1998 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

’ A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
I I
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
When you have
the front brake pads replaced, have the
rear brakes inspected, too. Brake linings should always
be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7 of
this manual under Part C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel.
This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your
disc brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a
moderate or heavier stop, then your brakes might not
adjust correctly.
If you drive in that way, then -- very
carefully
-- make a few moderate brake stops about
every
1,000 miles (1 600 km), so your brakes will
adjust properly.
The park brake system has separate brake linings that
do not self adjust for wear. If the park brake lever pulls
up more than the normal eighteen clicks, the parking
brakes may need adjustment. See your dealer.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modem vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve come
to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new Pontiac has an ACDelco Freedom@ battery.
You never have to add water to one
of these. When it’s
time
for a new battery, we recommend an ACDelco
Freedom battery. Get one that has the replacement
number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative
(-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
~ A CAUTION:
rn -
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around
a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in the Index.
6-37

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulb, see
“Replacement Bulbs” in the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
1 A CAUTION:
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 turning the headlamps
on, then turning the switch back to the parking lamps
position. See “Headlamp Doors” in the Index.
2. Remove the bezel using a Phillips screwdriver on the
three main screws.
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t
I
3. Remove the headlamp plate that holds the bulb to the
housing, by removing the two screws on top
of the
bulb with a torx screwdriver.
'7
I
4. Pull out the bulb and disconnect the electrical connector.
5. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Front limn Signal
1. Using a screwdriver, remove the screws from the
access panel under the vehicle. Move the access
panel out
of the way.
2. Turn the bulb and socket counterclockwise and
gently pull out.
3. Pull out the bulb.
4. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
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Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
To replace the bulb:
1. Remove the two screws in the stoplamp lens.
2. Gently pull the assembly out, turn the bulb
counterclockwise
and remove from the back of
the assembly.
3. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
6-40

Rear Lamps
To change any rear bulb, you have to remove the
entire
housing.
1. Remove the trim panel from the side that you are
replacing the bulb.
2. Pull the carpet back.
3. Remove the wing nuts.
L,,,
1
4.
5.
6.
7.
Pull off the assembly from the outside.
To remove a socket with a tab, press the tab and turn
the socket to the left.
To remove a socket without a
tab, turn the socket to the left.
To remove the bulb, pull the bulb from the socket.
Reverse the steps with
a new bulb.
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Rear Sidemarker
To replace a rear sidemarker bulb:
1. Remove the screw from the sidemarker assembly.
2. To pull out the bulb housing, tilt the housing to
remove the end with the tab.
3. Turn the bulb and socket counterclockwise and
4. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways.
To remove the wiper blade assembly:
gently pull out.
1. Lift the wiper ann until it
locks into an upright position.
2. Press the locking clip in while sliding the blade
assembly down.
6-42

Wiper Blade Element Replacement
II
To replace the wiper blade element, refer to the wiper
blade assembly replacement instructions.
To replace the
element, follow these steps:
1. Locate the heel end of the wiper blade assembly that
has the two notches held by the wiper blade claw.
2. 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 strips.
Do not remove these
caps before the element is installed.)
3. 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.
4. Install the wiper blade assembly on the wiper arm.
For information on windshield wiper blade replacement
type and length, see “Capacities and Specifications” in
the Index.
6-43