inflation pressure PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1999 Owners Manual

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4-31
Loading Your Vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire
-Loading Information label
found on the rear edge of the driver's door tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important information about the number of people that
can be in your vehicle and the total weight that you can
carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight
and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory
-installed options.
The other label is the Certification label, found on the
rear edge of the driver's door. It tells you the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle, called Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the
front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it
out. Don't carry more than 100 lbs. (45 kg) in your
rear area.

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5-36
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
perform well at speeds up to 65 mph (105 km/h) for
distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can finish
your trip and have your full
-size tire repaired or replaced
where you want. 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:
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.
Don't use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don't mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won't fit. Keep your spare
tire and its wheel together.
NOTICE:
Tire chains won't fit your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle and can damage
the chains too. Don't use tire chains on your
compact spare.

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6-46
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Pontiac Warranty booklet for details.
CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.

Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air
-out and a serious
accident. See ªLoading Your Vehicleº in
the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.

Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.

Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
See ªInflation -- Tire Pressureº in this section for
inflation pressure adjustment for higher
speed driving.

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6-47 Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the
rear edge of the driver's door, shows the correct
inflation pressures for your tires when they're cold.
ªColdº means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
If you'll be driving at high speeds (e.g., speeds of
100 mph (160 km/h) or higher), where it is legal, set the
cold inflation pressure to the maximum inflation
pressure shown on the tire sidewall, or to 38 psi
(265 kPa), whichever is lower. See the example below.
When you end this high
-speed driving, return to the cold
inflation pressure shown on the Tire
-Loading
Information label.
Example:
You'll find maximum load and inflation pressure
molded on the tire's sidewall, in small letters, near the
rim flange. It will read something like this: Maximum
load 690 kg (1521 lbs.) @ 300 kPa (44 psi) Max. Press.
For this example, you would set the inflation pressure
for high
-speed driving at 38 psi (265 kPa).
NOTICE:
Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:

Too much flexing

Too much heat

Tire overloading

Bad wear

Bad handling

Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:

Unusual wear

Bad handling

Rough ride

Needless damage from road hazards.

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6-49
If you have P245/50ZR16 Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires
or P275/40ZR17 Goodyear Eagle F1
-GS tires, they
must roll in a certain direction for the best overall
performance. The direction is shown by an arrow on the
sidewall. Because these tires are directional, they should
be rotated as shown here. These tires should only be
moved from front to rear and rear to front on the same
side of the vehicle.
Don't include the compact spare tire in your
tire rotation.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 wheelnuts are
properly tightened. See ªWheel Nut Torqueº in
the Index.
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
ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index.)

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7-17
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture if necessary. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index for further details.Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the
Index for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See ªTiresº in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See ªAudio Systemsº in the
Index for further details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.

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9-11
Storage Compartments 2-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette/Compact Disc 2-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Console 2-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glove Box 2-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Map Pocket 2-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage, Vehicle 6-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow 5-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sun Visors 2-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplemental Restraint System 1-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Symbols, Vehicle v. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer 2-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tape Player Care 3-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft 2-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft-Deterrent Alarm System 2-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft-Deterrent Feature 3-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THEFTLOCK
3-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat 6-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third Gear, Manual Transmission 2-33, 2-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third Position, Automatic Transmission 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tilt Wheel 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time, Setting the 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Chains 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Loading 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire-Loading Information Label 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buying New 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat 5-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Spare 5-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inflation Check 7
-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspection and Rotation 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pressure 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treadwear 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uniform Quality Grading 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear Indicators 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Replacement 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When It's Time for New 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque Lock 2-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque, Wheel Nut 6-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing
Recreational Vehicle 4
-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Vehicle 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction
Control System 4
-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control System Off Warning Light 2-83, 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . .
Limited-Slip Rear Axle 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Light 2-82, 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer
Brakes 4
-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving on Grades 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving with 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Cooling When Towing 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hitches 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance When Towing 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking on Hills 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Chains 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tongue Weight 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Weight on Tires 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .