1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD towing

A CAUTION:
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it
is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edgeswderneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition
key turned #to the
OFF position. The steering wheel
should be clamped in a straight-ahead position, with
a clamping device designed for towing service. Do not
use the vehicle’s steering column lock
for this. The
transmission should be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the
parking brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the drive wheels
unless you must. If the
vehicle must be towed on the
drive wheels, be sure to follow the speed and distance
restrictions later in this section
or your transmission will
be damaged. If these limits must be exceeded, then the
drive wheels have to be supported on a dolly.
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Front Towing
Tow Limits -- 35 mph (55 kh), 50 miles (80 km)
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NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or
fascidfog light damage will occur.
Use wheel lift or car carrier equipment.
Additional ramping may be required
for car
carrier equipment.
Use safety chains and wheel straps.
.(.
Attach T-hook chains to slots in frame, rearward of front
wheels on both sides.
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NOTICE:
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using car carrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
Attach a separate safety chain around outboard end of
each lower control arm.
NOTICE:
Take care not to damage the brake pipes and
hoses
or the ABS sensor and wiring.
NOTICE: 1
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage
a vehicle. Damage can occur from
vehicle-to-ground or
vehicle-to-wheel-lift-equipment contact.
To help
avoid damage, install
a towing dolly and raise
vehicle until adequate clearance
is obtained
between the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
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Rear Towing
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or rear
bumper valance will be damaged.
Use wheel lift or car carrier equipment.
Additional ramping may be required for car
carrier equipment.
Use safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle
to ground
or vehicle to wheel lift equipment
contact. To help avoid damage, install a towing
dolly and raise vehicle until adequate clearance is
obtained between the ground and/or wheel-lift
equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using car carrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
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If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
What you d0n’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must
use caution.
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be
igjlared. And,
the transmission
or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels
as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well
as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while
shifting your transmission back
and forth,
you can destroy your transmission.
For infomation about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
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has traction control, you should turn the system off. (See
“Traction Control System” in the Index.) Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear (or with a manual transmission, between
FIRST (1)
or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the
wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you
shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal
when the transmission is in gear. If that doesn’t
get you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed
out. If
you do-need to be towed out, see “Towing Your
Vehicle” in the Index. !-
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil
is changed.
Change both
the fluid and filter every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
con’ditions, change
the fluid and filter every 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your Pontiac dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if
you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32 ” C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
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Maintenance Schedule
Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule if any
one
of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
$0 Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
0 If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
One ofthe reasons you should follow this schedule if you
operate your vehicle under any of these conditions is that
these conditions cause engine oil to break down
soonel:
your vehicle.
or other commercial application.
Short Trip/City Intervals
~~
Every 3,000 Miles .(5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
Change
(or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first).
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Short Trip/City Intervals
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) -- .Then
Every 12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) of Trailering:
Rear Axle Fluid Change (Vehicles Towing Trailers).
At the First 6,000 Miles (10 000 Ism): Rear Axle Fluid
Change (Limited-Slip Differential).
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions. Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement, Fuel Tank, Cap and
Lines Inspection.
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service
(or every 60 months, whichever occurs fust).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Automatic Transmission Service (normal conditions).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be
sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
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Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter at
IO0,OOO miles (1 66 000 km).
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t require change.
delivery service.
. DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
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18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first)/.
An Emission
Control Service.
0 Lubricate the steering linkage (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See ‘Tire Inspection and Rotation”
‘in the Index for proper rotation pattern and
additional information. During tire rotation,
check brake calipers for freedom of movement.
Refer to the appropriate GM service manual for
proper caliper service procedures.
0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is
used to pull a trailer.
DATE SERVICED By: ACTUAL MILEAGE
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