1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD oil pressure

How to Use This Manual
Rear Window Defogger
Y
Ventilating Fan
Bi-
L e vel
Vent
Heater Blend
These symbols are used on warning and
indicator lights:
Engine Coolant
Temperature
Battery Charging System
1-7
Fuel
Engine
Oil Pressure w,
Brake (Canada) (0) (8)
Anti-Lock Brake System
(Canada) Low Coolant
m
Here
are some other symbols you may see:
Hatchnrunk Release a
Hood Release
Lighter
Horn
Speaker Convertible Top Switch
... 6
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after a while the emis-
sion controls won’t work as well,
your fuel economy won’t be as good
and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty.
E
T
P
I
el
(1
is
8
el
a1
R
el
h,
G
SC
0
hgine Oil Pressure Gage
‘his gage tells you if there could be a
roblem with your engine oil pressure.
’he engine oil pressure gage shows the
ngine oil pressure in psi (pounds per
quare inch)
in the U.S., or kPa
cilopascals) in Canada, when the engine
; running. Oil pressure should be 20 to
0 psi (140 to 550 kPa). It may vary with
ngine speed, outside temperature and
il viscosity, but readings above the red
rea show the normal operating range.
leadings in the red area tell you that the
ngine is low on oil, or that you might
ave some other oil problem. See “Engint
Iil” in the Index.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from
neglected oil problems can be costly
and is not covered by your warqanty.
ProCarManuals.com

Your Driving and the Road
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes
quite sharply. The exit speed is usually
posted. Reduce your speed according to
your speedometer, not to your sense of
motion. After driving for any distance at
higher speeds, you may tend to thnk you
are going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well
rested.
If you must start when you’re not
fresh
- such as after a day’s work -
don’t plan to make too many miles that
first part of the journey. Wear comfortable
clohng and shoes you can easily drive
in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If
you keep it serviced and maintained, it’s
ready to go. If it needs service, have it
done before starting out. Of course, you’ll
find experienced and able service experts
in Pontiac dealerships all across North
America. They’ll be ready and willing to
help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check
before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the
reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
. . .I40
Wiper Blades: Are they m good
shape?
0 Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
Have you checked all levels?
0 Lights: Are they all workmg? Are the
lenses clean?
0 Tires: They are vitally important to a
safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long-distance
driving? Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the
weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
maps?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as
“highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel? Call
it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with the same scenery, along with
the hum of the tires on the road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let
it happen to you! If it
does, your vehicle can leave the road in
less than a second, and you could crash
and be injured.
What can you
do about highway
hypnosis? First, be aware that it can
happen.
Then here are some tips:
0
0
0 Make sure your vehicle is well
ventilated, with a comfortably cool
interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to the sides. Check your
rearview mirrors and your instruments
frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull
off the road into
a rest, service, or parking area and
take a nap, get some exercise, or both.
For safety, treat drowsiness on the
highway as an emergency.
ProCarManuals.com

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.
163..
ProCarManuals.com

Service and Appearance Care
Don’t use any of these unless this manual
says you can. In many uses, these will
damage your vehicle:
0 Alcohol
Laundry Soap
0 Bleach
0 Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your
Pontiac
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of
dust and loose dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather
with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Pontiac dealer has two
GM cleaners,
a solvent-type spot lifter and a foam-type
powdered cleaner. They will clean normal
spots and stains very well. Do not use
them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
Always read the instructions on the
Clean up stains as soon as you can -
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and
cleaner
label.
before they set.
change to a clean area often. A soft
brush may be used
if stains are
stubborn.
D Use solvent-type cleaners in a
well-ventilated area only. If you use
them, don’t saturate
the stained area.
clean the entire area immediately or it
will set.
If a ring forms after spot cleaning,
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
Vacuum and brush the area to remove
any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or
section. Mask surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner
following the directions on the
container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean
sponge.
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section,
use a sponge to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet
sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly
damp paper towel or cloth.
Then dry it immediately with a blow
dryer or a heat lamp.
NOTICE:
Be careful with a hair dryer or heat
lamp.
You could scorch the fabric.
0 Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type
cleaner at all. Some spots and stains will
clean
off better with just water and mild
soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
Gently scrape excess soil from the
trim material with a clean, dull knife
or scraper. Use very little cleaner, light
pressure and clean cloths (preferably cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at
the outside of the stain, “feathering”
toward the center. Keep changing to
a
clean section of the cloth.
. . .222
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

Cruise Control Using on Hills
............... 75
Curves. Driving on
.............. 132
Customer Assistance for the Hearing or Speech Impaired (TDD)
..... 260
Customer Assistance Information
. . 259
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
... 260
Daytime Running Lights
....... 77
Deep Standing Water.
Driving through
.............. 54
Defects. Safety Reporting to General Motors
.... 262
Reporting to the Canadian Government
............... 262
Reporting to the United States
Government
............... 26 1
Defensive Driving .............. 126
Defogger. Rear Window
......... 107
Defogging and Defrosting Windows
................... 105
Dimensions. Vehicle
............ 236
Doing Your Own Service Work
.... 184
Door Locks
.................... 43
Door Locks. Power
............. 44
Doors. Headlight
............... 76
Driver Position (Safety Belts)
..... 19
Driving AtNight
.................... 136
City
........................ 138
Defensive
................... 126 .
Driving
Drunken
.................... 126
Freeway
.................... 139
In the Rain .................. 137
On Curves
.................. 132
On Snow or Ice
.............. 142
Through Deep Standing Water
... 54
Winter
...................... 142
With a Trailer
................ 147
Drunken Driving
............... 126
Electrical Center. Underhood
.... 231
Electrical Equipment. Add-on
..... 228
Electric Mirror Control
.......... 80
Emergencies. Braking in
......... 132
Emergencies. Steering in
......... 133
Engine
Coolant
..................... 20 1
Coolant (Block) Heater
........ 55
Coolant Temperature Gage
..... 93
Exhaust
..................... 66
Identification
................ 228
Oil
........................ 191
Oil Pressure Gage
............. 95
Overheating
................. 1 6 1
Specifications ................ 233
Starting Your
................ 52
Environment, Your Vehicle
andthe
..................... 240
Exhaust, Engine
................ 66
Extender, Safety Belt
............ 39
Fan Control Knob ............. 104
Features and Controls
........... 41
Filling Your Tank
............... 187
Filter. Air. Replacement
.......... 196
Finish Care (Paint)
.............. 225
Finish Damage (Paint)
........... 226
Fixed Mast Antenna
............. 123
Flashers. Hazard Warning
........ 152
Flat Tire. Changing a
............ 171
Flat.
If a Tire Goes .............. 170
Floormats
..................... 79
Flow-Through Ventilation System
. . 107
Fluid Automatic Transmission
....... 198
Brake
....................... 207
Manual Transmission
.......... 200
Power Steering
............ .I .. 204
Recommended ................ 253
Windshield Washer
............. 205
Fog Lights
..................... 78
Folding Rear Seatback
........... 13
Foreign Countries. Fuels in
....... 186
Foreign Material Paint Damage
.... 226
Four-Way Manual Seat
.......... 8
Freeway Driving ............... 139
Front Ashtray
..................... 85
Console
.................... 84
Map Lights
.................. 79
Seat. Manual
................ 8
271 . .
ProCarManuals.com