1998 PONTIAC FIREBIRD engine oil

RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE EH61NE OILS
HWI BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTIWB, SELECT THE LOWEST
S4€ YISCBSITT 8RllM OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERANURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
COLD
111 SAE I low-30
PREFERRED mbovs OOF (-16’C)
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR AMY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
3800 V6 Engine
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3800 engine,
SAE low-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you
can use
SAE 5W-30 if it’s going to be colder than
60°F (16°C) before your next oil change. When it’s
very cold,
you should use SAE 5W-30. These numbers
on
an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do
not use other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-50.
I NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certiaed For Gasoline Engines
‘‘Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered
by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20°F (-29”C), consider using either an SAE SW-30
synthetic oil or an SAE OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for
your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
6-16

Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your dealer is ready to
advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripjcity
maintenance schedule:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures
are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use
a carrier on top
of your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police,
taxi or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first. If
none of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (1 2 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine
oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used
oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat
to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing
oil from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose
of oil by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground,
into sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing
of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
6-17

If you have the 5.7L V8 engine (with the WS6 option),
your air cleaner will be located over the radiator near the
front of the engine.
To remove the filter, remove the screws (located on the
rear edge of the air cleaner), lift the
air cleaner and
remove the filter.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when
the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more
of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
Uses such as high performance operation.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you
do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles (83 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
6-20

3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level.
The fluid level must be in the COLD area for a
cold check or in the
HOT area or cross-hatched area
for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transmission fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid
while it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a
reference.) If the fluid level
is low, add only enough of
the proper fluid to bring the level up to the
HOT area
for a hot check. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than one pint
(0.5 L). Don’t ove@ZZ.
I NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused
by fluid other than DEXRON-I11
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the
way.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine
oil is changed. However, the fluid in your manual
transmission doesn’t require changing.
6-24

A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (1 29°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
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) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL 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. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX-COOL@
is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean 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 A CAUTION:
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 mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system is set
for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
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
50/50 mixture of clean water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
6-28

What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
Refer
to “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the
Maintenance Schedule.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
With the wrong kind
of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work
at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to
be replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint
finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
go or be heard
all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
6-35

Capacities (Approximate)
Air Conditioning? ............. See the refrigerant
Automatic Transmission information label under the hood.
Drain and
Refill ......
Overhaul
VIN Engine Code K .
VIN Engine Code G .
Cooling System
VIN Engine Code K
....... 5 quarts (4.7 L)*
... 8.8 quarts (8.3 L)*
. 10.8 quarts (10.2 L)*
With Manual
With Automatic
VIN Engine Code G
Transmission ............ 12.5 quarts (1 1.8 L)
Transmission ............ 12.3 quarts (1 1.6 L)
With Manual
Transmission
...
With Automatic Transmission
.....
. . 15.3 quarts (14.5 L)
. . 15.1 quarts (14.3 L)
Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change
3800 V6 (VIN K) ......... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)**
5.7L V8 (VIN G) ......... 5.5 quarts (5.2 L)**
Fuel Tank ................ 15.5 gallons (58.7 L)
Manual Transmission
Five-Speed
................ 3.4 quarts (3.2 L)*
Six-Speed ................... 4 quarts (3.8L)*
Rear Axle Lubricant ............ 1.75 quarts (1.7L)
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used. If
you’re not sure, ask your Pontiac dealer.
* Recheck fluid level after filling. See “Automatic
Transmission
Fluid” or “Manual Transmission Fluid”
in the Index.
** Recheck the oil level after filling. See “Engine Oil”
in the Index.
6-69

Vehicle Dimensions
Wheelbase ............ 101.1 inches (256.6 cm)
Front Tread
............. 60.7 inches (154.1 cm)
RearTread
............. 60.7inches(154.1 cm)
Length Firebird
/ Formula . . 193.5 inches (491.5 cm)
Length Trans Am ....... 193.9 inches (492.1 cm)
Width
............... 74.5 inches (1 89.3 cm)
Height.
.................. 52 inches (132.1cm)
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Filter VIN Engine Code
K .................. A1163C
VIN Engine Code G .................. A1163C
VIN Engine Code G
(with WS6 Option) .................. A1097C
Battery
................................ 75-60 Engine
Oil Filter
VIN Engine
Code K .................... PF47
VIN Engine Code
G .................... PF44
Fuel Filter
............................. GF578
PCV Valve
VIN Engine Code
K ............... CV892C
VIN Engine Code G ................. CV895C
Radiator Cap ......................... RC24
Spark Plug
VIN Engine Code
K .... 41-921 (0.060 inch Gap)
VIN Engine Code G .... 41-931 (0.060 inch Gap)
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the
air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant
is used. If
you’re not sure
ask your dealer.
6-70