1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD manual transmission

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
0 With an automatic transmission, the key should turn
to LOCK only when the shift lever is in
PARK (P).
LOCK only when the shift lever is in REVERSE (R).
With a manual transmission, the key should turn to
On vehicles with a key release button, try to turn the key
to LOCK without pressing the button. The key should
turn to LOCK only when you press the key button.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
PARK (P) Mechanism Check
I
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is
room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
e
a
To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL
(N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any
areas where mud and other debris
can collect.

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.
-
&

1997 PONTIAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Sewice Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, /ncorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1997 PONTIAC
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering,
body, etc.
RETAIL
SELL PRICE: $90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE UNIT
REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for €he
1997 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfe:r cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the
diagnosis and service
of your vehicle.
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended
to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance
Schedule for
all models,
In-Portfolio: Includes
a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL
PRICE: $1 5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $1 0.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Sewice Publications are available for current and past
rno’del
GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and
model name of the vehicle.

Electrical Equipment. Adding .......... 2.26.3.22. 6.68
Electrical System ............................... 6-68
Coolant Heater ............................... 2-27
Coolant Level Check .......................... 7-44
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-83
Identification ................................ 6-68
Overheating
................................. 5-14
RunningWhileParked
......................... 2-42
Specifications
................................ 6-73
Engine .................................. 6-10. 6-11
Coolant
..................................... 6-29
Exhaust
..................................... 2-41
FuseBlocks
................................. 6-70
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-44
StartingYour ................................ 2-25
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-14
Checking ................................... 6-13
Used ....................................... 6-18
Ethanol
........................................ 6-5
Additives ................................... 6-1'7
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-87
Whentochange
.............................. 6-17
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-4 1
Exit Lighting ............................. 2-18. 2-54
Exit Lightingmelayed Illumination ................. 2- 18
Express-Down Window .......................... 2-43
Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-59
Fan Control. Climate Control System
................ 3-2
Feature Customization ........................... 2- 17
Exit Lighting ................................ 2-18
Last Door Closed Locking
...................... 2-19
Lockout Prevention
........................... 2-19
Remote Keyless
Entry Control Verification ......... 2-19
Theft-Deterrent Arming Method
................. 2-20
Theft-Deterrent Arming Verification
.............. 2-21
Fifth Gear. Manual Transmission
.............. 2-32. 2-34
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-6
Filter. Engine Oil
............................... 6-17
Finishcare
.................................... 6-63
Finish Damage ................................. 6-65
First
Gear. Automatic Transmission ................ 2-31
First Gear. Manual Transmission .............. 2-32. 2-33
Flashers. Hazar'd Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-26
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 7-50
Folding Rear Seatback ............................ 1-7
Foreign Countries. Fuel ........................... 6-5
Fourth Gear. Manual Transmission
............ 2-32. 2-34
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1-3
Frontconsole .................................. 2-58
Delayed 11.lumination
Driver's
Door Alarm Delay/Shock Sensor Enable ... 2-22 2-18
..........................
Filter. Air ..................................... 6-20
FloorMats
.................................... 2-61
FogLamps
.................................... 2-53
French Language Manual 11
FrontTowing .................................. 5-10
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement .......... 6-43
.. ...........................

Fuel ................. ........... 6-3
Filling Your Tank .............................. 6-6
Gage ....................................... 2-89
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-69 Headlamps
................................ 2-5 1
HighLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-45
On Reminder ................................ 2-51
Wiring
..................................... 6-69
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 8-5
High-Beam Headlamps 2-45
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Heating
........................................ 3-4
Engine
(khnt Temperature .................... 2-83 Hill and Mountain Roads ......................... 4-23
Engine oil Pra~re
........................... 2-87 Hitches. Trailer ................................. 4-35
..........................
Gages
Fuel
....................................... 2-89 Hood
GAWR
....................................... 4-30 Checking Things Under ......................... 6-8
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission ............. 2-28 ......................................
Gear Positions. Manual Transmission 2-32.2-33. 2-34 Horn 2-43
Release 6-9
Graphic Equalizer
......................... 3-10? 3-14 Hydraulic Clutch System Check ................... 7-45
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-30
Guide en Frangais
. . ' * all
..... .........................................
Glove Box .................................... 2-58 Hydraulic Clutch ............................... 6-28
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-30 Hydroplaning .................................. 4-19
.. ....................
GVWR ................................ .. 4-30 Ignition Switch ................................ 2-23
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-50
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-56
Halogen Bulbs .......... ............ 6-41 Inspections .................................... 7-48
Hatch
........................................ 2-10 Brakesystem ................................ 7-48
Hatch Release .................................. 2- 11 Caliper/Knuckle .............................. 7-49
Hatch Release. Remote .......................... 2- 11 Exhaust Systems ............................. 7-48
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-2 Radiator and Heater Hose ...................... 7-48
Head Restraints
................................. 1-6 RearAxle 7-48
Headlamp
Bulb Replacement ...................... 6-4 1 Steering .................................... 7-48
Headlamp
Doors ............................... 2-52 Suspension .................................. 7-48
Throttle Linkage .............................. 7-48
...................................
9-5

