Page 251 of 386
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on.
Then just pull the hood down and
close it firmly.
Engine Oil
LOW
OIL
If the LOW OIL light
on the instrument
panel comes on, it
means you need to
check your engine oil
level right away.
5.7L LT1 (Code P) Oil Dipstick
The engine oil dipstick is the yellow
loop near the back
of the engine.
For more information, see
"Low 0il.Light" in the Index.
You
should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be
warm and'the vehicle must be on level ground.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 254 of 386
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER -
"F
I. 100 -
+ 80 -
+60-
+4O -
+20 -
0-
C
=3
- +3a
- +27
- +16
- +4
--7
--18
1
.D
I
I
FOR MIS 1 U
SYMBOL 4 II
.> . :.'
WEATHER
00 NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, unless you have the 5.7L engine,
SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use
SAE 1OW-30 if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C) or
above. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as
SAE 20W-50.
5.7L LTl (Code P) Engine
6-13
ProCarManuals.com
Page 255 of 386

RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADlE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECOWOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE
OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPER,ATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER -
“C
t 38
e 27
t 16
t4
-7
- 18
I.
/
COLD
WEATHER
WOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
11 SAE I 1OW-30
PREFERRED abovo WF (-lac)
00 NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
3800 L36 (Code K) Engine
J
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3800L engine,
SAE 1OW-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use
SAE 5W-30 if it’s going to be colder than 60°F
( 16 O C) before your next oil change. When it’s very cold,
you should use SAE 5W-30. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as
SAE 2OW-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Pontiac dealer is
ready to advise if you think something should be added:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
6-14
ProCarManuals.com
Page 287 of 386

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
Page 306 of 386

Main Fuse Block Fuse
PCM BATT
FUSE USAGE CHART
10 2D 30 40 STOPlHAZARD TURN B-U PCM BATT RADIO ACCY
TAIL LTS HVAC PWR
ACCY
COURTESY
GAGES AIR BAG CIGARIACCY DEFOGISEATS
IGN PCM IGN WIPERIWASH BATT WINDOWS
160 Q 17- . IP DIMMER ACCY RADIO
SEE OWNER'S MANUAL
FOR MORE INFORMATION PRINTED IN U.S.A 10281550
I
Fuse Usage
STOP/HAZARD Hazard Flasher,
Brake Switch Assembly
Switch, Transmission Range
Switch, Back-up Lamp Switch,
Turn Flasher, Daytime Running
Lamps
(DRL) Module
TURN'
B-U Performance/Traction
Control RADIO ACCY
TAIL,
LTS
HVAC
PWR ACCY
COURTESY
GAGES
AIR BAG
Usage
Powertrain Control Module '(PCM),
Fuel Pump Relay
Radio, Power Antenna,
Bose Relay, Remote Compact
Disc Changer
Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) Module, Headlamp Switch
HVAC Selector Switch,
Rear Defogger TimerRelay,
Rear Defogger Switch, Rear
Defogger Switch/Timer
Park Lamp Relay,
Hatch Release Relay,
Power Mirror Switch,
Radio,
Shock Sensor, Instrument Cluster
Body Control Module (BCM)
Body Control Module (BCM),
Brake Switch Assembly (BTSI),
Instrument Cluster, Daytime
Running Lamps
(DIU) Module,
Auxiliary Accessory Wire
Air
Bag System,
Dual Pole Arming Sensor
6-65
ProCarManuals.com
Page 308 of 386
Underhood Electrical Center 1
Fuse Usage
ABS IGN Anti-Lock Brake System
ACTUATORS
R HDLP DR
L HDLP DR Daytime
Running Lamp Module,
Headlamp Switch, Cooling Fan
Relay, Exhaust,
Gas Recirculation,
EVAP Canister Purge Solenoid
Headlamp Door Module
Headlamp Door Module
$$L,~: :'... : ? '&,. -
,-
Fuse
ABS VLV
ABS BAT
AIR PUMPFAN
HORN INJECTOR
EN6 SEN
IGNITION
NC-CRUISE
Usage
Brake Pressure Valve
Electronic Brake Control Module
Air Pump (V8) Relay, Pump,
Bleed Valve and
Cooling Fan
Horn Relay
Fuel Injectors
Mass Airflow, Heated Oxygen Sensor, Reverse Lockout
Solenoid, Skip Shift Solenoid,
Automatic Transmission,
Brake Switch
V6 VIN K: Electronic
Ignition Module
V8 VIN P: Ignition Coil Module,
Crankshaft Position Sensor,
Ignition Coil
Air Conditioning Compressor
Relay; Cruise Control Switches
and Module
ProCarManuals.com
Page 310 of 386

Capacities and Specifications
Engine
Type VIN Engine Code
K ...................... V6
VTN Engine Code P ...................... V8
Fuel Delivery .................... Fuel Injection
Valve Arrangement
.................... In-Head
Piston Displacement
..........................
VINEngine Code K ............ 231 CID (3.8L)
VIN Engine Code
P ............ 350 CID (5.7L)
VIN Engine Code K .............. 1-6-5-4-3-2
VIN Engine Code P ......... 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Wheel Nut Torque ............ 100 lb-ft (140 N-m)
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Type ............ ................. hook
Length ........ ... 24 inches (610 mm)
Firing Order
Capacities (Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions.
Air Conditioning?
............. See the refrigerant
information label under the hood.
Automatic Transmission
Drain and Refill ............... 10 pints (4.7 L)*
Overhaul
VIN Engine Code
K ......... 17.6 pints (8.3 L)*
VIN Engine Code P ........ 21 ..6 pints (10.2 L)*
VIN Engine Code K V)
With Manual Transmission .... 12.5 quarts (11.8 L)
With' Automatic "ransmissjon . 12.3 qums (1 1.6 L)
VIN Engine Code P
With Manual Transmission ... 15.3 quarts (14.5 L)
With Automatic Transmission 15.1 quarts (14.3
L)
Cooling System
6-69
ProCarManuals.com
Page 311 of 386

Capacities (Approximate) (Continued)
Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change
3800 (WN K) ............ 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)**
5.7 L (VIN P) ............ 5.0 quarts (4.7 L)**
Fuel Tank .................. 15.5 gallons (58.7 L)
Five-Speed ................. 6.8 pints (3.2 L)*
Six-Speed .................. 8.0 pints (3.8 L)*
Rear Axle Lubricant ............ 3.5 pints (1 .TL)
Manual Transmission
+Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
If you’re not sure, ask your Pontiac dealer.
*Recheck fluid level after filling. See “Automatic
Transmission
Fluid” or “Manual Transmission Fluid”
in the Index.
**Recheck the oil level after filling. See “Engine Oil” in
the Index.
Vehicle Dimensions
Wheelbase
Front Tread
Rea’ Tread
Length
Firebird / Formula
Trans
Am
Width
Height
101.1 inches (2 566 mm)
60.7 inches (1 542 mm)
60.7 inches (1 540 mm)
195.6 inches (4 968 mm)
197.0 inches ( 5 005 mm)
74.5 inches (1 893 mm)
52.10 inches (1 323, nun)
ProCarManuals.com