Oil change PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual

~ Rust or dirt on the
wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the 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 the places
where the wheel attaches 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.
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a serious accident,
Replace the wheel nuts with the rounded end of the
nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand
until the wheel is held against the hub.
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When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll
need to add some oil. But you must use the right
kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use, For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index,
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating
range, your engine could be damaged,
b-
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute
(BPI). Do not use any oil which
does not
carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
c the Starburst symbol on the
you have your oil changed
: for you, be sure the oil put ’ into your engine is
American Pewoleurn
P Institute certified for
L be sure you use oil that has
P front of the oil container. If
I --- gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle,
as shown in the following chart:
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RECl"ENDE0 SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY Gmmw= JL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
/

WEATHER
COLD
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
SAL SW-30 ..
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY
OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
3800 Engine
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3800 engine, SAE
1OW-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 5W-30 if it's going to be colder than 60°F (16OC)
before your next oil change. When it's very cold, you
should use SAE 5W-30. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 2OW-50.
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NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
ccStarburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20°F (-29”C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Pontiac dealer is
ready
to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance
schedule:
a
e
e
e
a
lvlost trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need
to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the
oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
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What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
dements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even c’ause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your
skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing
used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and dispusal
of oil products.)
Used oil
can be a real threat to the environment, If you
change your
own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose
of oil
by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers,
or into streams or bodies of? water, Instead,
recycle it by taking it to
a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center
for help.
Air Cleaner
3800 Engine
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1 Vf a I IJ
If you have the 5.7L LT1 engine (with the WS6 option),
your air cleaner will be located over the radiator near the
front
of the engine.
To remove the filter, remove the screws (located on the
rear edge of the air cleaner), lift the air cleaner and
remove
the filter.
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
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
regularly reaches
90” F (32” C) or higher.
0 Uses such as high
performance operation.
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
conditions, change the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles ( 166 000 km),
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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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
I 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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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

Capacities (Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in
English. and metric conversions. Please refer to
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index
for more information.
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 ....... 2 1.6 pints (10.2 L)*
Cooling System
VIN Engine Code K
With Manual Transmission . . 12.5 quarts (11.8 L)
With Automatic Transmission 12.3 quarts (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)
Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change
3800 (VIN K) ........... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)**
5.7L (VIN P ) ............ 5.0 quarts (4.7 L)**
Fuel Tank
.................. 15.5 gallons (58.7 L)
Manual Transmission
Five-Speed
........... , . 6.8 pints (3.2 L)*
Six-Speed .......... ..... 8.0 pints (3.8L)*
Rear Axle Lubricant ............ 3.5 pints (1.7L)
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
If you’re not sure, ask your Pontiac dealer,
* Recheck fluid level after filling. See “Automatic
Transmission Fluid”
or “Manual Transmission Fluid”
in the Index.
** Recheck the oil level after filling. See “Engine Oil”
in
the Index.
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