1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

2. Turn and pull out the socket and the bulb.
3. Pull out the bulb.
4. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
To replace the bulb:
1. Remove the two screws in the stodarnp Lem.
6-40
ProCarManuals.com

2. Gently pull the assembly out and remove the bulb
from the back of the assembly.
3. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Rear Lamps
To change any rear bulb, you have to remove the
entire housing.
1. Remove the trim panel from the side that you are
replacing
the bulb.
2. Pull the carpet back.
3. Remove the wing nuts.
6-41
ProCarManuals.com

4.
5.
6.
7.
Pull off the assembly from the outside.
To remove a socket with a tab, press the tab and turn
the socket counterclockwise.
To remove a socket
without a tab, turn
the socket counterclockwise.
To remove the bulb, push in and turn it
counterclockwise, then pull it out.
Reverse the steps with
a new bulb.
Rear Sidemarker.
I
I P
To replace a rear sidemarker bulb:
1. Remove the screw from the sidemarker assembly.
2. To pull out the bulb housing, tilt the housing to
remove
the tabbed end.
6-42
ProCarManuals.com

3. Turn counterclockwise and pull out the socket and
the bulb.
4. Pull out the bulb.
5. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways.
To remove the wiper blade assembly:
1. Lift the wiper arm until it locks into an
upright position.
2. Press the locking tab down while sliding the blade
assembly
down.
L
6-43
ProCarManuals.com

Wiper Blade Element Replacement
To replace the wiper blade element refer to the wiper
blade assembly replacement instructions.
To replace the
element follow these steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Locate the heel end of the wiper blade assembly that
has the two notches held by the wiper blade claw.
Hold the wiper blade assembly with one hand and
pull
the element gently with the other hand.
(Replacement blade elements have three plastic caps
which retain two metal flexor
strips. Do not remove
these caps before the element is installed.)
At the heel end of the blade assembly, notched end
of blade element last, slide the blade element into the
blade
claw sets. The plastic retainer caps will be
forced
off as the element is fully inserted. Make sure
that
all the claw sets are properly engaged in the
slots
of the blade element.
Install wiper blade assembly on wiper
arm.
For information on windshield wiper blade replacement
type and length, see “Capacities and Specifications” in
the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, located on the
driver’s door, shows the correct inflation pressures for
your tires when they’re cold. “Cold“ means your vehicle\

has been sitting for
at least three hours or driven no
more than 1 mile ( 1.6 km).
If you’ll be driving at speeds higher than 100 mph
(160 km/h) where it is legal, raise the cold inflation
pressure
of each tire to 35 psi (240 Pa). When you end
this very high-speed driving, reduce the cold inflation
pressures to those listed on the Tire-Loading
Information label.
NOTICE:
~ ~~ ~~ ~
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation
is all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation),
you can
get the following:
Too much flexing
e Too much heat
0 Tire overloading
NOTICE: (Continued)
~ ~~~~
NOTICE: (Continued)
0 Bad wear
0 Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:
0 Unusual wear
Bad handling
0 Rough ride
Needless damage fram road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a-month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be
at 61) psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them.
Radial tires may look properly
inflated even when they’re underidlated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stem.
They help prevent
leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
ProCarManuals.com

Tire,Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be inspected every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km) for any signs of unusual wear.
If unusual wear is present, rotate your tires as soon as
possible and check wheel alignment. Also check for
damaged tires or wheels. See “When It’s Time for New
Tires” and “Wheel Replacement” later in this section
for
more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Servi~es” in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals. If
you don’t
have P245/50ZR16 or P275/40ZR17
Goodyear Eagle
GS-C tires, use the rotation pattern
shown previously for your tires.
L
If you have P245/50ZR16 or P275/40ZR17 Goodyear
Eagle
GS-C tires, they must roll in a certain direction
for the best overall performance. The direction is shown
by an arrow on the sidewall. Because these tires
are
directional, they should be rotated as shown here. These
tires should only be moved from front to rear and rear to
front on the same side
of the vehicle.
6-47
ProCarManuals.com