Service and Appearance Care
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Vehicle Identification
Number
(VIN)
rhis is the' legal identifier for your
'ontiac. It appears on a plate in the front
:orner of the instrument panel, on the
lriver's side. You can see it if you look
hrough the windshield from outside your
rehicle. The
VIN also appears on the
Jehicle Certification and Service Parts
abels and the certificates of title and
egistration.
hgine Identification
?he eighth character in your VIN is the
:ngine code. This code will help you
.dentify your engine, specifications, and
*eplacement parts.
. .228
Service Parts
Identification Label
You'll find this label inside your console
storage compartment. It's very helpful if
you ever need to order parts.
On this
label is:
D your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information, and
a list of all production options and
special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed
From the vehcle.
Add-on Electrical
Equipment
NOTICE:
Don't add anything electrical to your
Pontiac unless you check with your
dealer first. Some electrical equip-
ment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn't be covered
by your warranty. Some add-on
electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they
should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system.
Before attempting to add anything
zlectrical to your Pontiac, see "Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac" in the
Index.
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V
I Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
'he wiring circuits in your vehicle are
rotected from short circuits by
a
ombination of fuses, circuit breakers,
nd fusible thermal links in the wiring
self. This greatly reduces the chance of
ires caused by electrical problems.
'here are two fuse centers on your ehicle. One is in the left side of your
lstrument panel.
The other is in the engine compartment.
3pen the cover on either of the boxes to
:xpose the fuses.
>oak at the silver-colored band inside the
'use. If the band is broken or melted,
.eplace the fuse. Be sure you replace a
)ad fuse with a new
one of the correct
rize.
f you ever have a problem on the road
md don't have a spare fuse, you can
)orrow one. Just pick some feature
of
Jour vehicle that you can get along
without
- like the radio or cigarette
ighter
- and use its fuse, if it is the size
IOU need. Replace it as soon as you can.
Headlights
The headlight wiring is protected by a
circuit breaker. An electrical overload
will cause the lights to go
on and off, or in
some cases to remain
off. If this happens,
have your headlight wiring checked right
away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected
by a circuit breaker and a fuse. If
the
motor overheats due to heavy snow, etc.,
the wiper will stop until the motor
cools. If the overload is caused by some
electrical problem and not snow, etc.,
be sure to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Circuit breakers protect the power
windows and other power accessories.
When the current load is too heavy,
the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the problem
is fixed or goes away.
229. . .
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Service and Appearance Care
Crankcase
VIN Engine Code S .................................... 4.0 qt. (3.8 L)**
Without Filter Change
................................ 4.0 qt. (3.8 L)**
With Filter Change ................................... 5.0 qt. (4.7 L)**
Fuel Tank ........................................... 15.5 gal. (58.7 L)
Five-Speed
........................................... 5.9 pt. (2.8 L)*
Six-Speed
............................................ 8.0 pt. (3.8 L)*
Rear Axle Lubricant
...................................... 3.5 pt. (1.7L)
VIN Engine Code
P
Manual
Transmission
Vehicle Dimensions
Tread Wheelbase
........................................... 101.1 I‘ (2 566 mm)
Front
.............................................. .60.7“ ( 1 542 mm)
Rear
.............................................. .60.6” (1 540 mm)
Length
............................................... 193.2“ (4 908 mm)
Firebird and Formula
................................. 195.6” (4 968 mm)
Trans Am .......................................... 197.0” (5 005 mm)
Width
............................................... 74.5” (1 893 mm)
Coupe
........................................... 52.0” (1 322 mm)
Convertible ....................................... .52.7” ( 1 340 mm)
Coupe
........................................... .51.7” (1 312 mm)
Convertible
....................................... .52.4“ (1 331 mm)
Height
Firebird and Formula
Trans Am
*Recheck fluid level after filling. See “ManualTransmission Fluid” in the Index.
**Recheck oil level after filling. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
. . -236
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I IMPORTANT
I
KEEP THE ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
This part covers the
maintenance required for your
Pontiac. Your vehicle needs
these services
to retain its
safety, dependability and
emission control performance.
Part 7
Maintenance Schedule
Section
Introduction: A Word about Maintenance ... . . 240
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
..
Your Vehicle and the Environment ...... .......... 240
How This Part
Is Organized .......... ....... . . 240
Scheduled Maintenance Services .... ................. 242
Using
Your Maintenance Schedules ....................... 241
Selecting the Right Schedule
................ ..... 241
Schedule1
............................... . . 242
Schedule11
................................. . . 244
Explanation
of Scheduled Maintenance Services .......... 246
Owner Checksand Services ................................ 248
AtEachFuelFill
....................................... 248
At Least Once
a Month .................................. 248
At Least Twice a Year
................... ......... 248
At Least Once
a Year ............... .., . . 249
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ... ................ 253
Maintenance Record ...................................... 255
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .... ... ..... 251
I-
I- -
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements
your new car warranties.
See
your GM dealer for details.
239. ..
