1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD gas type

NOTICE:
When replacing the battery, use care not to touch
any
of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred
to these surfaces may damage
the
transmitter.
To replace the battery in the key chain transmitter:
1. Carefully pry off the cover by inserting a dime (or
2. Lift off the back cover.
3. Remove and repla’ce the battery. Use one battery,
similar object) in a slot between the covers and twist,
type CR2032, or a sirnilar type. Put the new battery
in printed side down.
tightly s0 water won’t get in.
does not work after battery replacement, it may need
to be resynchronized or matched
to your vehicle. See
“Synchronization” in the Index.
4. Replace the back cov’er. Make sure the cover is on
5. Check the transmitter operation. If the transmitter
Hatch
It can be dangerous to drive with the hatch open
because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into
your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell CO, It can
cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the hatch open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and
the hatch:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan your heating or cooling
system to
its highest speed with the setting on
VENT, That will force outside air into your
vehicle. See ‘‘Comfort Controls” in the Index.
instrument
paad, open them all the way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See
‘(Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
2-10

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

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.

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulb, see
“Replacement
Bulbs” in the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop
or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
To replace a headlamp:
1. Open the headlamp door by hand. See “Headlamp
Doors” in the Index.
2. Unscrew the bezel with a screwdriver and remove it.
6-41

3.
4.
Hold the wiper blade assembly with one hand and
pull
the element gently with the other hand.
(Replacement blade elements have
three plastic caps
which retain two metal flexor strips.
Do not remove
these caps before the element
is installed.)
At
the heel end of the blade assembly, notched end
of blade element last, slide the blade element into the
blade claw sets.
The plastic retainer caps will be
forced off as the element is fully inserted. Make sure
that all the claw sets
are properly engaged in the
slots of the blade element.
Install wiper blade assembly on wiper arm.
For information on windshield wiper blade replacement
type
and length, see “Capacities and Specifications” in
the Index.
Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has the headlamp system. These headlamps
have horizontal and vertical aim indicators. The
aim
has been pre-set at the factory and should need no
further adjustment.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident and the
headlamp aim seems to be affected, see your Pontiac
dealer. Headlmps on damaged vehicles may require
recalibration of
the horizontal aim by your Pontiac dealer.
To check the aim, the vehicle should be properly
prepared
as follows:
a The vehicle must have a11 four tires on a! perfectly
level surface.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
There should not be any ‘cargo or loading of the
attached tu it.
vehicle, except it should have a full tank of gas and
one person or
160 lbs. (75 kg) on the driver’s seat.
e Tires should be properly inflated.
The horizontal indicator should read “0.”
NOTICE:
To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read
all the instructions before
beginning. Failure to follow th’ese instructions
could cause damage to headlamp parts.
State inspection stations will allow a vertical reading of
plus
0.76 degrees or minus 0.76 degrees fr0m the center
of the bubble.
6-48

Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are tuxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them
on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in
a closed space,
When you
use anything from a container to clean your
Pontiac, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors ‘or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
0 Gasoline
0 Benzene
0 Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
0 Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too. Don’t
use
any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
0 Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
0 Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Pontiac
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Pontiac dealer has two cleaners, a solvent-type
spot lifter and a foam-type powdered cleaner. They will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
Do not use
them
on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
1. Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
2. Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
3. Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area
4. Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
often,
A soft brush may be used if stains
are stubborn.
only.
If YOU use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
5. If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or it will set.
6-58