differential PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 Owners Manual

How to Check Limited-Slip Differential
The proper fluid should be added if the level is below
the
STEP mark on the reservoir. See the instructions on
the reservoir cap.
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Standard Differential
Use SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lubricant (GM Part
No. 12378261) or equivalent meeting GM
Specification
9986 1 15.
To add lubricant when the level is low, use SAE 75W-90
Synthetic Gear Lubricant (GM Part No. 12378261) or
equivalent meeting
GM Specification 99861 15. To
completely refill after draining, add
4 ounces (1 18 ml)
of Limited-Slip Differential Lubricant Additive (GM
Part No. 1052358) or equivalent. Then fill to the bottom
of the filler plug hole with Synthetic Gear Lubricant.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL
8 engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240
000 kmb whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to
your radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
6-27

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 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 Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
17 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if the vehicle has limited-slip differential.
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the I\
ndex for proper
An Emission Control Service.
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
DATE I
MILEAGE
0
0
Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Sewice.
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more
of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
MILEAGE
90°F (32°C) or higher.
0
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid
andfilter every
50,000 miles (83 000 km).
Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the I\
ndex for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
7-23

USAGE
Floor Shift
Linkage
Chassis
Lubrication
Rear Axle
(Standard
Differential)
I
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Lubriplate@ Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part
No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI # 2
Category LB or GC-LB.
Chassis Lubricant (GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear
Lubricant
(GM Part No. 12378261
or equivalent meeting GM
Specification 9986 1 15.
Rear Axle (Limited-Slip
Differential)
USAGE
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hood Latch
Assembly, Secondary Latch,
Pivots,
Spring
Anchor and
Release Pawl
Hood and Door
Hinges
Weatherstrip
Conditioning
FLUIDLUBRICANT
__~
GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
(GM
Part No. 1051515) or
equivalent.
Lubriplate@ Lubricant AerosoI
(GM
Part No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI # 2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Multi-Pu ose Lubricant,
Superlube
% (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear
Lubricant (GM Part
No. 12378261)
or equivalent meeting GM
Specification
9986115. With a
complete
drain and refd add
4 ounces (1 18 ml) of Limited-Slip
Differential Lubricant Additive
(GM Part No. 1052358 or
equivalent) where required.
See “Rear Axle” in the Index. Dielectric Silicone
Grease
(GM
Part No. 12345579 or equivalent).
7-39

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

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