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If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot
off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel
firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently bralie to
a stop well out
of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may
require the same correction you’d use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to
go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.,
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
I
A CAUTILN:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over
you or other
people. You and they could be
badly injured.
Find
a level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift
lever in
PARK (P), or shift a manual
transmission to
FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (a).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t move,
you can put blocks
at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire on the other side of the
vehicle,
at the opposite end.
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Page 234 of 386
4. Raise the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench
clockwise. Raise the vehicle
far enough off the ground
SO there is enough room for the spare tire to fit.
Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.
5. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
A CAUTION:’
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When you change a
wheel, remove any rust or
dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use
a cloth or a paper towel
to do
this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later,
if you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.
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Page 289 of 386

Don’t include the compact spare tire in your
tire rotation.
After the tires
have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear
inflation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the Index.
I
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to’ which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident,
When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or
dirt from places where the wheel
attach.& to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use
a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if
you need to, to get all the rust or dirt off.
(See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the.Index.)
When It’s The for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s
time for new
tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators,
which will
appear when your
tires have
only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need
a new tire if any of the following statements
are true: . .. 1. .. . .. ...
You can see the indicators at three or more places
.. . ‘ : __ .I
around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s
rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a. bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that can’t be
repaired well because of the size or location of the damage.
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Page 311 of 386

Capacities (Approximate) (Continued)
Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change
3800 (WN K) ............ 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)**
5.7 L (VIN P) ............ 5.0 quarts (4.7 L)**
Fuel Tank .................. 15.5 gallons (58.7 L)
Five-Speed ................. 6.8 pints (3.2 L)*
Six-Speed .................. 8.0 pints (3.8 L)*
Rear Axle Lubricant ............ 3.5 pints (1 .TL)
Manual Transmission
+Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
If you’re not sure, ask your Pontiac dealer.
*Recheck fluid level after filling. See “Automatic
Transmission
Fluid” or “Manual Transmission Fluid”
in the Index.
**Recheck the oil level after filling. See “Engine Oil” in
the Index.
Vehicle Dimensions
Wheelbase
Front Tread
Rea’ Tread
Length
Firebird / Formula
Trans
Am
Width
Height
101.1 inches (2 566 mm)
60.7 inches (1 542 mm)
60.7 inches (1 540 mm)
195.6 inches (4 968 mm)
197.0 inches ( 5 005 mm)
74.5 inches (1 893 mm)
52.10 inches (1 323, nun)
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TTYUsers ..................................... 8-4
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-44
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
................... 2-43
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-37
Twin Lift-off Roof Panels
........................ 2-61
underbody Flushing Service ..................... 7-42
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-60
Underhood Electrical Center
...................... 5-67
Vehicle Control
...................................... 4-5
Damagewarnings .............................. iv
Dimensions
................................. 6-70
Identification Number
......................... 6-62
Storage
...................................... 6-37
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System .......... 2-12
Alarm/PanicMode ............................. 2-6
Feature Customization
......................... 2- 16
Ventilation System
............................... 3-5
Visor Vanity Mirrors ............................ 2-60
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-60
Voltmeter
..................................... 2-77
Loading
.................................... 4-29 warning
Devices
............................... 5-2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ............... 2-75
Washer Fluid. Windshield
................... 2.46. 6.32
Washing Your Vehicle ........................... 6-58
Wheel Weatherstrips
.................................. 6-57
Alignment
.................................. 6-51
Nut Torque
.......................... .. 5.37. 6.69
Replacement ................................. 6-51 .
Wrench ..................................... 5-30
Windows ..................................... 2-42
Express-Down
............................... 2-42
Windshield Washer
............................. 2-46
Fluid
.................................. 2-46, 6-32
Fluid Level Check
............................ 7-39
Blade Replacement ........................... 6-43
Fuses ...................................... 6-63
Wiring, Headlamp .............................. 6-63
Wrecker Towing
................................. 5-7
Wrench.
Wheel ............ .. .- ..... .. -. . E ........ 3-2Q ....
Power ........................................ 2-42
Windshield Wiper
............................ 2-45
Winter Driving
................................. 4-25
'1
..
9-11
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