1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD oil temperature

Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
[n very cold weather, 0°F (- 18 "C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum
of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle,
I'o Use the Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
P
A CAJT,,J:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
coul'd cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a
fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. After you've used the coolant heater, be sure to
store the
cord as it was b'efore to keep it away
from moving engine
parts. If you don't, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature,
the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Pontiac dealer
in the area where you'll be puking
your vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for
that particular area.
2-26
ProCarManuals.com

Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel” in the Index).
Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditijons may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause
the light
to turn on.
If you experience this condition, change the fuel brand
you use. It will require at least one full tank of the
proper fuel to turn the light
off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has
the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools
to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Engine Oil Pressure Gage
This gage tells you if there
could be
a problem with
your engine oil pressure.
The engine oil pressure gage shows the engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) in the United
States, or Wa (kilopascals)
in Canada, when the engine
is running. Oil pressure should be 20 to 80 psi (140 to
550 kPa). On the 3800 engine the oil pressure should be
between
20 and 120 psi (140 to 827 kPa). It may vary
with engine speed, outside temperature and oil viscosity,
but readings above the red area show the normal
operating range. Readings in the red area tell
you that
the engine is low on oil, or that you might have some
other oil problem. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
2-85
ProCarManuals.com

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

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

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil
is changed.
Change both
the fluid and filter every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
con’ditions, change
the fluid and filter every 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your Pontiac dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if
you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32 ” C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
ProCarManuals.com

Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance’ Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant.. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Standard Differential
Use Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 12345977) or
SAE 8OW-90 GL-5 gear lubricant. -
Limited-Slip Differential
To add lubricant when the level is low, use Axle
Lubricant
(GM Part No. 12345977). To completely refill
after draining, add
2 ounces (59 ml) of Limited-Slip
Differential Lubricant Additive
(GM Part No. 1052358).
Then fill to the bottom of the filler plug hole with Axle
Lubricant (GM,Part No. 12345977).
/
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle
for 5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is
low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
0
0
0
a
a
Give freezing protection down to -34 OF (-3 7 O C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
,. .:
. .( , <.
6-26
ProCarManuals.com

Replacement Parts Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Air Cleaner Filter Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
VIN Engine Code P .................. A1163C refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
VIN Engine Code P (with WS6 Option) A1097C
Battery
............................... .75-60
Engine
Oil Filter
..... .;+ VIN Engine Code K .................. A1163C If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs I . . '. .~ ,..I . ,. ,
If you're not sure, ask your Pontiac dealer. ...
. VIN Engine Code K ..................... PF47
VIN Engine Code
P .................... PF25
Fuel Filter
............................. GF578
PCV Valve
VIN Engine Code
K ................. CV892C
VIN Engine Code P ................. CV895C
Radiator Cap
........................... RC24
Spark Plug
VIN Engine Code K ....... -41-921 (0.060" Gap)
VIN Engine Code P ....... e41-943 (0.050" Gap)
Specification
................... 180°F (82°C)
Thermostat Temperature
I 6r't
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule if any
one
of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
$0 Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
0 If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
One ofthe reasons you should follow this schedule if you
operate your vehicle under any of these conditions is that
these conditions cause engine oil to break down
soonel:
your vehicle.
or other commercial application.
Short Trip/City Intervals
~~
Every 3,000 Miles .(5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
Change
(or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first).
- I
Short Trip/City Intervals
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) -- .Then
Every 12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) of Trailering:
Rear Axle Fluid Change (Vehicles Towing Trailers).
At the First 6,000 Miles (10 000 Ism): Rear Axle Fluid
Change (Limited-Slip Differential).
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions. Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement, Fuel Tank, Cap and
Lines Inspection.
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service
(or every 60 months, whichever occurs fust).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Automatic Transmission Service (normal conditions).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be
sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
7-4
ProCarManuals.com