1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD oil temperature

Enghe Oil Pressure Gauge
3.8L Engine Only
This gage tells you if there could be a problem with your
engine oil pressure.
The engine oil pressure gauge shows the engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) in the
U.S., or
kPa (kilopascals) in Canada, when the engine is running.
Oil pressure should be
20 to 80 psi (140 to 550 kPa). It
may
vary with engine speed, outside temperature and oil
viscosity, but readings above the red area show the
normal operating range. Readings in the red area tell
you that the engine is low on oil, or that you might have
some other oil problem. See “Engine Oil”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by your
warranty.
2-76
ProCarManuals.com

3.4L L32 (Code S) 5.7L LT1 (Code P)
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE UlGlNE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AN0 COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAL VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR ME EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
caul
7 "C
t 38
t 27
t 16
tb
-7
- 18
WEATHER
I IF NEITHER SAE 5W-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 DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
As shown in the chart, SAEi 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 oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as
SAE 20W-50.
6-16
ProCarManuals.com

3.8L L36 (Code K)
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 I 7
“C
t 38
+ 27
+ 16
t4
-7
-18
COLD
WEATHER
I I SAE 5W-30 I
,I
SAE 1DW-30 PREFERRED above 0°F (-18T)
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30 GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C)
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However,
you can use SAE 5W-30 if it’s going
to be colder than
60 OF (1 6 O C) before your next oil
change. When it’s very cold, you should use
SAE
5W-30. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as
SAE 20W-50.
L
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines “Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the proper oil
can result in engine damage not covered by your
warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
6-17
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Pontiac dealer is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop and go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you
need
to change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
comes first.
your car.
Engine Coolant Heater
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have
to park outside in very cold weather,
0 OF (- 1 8 O 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 contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring 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.
6-18
ProCarManuals.com

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.
The proper coolant for your Pontiac will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37 O C).
Give boiling protection up to 262 “F ( 128 ” C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets “GM
Specification
1825-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts.
You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. If you use this mixture, you don’t need to add
anything else.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
I 6-30
ProCarManuals.com

Vehicle Dimensions
Wheelbase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101.1 in. (2 566 mm)
Front Tread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60.7 in. (1542 mm)
Rear Tread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . 60.7 in. (1540 mm)
Length
Firebird / Formula . . . . . . . . . . . 195.6 in. (4 968 mm)
Trans Am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 in. (5005 mm)
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74.5 in. (1893 mm)
Height
Firebird / Formula . , . . . . . . . . . . . 52 in. (1321 mm)
Trans Am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.7 in. (1312 mm)
Height Convertible
Formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.7 in. (1340 mm)
Trans Am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.4 in. (1331 111171)
Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Filter . , . , . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1163C
Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . .75-60
Engine Oil Filter
VIN Engine Code S and K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PF47
VINEngineCodeP
........................ PF25
Fuel Filter
. . . . . . . . , , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GF578
PCV valve
VIN Engine Code
S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , , CV789C
VIN Engine Code K . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . CV892C
VIN Engine Code: P
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV895C
Radiator Cap
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RC24
Spark Plug
VIN Engine Code
S . . . . . . . . . sR43TSK (0.045' Gap)
VIN Engihe Code K , . . . . . . . . -41-601 (0.060' Gap)
VIN Engine Code P . . . . . . , . sR45LTSP (0.050' Gap)
Thermostat Temperature Specification
. . . . 18OoF(82"C)
6-74 d. .. '
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Schedule I Definition
Follow Maintenance Schedule I if any one of these is
true for your vehicle:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
Schedule I should also be followed if the vehicle is used
for delivery service, police, taxi, or other commercial
application.
your car.
Schedule I Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km) or 3 Months
Engine Oil and Filter Change
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
Chassis Lubrication
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) - Then Every
12,000 Miles
(25 000 km)
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
At 7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
Every 15,000 Miles (25
000 km)
Tire Rotation
Rear Axle Fluid Change (Vehicles Towing Trailers)
Rear Axle Fluid Change (Limited Slip Differential)
Air Cleaner Filter Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions
Automatic Transmission Service (severe conditions)
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement
Spark Plug Replacement (Except 5.7L Code
P engine)
Spark Plug Wire Inspection
Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection
Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection (or every
Cooling System Service (or every 24 months)
Spark Plug Replacement
(5.7L Code P engine only)
Automatic Transmission Service (normal conditions)
24 months)
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
7-4
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule I
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Sewice.
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace filter if
necessary.
An Emission Control Sewice.
Change the rear axle gear lubricant if
vehicle is used to pull a trailer.
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90 OF
(32 O C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter
at 100,000 miles (1 66 000 km).
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t require
change.
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
7-9
ProCarManuals.com