service interval PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual

When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
uon’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure.
You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may
look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See “When It’s
Time for New Tires” and
“Wheel Replacement’’ later in this section for
more information. The
purpose
of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation
is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
If you don’t have P245/5OZR16 or P275/40ZR17
Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires, use the rotation pattern
shown above for your tires.
6-51

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

Short TriplCity Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km).
Footnotes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed
at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the steering and shift linkage.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspection”
in Part C of this schedule.
++ If you drive in a highly corrosive environment, your
front brake calipers may require additional inspection
and service, at every other tire rotation. See
“Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection” under
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in Part C
of
this schedule.

Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles (240
000 km).
Footnotes
? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior
to the
completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at
the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
## Lubricate the steering and shift linkage.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” in
Part C of this schedule.
++ If you drive in a highly corrosive environment, your
front brake calipers may require additional inspection
and service, at every other tire rotation. See
“Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection” under
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in Part C of
this schedule.

Part B: Owner Checks and Services Engine Coolant Level Check
Listed below are owner checks and services which Check the engine co’olant level and add DEX-COOL@
should be performed at the intervals specified to help coolant mix if necessary, See “Engine Coolant” in the
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control Index for further details.
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs
are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make
sure they are the proper ones, as shown in
Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
If is importunt for you or a sewice statim attendant tu
peqfiorm these underhood checks ut eachfielfill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index €or
further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield
washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
“Tires”
in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
7-44

Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the
date, odometer reading and who performed the service
in the boxes provided after the maintenance interval.
Any additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance”
can be added on
the following record pages. Also, you should retain all
maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio
is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE
READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
7-52

Maintenance Schedule ............................ 7- 1
Long TripMighway Definition ................... 7-6
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-44
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-48
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 7-50
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City Definition ....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals ........................ 7-5
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-66
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-84
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
Manual Mirror
................................. 2-56
Manual Transmission
Check
...................................... 7-45
Fluid
....................................... 6-27
Shifting ..................................... 2-32
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-26
Map Pocket ................................... 2-58
Methanol
...................................... 6-5
Mirrors ....................................... 2-56
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-57
Inside Day/Night Rearview ..................... 2-56
Manual
..................................... 2-56
Manual Remote Control ........................ 2-56
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-57
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-60
MountainRoads
................................ 4-23
Multifunction Lever ............................. 2-44
Neutral. Automatic Transmission ................. 2-29
Neutral. Manual Transmission
................ 2.32. 2.34
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-23
Night Vision
................................... 4-16
Odometer
.................................... 2-77
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-77
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-12
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-12
Overdrive, Automatic Transmission
................ 2-30
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-14
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-44
Owner Publications, Ordering
................... 8-12
Paint Spotting. Chemical
....... ............ 6-66
Park
Automatic Transmission ....................... 2-28
Shifting Into ................................. 2-38
Shifting
Out of ............................... 2-40
AtNight
.................................... 2-12
Brake
...................................... 2-37
Brake Mechanism
Check ....................... 7-47
Lots
....................................... 2-12
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-41
With a Trailer
................................ 4-38
Parking Your Vehicle, Manual Transmission
.......... 2-40
Passenger Position
......................... 1-21, 1-27
Parking
9-7