1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD change time

Your Driving and the Road
Passing
The driver of a vehicle about to pass
another on a two-lane highway waits for
just the right moment, accelerates, moves
around the vehicle ahead, then goes back
into the right lane again. A simple
maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle
on a two-lane highway is a potentially
dangerous move, since the passing
vehicle occupies the same lane as
oncoming traffic for several seconds.
A
miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a
brief surrender to frustration or anger can
suddenly put the passing driver face to
face with the worst of all traffic accidents
- the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
“Drive ahead.” Look down the road,
to the sides, and to crossroads for
situations that might affect your
passing patterns. If you have any
doubt whatsoever about making a
successful pass, wait for a better time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement
markings, and lines. If you can see a
sign up ahead that might indicate a
turn or an intersection, delay your
pass.
A broken center line usually indicates
it’s all right to pass
(providing the road ahead is clear).
Never cross a solid line
on your side
of the lane or a double solid line, even
if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you
want to pass while you’re awaiting an
opportunity. For one thing, following
too closely reduces your area of
vision, especially if you’re following a
larger vehicle. Also, you won’t have
adequate space if the vehicle ahead
suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is
coming up, start to accelerate but stay
in the right lane and don’t get too
close. Time your move
so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to
move into the other lane. If the way is
clear to pass, you will have a “running
start” that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping
back. And if something happens to
cause you to cancel your pass, you
need only slow down and drop back
again and wait for another
opportunity. 0
0
0
If other cars are lined up to pass a
slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take
care that someone isn’t trying to pass
you as you pull out to pass the slow
vehicle. Remember to glance over
your shoulder and check the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and start your left lane
change signal before moving out of
the right lane to pass. When you are
far enough ahead of the passed vehicle
to see its front in your inside mirror,
activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that your right outside
mirror is convex. The vehicle you just
passed may seem to be farther away
from you than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle
at a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider
before passing the next vehicle.
Don’t overtake a slowly moving
vehicle too rapidly. Even though the
brake lights are not flashing, it may be
slowing down or starting to turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy
for the following driver
to get ahead
of you. Perhaps you can ease
a little to
the right.
. . .I34
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NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by your
warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly,
follow the advice in this section, and
see your Pontiac dealer for important
information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is
equipped with the proper trailer towing
equipment. To identify what the vehicle
trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight
of the Trailer” that appears later in this
section. But trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering
means changes
in handling, durability,
and fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section. In it are
many time-tested, important trailering
tips and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of your
passengers.
So please read this section
carefully before you pull a trailer. Load-pulling components such
as the
engine, transmission, rear axle, wheel
assemblies, and tires are forced to work
harder against the drag of the added
weight, The engine is required to operate
at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat.
What’s more, the trailer adds considerably
to wind resistance, increasing the pulling
requirements.
If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
0 There are many different laws,
including speed limit restrictions,
having to do with trailering. Make
sure your rig will be legal, not only
where you live but also where you’ll
be driving.
A good source for this
information can be state or provincial
police.
0 Consider using a sway control. You
can ask a hitch dealer about sway
controls.
0 Don’t tow a trailer at all during the
first 1,000 miles (1 600 km) your
new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
(800 km) that you tow a trailer, don’t
drive over
50 mph (SO h/h) and don’t
make starts at full throttle. This heips
your engine and other parts of your
vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when
towing a trailer. Don’t drive faster
than the maximum posted speed for
trailers (or no more than
55 mph
(90 km/h)) to save wear on your
vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have to do
with weight:
., )I
Weight of the .Trailer $:
How heavy can a trailer safelyabe?
It should never weigh more th&
1,500 pounds (680 kg) under nQrmal
driving conditions. It should n&er
weigh more than
1,000 pounds
(450 kg) when driven on long grades
at high ambient temperatures. But
even that can be too heavy.
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When to Change Engine Oil:
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles
0 It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles ( 16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of
the time (as in door-to-door delivery,
or
in stop-and-go traffic).
(6 km).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
and filter every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or
3 months - whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil
every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12
months
- whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block
Heater):
An engine coolant heater can be a big
help if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil:
Did you know that used engine oil
:ontains elements that may be unhealthy
:or your skin and could even cause
:ancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your
;kin for very long. Clean your skin and
lails with soap and water, or a good hand
:leaner. Wash or properly throw away
:lothing or rags containing used engine
il. (See the manufacturer’s warnings
ibout the use and disposal of oil
xoducts.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the
mvironment. If you change your own oil,
)e sure to drain all free-flowing oil from
:he filter before disposal. Don’t ever
jispose of oil by putting it in the trash,
2ouring 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.
