1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD cooling

Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause
an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.

NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, 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.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at
FULL COLD, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water
(preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL TM
(orange-colored, silicate-free) antifreeze at the coolant
recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for
more information.)
I A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix
will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM antifreeze.
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NOTICE:
.In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant
mix.
- -
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn
if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't
spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at
FULL COLD, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there's one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is
cool before you do it.
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Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the radiator
pressure cap
-- even a little -- they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including -the radiator pressure
cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool
if you ever have to
turn the pressure ca,p.
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HOW to Add Coolant to the Radiator
i'l (V6 Engine Only)
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down
as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
1. You can remove the rachator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including ,&e radiator pressure cap Bnd
upper radiator hose,
is no longer hot. Turn the pressure
cap slowly counterclockwise until
it first stops. (Don't
press down while turning the pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means '
there is still some pressure left.
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How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
(V8 Engine Only)
NOTICE:
The LTl Engine (Code P) has a specific radiator
fill procedure. Failure to follow this procedure
could cause your engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
<
I
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is
no longer hot. Turn the pressure
cap slowly counterclockwise until it first stops. (Don’t
press down while turning the pressure cap.)
.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
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Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance’ Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant.. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Standard Differential
Use Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 12345977) or
SAE 8OW-90 GL-5 gear lubricant. -
Limited-Slip Differential
To add lubricant when the level is low, use Axle
Lubricant
(GM Part No. 12345977). To completely refill
after draining, add
2 ounces (59 ml) of Limited-Slip
Differential Lubricant Additive
(GM Part No. 1052358).
Then fill to the bottom of the filler plug hole with Axle
Lubricant (GM,Part No. 12345977).
/
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle
for 5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
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.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
0
0
0
a
a
Give freezing protection down to -34 OF (-3 7 O C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
,. .:
. .( , <.
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NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free) coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277111.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant
will require change sooner -- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets
GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use GM
Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant
mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you
or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
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NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cos’t 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.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These
can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, check the dipstick on the cap
of the coolant recovery tank. The coolant level should
be at COLD, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level on the dipstick should be up to HOT, or
a little higher.
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