1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working progerly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts.
If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any tom or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also- look for any opened or broken air bagtcovers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Manual Transmission Check
Check the transmission fluid level; add i,f nkeded. See
“Manual Transmission” in the Index. A fluid. loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
Automatic TransmisBiion Check
Check the transmission fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transmission” in the Index. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the fluid lev’el in the clutch reservoir. See
“Hydraulic Clutch
Fluid” in the Index. A fluid loss in
this system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified-
in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the hood, ,headlamp door
assemblies, rear compartment, console doors and any
folding seat hardware.
Part D tells you what to use.
More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
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Starter Switch Check When
you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking
Brake’’ in
the Index if necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn
off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The starter should work only in
PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service.
around
the vehicle.
On manual transmission vehicles, put the shift lever
in NEUTRAL
(N), push the clutch down halfway
and
try to start the engine. The starter should work
only when
the clutch is pushed down all the way to
the floor. If the starter works when the clutch isn’t
pushed all the way down, your vehicle needs service.
Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
(Automatic Transmission)
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
arouqd the vehicle. It should be parked on
a
level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index
if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position,
but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake,
try to move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out
of PARK (P). vour vehicle’s BTSI
needs service.
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Steering Column Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the key to LOCK 11 each shift lever position.
With an automatic transmission, the key should turn
to LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
With a manual transmission, the key should
turn
to LOCK only when the shift lever is in
REVERSE (R).
On vehicles with a key release button, try to turn the key
to
LOCK without pressing the button. The key should
turn to LOCK only when you press the key button.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in
LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
PARK (P) Mechanism Check
A CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your
foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake: With the engine running
and transmission
in NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular brake pedal.
Do this
until the vehicle
is held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
I -4L
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your GM dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a Pontiac Service Manual. See “Service and
Owner Publications’’ in the Index.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect
the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged, missing or
0~t~€-pii60n parts as well as open seams, holes, loose
connections or other conditions which could cause a heat
build-up in
the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes into
the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen
or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding, and
for damage or missing parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any cables that have high effort
or excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise control cables.
Rear Axle Service
Check the gear lubricabt level in the rear axle and add if I
needed. See “Rear Axle” in the Index. A fluid loss may
indicate a problem. Check
the axle and repair it if needed.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc. The
parking brake is self-adjusting and no manual
adjustment
is required. You may need to have your
‘brakes inspected more often
if your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.
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Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from
your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified
FOP
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol
of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and
GM
Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL TM or
Havoline@
DEX-COOL TM
(orange-colored, silicate-free)
antifreeze conforming
to GM
Specification
6277M. See “Engine
Coolant”
in the Index.
USAGE
Coolant
Supplement
Sealer
Hydraulic Brake
System
Hydraulic Clutch System
Power Steering
System
Manual
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Key Lock
Cylinders
FLUIDLUBRICANT
GM Part No. 3634621 or
equivalent with a complete flush
and refill.
Delco Supreme
I1 @ Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 10852535 or
equivalent
DOT-3 brake fluid).
Hydraulic Clutch
Fluid (GM Part
No. 12345347
or equivalent).
GM Power Steering Fluid
1050017 - 1 qt., or equivalent).
DEXRON@-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
DEXRON@-LII Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pur
ose Lubricant,
Superlube
?& (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
(GM
Part
NO. 1052884 - 1 Pt.,
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Clutch Linkage
Pivot Points
Floor Shift Linkage
Chassis
’
Lubrication
~~
Rear Axle
(Standard
Differential)
Rear Axle
(Limited-Slip
Differential)
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine oil.
Lubriplate Lubricant aerosol (GM
Part
No. 12346293 or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI Grade 2 Category LB or
Chassis lubricant
(GM Part ’
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of
NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or
Axle Lubricant
(GM Part
No. 12345977) or SAE 8OW-90
GL-5 Gear Lubricant.
Axle Lubricant (GM
Part
No. 12345977) and 2 ounces
(59 ml) of Limited-Slip
Differential Lubricant Additive
(GM
Part No. 1052358 or
equivalent) where required.
See “Rear Axle” in the Index.
GC-LB.
GC-LB.
USAGE
Windsheld
Washer Solvent
Hood Latch
Assembly Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
Pawl
Hood and Door
Hinges
Weatherstrip Conditioning
FLUIDLUBRICANT
GM Optikleen’ Washer Solvent
(GM Part No. 1051515) or
equivalent.
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol
(GM
Part No. 12346293 or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or
Multi-pu ose lubricant,
Superlube
% (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM
Part No. 12345579 or equivalent).
GC-LB.
See “Replacement Parts” in the Index ‘for recommended
replacement filters and spark plugs.
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Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the
date, odometer reading and who performed the service
in the
boxes provided after the maintenance interval. Services”
or “Periodic Maintenance” can
be added on
the following record pages. Also, you should retain all
maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio
Any additioial information
from “Owner Checks and is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record
SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
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Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE MAINTENANCE
PERFORMED SERVICED BY READING
c
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