3.4L L32 (Code S
Air Cleaner
iefer to the Maintenance Schedule to
letermine when to replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
In the Index.
t
195 ...
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Service and Appearance Care
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic
transmission fluid level
is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your fluid. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Pontiac dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all
the instructions here, or
you could get a
false reading on the dipstick.
Too much or too little fluid can
damage your transmission. Too much
can mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading
if you
check your transmission fluid. Wait
at least 30 minutes before checking
the transmission fluid level if you have
been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot
90°F (32°C).
weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should
be at normal operating temperature,
which is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To check transmission fluid hot: Get
the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside
temperatures
are above 50°F ( 10°C).
If it’s colder than 50°F ( lO”C), drive
the vehicle in
“D’ (Third Gear) until the
engine temperature gage moves and then
remains steady for
ten minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold
check is made after the vehicle has been
sitting for eight hours or more with the
engine
off and is used only as a reference.
Let the engine run at idle for five minutes
if outside temperatures are 50°F
(10°C)
or more. If it’s colder than 50°F (lO°C),
you may have to idle the engine longer.
Should the fluid level be low during a
cold check, you must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a
more accurate reading of the fluid level.
To check the fluid hot or cold:
0
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place
the shift lever
in “P” (Park).
With your foot on the brake pedal,
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in “P” (Park).
Let the engine
run at idle for three
minutes or more.
. . .I98
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Service and Appearance Care
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear. If
you rarely make a moderate or heavier
stop, then your brakes might not adjust
correctly. If you drive in that way,
then
- very carefully - make a few
moderate brake stops about every
1,000
miles (1 600 km), so your brakes will
adjust properly.
If your brake pedal goes down farther
than normal, your rear drum brakes may
need adjustment. Adjust them by backing
up and firmly applying the brakes a few
times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle
is complex. Its many parts have to be of
top quality and work well together if the
vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have
top-quality GM brake parts in them, as
your Pontiac does when it is new. When
you replace parts of your braking system
- for example, when your brake linings
wear down and you have to have new
ones put in
- be sure you get new
genuine GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work
. . .208
properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front
and rear brakes can change, for the worse.
The braking performance you’ve come to
expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@
battery.
You never have to add water to
one of these. When it’s time for a new
battery, we recommend a Delco
Freedom@ battery. Get one that has the
catalog number shown on the original
battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle
for
25 days or more, take off the black,
negative
(-) cable from the battery. This
will help keep your battery from running
down. Contact your dealer
to learn how to
prepare your vehicle for longer storage
periods.
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impaired customer who has access to a
TDD or a conventional teletypewriter
(TTY) can communicate with Pontiac by
dialing: 1 -800-TDD-PONT (TDD users
in Canada can dial 1-800-263-3830.)
GM Participation in
BBB AUTO LINE
-Alternative Dispute
Resolution Program
*
Both Pontiac and your Pontiac dealer are committed to making sure you are
completely satisfied with your new
vehicle. Our experience has shown that,
if
a situation arises where you feel
your concern has not been adequately addressed, the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure described earlier in this section
is very successful.
There may be instances where an
impartial third-party can assist in arriving
at
a solution to a disagreement regarding
vehicle repairs or interpretation
of the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty. To assist
in resolving these disagreements Pontiac
voluntarily participates in BBB AUTO
LINE. BBB AUTO LINE
is an out-of-court
program administered by the Better
Business Bureau system to settle disputes
between customers and automobile
manufacturers. This program is available
free of charge to customers who currently
own or lease a GM vehicle.
If
you are not satisfied after following the
Customer Satisfaction Procedure, you
may contact the BBB using the toll-free
telephone number,
or write them at the
following address:
BBB AUTO LINE
Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite
800
Arlington, VA 22203
Telephone:
1-800-955-5 100
To file a claim, you will be asked to
provide your name and address, your
vehicle identification number (VIN), and
a statement of the nature of your
complaint. Eligibility is limited by vehicle
age and mileage, and other factors.
We prefer you utilize the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure before you resort
to AUTO
LINE, but you may contact the
BBB at any time. The BBB will attempt
to resolve the complaint serving as an intermediary between you
and Pontiac.
If this mediation is unsuccessful, an
informal hearing will be scheduled where
eligible customers may present their case
to an impartial third-party arbitrator.
The arbitrator will make a decision which
you may accept or reject. If you accept
the decision, GM will be bound by that
decision. The entire dispute resolution
procedure should ordinarily take about
forty days from the time you file a claim
until a decision is made.
Some state laws may require
you to use
this program before filing a claim with a
state-run arbitration program or in the
courts. For further information, contact
the BBB at
1-800-955-5 100 or the
Pontiac Customer Assistance Center at
1 -800-PM-CARES. 1.
