior
Lamps ................................. 2-54
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-29
JumpStarting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-45
Key Rele'ase Button ............................. 2-'24
Keys .......................................... 2-2
Labels
Certification
................................. 4-30
Service Parts Identification ..................... 6-68
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-30
Vehicle Identification Number ................... 6-68
Lamps ........................................ 2-51
Courtesy .................................... 2-54
Interior
..................................... 2-54
OnReminder
................................ 2-51
Last Door Closed Locking Feature ............. 2-52- 19
Last Door Closed LockingLockout Prevention ....... 2- 19
Latches, Front Seatback ........................... 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-5
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-39
Lighter ....................................... 2-59
Lights
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-22. 2.78
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning ............ 2.80. 4.7
Brake System Warning ......................... 2-79
Low Coolant ................................. 2-83
Low Traction ............................ 2-82. 4-9
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-8. 2-78
Service Engine Soon .......................... 2-84
Traction Control System Warning
............ 2-8 1. 4-9
Limited-Slip Differential. Rear Axle ................ 6-29
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-30
Lockout Prevention ......................... 2-5, 2-19
CheckGauges
............................... 2-89
LowOil .................................... 2-88
Locks ......................................... 2-4
CyIinders
................................... 7-45
Door ........................................ 2-4
Key Lock Cylinder Service ..................... 7-45
Power Door .................................. 2-5
Steering Column Lock Check ................... 7-47
Low Coolant Light .............................. 2-83
Low Oil Light ................................. 2-88
Low Traction Light ......................... 2-82. 4-9
Lubricants and Fluids ............................ 7-50
Lubrication Service. Body ........................ 7-45
Lumbar Controls ................................ 1-4
Main Fuse Block .............................. 6-70
Maintenance. Normal Replacem'ent Parts ............ 6-75
Maintenance
Record ............................ 7-52
............ 94