1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should be
performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring
and fall).
You should let your GM dealer’s service
department
or other qualified service center do these jobs.
Make sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a GM service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing
parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged, missing
or
out-of-position parts as well as open seams, holes, loose
connections or other conditions which could cause a heat
build-up in the
floor pan or could let exhaust fumes into
the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust”
in the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replalced if they are
cracked, swollen
or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding, and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any cables that have
high effort or excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise conbd cables.
Wear Axle Service
Check the gear lubricant level in the rear axle and add if
needed. See “Rear Axle” in
the Index. A fluid loss may
indicate
a problem. Check the axle and repair it if needed.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses
for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other
brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc. The
parking brake is self-adjusting and no manual
adjustment
is required. You may need to have your
brakes inspected more often if
your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.

CaliperKnuckle Maintenance Inspection
If you operate your vehicle in a highly corrosive
environment, as indicated by the shaded areas on
the
map following this text, your vehicle may require
additional brake service. Refer to the appropriate
GM Service Bulletin for the proper front caliper
inspection procedure.
As necessary, front caliper pins
and knuckle brake pad abutments should be lubricated at
every other tire rotation.
Also, see your GM dealer’s
service department or qualified service center for
additional information.
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Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
USAGE
~
Engine Coolant
Coolant
Supplement Sealer
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine oil w-
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s
engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and use only
GM Goodwrench* DEX-COOL@
or Havoline’ DEX-COOL@
coolant. See “Engine Coolant” in
the
Index.
GM Part No. 3634621 or
equivalent
with a complete flush
and refill.
USAGE
Hydraulic Brake
System
Hydraulic Clutch
System
Power Steering System
Manual
Transmission
__
Automatic
Transmission Key
Lock
Cylinders
-
Clutch Linkage
Pivot Points
PLUJD/LUBRICANT
Delco Supreme 11 @ Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 ur
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
(GM Part
No. 12345347 or equivalent
DOT-3
brake fluid).
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part No. 1052884 - 1 pint,
1050017 - 1 quart, or equivalent).
DEXRON@-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
DEXRON@-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pur
ose lubricant,
Superlube
(GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Engine
oil.
-
&

USAGE
Floor Shift
Linkage
Chassis
Lubrication
Rear Axle
(Standard
Differential)
Rear Axle (Limited-Slip
Differential)
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol
(GM Part No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI # 2
Category LB or GC-LB.
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI # 2, Category LB or
Axle Lubricant
(GM Part
No. 12345977) or SAE 80W-90
GL-5 Gear Lubricant.
Axle Lubricant (GM Part
No. 12345977) and 4 ounces
(1 18 ml) of Limited-Slip
Differential Lubricant Additiv’e
(GM Part
No. 1052358 or
equivalent)
where required.
See “Rear Axle” in the Index.
GC-LB.
USAGE
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Pivots, Spring Anchor and
Release Pawl
Hood and Door
Hinges
Weatherstrip
Conditioning
FLUID/LUBRICANT
GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
(GM Part No. 1051515)
or equivalent.
Lubriplate lubricant
aerosol
(GM Part No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI ## 2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Multi-pu ose lubricant,
Superlube
% (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM
Part No. 12345579 or equivalent).
See “Replacement Parts”
in the Index for recommended
replacement filters and spark plugs.
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Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the
date, odometer reading and who performed the service
in the boxes provided after the maintenance interval.
Any additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance”
can be added on
the following record pages. Also, you should retain all
maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio
is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE
READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
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Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED SERVICED
BY READING
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Maintenance Record
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Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
Here you will find out how to contact Pontiac if you need assistance. This section also tells you how to obtain service
publications and
how to report any safety defects.
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8-9 Pontiac
Cares
What Makes up Pontiac Cares?
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
Customer Assist'ance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Pontiac Courtesy Transportation
GM Participation in an Alternative
Dispute Resolution Program 8
- 10 Warranty
Information
8- 10 Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government
8-11 Reporting Safety Defects to
the
Canadian Government
8- 11 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
8-11 Ordering Service and Owner Publications
in Canada
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