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Maintenance Schedule
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance Services (Cont.)
Explanation of Scheduled
Maintenance Services
Following are explanations of the services
listed in Schedule I and Schedule
II.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are
listed in Section
D. Make sure whoever
services your vehicle uses these. All parts
should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle.
NOTE: To determine your engine’s
displacement and code, see
“Engine Identification” in the
Index.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
1 Engine Oil and Filter Change* -
Always use SH or SG Energy
Conserving
I1 oils of proper
viscosity. The “SH” or “SG”
designation may be shown alone
or in combination with others,
such as “SH/CD,”
“SH, SG,
CD,” “SG/CD,” etc. To deter-
mine the preferred viscosity for
your vehicle’s engine (e.g., SAE
ITEM
NO.
2
3
4
SERVICE
5W-30 or SAE 10W-30), see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
Chassis Lubrication
- Lubricate
the suspension and steering
linkage. Lubricate the
transmission
shift linkage.
Tire and Wheel Rotation and
InsDection
- For proper wear
and maximum tire life, rotate
your tires following the
instructions in this manual. See
“Tires, Inspection and Rotation”
in the Index. Check the tires for
uneven wear or damage. If you
see irregular or premature wear,
check the wheel alignment.
Check for damaged wheels also.
Engine Accessorv Drive Belt!s)
InsDection
- Inspect the belt(s)
for cracks, fraying, wear and
proper tension. Replace as
needed. (Belts can have many small cracks in individual ribs
without affecting performance.)
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
5 Cooling: System Service* -
Drain, flush and refill the system
with new or approved recycled
coolant conforming to GM
Specification 1825M. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See “Coolant”
in the
Index. This provides proper
freeze and boil protection, corrosion inhibitor level and
maintains proper engine operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace if they
are cracked, swollen or deterior-
ated. Tighten screw-type hose
clamps. Clean the outside of the
radiator and air conditioning
condenser. Wash the pressure cap and neck.
To help ensure proper operation,
we recommend a pressure test of
both the cooling system and the
pressure cap.
* An Emission Control Service.
. . .246
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Maintenance Schedule
Section B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which should be performed at the intervals specified to help ensure the saf\
ety,
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 Section D.
At Each Fuel Fill (It is important for you or a service station attendant to perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.)
CHECK
OR SERVICE
Engine Oil Level
Engine Coolant Level
Windshield Washer
Fluid Level
At least Once a Month
WHAT TO DO
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper coolant mix if necessary. See “Coolant” in
the Index for further details.
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index for further details.
CHECK
OR SERVICE ~~
Tire Inflation
Cassette Deck
WHAT TO DO
Check tire inflation. Make sure they are inflated to the pressures specified on the Tire-Loading
Information label located on the rear edge of the driver’s door. See “Tires”
in the Index for
further details.
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
15 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems”
in the Index for further details.
I At Least Twice a Year ___ ~~~ ~ ~
CHECK
OR SERVICE WHAT TO DO
Hydraulic Clutch
loss in
this system could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired at once.
System Inspection Check
the fluid level
in the clutch reservoir. See “Hydraulic Clutch Fluid” in the Index. A fluid
. . .248
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I At Least Once a Year I
CHECK
OR SERVICE
Key Lock Cylinders
Body Lubrication
~ ~
Starter Switch
WHAT TO DO
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant specified in Section D.
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges and latches, including those for the hood,
headlight door assemblies, rear compartment, console doors and any folding seat hardware.
Section
D tells you what to use.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see ‘‘Pariung Brake” in the Index if necessary) and the
NOTE:
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the engine in each gear. The starter should
work only in
“P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral). If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
On manual transmission vehicles, put the shift lever in
“N” (Neutral), push the clutch down
halfway and try to start the engine. The starter should work only when the clutch is pushed
down all the way to the floor. If the starter works when the clutch isn’t pushed all the way
down, your vehicle needs service.
regular
brake.
249. . .
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Maintenance Schedule
Section B: Owner Checks and Services (Cont.)
At least Once a Year (CONK)
CHECK
OR SERVICE
Steering Column Lock
Parking Brake and
Automatic Transmission “P” (Park) Mechanism
Check
Underbody Flushing
WHAT TO DO
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn the key to “LOCK” in each shift lever
position.
With an automatic transmission, the key should turn to “LOCK” only when the shift lever is
0 With a manual transmission, the key should turn to “LOCK” only when the shift lever is in
On vehicles with a key release button, try to turn the key to “LOCK” without pressing the
button. The key should turn to “LOCK” only with the key button depressed. On all vehicles,
the kev should come out only in “LOCK.”
in
“P” (Park).
“R” (Reverse).
brake, set the parking brake.
0 To check the parhng brake: With the engine running and transmission in “N” (Neutral),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is held by
the parking brake only.
brakes.
0 To check the “P” (Park) mechanism’s holding ability: Shift to “P” (Park). Then release all
~~ ~
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any corrosive materials from the underbody. Take
care to clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris can collect.
. . .250
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