wheel size PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 Owners Manual

Replace the jack, wheel wrench and flat tire using the
storage instructions. When
you replace the trim panel,
be sure to tuck it under the weatherstrip.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Trim Panel
Bolt
Cover
Jack
Wing Nut Adapter
Compact Spare Tire
Full-Size Tire Carpet
Flap
Tire Storage Bolt Convertible
Top Protection
Knob
5-39

Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check
the inflation pressure regularly. It should be 60 psi
(420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop
as soon as possible and make sure your spare
tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare is made to
perfom well at speeds up
to 65 mph (105 km/h) for
distances
up to 3,000 miles (5 OOO km), so you can finish
your trip and have your full-size tire repaired or replaced
where you want. (When the compact spare is used on the
rear axle, see Notice following.) Of course, it’s best to
replace
your spare with a full-size tire as soon as you can.
Your spare will last longer and be in good shape in case
you need it again.
NOTICE:
If the compact spare is used as a rear tire, do not
drive faster than
50 mph (80 M). Damage to
the rear axle may occur if the compact spare is
driven faster than
50 mph (80 km/h).
NOTICE:
When the compact spare is installed, don’t take
your vehicle through
an automatic car wash with
guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on
the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
5-40

After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that
all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in
the Index.
1 A CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it
is fastened, can make 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 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. (See
“Changing
a Flat Tire” in the Index.) When
It’s Time for New Tires
One
way to tell when it’s
time for new
tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when
your tires have
only
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less
of tread remaining.
You need a new tire
if any of the following statements
are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough
to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
0 The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because
of the size or location
of the damage.
6-48

Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec) number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that
are designed
to
give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle.
If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an
“MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted
or radial) as your original tires.
A CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may
not handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires
of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though.
It was developed for use on your vehicle.
’ A, CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial-ply
tires
with the wheels on your vehicle.
6-49

Used Replacement Wheels
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous.
It could affect the braking and
handling
of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured.
Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.
I NOTICE:
~
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or
tire chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for
more information.
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
If you have to replace a
wheel, use
a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
I NOTICE:
If your vehicle has P235/55R16, P245/50ZR16 or
P275/40ZR17 size tires, don’t use tire chains.
They can damage your vehicle because there’s
not enough clearance.
NOTICE: (Continued)
6-52 1

NOTICE: (Continued)
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions.
To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit, install
them on the rear tires.
If you have other tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use only
SAE Class
“S” type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the rear tires and tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast
or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them
on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous
if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be
sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
0 Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
6-53

Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER USAGE DESCRIPTION
SIZE
994954 Exterior polishing cloth
Polishing Cloth - Wax Treated 23 in. x 25 in.
1050172 Removes tar, road oil and asphalt
Tar and Road Oil Remover 16 oz. (0.473 L)
1050173
Cleans and lightly waxes
Wash Wax Concentrate 16 oz. (0.473 L) 1052870 Removes dirt, grime, smoke and fingerprints
Glass Cleaner
23 oz. (0.680 L) 1050427
Cleans vinyl tops, upholstery and convertible tops Vinyl Cleaner\
32 oz. (0.946 L) 1050214
Removes soil and black marks from whitewalls
White Sidewall Tire Cleaner 16 oz. (0.473 L) 1050174
Use on chrome, stainless steel, nickel, copper and brass Chrome Cleaner and Polish 16 oz. (0.473 L)
~~
1052918”” Armor All Protectant 8 oz. (0.237 L) Protects leather, wood, acrylics, Plexiglas TM , plastic,
rubber and vinyl
1 1052925 I 16 oz. (0.473 L) I Multi-Purpose Interior Cleans carpets, seats, interior trim, door panels
I Cleaner and floor mats _~. ~..~
1052929 16 oz. (0.473 L) Wheel Cleaner
1052930 8 oz. (0.237 L) Capture
Dry Spot Remover
12345002 16 oz. (0.473 L) Armor All TM Cleaner
12345721
2.5 sq. ft. Synthetic Chamois
12345725 12 oz. (0.354 L) Silicone Tire Shine
12377964 16 oz. (0.473 L) Finish Enhancer
12377966 16 oz. (0.473 L) Cleaner Wax
12377984 16 oz. (0.473 L)
Surface Cleaner
See your General Motors
PGS Department for these products.
See “Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index. Spray on and rinse with water
Attracts, absorbs and removes soils
Cleans and shines a variety of surface types
~~
Shines vehicle without scratching
Spray on tire shine
Removes dust, fingerprints and surface contaminants
Removes light scratches and oxidation and protects finish
~ Removes contaminants, blemishes and swirl marks
k* Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.
6-61

The other two are in the engine compartment. Open the
cover on either
of the boxes to expose the fuses.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace
the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the correct size.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don't have a
spare fuse, you can borrow one. Just pick some feature
of your car that you
can get along without -- like the
radio or cigarette lighter
-- and use its fuse, if it is the
size
you need. Replace it as soon as you can.
Main Fuse Block
III 20 30 40
FUSE USAGE CHART
STOPIHAZARD TURN BIU STG WHL CNTRL RADIO ACCY
--
5u 4--l 7u 8U TAIL LPS HVAC PWR ACCY COURTESY
9-1 lin 121-1
GAUGES AIR BAG CIGIACCY DEFOGISEATS
IP DIMMER ACCY RADIO
SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR MORE INFORMATION PRINTED IN U.S.A
Fuse Usage
STOP/HAZARD Hazard Flasher, Brake
Switch Assembly
TURN B/U Traction ControVSecond Gear
Start Switch, Back/Up Lamp
Switch, Turn Flasher, Daytime
Running Lamps
(DRL) Module
Steering Wheel Controls
STG WHEEL
CNTFU
6-64

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
I
I’
1
Replace the jack, wheel wrench and flat tire using the
storage instructions. When you replace the trim panel,
be sure to tuck it uncier the weatherstrip.
1. Trim Panel
2.
Bolt
3. Cover
4. Jack
5. Wing Nut
6. Adapter
7. Compact Spare Tire
8. FuU-Size Tire
9. Carpet Flap
10. Tire Storage Bolt
11. Trunk Access Panel (Convertible Only)
12. Knob