1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD brake fluid

Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
I) Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
engine running.
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in
PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
3800 Engine Transmission Dipstick
6-24

Brakes
Brake Fluid
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since
a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too
much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydrwlic system.
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here.
It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why
the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to
an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear, When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is hot enough. You ‘or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only
when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid.
See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections” in the
Index.
6-36

Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid level should
be above the plastic seam
in the reservoir. If it isn’t, have
your brake system checked
to see if there is a leak.
After work
is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is above the plastic seam, near the base of
the filler neck.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3
brake fluid -- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing
it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
6-37

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.
0 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.
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 firmly).
I
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When
you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have
your vehicle serviced.
6-38

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 GM 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
out-of-position 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 replalced 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 damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any cables that have
high effort or excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise conbd cables.
Wear Axle Service
Check the gear lubricant level in the rear axle and add if
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.

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 Coolant
Coolant
Supplement Sealer
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine oil w-
Petroleum Institute Certified For
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 use only
GM Goodwrench* DEX-COOL@
or Havoline’ DEX-COOL@
coolant. See “Engine Coolant” in
the
Index.
GM Part No. 3634621 or
equivalent
with a complete flush
and refill.
USAGE
Hydraulic Brake
System
Hydraulic Clutch
System
Power Steering System
Manual
Transmission
__
Automatic
Transmission Key
Lock
Cylinders
-
Clutch Linkage
Pivot Points
PLUJD/LUBRICANT
Delco Supreme 11 @ Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 ur
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
(GM Part
No. 12345347 or equivalent
DOT-3
brake fluid).
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part No. 1052884 - 1 pint,
1050017 - 1 quart, or equivalent).
DEXRON@-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
DEXRON@-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pur
ose lubricant,
Superlube
(GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Engine
oil.
-
&

Section 9 Index
Accessory Plug ............................. 2-61
AirBag
....................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-25
How it Works ................................ 1-23
Location
.................................... 1-23
Readiness Light
......................... 1.22. 2.78
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-24
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-24
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-18
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-74
Air Control. Climate Control System ................. 3-2
Alarm. Content Theft-Deterrent ................... 2- 13
Alarm/PanicMode ............................... 2-7
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-55
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-64
Antenna. Power
................................ 3-24
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-29
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-80. 4-7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Anti-Theft. Radio
.............................. 3- 19
Appearance Care ............................... 6-58
Servicing ................................... 1- 26 Appearance Care Materials
...... .......... 6-67
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-9
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-59
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control ....... 3-21
Audio Equipment. Adding ........................ 3-22
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-6
Automatic Overdrive ............................ 2-30
Automatic Transmission
Check
...................................... 7-45
Fluid
....................................... 6-22
Operation ................................... 2-28
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-47
Shifting ..................................... 2-28
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-25
Axle. Limited-Slip Rear ......................... 2-36
Axle. Rear
.................................. 6-29
Battery ...................................... 6-40
Jump Starting ................................. 5-3
Warnings
................................ 5-3. 5-5
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-9
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-9
Blizzard . . ... ................. 4-28
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry ............... 2-9

Brake
Adjustment .................................. 6-39
Master Cylinder .............................. 6-36
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-40
System Warning Light
......................... 2-79
Transmission Shift Interlock
.................... 2-40
Brakes, Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking in Emergencies.
.......................... 4- 10
Break-In, New Vehicle .......................... 2-23
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-54
BTSI ......................................... 2-40
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-4 1
Fluid ....................................... 6-36
Parking
..................................... 2-37
PedalTravel
................................. 6-39
Trailer
...................................... 4-35
Wear
....................................... 6-38
BTSICheck
................................... 7-46
CalipedKnuckle Maintenance Inspections .......... 7-49
Canadian Roadside Assistance
...................... 8-8
Capacities and Specifications ...................... 6-73
Carbon Monoxide
.......... 2- 10.2-41.2-42.4-29. 4-35
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-44
Cassette Tape Player ............ ......... 3-7. 3-10
Errors .................................. 3-8. 3-12
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3 - 19
Certification Label .............................. 4-30
Care
....................................... 3-23
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-44
Chains. Safety ................................. 4-35
Chains. Tire ................................... 6-57
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-26
Check Gauges Light
............................. 2-89
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-41
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-66
Child Restraints'
................................ 1-32
Securing in a Rear Seat Position
................. 1-34
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-36
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 2-59
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-69
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 4-64
Convertible Top .............................. 6-64
Glass
....................................... 6-61
Inside of Your Pontiac
......................... 6-58
Instrument Panel ............................. 6-61
Outside of Your Pontiac ........................ 6-63
Removable
Roof Panel ......................... 6-62
Special Problems ............................. 6'-59
Vinyl
....................................... 6-60
Windshield and Wiper Blades ................... 6-62
Climate Control System ........................... 3-2
Clock. Setting the ................................ 3-6
TopStrap ................................... l-33
WheretoPut ................................ 1-32
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-18
Cleaning Fabric
...................................... 6-59
Leather ..................................... 6-60
Stains
...................................... 6-59
Tires ....................................... 6-65
Wheels ..................................... 6-64
9-2