1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder reservoir
is
filled with hydraulic clutch fluid.
It isn’t
a good idea to “top off” your clutch fluid. Adding
fluid won’t correct
a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
‘often you should check the fluid level in your clutch
master cylin’der reservoir and
for the proper fluid, See
“Owner Checks
and Services” and “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in
the Index.
The proper fluid should
be added if the level is below
the
STEP mark on the reservoir, See the instructions on
the reservoir
cap.
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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.

NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) c’oolant.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core
or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever
occurs first,
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half ckan water (preferably
distilled)
and one-half DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts. If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
I
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant mix will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set
for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and
you or
others could be burned. Use a 50J50 mix of clean
water and DEX-COOL’coolant.
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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.
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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

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,
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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
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