steering PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 Owner's Guide

TAIL LPS HVAC
PWR ACCY
COURTESY
GAUGES
Fuse Usage
RADIO ACCY Delco Monsoon Radio Amplifier, Power Antenna, Remote CD
Player (trunk)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Module, Headlamp Switch
HVAC Selector Switch, Rear
Defogger Switch/Timer
Park Lamp Relay, Hatch
Release Relay, Power Mirror Switch, Radio,
Shock Sensor,
Instrument Cluster
Body Control Module (BCM)
Body Control Module (BCM),
Brake Switch Assembly
(BTSI),
Instrument Cluster, Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) Module
AIR BAG Air Bag, Dual Pole Arming Sensor
CIGAFUACCY Cigar Lighter, Data Link
Connector (DLC), Auxiliary
Accessory Wire
Defogger Timermelay, Power Seats
DEFOGBEATS Rear Defogger Switch/Timer, Rear WINDOWS
I/p DIMMER
RADIO
Usage
Steering Wheel Controls
Fuse
STG WHEEL
CNTRL
WIPEWASH Wiper Motor Assembly,
Wiper/Washer Switch
Power Windows Switch
(RH, LH),
Express-Down Module, Coolant
Level Latching Module, Convertible Top Switch
Door Illumination Lamp
(RH,
LH), Headlamp Switch, Fog Lamp
Switch, Instrument Cluster,
HVAC
Control Assembly, PRNDL
Illumination Lamp, Ashtray Lamp,
Radio, Steering Wheel
Controls-Radio, Rear Window
Defogger Switch/Timer, Traction
Control Switch
(TCS) and 2nd
Gear Start Switch
Body Control Module (BCM),
Radio, Amplifier, Steering
Wheel
Controls-Radio
6-65

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your dealer’s service
department or other qualified service center do these
jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are completed
at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing
parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines
and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks.
cracks, chafing, etc.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause a heat build-up in the floor pan
or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust”
in
the Index.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect a11 pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside
of the radiator
and air conditioning condenser. To help
ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap is recommended at least once
a year.
7-36

Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from
your dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
Hydraulic Brake System
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine Oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil’’
in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and use only
GM Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL@
or Havoline@ DEX-COOL@
Coolant. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index.
Delco Supreme 11
@ Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT-3 Brake Fluid).
USAGE
Hydraulic Clutch
System
Power Steering System
Manual
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Key Lock
Cylinders
Clutch Linkage
Pivot Points
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid (GM Part
No. 12345347 or equivalent
DOT-3 Brake Fluid).
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part No. 1052884 - 1 pint,
1050017 - 1 quart, or equivalent).
DEXRON@-111 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
DEXRON@-I11 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Purgse Lubricant,
Superlube (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Engine Oil.
7-38

1998 PONTIAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1998 PONTIAC
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1998 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated RO. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual
will include the Maintenance
Schedule for
all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $1
0.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model
GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-MasterCarcCDisr)

Section 9 Index
Accessory Plug ............................... 2-62
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle ...... 6-3
Air Bag ....................................... 1-22
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-26
How it Works ................................ 1-24
Location .................................... 1-24
Readiness Light ......................... 1.23. 2.81
Servicing ................................... 1-27
What Makes it Inflate .......................... 1-25
What Will You See After it Inflates ............... 1-26
When Should it Inflate ......................... 1-25
Aircleaner .................................... 6-18
Air Conditioning ................................ 3-3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-70
Aircontrol ..................................... 3-2
Air Filter Replacement ........................... 6- 19
Alarm. Content Theft-Deterrent System ............. 2- 14
AlarmPanicMode ............................... 2-8
Alignment and Balance. Tire ...................... 6-51
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning ...................... 6-59
Antenna. Power ................................ 3-22
Antifreeze ..................................... 6-27
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.82. 4.7
Anti-Theft, Radio .............................. 3-17
Appearance Care ............................... 6-53
Appearance Care Materials Chart .................. 6-61
Arbitration Program .............. ............ 8-9
Ashtray and Lighter ........................... 2-60
Audio Equipment, Adding ........................ 3-20
Audio Steering Wheel Controls .................... 3-19
Audio Systems .................................. 3-7
Auto-Down Window ............................ 2-45
Automatic Overdrive ............................ 2-32
Automatic Transmission
Check
...................................... 7-33
Fluid ....................................... 6-20
Operation ................................... 2-30
Park Mechanism Check ........................ 7-35
Shifting ..................................... 2-30
StartingYourEngine .......................... 2-26
Brakes ...................................... 4-7
Axle, Limited-Slip Rear ......................... 2-44
Axle, Rear .................................... 6-27
9-1

