1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD radiator cap

NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and
be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system.
These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, check the dipstick on the cap
of the coolant recovery tank. The coolant level should
be at
COLD, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level on the dipstick should be up to HOT, or
a little higher.
6-31

5.7L Engine Only If
this light comes on,
it
means
you’re low on
engine coolant.
Adding Coolant to the Recovery Tank
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but only
when your engine is cool. If the tank is very low or
empty, also add coolant to the radiator.
See “Engine
Overheating” in the Index
for information.
Turning the raalator pressure cap when the
engine
and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you
will almost
never have
to add coolant at the radiator. Never
turn the pressure cap
-- even a little -- when the
engine and radiator are hot,
Add coolant mixture at the recovery tank, but be careful
not to spill it.
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it
will burn if the engine parts are hot
, enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
I
6-32

Radiator Pressure Cap (All Engines) Power Steering Fluid
I NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is an 18 psi (124 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
-
3800 Engine
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
6-33

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the tank
is full.
NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system.
Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
three-quarters full when it’s very cold.
This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.
windshield washer.
It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
6-35

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 1
lO0,OOO Miles (166 000 km) (Continued)
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, the fluid and filter do not
require changing.
17 If you haven’t used your vehicle under
severe service conditions
listed previously
and, therefore, haven’t changed your
automatic transmission fluid, change both
the fluid and filter.
DATE SERVICED BE ACTUAL MILEAGE -
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service,
whichever
OCCU~S first). See “Engine
Coolant’’
in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
ACTUAL MILEAGE
7-30

I Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule I
100,000 Miles (1 66 000 km)
Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Sewice.
17 Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
If you haven’t used your vehicle under
severe service conditions listed previously
and, therefore, haven’t changed your
automatic transmission fluid, change
both
the fluid and filter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index
for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE (SERVICED BY:(

Passing .................................. 4-13
PASS-Key
I1 ................................. 2-16 ' -49' *
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .................. 7-48
Pontiac Cares Information ......................... 8-2
Antenna Mast Care ............................ 3-24
Option Fuses ................................ 6-69
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-57
Retain'ed Accessory ........................... 2-55
Steering Fluid ................................ 6-33
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts .................... 1-20
Problems on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner ................... 8- 12
Power
DoorLocks ................................... 2-5
Seat ..................,...........,.......... l-3
Steering .................................... 4-10
Windows
................................... 2-43
Radiator
................................ 5.19. 5.22
Radiator Pressure
Cap ........................... 6-33
Radio Reception
................................ 3-22
Radios .............................. 3-7.3-10. 3-14
Rain. Driving In ................................ 4-17
UP ......................................... 2-55
ReadingLamps ................................ 2-55
Rear
Axle ....................................... 6-29
Lamp Bulb Replacement ....................... 6-45
Sidemarker Bulb Replacement ................... 6-46
Storage ..................................... 2-58
Seatpassengers ..,.........,,,...........,... l-27
Towing ..................................... 5-12
Window Defogger
............................. 3-5
Reclining Front Seatbacks ......................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............... 7-50
Recovery
Tank, Coolant .......................... 5-17
Refrigerants, Air Conditioning
.................... 6-74
Hatch Release
................................ 2-11
Keyless
Entry ................................. 2-6
Rearview Mirror, Inside Daymight
2-56 .................
Remote
Keyless Lock Control Verification
......... . . 2-19
Replacement
Bulbs
...................................... 6-73
Parts ....................................... 6-75
Wheel ...................................... 6-56
Replacing Safety Belts
........................... 1-41
Reporting Sa€ety Defects ......................... 8-10
Restraints
Checking
................................... 1-41
Child
......,....,...........,+.............. l-32
Head ........................................ 1-6
Replacing Pats After a Crash ................... 1-41
SystemCheck
................................ 7-44
Retained Accessory Power ........................ 2-55
Reverse, Automatic Transmission .................. 2-29
Reverse, Manual Transmission ............... 2-33. 2-34
Right Front Passenger Position .................... 1-21
Roadside Assistance .............................. 8-6
Roadside Assistance, Canadian ..................... 8-8
Rocking Your Vehicle ........................... 5-40
Roof Panels, Twin Lift-off ....................... 2-61
Rotation, Tires ................................. 6-51
9-8 .