oil dipstick PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual

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A. Cool - ~ : Zecovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Fan
I /A CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing
and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside th'e coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't
do anything else until it cools down.
When it is cool, remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and look at the dipstick.
The coolant l'evel should be at
FULL COLD.
If it isn't, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
5-16

When you open the hood of the 3800 engine you’ll see:
A, Engine Coolant Reservoir E. Engine Fan I, Brake Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery F. Windshield Washer Reservoir J. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
C. Oil Fill Cap G. Power Steering Reservoir
D. Automatic Transmission H. Engine Oil Dipstick (if
equipped) K. Air Cleaner
Dipstick (if equipped)
6-10

When you open the hood of the 5.7L engine you'll see:
A
ti
A, Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Power Steering Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Battery
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
F. Fan
G. Windshield Washer Reservoir
H. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (if equipped)
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
K. Air Cleaner
(if
equipped)

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

3800 Engine
3800 L36 (Code K) Oil Dipstick
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan.
If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show
the actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5.7L Engine

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:
6-14