1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD engine

H Fuel
The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows
the code letter for your engine.
You will
find the VIN at the top left of your
instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number” in the Index.)
3.4L L32 (Code S)
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher. It should meet
specifications ASTM D4814 in the
U.S.
and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels
should have the proper additives,
so you
should not have
to add anything to: the
fuel.
In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the right kind of giisoline
(unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED”
right on the pump. And only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler
neck.
’ Be sure the posted octane is at least 87.
If the octane is less than 87, you may get
a heavy knochng noise when
you drive.
If it’s bad enough, it can damage your
1 engine. If
you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or
higher and you still hear heavy knoclung,
your engine needs service. But don’t
worry if you hear a little pinging noise
when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal, and you don’t have to
buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock
that means you have a problem.
5.7L LT1 (Code P)
Use premium unleaded gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher. You may use middle
grade or regular unleaded gasolines, but
your vehicle may not accelerate as well.
The gasoline you use should meet
specifications
ASTM D4814 in the U.S.
and
CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels
should have the proper additives,
so you
should not have to add anything to the
fuel.
In the
U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be
sure you get the right lund of gasoline
(unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED”
right on the pump. And only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler
neck. Be sure
the posted octane for premium
is
at least 91 (at least 89 for middle grade
and 87 for regular).
If the octane is less
than 87, you may get a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough,
it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at
91 octane or
higher and you still hear heavy knocking,
your engine needs service. But don’t
worry if you hear a little pinging noise
when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal and you don’t have to
buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock
that means you have a problem.
All Engines
What about gasoline with blending
materials that contain oxygen
(oxygenates), such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.”
Fuel that is no more than
15% MTBB is
fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol.
Properly-blended fuel that is no more
than 10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
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Service and Appearance Care
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than 5% methanol
is bad for your vehicle. Don’t use it.
It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage plastic and
rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty. And
even at
5% or less, there must be
“cosolvents” and corrosion prevent-
ers in this fuel to help avoid these
problems.
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control
additives will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system.
That helps keep your engine in tune and
your emission control system working
properly. It’s good for your vehicle, and
you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasalines are now blended with
oxygenates. General Motors recommend:
that you use gasolines with these blendin,
materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. BJ
doing
so, you can help clean the air,
especially
in those parts of the country
that have high carbon monoxide levels. n
addition, some gasoline suppliers are
low producing reformulated gasolines.
rhese gasolines are specially designed to
.educe vehicle emissions. General Motors
-ecommends that you use reformulated
;asoline. By doing
so, you can help clean
:he air, especially in those parts of the
:ountry that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station
3perators if their gasolines contain deposit
:ontrol additives and oxygenates, and
if
:hey have been reformulated to reduce
vehicle emissions.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
[f you plan on driving in another country
outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel
may be hard to find. Do not use leaded
gasoline, If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well
or at all. With continuous use, spark plugs
can get fouled, the exhaust system can
corrode, and your engine oil can
deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen
sensor will be damaged. All of that means
costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto
:lub, or contact a major oil company that
Joes business in the country where you’ll
,e driving.
You can also write us at the following
iddress for advice. Just tell
us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution
North American Export Sales (NAES) 1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Canada Corporation
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3.4L L32 (Code !
When you open the hood you'll see.
1. Battery
2. Engine Coolant Reservoir
3. Engine Oil Dipstick
4. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
5. Air Cleaner (if equipped)
6. Oil Fill
Cap
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir
8. Power Steering Reservoir
9. Windshield Washer Reservoir
10. Engine Fan
11. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equipped)
B
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Service and Appearance Care
5.7L LTl (Code
When you open the hood you'll see:
1. Battery
2. Engine Coolant Reservoir
3. Engine Oil Dipstick
4. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
5. Air Cleaner (if equipped)
6. Oil Fill
Cap
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir
8. Power Steering Reservoir
9. Windshield Washer Reservoir
IO. Engine Fans
11. Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equippec Before closing the hood,
be sure all the
filler caps are on.
Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
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OIL
Engine Oii
If the “LOW OIL” light on the instrumenl
panel comes on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level right away.
For more information, see
“Low Oil
Light”
in the Index. You should check
your engine oil level regularly; this is an
added reminder.
3.4L L32 (Code S)
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.
5.7L LTl (Code P)
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few
ninutes to drain back into the oil pan. If
’ou don’t, the oil dipstick might not show
he actual level.
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Service and Appearance Care
To Check Engine Oil
(3.4L L32 (Code S) Engine)
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 lower, and check the level.
To Check Engine Oil
(5.7L LT1 (Code P) Engine)
Pull out the dipstick slightly. Pinch the
end of the dipstick tube as you remove
the dipstick to wipe the oil from it. Then
push it all the way back in. Now remove
it without pinching the tube, keeping the
tip lower.
3.4L L32 (Code S)
When to Add Oil:
If the oil is at or below the “ADD’ line,
then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This section
explains what kind of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
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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 dam-
aged.
5.7L LTl (Code P)
lust 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.
t
What Kind of Oil to Use:
3eginning midyear 1993, oils of the
roper quality for your vehicle will be
dentified with this new “starburst”
‘ymbol. The “starburst” symbol indicates
hat the oil has been certified by the
imerican Petroleum Institute (API), and
s preferred for use in your gasoline
mgine.
r‘ou should
look for this on the front of
he oil container, and use only oils that
lisplay this new symbol.
You should also use
the proper viscosity
il for your vehicle, as shown in the
following chart.
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Service and Appearance Care
Recommended SAE Viscosity
Grade Engine
Oils
For best fuel economy and cold starting,
select the
lowest SAE viscosity grade oil
for the expected temperature range.
HOT
WEATHER
J
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
COLD
WEATHER
IF NllTHER SAE SW-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30 GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE
MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE
40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED. Dd NO? USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30
is best for your vehicle. However,
you can use
SAE 1OW-30 if it’s
going to be
0°F (-18°C) or above.
These numbers on an oii container
show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do
not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
If you cannot find oils with
the new
“starburst” symbol on the front of the
container, you should look for and use
oils containing the following three
things:
0
0
0
SH or SG
“SH” or “SG” must be on the oil
container, eithet by itself or
combined
with other quality
designations, such as “SWCD,”
“SH, SG, CD,” “SGKD,” etc.
These letters show American
Petroleum Institute
(API) levels of
quality.
SAE 5W-30
Energy Conserving
I1
Oils with these words on the
container will help you save fuel. These three things are usually
included in a doughnut shaped logo
(symbol) on most containers. If you
cannot find oils with the “starburst”
symbol, you should look for oils
with the doughnut shaped symbol,
containing the three things noted
above.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have
either the “starburst” symbol or an
API SH or SG designation, you can
cause engine damage not covered
by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil
(in Canada,
GM Engine Oil) meets all the
requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives:
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your
Pontiac dealer is ready to advise
if you
think something should be added.
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