1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD fuel cap

When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system
can determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. This would allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. See “Malfunction
Indicator
Lamp” in the Index.
1~ NOTICE: I
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions
system
might be damaged.
Checkinr Things Under the Hood
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure
you even when the engine is not running, i
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
Things that burn can get on hot
engine parts a:
start
a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil,
coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to
drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.

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

Relay
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
Usage
Air Conditioning Compressor Anti-Lock Brake SystedTraction Control
System
(TCS)
Cooling Fan 1
AIR Pump
Cooling Fan 2
Not Used
Fog
Lamps
Cooling Fan 3
Replacement Bulbs
Back-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp . .
Front Parking and Turn Signal . .
Headlamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sidemarker . .
Tail Only . . . . .
Tail/Stop/Turn . . .
. . . . . . . . 1156
e.* . . 921
. . . . . . . . . 3157K
. . . . . . H-6545
, . . . . . . . . . . 194
.., .. . . . . . . . . . 194
.................. . 2057
Capacities and Specifications
Engine
Type
VIN Engine Code
K . . .
VIN Engine Code P .
Fuel Delivery . . . . . . . .
...... V6
. * . , . e. . V8
. . . . . . . . Fuel Injection
Valve Arrangement
. . . . .
Piston Displacement
VIN Engine Code K . . .
VIN Engine Code P . . . . .
Firing Order
VIN Engine Code K . . .
VIN Engine Code P .
.., . . . . In-Head
, . ,231 CID (3800)
, , . 350 CID (5.7L)
, . . 1-6-5-4-3-2
.... 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Wheel Nut Torque
. . . . . . . . . . . 100 lb-ft (140 N-m)
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Type
. . . . . ........................ hook
Length
. . . ..... . 24 inches (610 mm)

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

Maintenance Schedule
I Short TriplCity Definition I
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one
of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
or other commercial application.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
One of the 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 soonex
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first). 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 km): 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): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions).
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete muintenance schedule on
the following pages.
I- 7-5

Maintenance Schedule
n
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Do not use this schedule if the vehicle
is used for trailer towing, driven in
a dusty area or used
off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City schedule for
these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with n fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down sluwm
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change
(or every 12 months, whichever occurs first),
Chassis Lubrication (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). Tire Rotation,
At the First 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Rear Axle Fluid
Change (Limited-Slip Differential),
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): 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 109,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions).
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service
(or every 60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be
sure to follow the cornnlete maintenance schedule on
the following pages,
7-6

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if
vehicle is used to pull a trailer.
Replace air cleaner filter.
Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage
or leaks. Inspect fuel cap gasket for any
damage. Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote?.)
An Emission Control Service.
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter 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
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and-filter at
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
Manual transmission fluid doesn't
require change.
delivery service.
(Continued)

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
60,000 Miles (I00 000 km) (Continued)
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter at
lO0,OOO miles (166 000 km).
Manual transmission fluid doesn’t
require change.
0 Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
0 Replace air cleaner filter.
delivery
service.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage
or leaks. Inspect fuel cap gasket €or any
damage. Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote?.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation’’ in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.) (Also see hotnote ++.)