1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding
water.
0 Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts
of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could damage
the tank
if it is completely full.
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
Don’t use radiator antifreeze m your
6-32
ProCarManuals.com

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down
to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings
are put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is
leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off” your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings
are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the
engine. The fluid will burn if the engine fs hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections’’
in the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Brake Fluid What to Add
With the Tong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even workat all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the
proper brake fluid.
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid level should
be above the plastic seam in the reservoir. If it isn’t, have
your brake system checked to see Z there is a leak
A€kr wmk is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sme the level is above the plastic seam, near the base of
the filler neck. When
you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing it.
6-34
t ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong
kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care”
in the Index.
I
Brake Wear
Unless you have the four-wheel disc brake option, your
Pontiac has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal fiy).
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied
or lightly applied.
This does not
mean something is wrong with your brakes.
Free movement
of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected. Also, the
6-35
ProCarManuals.com

rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each
time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When you have the front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always
be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pe’dal
travel.
This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for
wear. If you rarely make a moderate or
heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly.
If you drive in that way, then -- very carefully -- make
a few moderate brake stops about every 1,000 miles
(1 600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly.
If YOU brake pedal goes down farther than narmd, you
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts
in them, as your Pontiac does when it is new.
When
you replace parts of your braking system -- for
example, when your brake
linings wear down and you
have to have new ones
put in - be sure you get new
genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your
brakes my no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change - for the wme. The braking performance
you’ve come to expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
ProCarManuals.com

Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, take off the black, negative (-) cable fiom the battery.
This will help keep your battery fiom running down. Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in
the Index.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulb, see
“Replacement Bulbs” ‘in
the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
/I CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You’can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See 66Jump Starting”
in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Ibs ha presr
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Take special care when
handling and
disposing of halogen bulbs. 1
6-37
ProCarManuals.com

To replace a headlamp:
I. OpeTX the headlamp door by hand. See “Headlamp
Doors” in the Index.
I
2. Unscrew the bezel with a screwcki~ and remove it.
I IIW- L
3. Remove the screws and pull out the bulb housing.
6-38
ProCarManuals.com

Front Turn Signal
4. Pull out the bulb and disconnect the electrical connector.
5. Reverse the steps with a new bulb. 1. Using a screwdriver, remove the plastic screws from
' the deflector under the vehicle. Move the deflector
out
of the way.
ProCarManuals.com