1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD instrument panel

Engine Overheating
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.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
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Fuel
3.4L L32 (Code S) and 3.8L L36 (Code K)
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.)
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher.
It should meet specifications ASTM D4814 in
the United States 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 United States and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you
get the right kind 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 is at least 87. 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 87 octane or higher and you
still hear heavy knockmg, 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.
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% MTBE 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.
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
preventers in this fuel to help avoid these problems.
I.
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Fuel ~
5.7L LT1 (Code P)
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.)
Use premium unleaded gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher
for best
performance. You my use middle grade or regular
unleaded gasolines, but your vehicle may not accelerate
as
well. The gasoline you use should meet speakations
ASTM D4814 in the United States and CGSB 3.5-92 in
Canada. These fuels should have the proper additives, so
you should not have to add anwg to the fuel.
In the United States and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you
get the right kind
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 hocking 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.
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% MTBE 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.
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
’ preventers in this fuel to help avoid these
~ problems. I
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Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on.
Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
Engine Oil
LOW
OIL
If the LOW OIL light on the instrument panel comes on,
it means you need to check your engine oil level right away. For more information, see
LOW OIL in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
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.
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Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap.
For stubborn stains, use a mild solution of 10%
isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and 90% water.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled leather should be cleaned immediately. If dirt
is allowed to work into finish, it can harm the
leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make
it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
, . .. .
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove
normal tobacco smoke and dust films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have
to be scraped off later. If
abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across
the
defogger grid.
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Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
1111 11111 II II I I 111 I II II Ill Ill I 11111 111 I11111111 I1111 Ill II I 111111 II
I
This is the legal identifier for your Pontiac. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side.
You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help you identify your engine.
specifications, and replacemenf parts.
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:
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 vehicle.
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE: ,ii :/
Don’t add anything electrical to your Pontiac
unless you check with your dealer
first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and
tbe 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 electrical to your Pontiac, see “Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac” in the Index.
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Fuses tu~d Circuit Breakers
The other is in the engine CoIfipartment. Open the cover
on either of the boxes to expose the fuses.
me wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
shci'rl
circ&b by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers,
and fusible thermal
links in the wiring itself. This
greatly redtices the chance of fires caused by electrical
problems.
Thkre are two hse centers on your vehicle. One is in the
left side ok your instrument panel.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band
is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad
fuse with a new one of the correct size.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don't have a
spare
fuse, you can bortow one. Just pick some feature
of your car that you can get along without-like the
radio or cigarette lighter-ind use ite fuse,
if it is the
size
you need. ReplaGe it as soon as you can.
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Your name, address, .home and business telephone
numbers
Vehicle Identification Number (This is available
fraa the vehicle registration or title, or the plate at
the left top of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.)
Dealership name and location
Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
Nature of concern
We ebcourage you to call the toll-free number listed
previously in order to give your inquiry prompt attention. However,
if you wish to write Pontiac, write to:
United States
Pontiac Division
Customer Assistance Center One Pontiac Plaza
Pontiac,
MI 48340-2952
Canada
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Centre 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Refer to your Warranty and Owner Assistance
Information booklet for addresses of Canadian and
GM
Overseas offices.
When contacting Pontiac, please remember that your
concern will likely be resolved in the dealership, using
the dealership’s facilities, equipment and personnel.
That is why we suggest you follow Step One first if you
have a concern.
Customer Assistance for the Hearing
or Speech Impaired
(TDD)
To assist customers who have hearing difficulties,
Pontiac has installed special
TDD (Telecommunication
Devices for the Deaf) equipment at its Customer
Assistance Center. Any hearing or speech impaired
customer who has access to a TDD or a conventional
teletypewriter
(TTY) can communicate with Pontiac by
dialing: 1-800-TDD-PONT. (TDD users in Canada can dial 1-800-263-3830.)
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