warning PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owner's Guide

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
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” 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
80W-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 4 ounces
(1 18 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 s stem in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL 8 engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240
000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
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
50150 mixture’ of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
e Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.

NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) c’oolant.
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 ckan water (preferably
distilled)
and one-half DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts. If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
I
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 50J50 mix of clean
water and DEX-COOL’coolant.
6-30

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.
0 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.
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 firmly).
I
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When
you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have
your vehicle serviced.
6-38

Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B,
and C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and
concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required
by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire
is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation,
or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are
not needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If
you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.

Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are tuxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them
on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in
a closed space,
When you
use anything from a container to clean your
Pontiac, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors ‘or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
0 Gasoline
0 Benzene
0 Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
0 Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too. Don’t
use
any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
0 Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
0 Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Pontiac
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Pontiac dealer has two cleaners, a solvent-type
spot lifter and a foam-type powdered cleaner. They will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
Do not use
them
on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
1. Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
2. Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
3. Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area
4. Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
often,
A soft brush may be used if stains
are stubborn.
only.
If YOU use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
5. If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or it will set.
6-58

Section 9 Index
Accessory Plug ............................. 2-61
AirBag
....................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-25
How it Works ................................ 1-23
Location
.................................... 1-23
Readiness Light
......................... 1.22. 2.78
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-24
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-24
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-18
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-74
Air Control. Climate Control System ................. 3-2
Alarm. Content Theft-Deterrent ................... 2- 13
Alarm/PanicMode ............................... 2-7
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-55
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-64
Antenna. Power
................................ 3-24
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-29
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-80. 4-7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Anti-Theft. Radio
.............................. 3- 19
Appearance Care ............................... 6-58
Servicing ................................... 1- 26 Appearance Care Materials
...... .......... 6-67
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-9
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-59
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control ....... 3-21
Audio Equipment. Adding ........................ 3-22
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-6
Automatic Overdrive ............................ 2-30
Automatic Transmission
Check
...................................... 7-45
Fluid
....................................... 6-22
Operation ................................... 2-28
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-47
Shifting ..................................... 2-28
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-25
Axle. Limited-Slip Rear ......................... 2-36
Axle. Rear
.................................. 6-29
Battery ...................................... 6-40
Jump Starting ................................. 5-3
Warnings
................................ 5-3. 5-5
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-9
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-9
Blizzard . . ... ................. 4-28
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry ............... 2-9

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

Electrical Equipment. Adding .......... 2.26.3.22. 6.68
Electrical System ............................... 6-68
Coolant Heater ............................... 2-27
Coolant Level Check .......................... 7-44
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-83
Identification ................................ 6-68
Overheating
................................. 5-14
RunningWhileParked
......................... 2-42
Specifications
................................ 6-73
Engine .................................. 6-10. 6-11
Coolant
..................................... 6-29
Exhaust
..................................... 2-41
FuseBlocks
................................. 6-70
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-44
StartingYour ................................ 2-25
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-14
Checking ................................... 6-13
Used ....................................... 6-18
Ethanol
........................................ 6-5
Additives ................................... 6-1'7
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-87
Whentochange
.............................. 6-17
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-4 1
Exit Lighting ............................. 2-18. 2-54
Exit Lightingmelayed Illumination ................. 2- 18
Express-Down Window .......................... 2-43
Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-59
Fan Control. Climate Control System
................ 3-2
Feature Customization ........................... 2- 17
Exit Lighting ................................ 2-18
Last Door Closed Locking
...................... 2-19
Lockout Prevention
........................... 2-19
Remote Keyless
Entry Control Verification ......... 2-19
Theft-Deterrent Arming Method
................. 2-20
Theft-Deterrent Arming Verification
.............. 2-21
Fifth Gear. Manual Transmission
.............. 2-32. 2-34
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-6
Filter. Engine Oil
............................... 6-17
Finishcare
.................................... 6-63
Finish Damage ................................. 6-65
First
Gear. Automatic Transmission ................ 2-31
First Gear. Manual Transmission .............. 2-32. 2-33
Flashers. Hazar'd Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-26
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 7-50
Folding Rear Seatback ............................ 1-7
Foreign Countries. Fuel ........................... 6-5
Fourth Gear. Manual Transmission
............ 2-32. 2-34
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1-3
Frontconsole .................................. 2-58
Delayed 11.lumination
Driver's
Door Alarm Delay/Shock Sensor Enable ... 2-22 2-18
..........................
Filter. Air ..................................... 6-20
FloorMats
.................................... 2-61
FogLamps
.................................... 2-53
French Language Manual 11
FrontTowing .................................. 5-10
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement .......... 6-43
.. ...........................

Fuel ................. ........... 6-3
Filling Your Tank .............................. 6-6
Gage ....................................... 2-89
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-69 Headlamps
................................ 2-5 1
HighLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-45
On Reminder ................................ 2-51
Wiring
..................................... 6-69
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 8-5
High-Beam Headlamps 2-45
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Heating
........................................ 3-4
Engine
(khnt Temperature .................... 2-83 Hill and Mountain Roads ......................... 4-23
Engine oil Pra~re
........................... 2-87 Hitches. Trailer ................................. 4-35
..........................
Gages
Fuel
....................................... 2-89 Hood
GAWR
....................................... 4-30 Checking Things Under ......................... 6-8
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission ............. 2-28 ......................................
Gear Positions. Manual Transmission 2-32.2-33. 2-34 Horn 2-43
Release 6-9
Graphic Equalizer
......................... 3-10? 3-14 Hydraulic Clutch System Check ................... 7-45
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-30
Guide en Frangais
. . ' * all
..... .........................................
Glove Box .................................... 2-58 Hydraulic Clutch ............................... 6-28
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-30 Hydroplaning .................................. 4-19
.. ....................
GVWR ................................ .. 4-30 Ignition Switch ................................ 2-23
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-50
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-56
Halogen Bulbs .......... ............ 6-41 Inspections .................................... 7-48
Hatch
........................................ 2-10 Brakesystem ................................ 7-48
Hatch Release .................................. 2- 11 Caliper/Knuckle .............................. 7-49
Hatch Release. Remote .......................... 2- 11 Exhaust Systems ............................. 7-48
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-2 Radiator and Heater Hose ...................... 7-48
Head Restraints
................................. 1-6 RearAxle 7-48
Headlamp
Bulb Replacement ...................... 6-4 1 Steering .................................... 7-48
Headlamp
Doors ............................... 2-52 Suspension .................................. 7-48
Throttle Linkage .............................. 7-48
...................................
9-5

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