1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD service indicator

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light)
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Your Pontiac is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
. . , , ..** , .- ,_ , . ,I , - . 'G, .. .. . .. .-
This system is called OBD I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. (In Canada, OBD
11 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The SERVICE ENGINE SOON
light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated
by the system before any problem is apparent, which
may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system
is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may
not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running:If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
0 Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service
is required.
0 Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer
or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
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If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood tune-up label), it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications.
If such fuels are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
on
your instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Pontiac dealer for diagnosis to determine the
cause of failure. In the event it is determined that the
cause of the condition is the type
of fuels used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called
MMT. If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate and the malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may
turn on. If this happens, return to your
authorized Pontiac dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system, allowing your
emission control system to function properly. Therefme,
you should not have to add anything to
the fuel. In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be
available in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that you use these gasolines
if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE: I
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
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NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong
kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care”
in the Index.
I
Brake Wear
Unless you have the four-wheel disc brake option, your
Pontiac has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal fiy).
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied
or lightly applied.
This does not
mean something is wrong with your brakes.
Free movement
of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected. Also, the
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Labels Certification
................................. 4-30
Service
Parts Identification ..................... 6-62
Tire-Loading Information
....................... 4-29
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-62
Lamps
........................................ 2-50
Courtesy
.................................... 2-53
Interior
..................................... 2-53
On Reminder
................................ 2-50
Last Door Closed Locking Feature
............. 2.4. 2.17
Last Door Closed LoclungLockout Prevention
....... 2-17
Latches. Front Seatback
........................... 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle .............................. 2-5
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-38
Lighter
....................................... 2-59
Lights
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-2 1. 2-77
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.78. 4.6
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-78
CheckGauges
............................... 2-87
Interior
..................................... 2-53
LowCoolant
................................. 2-82
LowOil
.................................... 2-86
Low Traction
............................ 2-81, 4-8
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-7. 2-76
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-83
Traction Control System Warning
............ 2-80. 4-9
Limited-Slip Differential. Rear Axle
................ 6-26
Loading
Your Vehicle ........................... 4-29
Lockout Prevention
......................... 2-4, 2-17
Cylinders
................................... 7-40
Door
........................................ 2-3
Locks
......................................... 2-3
Key Lock
Cylinder Service ..................... 7-40
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-42
Low Coolant Light ............................... 2-82
LowOilLight
................................. 2-86
Low Traction Light
......................... 2-81, 4-8
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-44
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-40
Lumbar Controls
................................ 1-3
Main Fuse Block .................... ..... 6-65
Maintenance. Normal Replacement
Parts .......... 6-71
Maintenance Record .................. ..... 7-46
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long TripMighway Definition ................... 7-5
Long Tripmighway Intervals .................... 7-28
Owner Checks and Services ..................... 7-39
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-43
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-44
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-1
Short Trip/City Definition ....................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-6
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-38
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-1
Manual Mirror
................................. 2-55
Manual Transmission ............................ 2-31
Check
...................................... 7-40
Fluid
....................................... 6-24
Shifting
..................................... 2-32
MapPocket ................................... 2-57
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-60
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-83
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TTYUsers ..................................... 8-4
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-44
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
................... 2-43
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-37
Twin Lift-off Roof Panels
........................ 2-61
underbody Flushing Service ..................... 7-42
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-60
Underhood Electrical Center
...................... 5-67
Vehicle Control
...................................... 4-5
Damagewarnings .............................. iv
Dimensions
................................. 6-70
Identification Number
......................... 6-62
Storage
...................................... 6-37
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System .......... 2-12
Alarm/PanicMode ............................. 2-6
Feature Customization
......................... 2- 16
Ventilation System
............................... 3-5
Visor Vanity Mirrors ............................ 2-60
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-60
Voltmeter
..................................... 2-77
Loading
.................................... 4-29 warning
Devices
............................... 5-2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ............... 2-75
Washer Fluid. Windshield
................... 2.46. 6.32
Washing Your Vehicle ........................... 6-58
Wheel Weatherstrips
.................................. 6-57
Alignment
.................................. 6-51
Nut Torque
.......................... .. 5.37. 6.69
Replacement ................................. 6-51 .
Wrench ..................................... 5-30
Windows ..................................... 2-42
Express-Down
............................... 2-42
Windshield Washer
............................. 2-46
Fluid
.................................. 2-46, 6-32
Fluid Level Check
............................ 7-39
Blade Replacement ........................... 6-43
Fuses ...................................... 6-63
Wiring, Headlamp .............................. 6-63
Wrecker Towing
................................. 5-7
Wrench.
Wheel ............ .. .- ..... .. -. . E ........ 3-2Q ....
Power ........................................ 2-42
Windshield Wiper
............................ 2-45
Winter Driving
................................. 4-25
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