maintenance schedule PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 User Guide

When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be
at
60 psi (420 Pa).
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.
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v
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your Pontiac. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-5
7-5
7-6
Your Vehicle and the Environment
How This Section is Organized
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
Short TripKity Definition
Short TripKity Intervals
Long Tripmighway Definition 7-6
Long TripMighway Intervals
7-32 Part
B: Owner Checks and Services
7-36 Part
C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
7-38 Part
D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
7-40 Part
E: A Place to Maintenance Record

How This Section is Organized
The remainder of this section is divided into five parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your dealer’s service department or another qualified
service center do these jobs.
A CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured. Do your own maintenance
work
only if you have the required know-how
and the proper tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, have a qualified
technician do the work.
If you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle, you
will probably want to get the service
information. See “Service and Owner Publications’’
in the Index.
“Part B: Owner Checks and Services” tells
you what should be checked and when. It
also explains
what you can easily do
to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections”
explains important inspections that your dealer’s
service department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
lists some recommended products to help keep your
vehicle properly maintained. These products, or their
equivalents, should be used whether
you do the work
yourself or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record” provides a place
for you to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever any maintenance is performed, be
sure to write it down in this part. This will help
you
determine when your next maintenance should be done.
In addition,
it is a good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.
7-3

Part A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your vehicle
in good working condition. But we don’t know exactly
how you’ll drive it. You may drive
very short distances
only a few times a week. Or
you may drive long
distances
all the time in very hot, dusty weather. You
may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you may
drive
it to work, to do errands or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you’ll find
in the schedules in this section.
So please read this
section and note
how you drive. If you have any
questions on how
to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your Pontiac dealer.
This
part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them.
If you
go to your dealer for your service needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine
GM parts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Part D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
these.
All parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you
or anyone else drives
the vehicle.
These schedules
are for vehicles that:
0 carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You
will find these limits on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label.
See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving
limits.
0 use the recommended fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
7-4

Maintenance Schedule
Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short TripKity 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.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
0 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 soonez
your vehicle.
or other commercial application.
Short TripKity 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): 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 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
7-5

Maintenance Schedule
1 Short fip/City Intervals I 11 Long TripMighway Intervals
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
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 maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
I Long Trip/Highway Definition I
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 a filly warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine
oil to break
down slowel:
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (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 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions).
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.
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 maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
7-6

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 OOO 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).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
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.
+ 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.
7-7

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever OCCUTS first).
An Emission Control Service.
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs fist).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is used to pull a trailer or has
An Emission Control Service.
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
limited-slip differential.
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is used to pull a trailer.
An Emission Control Service.
I DATE I
DATE 1
I DATE I
MILEAGE
I I
DATE I
ml MILEAGE
7-8

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions.
Replace filter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote?.)
under one
or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly r\
eaches
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
90°F (32°C) or higher.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid
andfilter every
50,000 miles (83 000 krn).
DATE I
MILEAGE
7-9

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I ~
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
0
.
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs fist).
An Emission Control Service.
Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is used to pull a trailer.
DATE I
21,000 Miles (35 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
24,000 Miles (40 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is used to pull a trailer.
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
An Emission Control Service.
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
27,000 Miles (45 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
MILEAGE
DATE I
7-10