PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2001 Owners Manual

6-9 Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull
the handle located inside
the vehicle below the
instrument panel on the
driver's side.
Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull up on the
hood release located at the center of your hood.
Lift the hood.

6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood of the 3800 V6 engine, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Dipstick (If Equipped)F. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Cooling Fans
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Power Steering Fluid ReservoirJ. Engine Oil Dipstick
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)

6-11
When you open the hood of the 5.7L V8 engine, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Engine Oil Fill CapF. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Cooling Fans
H. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Dipstick (If Equipped)I. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)

6-12
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on.
Then pull the hood down and close it firmly.
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL light
appears on the instrument
panel, it means you need
to check your engine oil
level right away. For more
information, see ªLow Oil
Lightº in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near the
back of the engine. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more information on location.
Do not check the 5.7L V8 engine oil level after the engine
has been sitting overnight. A higher than normal reading
might be obtained. Check oil level with the oil warm.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.

6-13
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
3800 V6 Engine
5.7L V8 Engine
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you'll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see ªCapacities and Specificationsº
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don't add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross
-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
The oil fill cap is located at the rear of your engine
compartment on the passenger's side of the vehicle.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index
for more information on location.
Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you're through.

6-14 What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that
has the starburst symbol
on the front of the oil
container. If you have
your oil changed for you,
be sure the oil put into
your engine is American
Petroleum Institute certified
for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
5.7L V8 Engine

6-15
As in the chart shown previously, if you have the
5.7L V8 engine, SAE 5W
-30 is best for your vehicle.
However, you can use SAE 10W
-30 if it's going to be
0
F (
-18
C) or above. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
As shown in the following chart, if you have the
3800 V6 engine, SAE 10W
-30 is best for your vehicle.
However, you can use SAE 5W
-30 if it's going to be
colder than 60
F (16
C) before your next oil change.
When it's very cold, you should use SAE 5W
-30.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as SAE 20W
-50.
3800 V6 Engine

6-16
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline
Engines starburst symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W
-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer that lets you know when to
change your engine oil. This is not based on mileage,
but on engine revolutions and engine operating
temperature. When the computer has calculated that
the oil needs changing, the GM Oil Life System will
indicate that a change is necessary. The mileage between
oil and filter changes will vary depending on how you
drive your vehicle
-- usually between 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) and 10,000 miles (16 000 km) since your
last oil and filter change. Under severe conditions, the
system may come on before 3,000 miles (5 000 km).
Never drive your vehicle more than 10,000 miles
(16 000 km) or 12 months (whichever occurs first)
without an oil change.
The system won't detect dust in the oil. So, if you
drive in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil
and filter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner.
Remember to reset the OIL CHANGE light whenever
the oil is changed.

6-17
How to Reset the Oil Change Light
After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset.
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine
turned off.
2. Push the TRIP/OIL RESET button located on the
instrument panel for 12 seconds. The OIL CHANGE
light will start to flash to confirm that the system is
reset. The reset is complete when the OIL CHANGE
light goes out.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain elements
that may be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause
cancer? Don't let used oil stay on your skin for very long.
Clean your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer's
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free
-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don't ever dispose of oil by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask your
dealer, a service station or a local recycling center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is located at the front in the
center of the engine compartment. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in the Index for more
information on location.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.

6-18
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don't
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can
cause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter in place when
you're driving.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Replacement
To remove the engine air cleaner/filter, do the following:
1. Unlatch the two clamps located on the front of the filter.