1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD maintenance schedule

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.

5.7L Engine
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top
of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again and
look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up
to the mark.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level
When the engine compartment is cool, the level
should
be at the
H or HOT mark.
should
be at C or FULL COLD m’ark.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index. Always use the proper fluid.
Failure to
use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals,
6-34

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

When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
uon’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure.
You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may
look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See “When It’s
Time for New Tires” and
“Wheel Replacement’’ later in this section for
more information. The
purpose
of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation
is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
If you don’t have P245/5OZR16 or P275/40ZR17
Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires, use the rotation pattern
shown above for your tires.
6-51

Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your Pontiac. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7-2
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-4
7-4
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
How This Section is Organized
Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
Selecting
the Right Schedule
7-44 Part B: Owner Checks and Services
7-48 Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
7-49 Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection
7-50 Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
7-52 Part E: Maintenance Record

How This Section is Organized
The remainder of this section is divided into five parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your dealer’s service department or another qualified
service center
do these jobs.
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous.
In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured. Do your own maintenance
work only
if you have the required know-how
and the proper tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, have a qualified
technician
do the work.
If you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle, you will probably want to get the service
information
GM publishes. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
“Part B: Owner Checks and Services” tells
you what should be checked and when. It also explains
what you can easily
do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections”
explains important inspections that your Pondac dealer’s
service department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” lists
some products
GM recommends to help keep your
vehicle properly maintained. These products, or their
equivalents, should be used whether
you do the work
yourself
or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record” provides a place for
you to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever any maintenance is performed, be
sure to write it down in this part. This will help you
determine when your next maintenance should be done.
In addition, it is a
good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They
may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.
7-3

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive
it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week.
Or you may drive
long distances all the time
in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or
you may drive it to work,
to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because
of all the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than
you’ll find
in the schedules in this section. So please read this
section and note how
you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in
good
condition, see your Pontiac dealer.
This part tells
you the maintenance services you should
have done and
when you should schedule them. If you
go to your dealer for your service needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported.service people will
perform the work using genuine
GM parts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Part D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
these. All parts should
be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you
or anyone else drives the vehicle.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
0 carry passengers and cargo within recornmended
limits.
You will find these limits on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label.
See “Loading Your
Vehicle”
in the Index.
0 are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
0 use the recommended fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
7-4

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