1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD overheating

Radiator Precsure Cap (All Engines)
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is an 18 psi (124 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system.
The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
3800 L36 Engine
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid
unless you suspect there
is a leak in the system or you hear
an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired.
6-30
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Tires
We don’t make tires. Your new Pontiac comes with
high-quality tires made
by a leading tire manufacturer.
If you ever have questions about your tire warranty and
where to obtain service, see your Pontiac Warranty
booklet for details.
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading’ your tires can cause overheating
as a result of too much friction. You codd
have an airout and a serious accident.
See “Loading Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
, : , .
impact -- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at
the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread
is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
See ‘%flation -- Tire Pressure” in this sectiisa
for inflation pressure adjustment for higher
speed driving.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be IC -..&
. : .I
6-45
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Engine Coolant
...................................... 6-26
CoolantHeater ............................... 2-26
Coolant Level Check .......................... 7-39
Coolant Temperature Gage ..................... 2~81
Exhaust ..................................... 2-40
FuseBlocks ................................. 6-64
I'dentification ................................ 6-62
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7- 39
Overheating ................................. 5- 13
Running While Parked
......................... 2-41
Specifications
................................ 6-69
Starting Your
...................... 2-23,2-24, 2-25
Engine Oil
..................................... 6-10
Additives
................................... 6-14
Checking ................................... 6-11
Used
....................................... 6-15
Adding
..................................... 6-12
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-85
When to Change ............................... 6- 15
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-40
Exit Lighting
.............................. 2-17. 2-53
Express-Down Window
.......................... 2-42
Ethan01
......................................... 6-3
Exit Lightingmelayed Illumination
.................. 2- 17
Fabric Cleaning ................................ 6-54
Fan Control, Climate Control System ................ 3-1
Feature Customization ........................... 2- 16
Delayed Illumination
.......................... 2- 17
Driver's Door
Alarm Delay/Shock.Sensor Enable .... 2-20
Exit Lighting ................................ 2-17
Last Door Closed Locking ...................... 2- 17
Lockout Prevention ........................... 2-17
Remote Lock
Control Verification ................ 2-18
Theft-Deterrent Arming Method
................. 2-19
Theft-Deterrent Arming Verification .............. 2-19
Fifth Gear. Manual Transmission
.............. 2-32. 2.33
FillingYourTa
nk ................................ 64
Filter, Engine Oil ............................... 6-15
First Gear, Automatic 'Transmission
................ 2-30
First Gear, Manual Transmission
.............. 2-3 1 , 2-33 '
Flashers, Hazard Warning ......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-27
Floor Mats .................................... 2-61
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 7-44
FogLamps
.................................... 2-52
Folding
Rear Seatback ............................ 1-6
Foreign
Countries, Fuel ........................... 6-4
Fourth Gear, Manual Transmission ............ 2-33. 2-34
Four-Way Mmal Seat
........................... 1-2 ......
Filter, Air ..................................... 6-17
.Finishcare
.................................... 6-58
Finish Damage
................................... 6-60
French Language Manual ........................... ii~ i' T.!
Front Console ................................... 2-57
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Front
Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement .......... 6-39
F~el
.......................................... 6-2
FillingYourTank .............................. 6-4
Gage ........................................ 2-87
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-64
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
9-4
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Methanol ...................................... 6-3
Mirrors
....................................... 2-55
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-56
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-55
Manual
..................................... 2-55
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-55
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-56
Visor Vanity
.................................. 2-60
MountainRoads
................................ 4-23
Multifunction Lever
. . ............... 2-43
Neutral. Automatic Transmission
................. 2-28
Neutral. Manual Transmission
................ 2.32. 2.33
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-21
Nightvision
................................... 4-16
Odometer
.................................... 2-75
Odometer. Trip .................................. 2-75
Off-Road Recovery ............................. 4- 12
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-10
.... Overheating Engine ............................. 5- 13
.... ................ .. Overdrive. Automatic Transmission 2-29
... .. L ... Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-39
.. Owner Publications, Ordering ..................... 8- 11 .- . ..
Paint Spotting. Chemical . . ................. 6-60
Park Automatic Transmission
........................ 2-27
Shifting
Into ................................. 2-37
Shifting Out of
................................ 2-39 Parking
At Night
.... .... 2-11
Brake
....................... ......... 2-36
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-42
Lots
....................................... 2-11
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-40
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-37
Parking Your Vehicle, Manual Transmission
.......... 2-39
Passenger Position
......................... 1-26. 1-27
Passing
....................................... 4-13
PASS-Key
II ................................. 2-14
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-43
Pontiac Cares Information
......................... 8-1
Power Antenna Mast Care
............................ 3-23
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Option Fuses
................................ 6-63
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-56
Retained Accessory
........................... 2-54
Seat
......................................... 1-2
Steering
.................................... 4-10
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-30
Windows
................................... 2-42
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-26
Problems
on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner
................... 8-11
Radiator
................................ 5.20. 5.23
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-30
Radio Reception ................................ 3-20
Radios
........................................ 3-6
9-7
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