differential PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual

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.

Maintenance Schedule
I Short TriplCity Definition I
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one
of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
or other commercial application.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down soonex
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first). Tire Rotation.
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) of Trailering: Rear
Axle Fluid Change (Vehicles Towing Trailers).
At the First 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Rear Axle Fluid
Change (Limited-Slip Differential).
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions. Automatic
Transmission
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions).
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete muintenance schedule on
the following pages.
I- 7-5

Maintenance Schedule
n
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Do not use this schedule if the vehicle
is used for trailer towing, driven in
a dusty area or used
off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City schedule for
these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with n fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down sluwm
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change
(or every 12 months, whichever occurs first),
Chassis Lubrication (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). Tire Rotation,
At the First 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Rear Axle Fluid
Change (Limited-Slip Differential),
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 109,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions).
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service
(or every 60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be
sure to follow the cornnlete maintenance schedule on
the following pages,
7-6

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 1
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Sewice.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Ernissi’on Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
(See footnote +,)
0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if
vehicle is used to pull a trailer or has
limited-sliD differential.
~
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY -

Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
e3 Change engine ‘oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
c] Lubricate chassis components (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
An Emission Control Service.
El Change the rear axle gear lubricant if the
vehicle has limited-slip differential.
17 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional informatiion.
(See footnote
t-.)
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE (SERVICED BY: I
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate chassis components (OF every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
An Emission Control Service.
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F
(32’ C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
7-32

USAGE
Floor Shift
Linkage
Chassis
Lubrication
Rear Axle
(Standard
Differential)
Rear Axle (Limited-Slip
Differential)
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol
(GM Part No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI # 2
Category LB or GC-LB.
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI # 2, Category LB or
Axle Lubricant
(GM Part
No. 12345977) or SAE 80W-90
GL-5 Gear Lubricant.
Axle Lubricant (GM Part
No. 12345977) and 4 ounces
(1 18 ml) of Limited-Slip
Differential Lubricant Additiv’e
(GM Part
No. 1052358 or
equivalent)
where required.
See “Rear Axle” in the Index.
GC-LB.
USAGE
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Pivots, Spring Anchor and
Release Pawl
Hood and Door
Hinges
Weatherstrip
Conditioning
FLUID/LUBRICANT
GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
(GM Part No. 1051515)
or equivalent.
Lubriplate lubricant
aerosol
(GM Part No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI ## 2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Multi-pu ose lubricant,
Superlube
% (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM
Part No. 12345579 or equivalent).
See “Replacement Parts”
in the Index for recommended
replacement filters and spark plugs.
7-51

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

Specmcauons ana Capacities ...................... 6-73
Specifications. Engine ........................... 6-93
Speech hpaired. Customer Assistance ............... 8-5
Sportscat ...................................... 1-4
Stains, Cleaning ................................ 6-59
Standard Differential. Rear Axle ................... 6-29
Starter Switch Check ............................ 7-46
Starting Your Engine ............................ 2-25
Steering ...................................... 4-10
Column Lock Check .......................... 7-47
In Emergencies ............................... 4- 11
Tips ........................................ 4- 10
Wheel. Tilt .................................. 2-44
Wheel Touch Controls ......................... 3-21
Storage Areas .................................. 2-58
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-40
Stuck: In Sand. Mud, Ice or Snow .................. 5-39
Sunshades. T-Top ............................... 2-66
Supplemental Restraint System .................... 1-21
Symbols. Vehicle .................................. v
S~~dometer ................................... 2-77
SRS ......................................... 1-21
Steam ........................................ 5-14
Power ...................................... 4-10
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-60
Synchronization ................................. 2-8
Tachometer .................................. 2-77
Temperature Control. Climate Control System ......... 3-2
TapePlayerCare ............................... 3-23
Theft ......................................... 2-12
Arming Verification ........................... 2-21
DisarEning ................................... 2-15
Feature,
CD Player ............................ 3-19
Third Gear, Automatic Transmission ................ 2-30
Third Gear, Manual Transmission ............. 2-32, 2-34
Tilt Steering Wheel ............................. 2-44
Time, Setting the ................................ 3-6
Tire , Storing Tire and Tools ...................... 5-36
Tire Chains .................................... 6-57
Tire Loading ................................... 4-30
Tire-Loading Information Label ................... 4-30
Alignment and Balance ........................ 6-55
Buying New ................................. 6-53
Changing a Flat .............................. 5-26
Compact Spare ............................... 5-38
Inflation Check ............................... 7-44
Inspection and Rotation ........................ 6-51
Pressure .................................... 6-50
Temperature ................................. 6-55
Traction .................................. 6-55
Theft-Deterrent
ArmingMethod
.............................. 2-20
THEFTLOCK”” ................................ 3-19
Thermostat ..................................... 6-33
Tires ......................................... 6-49
Chains ..................................... 6-57
Cleaning
..................................... 6-65
Inflation .................................... 6-50
Loading
.................................... 4-30
9-10