1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet
specifications
ASTM D4814 in the United States and
CGSB 3.5-M93 in Canada. Improved gasoline
specifications have been developed by the American
Automobile Manufacturers Association
(AAMA) for
better vehicle performance and engine protection.
Gasolines meeting the AAMA specification could
provide improved driveability and emission control
system protection compared to other gasolines,
Be sure the posted octane for premium is at least
91 (at least 89 for middle grade and 87 for regular).
If the octane is less than
87, you may get a heavy
knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough,
it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at the recommended octane
or higher and you still hear heavy knocking, your
engine needs service.
But dm9t worry if you hear a little
pinging noise when you’re accelerating
or driving up a
hill. That’s normal, and you don’t have
to buy a higher
octane fuel
to get rid of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant
knock that means you have
a problem. If
your vehicle is certified
to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood tune-up label), it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If such fuels are
not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily
on fuels meeting federal
specifications, b’ut emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
on
your instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail
a smog-check test. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Pontiac dealer for diagnosis to determine
the
cause of failure. In the event it is determined that the
cause of the condition is the type of fuels used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that
are not reformulated for low
emissions contain
an sctane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT);
ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel
contains
MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use of such gasolines. If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may
be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel
may turn
on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
Pontiac dealer for service.
6-4

To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system, allowing your emission control system to
function properly. Therefore, you should not have to add
anything to the fuel. In addition, gasolines containing
oxygenates, such
as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to
help clean the air. General Motors recommends that you
use these gasolines if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel n’ot
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors International Product Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
6-5

Filling . - - r Tank
L
The cap is behind a hinged door on the left side of
your vehicle.
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently,
and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke
if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
6-6

While refueling, hang the cap inside the fuel door.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise).
If you get gas0 le on yourself and then
something ignites
it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you
if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait
for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning
the Outside of Your Pontiac” in the Index.
6-7

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.

Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull the handle inside the vehicle.
Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull up on the
hood release.
Lift the hood.
6-9

When you open the hood of the 3800 engine you’ll see:
A, Engine Coolant Reservoir E. Engine Fan I, Brake Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery F. Windshield Washer Reservoir J. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
C. Oil Fill Cap G. Power Steering Reservoir
D. Automatic Transmission H. Engine Oil Dipstick (if
equipped) K. Air Cleaner
Dipstick (if equipped)
6-10

When you open the hood of the 5.7L engine you'll see:
A
ti
A, Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Power Steering Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Battery
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
F. Fan
G. Windshield Washer Reservoir
H. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (if equipped)
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
K. Air Cleaner
(if
equipped)