* This program may not be available
in all states, depending
on state law.
Canadian owners refer to your
Warranty and Owner Assistance
information booklet. General Motors
reserves the right to change eligibility
limitations and/or to discontinue its
participation in this program.
261 . .
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Customer Assistance Information
PONTIAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDER FORM
NOTE: Please complete form below (Print or Type) and MAIL TO:
Post Office Box 07130, Detroit, Michigan 48207
ORDER TOLL FREE
1-800-782-4356
(Monday-Friday 8:OO A.M.-6:00 P.M. EST)
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name, an\
d
also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the above address for quotation.
(CUSTOMER NAME) (ATENTION)
(STREET ADDRESS-NO P.O.
BOX NUMBERS) (APT. NO.)
(CITY) (STATE) (ZIP CODE) DAYTIME TELEPHONE NO. CODE
- TOTAL MATERIAL
Check or Money Michigan Purchasers Order payable to add 4% sales tax Helm, Inc. (USA Handling Charge $4.00 funds only - do not
send cash.) Canadian Postage (See Note Below) 0 MasterCard GRAND TOTAL
[7 VISA [7 Card
Account Number:
ml ml
Expiration ml 171 Check here if your billing Date molyr: address is different from your
shipping address shown.
(CUSTOMER SIGNATURE)
'
Discover
*Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring obligation. NOTE TO
CANADIAN CUSTOMERS: All listed prices are quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are
**Price to be announced at a later date. Call ,-800=182-4356 for further to make checks payable in U.S. funds. To cover Canadian postage, add $11.50 plus the U.S. Handling Charge.
Orders cannot
be returned without prior authorization. A restocking fee may apply. Please allow adequate time for postal service. Requests for manuals printed in French should be directed to Canadian General Motors dealerships.
. . .266
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Front Fuel
......................... 185
Towing Hook-ups
............. 158
Fuel Gage
..................... 90
Fuels
in Foreign Countries ........ 186
Fully Articulating Sport Seat
...... 9
Fuse Block. Main
............... 230
Fuse Block. Underhood
.......... 231
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....... 229
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.... 93
Engine Oil Pressure ........... 95
Fuel
....................... 90
Warning Lights and Indicators
... 89
Gasolines for Cleaner
Air ........ 186
Glass
......................... 224
GloveBox
.................... 83
GM Participation in BBB Auto Line
-
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Program
.................. 261
Halogen Bulbs
............... 209
Hatch Release
.................. 47
Hatch Release. Remote
.......... 47
Hazard Warning Flashers
......... 152
Head Restraints
................ 12
Headlight Doors
................ 76
Headlight High/Low Beam
....... 70
Heater Controls
................ 104
... 272
Headlights .................... 209 Heater.
Engine Coolant (Block)
.... 56
Heating
....................... 104
Highway Hypnosis
.............. 140
Hill and Mountain Roads
......... 141
Hitches
....................... 147
Hood Release
.................. 188
Hood. Checking Things under the
. . 188
Kook.Ups. Front Towing
......... 158
Kook.Ups. Rear Towing
......... 160
Horn ......................... 68
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Recovery Tank
. . . . 164
How to Add Coolant to the
Radiator
................ .165. 167
Hydraulic Clutch
............... 201
Hydroplaning
.................. 138
Hypnosis. Highway
............. 140
Identification Number. Vehicle
.... 228
Identification. Engine
............ 228
If a Tire Goes Flat
.............. 170
If You’re Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice
or Snow
.................... 180
Ignition Switch
................. 51
Inflatable Restraint System.
Supplemental
................ 23
Inflation
- Tire Pressure .......... 216
Inside Daymight Rearview
Mirror
...................... 79
Instrument Cluster
.............. 88
Instrument Panel
............. 87 Instrument Panel. Cleaning the
Topof
..................... 223
[nterior Lights
................. 78
Jump Starting
............... 153
Key Release Button
. .
Keys .............
Label. Service Parts
Lane Change Indicator.
Lap-Shoulder Belt (Safety Belts)
. e . 19
Larger Children (Safety Belts)
. . . e 38
Leaving Your Vehicle with the
Identification
...........
Turn Signal and .............. 69
Leaving Your Vehicle
............ 44
Engine Running
.............. 64
Lighter. Ashtray and ............. 85
Lighter. Cigarette
............... 85
Lights Air Bag Readiness
.... ..... 24
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
.................. 91
Brake System Warning ......... 90
Bulb Replacement
.......... 232
Daytime Running
............. 77
Front Map
................... 79
Check Gages
........ 96
Courtesy
............ 78
Fog ........................ 78
... 51
42
... 228
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