Hydraulic Clutch System Check ................... 7-33
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4- 19
If a Tile Goes Flat .............................. 5-27
Transmission Lock Check
...................... 7-35
Ignition Positions
............................... 2-24
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-45
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-57
Inspections
.................................... 7-36
Brake System
................................ 7-37
Engine Cooling System
........................ 7-36
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-36
RearAxle
................................... 7-37
Steering .................................... 7-36
Suspension
.................................. 7-36
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-37
Instrumentpanel
............................... 2-76
Brightness Control
............................ 2-55
Cleaning
.................................... 6-55
Cluster
..................................... 2-78
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-55
.................................... J ack. Tire 5-30
Jumpstarting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-33
Key Release Button
............................. 2-25
Keyless Entry Lock Verification. Remote
............ 2-20
Keyless Entry System. Remote
..................... 2-6
Keys
.......................................... 2-2 Labels
Certification
................................. 4-30
Service Parts Identification ..................... 6-62
Tire-Loading Information
..................... -4-30
Vehicle Identification Number ................... 6-62
Courtesy
.................................... 2-55
Interior
..................................... 2-55
On Reminder
................................ 2-52
Last Door Closed Locking ......................... 2-5
Last Door Closed Locking and Lockout Prevention .... 2-20
Latches. Front Seatback
........................... 1-7
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-6
Leaving
Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-40
Lighter
....................................... 2-60
Lights
Lamps
Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1.23. 2.77
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.83. 4.7
Brake
System Warning ......................... 2-82
CheckGages
................................ 2-90
LowCoolant
................................. 2-85
Low Oil
.................................... 2-89
Low Traction
............................ 2.84. 4.9
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1.9. 2.80
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-85
Traction Control System Warning
............ 2.83. 4.9
Limited-Slip Differential. Rear Axle
................ 6-27
Loading
Your Vehicle ........................... 4-30
Lockout Prevention
......................... 2.6. 2.20
9-6

Oil. Engine .................................... 6- 12
Oil Pressure Gage .............................. 2-88
Overdrive. Automatic Transmission ................ 2-32
Overheating Engine ............................. 5- 15
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-32
Owner Publications. Ordering ..................... 8- 12
paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-60
PARK (P)
Automatic Transmission ....................... 2-30
Shifting Into ................................. 2-39
Shifting Out of ............................... 2-41
AtNight .................................... 2-13
Brake ...................................... 2-44
Brake Mechanism Check ....................... 7-35
Lots ....................................... 2-13
OverThingsThatBurn ........................ 2-42
With a Trailer ................................ 4-38
Parking Your Vehicle. Manual Transmission .......... 2-41
Passenger Position ......................... 1-22. 1-28
PASS-Key (8, II ................................. 2-17
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .................. 7-36
Pontiac Cares Information ......................... 8-2
Power
Antenna
Mast Care ............................ 3-22
DoorLocks ................................... 2-5
Option Fuses ................................ 6-63
Remote Control Mirror ........................ 2-57
Parking
Passing
....................................... 4-13
Retained Accessory ........................... 2-56
Six-WaySeat ................................. l-3
Steering .................................... 4-10
SteeringFluid ................................ 6-31
Windows ................................... 2-45
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts .................... 1-21
Problems on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner ................... 8-12
Radiator ................................ 5.21. 5.24
Radiator Pressure Cap ........................... 6-31
Radio Reception ................................ 3-20
Radios .......................... 3.7.3.8.3.11. 3.12
Rain. DrivingIn ................................ 4-17
Rear
RAP ......................................... 2-56
Axle ....................................... 6-27
Lamp Bulb Replacement ....................... 6-41
Seat Passengers .............................. 1-28
Sidemarker Bulb Replacement ................... 6-42
Towing ..................................... 5-13
Window Defogger ............................. 3-5
Rearview Mirror, Inside Daymight ................. 2-57
Reclining Front Seatbacks ......................... 1-5
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............... 7-38
Recovery Tank. Coolant .......................... 5-19
Refrigerants, Air Conditioning .................... 6-70

