1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD check oil

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
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.
Th,e engine
oil dipstick is the yellow loop near the back
of the engine.
If the LOW OIL light on the instrument panel comes on,
it means you need to check your engine oil level right
away.
For more information, see “Low Oil Light” in the
Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
5.7L Engine Oil Dipstick
6- 12

3800 Engine
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.
5.7L Engine

1 Vf a I IJ
If you have the 5.7L LT1 engine (with the WS6 option),
your air cleaner will be located over the radiator near the
front
of the engine.
To remove the filter, remove the screws (located on the
rear edge of the air cleaner), lift the air cleaner and
remove
the filter.
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
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
regularly reaches
90” F (32” C) or higher.
0 Uses such as high
performance operation.
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
conditions, change the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles ( 166 000 km),
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
6-22

Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the fluid in your manual
transmission doesn’t require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be 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.
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
I transmission fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission is
cool
enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom
of the filler plug hole.
3. If the fluid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If the fluid level
is low, add more
fluid as described in the next steps.
How to Add Fluid
Here’s how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind of fluid to use. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add only enough
fluid to bring the fluid level up to the bottom of
the filler plug hole.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
6-27

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
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” 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
80W-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 4 ounces
(1 18 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 s stem in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL 8 engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240
000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
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
50150 mixture’ of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
e Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.

Capacities (Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in
English. and metric conversions. Please refer to
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index
for more information.
Air Conditioning?
, ... See the refrigerant
information label
under the hood.
Automatic Transmission Drain and Refill
............... 10 pints (4.7 L)*
Overhaul
VIN Engine Code K ........ 17.6 pints (8.3 L)*
VIN Engine Code P ....... 2 1.6 pints (10.2 L)*
Cooling System
VIN Engine Code K
With Manual Transmission . . 12.5 quarts (11.8 L)
With Automatic Transmission 12.3 quarts (1 1.6 L)
VIN Engine Code P
With Manual Transmission . 15.3 quarts (14.5 L)
With Automatic Transmission 15.1 quarts (14.3 L)
Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change
3800 (VIN K) ........... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)**
5.7L (VIN P ) ............ 5.0 quarts (4.7 L)**
Fuel Tank
.................. 15.5 gallons (58.7 L)
Manual Transmission
Five-Speed
........... , . 6.8 pints (3.2 L)*
Six-Speed .......... ..... 8.0 pints (3.8L)*
Rear Axle Lubricant ............ 3.5 pints (1.7L)
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
If you’re not sure, ask your Pontiac dealer,
* Recheck fluid level after filling. See “Automatic
Transmission Fluid”
or “Manual Transmission Fluid”
in the Index.
** Recheck the oil level after filling. See “Engine Oil”
in
the Index.
6-74

Part B: Owner Checks and Services Engine Coolant Level Check
Listed below are owner checks and services which Check the engine co’olant level and add DEX-COOL@
should be performed at the intervals specified to help coolant mix if necessary, See “Engine Coolant” in the
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control Index for further details.
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs
are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make
sure they are the proper ones, as shown in
Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
If is importunt for you or a sewice statim attendant tu
peqfiorm these underhood checks ut eachfielfill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index €or
further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield
washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
“Tires”
in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
7-44

Electrical Equipment. Adding .......... 2.26.3.22. 6.68
Electrical System ............................... 6-68
Coolant Heater ............................... 2-27
Coolant Level Check .......................... 7-44
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-83
Identification ................................ 6-68
Overheating
................................. 5-14
RunningWhileParked
......................... 2-42
Specifications
................................ 6-73
Engine .................................. 6-10. 6-11
Coolant
..................................... 6-29
Exhaust
..................................... 2-41
FuseBlocks
................................. 6-70
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-44
StartingYour ................................ 2-25
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-14
Checking ................................... 6-13
Used ....................................... 6-18
Ethanol
........................................ 6-5
Additives ................................... 6-1'7
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-87
Whentochange
.............................. 6-17
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-4 1
Exit Lighting ............................. 2-18. 2-54
Exit Lightingmelayed Illumination ................. 2- 18
Express-Down Window .......................... 2-43
Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-59
Fan Control. Climate Control System
................ 3-2
Feature Customization ........................... 2- 17
Exit Lighting ................................ 2-18
Last Door Closed Locking
...................... 2-19
Lockout Prevention
........................... 2-19
Remote Keyless
Entry Control Verification ......... 2-19
Theft-Deterrent Arming Method
................. 2-20
Theft-Deterrent Arming Verification
.............. 2-21
Fifth Gear. Manual Transmission
.............. 2-32. 2-34
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-6
Filter. Engine Oil
............................... 6-17
Finishcare
.................................... 6-63
Finish Damage ................................. 6-65
First
Gear. Automatic Transmission ................ 2-31
First Gear. Manual Transmission .............. 2-32. 2-33
Flashers. Hazar'd Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-26
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 7-50
Folding Rear Seatback ............................ 1-7
Foreign Countries. Fuel ........................... 6-5
Fourth Gear. Manual Transmission
............ 2-32. 2-34
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1-3
Frontconsole .................................. 2-58
Delayed 11.lumination
Driver's
Door Alarm Delay/Shock Sensor Enable ... 2-22 2-18
..........................
Filter. Air ..................................... 6-20
FloorMats
.................................... 2-61
FogLamps
.................................... 2-53
French Language Manual 11
FrontTowing .................................. 5-10
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement .......... 6-43
.. ...........................