1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD oil level

Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become
so hot that it
catches fire.
You or others could be burned.
Check your
oil as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
I
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems
can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
Low Oil Light
LOW OIL
Your vehicle is equipped with an oil level monitoring
system. When
you start your engine, the waning light
will come
on briefly. If the light doesn’t come on, have
it repaired.
If the light stays on after starting your engine, your
engine oil Level may be too
low. You may need to add
oil.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
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NOTICE:
The oil level monitoring system only checks the oil level when you are starting your engine. It does not
keep monitoring the level once your
engine is running.
Also, the oil level check only
works when the engine has been turned
off long
enough for the oil to drain back into the oil pan.
Check Gages Light
CHECK GAGES
This warning light will
come on briefly when you
are starting the engine. If
the light comes on and stays
on while you are driving,
check your gages to see if
they are
in the warning
areas.
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage shows about
how much fuel is in your
tank. The gage works only
when the ignition switch is
in the RUN position.
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When the gage pointer first indicates EMPTY (E), you
still have a little fuel left (about one to two gallons), but
you need
to get more right away.
Here are four concerns some owners have had about the
fuel gage. All these situations are normal and do not
indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gage.
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the
It takes more (or less) gas to fill up than the gage
gage
reads
FULL (F).
reads. For example, the gage reads half full, but it took
more (or less) than half of the tank’s capacity to fill it.
a The gage moves a little when you turn, stop or speed up.
When you turn the engine off, the gage doesn’t go
back to EMPTY (E).
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. 'The exit speed is usually posted.
, . :Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
- : .' :to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you. are going
slower than you actually are.
.pg I*:., :.'-L. :.& .-.(,-.r
Be€ore Leaving on a Long nip'* A
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh -- such 'as after a day's
, work -- don't plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip?' If you keep it
serviced
md maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs L
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts in
Pontiac dealerships all across
North America. They'll be
ready and willing to help if you need it.
,' <:. 8
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in goo,d shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free
trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving?
Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should .you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine
is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing
and tools away from
any underhood electric fan,
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything
else until it cools down.
When it is cool, remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and
look at the dipstick.
The coolant level should be at FULL COLD. If it
isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in
the
cooling system.

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Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause
an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.

NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fan is running. If the engine
is
overheating, the fan should be running. If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at
FULL COLD, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water
(preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL TM
(orange-colored, silicate-free) antifreeze at the coolant
recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for
more information.)
I A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix
will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM antifreeze.
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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.
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3800 L36 (Code K) Oil Dipstick
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan.
If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
3800 L36 (Code K) Engine
~
5.7L LT 1 (Code P) Engine
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When to Add Oil What Kind of Oil to Use
If the oil is at or below the ARD he, then you’ll need to Oils recommended for yoar vehicle can be identified by
add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This part looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
explains what kind of oil to use. For crankcase capacity, ‘ indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
see “Capacities and Specifications” in
the Index. Petroleum Institute (AH). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
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NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oiI level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shm the Hrcrper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
Just~fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
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U-
I
P-
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol on the
front
of the oil container.
If you have your oil changed for you, be sure the oil put
into
your engine is American Petroleum Institute
certified for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
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