1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD heating

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
I‘
Air Conditioner Controls (OPTIoN)
The air conditioning system uses the same
controls
as the heating system, except that
the air control knob has two extra
settings, described below. For
an
explanation of all the controls, see
“Heater Controls” earlier in this part.
MAX: Provides maximum cooling or
quick cool-down on very hot days. This
setting recirculates most of the air inside
your vehicle. If it is used for long periods
of time, the air may become
dry. This
setting directs air through the upper air
vents.
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A/C: Use for normal cooling on hot days
This setting cools outside air and directs
through the upper air vents.
The air conditioner comtxessor oDerates
in
“MAX,” “NC” and ii VJ , ,% and
9 when the outside temperature is
a6&e freezing. When the air conditioner
is on, you may sometimes notice slight
changes in your vehicle’s engine speed
and power. This is normal because the
system is designed
to cycle the
compressor on and
off to keep the desirec
cooling and help fuel economy.
Cooling
The air conditioner works best
if you keep
your windows closed. On very hot days,
open the windows just long enough for
the hot air to escape.
1. Turn the air control knob to “NC” for
normal cooling. For faster cooling
move the knob to
‘“AX.”
2. Turn the temperature control knob to
3. Turn the fan control knob to the right. a comfortable setting.
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Your Driving and the Road
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer
to the left, just move that hand to the left.
To move the trailer to the right, move
your hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making 7hms
When you’re turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal.
Do this so your
trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Thrn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has
to have a different turn signal flasher and
extra wiring. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lights will also
flash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop. When
towing a trailer, the green arrows
on your instrument panel will flash for
turns even
if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs
are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you
might have to use your brakes
so much
that they would get hot and no longer
work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and
reduce your speed to around
45 mph
(70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of
engine and transmission overheating.
If you are towing a trailer and you
have an automatic transmission with
Overdrive, you may prefer to drive in
“D”
instead of Overdrive (or, as you need to, a
lower gear). Or,
if you have a manual
transmission with fifth (or sixth) gear and
you are towing a trailer, it’s better not to
use fifth (or sixth) gear. Just drive in
fourth gear (fifth gear if you have a six-speed manual transmission) or, as you
need to, a lower gear.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
-
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a
hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t
shift into
“P” (Park) yet, or into gear
for a manual transmission.
2. Have someone place chxks under the
3. When the wheel chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load. trailer wheels.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then
apply your parking brake, and then shift to
“P” (Park), or “R” (Reverse)
for a manual transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
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Here you’ll find what to do
tbout some problems that can
)ccur
on the road.
Part 5
Problems on the Road
3azard Warning Flashers ............................................
..................................................... lump Starting
rowingYourVehicle
...............................................
Engineoverheating ................................................
[faTireGoesFlat ................................................. [f You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow .............................
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151 ...
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I NOTICE:
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces
could damage a vehicle. Damage
can occur from vehicle-to-ground
or vehicle-to-wheel-lift-equipment
contact.
To help avoid damage, install
a towing dolly and raise vehicle until
adequate clearance is obtained between
the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
Engine Overheating
I
If Steam Is Coming from Your Engine:
You will find a coolant temperature gage
on your Pontiac’s instrument panel.
You may also find a low coolant warning
light
on your Pontiac instrument panel.
161 .
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On the V8 engine you’ll see this:
1. Coolant recovery tank
2. Radiator pressure cap
3. Electric engine fans
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery
tank is boiling, don’t do anything else
until it cools down.
When it
is cool, remove the coolant
recovery tank cap and look at the dipstick.
The coolant level should be at
or above
“FULL
COLD.” If it isn’t, you may have
a leak in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump or somewhere else
in the cooling system.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, check to see
if the electric engine fan is running. If the
engine
is overheating, the fan should be
running.
If it isn’t, your vehicle needs
service.
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Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder
reservoir is filled with hydraulic clutch
fluid.
It isn’t a good idea to “top
off’ your
clutch fluid. Adding fluid won’t correct a
leak.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired.
When to Check and What to Use:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often you should check
the fluid level in your clutch master
cylinder reservoir and for the proper fluid.
See “Owner Checks and Services” and
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
How to Check:
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
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” 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 Axle Lubricant (GM Part No.
1052271) or SAE 80W-90 GL-5 gear
lubricant.
Limited-Slip Differential
To add lubricant when the.leve1 is
low, use Axle Lubricant (GM Part
No.
105227 1) or SAE 8OW-90 GL-5 gear
lubricant. To completely refill after
draining, add
4 ounces ( 1 18 ml) of
Limited-Slip Differential Lubricant
Additive (GM
Part No. 1052358). Then
fill to the bottom of the filler plug hole
with Axle Lubricant (GM
Part No.
12345977) or SAE 8OW-90 GL-5 gear
lubricant.
Engine 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.
I
201 . . .
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LOW
COOLANT
f you have the 5.7L LTl (Code P) engine
nd this light comes
on, it means you’re
3w on engine coolant.
ro Add Coolant to the Recovery Tank:
f you need more coolant, add the proper
nix at the coolant recovery tank, but only
vhen your engine is cool. If the tank
is
‘ery low or empty, also add coolant to the
adiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the
ndex for information. Add
coolant mix at
the recovery tank, but
be careful not to spill it.
203. . . ProCarManuals.com

Service and Appearance Care
Radiator Pressure Cap (All Engines)
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 18 psi (124 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss and
possible engine damage from over-
heating. Be sure the arrows on the
cap line up with the overflow tube
on the radiator filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure
cap,
an AC@ cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled
by a thermostat in the engine coolant
system. The thermostat stops the flow of
coolant through the radiator until the
coolant reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat is recommended.
3.4L L32 (Code S)
Power Sfeering Fiuid
How to Check Power Steering Fluid:
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick
with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the
cap again and look at the fluid level on
the dipstick.
0
0
5.7L LT1 (Code P)
When the engine compartment is hot,
the level should be at the
“H” or
“HOT” mark.
When the engine compartment is
cool, the level should be at the
“C”
or “FULL COLD” mark.
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