clock PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 User Guide

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
(VS Engine Only)
NOTICE:
The LS1 Engine (Code G) has a specific radiator
fill procedure. Failure
to follow this procedure
could cause your engine
to overheat and be
severely damaged.
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap
and upper radiator hose, is
no longer hot. Turn the
pressure cap slowly
to the left (counterclockwise)
until it fist stops. (Don't press down while turning
the pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
5-24

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The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a
tire.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you’ll need is in the right (passenger)
rear area behind the trim panel.
First
you must remove the close-out panel. See
“Close-Out Panel” in
the Index.
On convertible models,
you must also remove the
convertible top protection panel. It’s at the upper back
of the
trunk. Turn the two screw knobs under the trunk
edge a quarter turn (left) counterclockwise to remove
the panel.
5-28

Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire
Each wheel has one locknut in place of the standard
wheel nut.
A special wheel lock key (removal tool) and
instructions are located in the center console. Attach
the wheel lock key to the socket of the wheel
wrench. Remove the locking wheel
nut by turning
to the left (counterclockwise).
1. Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts.
Don’t remove them
yet.
5-32

3. Raise the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench to
the right (clockwise). Raise the vehicle far enough
off the ground so there is enough room for the spare
tire
to fit. Remove all the wheel nuts and take off
the flat tire.
4. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and
spare wheel.
A CAUTION:
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.
5-35

1 A CAUTION:
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.
5. 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.
6. Lower the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench to
the left (counterclockwise). Lower the jack
completely.
5-36

To remove the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The cap has a spring in it; if you let
go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the right.
L
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites
it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you
if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces
as soon as possible. See “Cleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle” in the Index. When you put the
cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear
a clicking sound. Make
sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left
off or
improperly installed. This would allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. See “Malfunction
Indicator Lamp” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
6-7

t
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3. Remove the headlamp plate that holds the bulb to the
housing, by removing the two screws on top
of the
bulb with a torx screwdriver.
'7
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4. Pull out the bulb and disconnect the electrical connector.
5. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Front limn Signal
1. Using a screwdriver, remove the screws from the
access panel under the vehicle. Move the access
panel out
of the way.
2. Turn the bulb and socket counterclockwise and
gently pull out.
3. Pull out the bulb.
4. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
6-39

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
To replace the bulb:
1. Remove the two screws in the stoplamp lens.
2. Gently pull the assembly out, turn the bulb
counterclockwise
and remove from the back of
the assembly.
3. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
6-40

Rear Sidemarker
To replace a rear sidemarker bulb:
1. Remove the screw from the sidemarker assembly.
2. To pull out the bulb housing, tilt the housing to
remove the end with the tab.
3. Turn the bulb and socket counterclockwise and
4. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways.
To remove the wiper blade assembly:
gently pull out.
1. Lift the wiper ann until it
locks into an upright position.
2. Press the locking clip in while sliding the blade
assembly down.
6-42

Fabric ...................................... 6-54
Glass
....................................... 6-56
Inside
of Your Pontiac ......................... 6-54
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-55
Interior Plastic Components
..................... 6-55
Leather
..................................... 6-55
Outside of Your Pontiac
........................ 6-57
Removable Roof Panel
......................... 6-57
Special Problems
............................. 6-54
Stains
...................................... 6-54
Tires
....................................... 6-59
Vinyl
....................................... 6-55
Wheels
..................................... 6-59
Windshield
and Wiper Blades ................... 6-56
Clock. Setting the
................................ 3-7
Close-Out Panel
................................ 2-59
Clutch. Hydraulic
............................... 6-26
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-2
Compact Disc
............................. 3.11. 3.12
CareofYour
................................. 3-22
Player
................................. 3.11. 3.12
Player Errors
........................... 3.13. 3.15
Trunk Mounted Player
......................... 3-14
CareofYour
................................. 3-22
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-40
Alarm/PanicMode
............................. 2-8
Feature Customization
......................... 2- 18
Content Theft-Deterrent System
................... 2- 14
Control of a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
Convertible Top
................................ 2-69 Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-58
Coolant
....................................... 6-27
Bleed Valves
................................. 5-22
Heater. Engine
............................... 2-29
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-19
Cooling
........................................ 3-3
Cooling System
................................ 5-17
Courtesy Lamps
................................ 2-55
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-8
Cruise Control
................................. 2-49
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users ......... 8-5
Customer Assistance Information ................... 8-1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8-3
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-60
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-59
Daytime Running Lamps ......................... 2-53
DeadBattery ................................... 5-3
Defects. Reporting Safety
........................ 8-10
Defensive Driving
............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-5
Defogging
..................................... 3-4
Defrosting
..................................... 3-4
Delayed Illumination
............................ 2-55
Dimensions. Vehicle ............................ 6-70
Dolby@
B Noise Reduction ....................... 3-10
Door Last Door Closed Locking
.................. 2-5. 2-19
Lockout Prevention ....................... 2-6. 2-19
Locks
....................................... 2-4
9-3