1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

Checking Things Under the Hood
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull the handle inside the vehicle.
Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull up on the
hood release.
Lift the hood.
6-8
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3.4L L32 (Code S) When you open the hood you'll see:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Battery
Engine Coolant Reservoir
Engine Oil Dipstick
Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
Air Cleaner
Oil
Fill Cap
Brake Fluid Reservoir
Power Steering Reservoir
Windshield Washer Reservoir
Engine Fan Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equipped)
6-9
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3.8L L36 (Code K) When you open the hood you'll see:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Battery
Engine Coolant Reservoir Engine Oil Dipstick
Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
Air Cleaner Oil
Fill Cap
Brake Fluid Reservoir
Power Steering Reservoir Windshield Washer Reservoir
Engine Fan Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(if equipped)
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5.7L LT1 (Code P) When you open the hood you'll see:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Battery
Engine Coolant Reservoir
Engine Oil Dipstick
Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
Air Cleaner
Oil Fill Cap
. ., ' I 7: . $: ,;
Brake Fluid Reservoir ,? : .'y-;
Power Steering Reservoir .X&:
Windshield Washer Reservoir $i.
Engine Fans
Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if equipped)
._ .. '$# .
jp;
d
;j
F , ,i
0 x. : .9' 2'
6-11
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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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3.4L L32 (Code S) Oil Dipstick Location 3.8L L36 (Code K) Oil Dipstick Location
6-13
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5.7L LT1 (Code P) Oil Dipstick Location 3.4L L32 (Code S) or 3.SL L36 (Code K)
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain
back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil
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 down, and check the level.
5.7L LTl (Code P)
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When to Add Oil What Kind of Oil to Use
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 part
explains what kind.of oil to use. For crankcase capacity,
see ‘‘Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
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 damaged.
Oils of the proper quality for your vehicle can be
identified by looking for the “Starburst” symbol. The
“Starburst” symbol indicates that the
oil has been
certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API), and
is preferred
for use in your gasoline engine.
Just 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.
If you change your own oil, be sure you use oil that has
the “Starburst” symbol on the front of the oil container.
If you have your oil changed
for you, be sure the oil put
ihto your engine is American Petroleum Institute
certified for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
6-15
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