Maintenance Schedule ............................ 7- 1
Long TripMighway Definition ................... 7-6
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-44
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-48
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 7-50
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City Definition ....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals ........................ 7-5
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-66
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-84
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
Manual Mirror
................................. 2-56
Manual Transmission
Check
...................................... 7-45
Fluid
....................................... 6-27
Shifting ..................................... 2-32
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-26
Map Pocket ................................... 2-58
Methanol
...................................... 6-5
Mirrors ....................................... 2-56
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-57
Inside Day/Night Rearview ..................... 2-56
Manual
..................................... 2-56
Manual Remote Control ........................ 2-56
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-57
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-60
MountainRoads
................................ 4-23
Multifunction Lever ............................. 2-44
Neutral. Automatic Transmission ................. 2-29
Neutral. Manual Transmission
................ 2.32. 2.34
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-23
Night Vision
................................... 4-16
Odometer
.................................... 2-77
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-77
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-12
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-12
Overdrive, Automatic Transmission
................ 2-30
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-14
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-44
Owner Publications, Ordering
................... 8-12
Paint Spotting. Chemical
....... ............ 6-66
Park
Automatic Transmission ....................... 2-28
Shifting Into ................................. 2-38
Shifting
Out of ............................... 2-40
AtNight
.................................... 2-12
Brake
...................................... 2-37
Brake Mechanism
Check ....................... 7-47
Lots
....................................... 2-12
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-41
With a Trailer
................................ 4-38
Parking Your Vehicle, Manual Transmission
.......... 2-40
Passenger Position
......................... 1-21, 1-27
Parking
9-7

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 .

Safety Belt Extender ....... , ..... . . 1-41
Safety Belts
.................................... 1-7
Adults
...................................... 1-13
Care
....................................... 6-61
Children
.................................... 1-30
Driver Position
............................... 1 . 13
Extender
.................................... 1-41
How to Wear Properly ......................... 1 . 13
Incorrect Usage
.................... 1.16. 1.39. 1-40
Lap-Shoulder
........................... 1 . 13. 1-27
Larger Children
.............................. 1-38
Questions and Answers
........................ 1 . 12
Rear Seat Positions
............................ 1-27
Reminder Light
.......................... 1.8. 2.78
Replacing After a Crash
........................ 1-41
Right Front Passenger Position .................. 1-21
Smaller Children and Babies
.................... 1-30
Use During Pregnancy .... ................ 1-20
Why They Work .... ........................ 1-9
Safety Chains .................................. 4-35
Safety Defects. Reporting
........................ 8-10
Safety Warnings and Symbols ....................... 111
Scheduled Maintenance Services .................... 7-4
Seatback Folding Rear
.................................. 1-7
Front Latches
................................. 1-6
Reclining Front
............................... 1-4
...
Seats
Four-Way Manual
................... ....... 1-3
Fully Articulating Sport .......... .. ..... , 1-4
Lumbar Control ............................... 1-4
Manual Front
................................. 1-2 Power
....................................... 1-3
Restraint
Systems .............................. 1-1
Seat Controls
................................. 1-2
Securing a Child Restraint
...................... 1-34
Second Gear. Automatic Transmission .............. 2-30
Second Gear. Manual Transmission
............ 2-32. 2-34
Second-Gear Start
.............................. 2-31
Service
........................................ 6-2
Bulletins. Ordering
............................ 8-12
Engine
Soon Light ............................ 2-84
Manuals. Ordering
............................ 8-12
Parts Identification Label ....................... 6-68
Publications. Ordering
......................... 8-12
Work. Doing Your Own
......................... 6-2
Service and Appearance Care
...................... 6-1
Service and Owner Publications ................... 8-12
Service Publications
............................. 8-12
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac ........... 1-26
Sheet Metal Damage ............................ 6-65
ShiftLever .................................... 2-28
Shiftspeeds
................................... 2-36
Shifting
Automatic Transmission
....................... 2-28
Into
Park (P) ................................. 2-38
Outofpark
.................................. 2-40
Shifting. Manual Transmission
............... 2-32. 2-33
Signaling Turns
................................ 2-45
Sixth Gear. Manual Transmission
.................. 2-34
Skidding
...................................... 4-14
Skip Shift Light ................................ 2-35
Sound Equipment. Adding ........................ 3-22
Spare Tire. Compact ............................. 5-38