Second Gear. Automatic Transmission .............. 2-33
Second-Gear
Start .............................. 2-34
Service
........................................ 6-2
Bulletins. Ordering ............................ 8-12
Engine Soon Light ............................ 2-85
Manuals. Ordering ............................ 8-12
Parts Identification Label ....................... 6-62
Publications. Ordering ......................... 8- 12
Work. Doing Your Own ......................... 6-2
Service and Appearance Care ...................... 6-1
Service and Owner Publications ................... 8- 12
Servicehblications ............................. 8-12
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac ........... 1-27
Sheet Metal Damage ............................ 6-59
Shift Speeds ................................... 2-37
shifting Automatic Transmission
....................... 2-30
Into
PARK (P) ............................... 2-39
out of PARK (P) ............................. 2-41
Shifting. Manual Transmission .................... 2-35
SignalingTurns ................................ 2-46
Six-Way Power Seat ............................. 1-3
Skidding ...................................... 4-14
Sound Equipment. Adding ........................ 3-20
Spare Tire. Compact ............................. 5-40
Specifications and Capacities ...................... 6-68
Specifications. Engine ........................... 6-68
Sportseat ...................................... 1-4
ShiftLever .................................... 2-30
Speech Impaired. Customer Assistance ............... 8-5
Speedometer ................................... 2-79
SRS ......................................... 1-22
Stains. Cleaning ................................ 6-55
Standard Differential. Rear Axle ................... 6-26
Starter Switch Check ............................ 7-34
Starting Your Engine ............................ 2-26
Steam ........................................ 5-15
Steering ...................................... 4-10
In Emergencies ............................... 4-11
Power ...................................... 4-10
Tips ........................................ 4-10
Wheel. Tilt .................................. 2-46
Wheel Touch Controls ......................... 3-19
Storage Compartments
........................... 2-58
Storage.
Vehicle ................................ 6-37
Stuck In Sand, Mud. Ice or Snow .................. 5-41
Sunshades. T-Top ............................... 2-67
Supplemental Restraint System .................... 1-22
Symbols. Vehicle .................................. v
TapePlayerCare ............................... 3-21
Temperature Control Knob ........................ 3-2
Theft Arming Method ........................... 2-21
Theft Arming Verification ........................ 2-22
Theft-Deterrent System. Content ................... 2-14
Arming the System ............................ 2-15
Disarming the System ......................... 2-16
Turning Off the Alarm ......................... 2-16
Sunvisors .................................... 2-61
Tachometer .................................. 2-79
Theft ......................................... 2-13
9-10

THEFTLOCK TM (Theft-Deterrent Feature) ........... 3- 17
Thermostat .................................... 6-3 1
Third Gear. Automatic Transmission ................ 2-32
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-46
Tire. Storing Tire and Tools
....................... 5-38
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-52
TireLoading ................................... 4-30
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-30
Tires
......................................... 6-44
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-51
Buying New ................................. 6-49
Chains
..................................... 6-52
Changing a Flat
.............................. 5-27
Cleaning
.................................... 6-59
Compact Spare
............................... 5-40
Inflation
.................................... 6-45
Inflation Check
............................... 7-32
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-46
Loading
.................................... 4-30
Pressure
.................................... 6-45
Temperature
................................. 6-5 1
Traction .................................... 6-50
Treadwear
................................... 6-50
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-50
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-48
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-5 1
When It’s Time for New ....................... 6-48
TopStrap
..................................... 1-39
TorqueLock
................................... 2-40 Torque. Wheel Nut
....................... 5.37. 6.68
TowingaTrailer
................................ 4-32
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Control System ................................ 4-8
Backing Up with
............................. 4-36
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-37
Engine Cooling When Towing
................... 4-38
Following Distance
........................... 4-36
Hitches ..................................... 4-35
If You Do Decide To Pull
A ..................... 4-33
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-38
MakingTurns
................................ 4-37
ParkingonHills
.............................. 4-38
Traction
Control
Off Button ............................. 4-10
Control System Warning Light
.............. 2.83. 4.9
Trailer
Brakes
..................................... 4-35
Drivingwith
................................. 4-36
Passing with
................................. 4-36
Safety Chains
................................ 4-35
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-35
Tongueweight
............................... 4-34
Towing
..................................... 4-32
Turnsignals
................................. 4-37
Weight
..................................... 4-33
Automatic ................................... 6-20
Manual
..................................... 6-24
Transmitters, Remote Keyless Entry
................. 2-6
9-11