1999 PONTIAC FIREBIRD engine overheat

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5-18 How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
(3800 V6 Engine)
NOTICE:
Your engine has a specific radiator fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure
cap slowly counterclockwise until it first stops. (Don't
press down while turning the pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.

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5-37
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin your
wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº can
help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transmission or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle has
traction control, you should turn the system off. (See
ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index.) Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear
(or with a manual transmission, between FIRST (1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels as
little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you
shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in
the forward and reverse directions, you will cause a
rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If that doesn't
get you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed
out. If you do need to be towed out, see ªTowing Your
Vehicleº in the Index.

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6-27
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you'll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Standard Differential
Use SAE 75W
-90 Synthetic Gear Lubricant (GM
Part No. 12378261) or equivalent meeting GM
Specification 9986115.
Limited
-Slip Differential
To add lubricant when the level is low, use SAE 75W
-90
Synthetic Gear Lubricant (GM Part No. 12378261) or
equivalent meeting GM Specification 9986115. To
completely refill after draining, add 4 ounces (118 ml)
of Limited
-Slip Differential Lubricant Additive (GM
Part No. 1052358) or equivalent. Then fill to the bottom
of the filler plug hole with the Synthetic Gear Lubricant.
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is an 18 psi (124 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, a GM cap
is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, a GM thermostat
is recommended.

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6-28
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

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, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.

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6-29
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, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don't have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.

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6-30 Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, check the dipstick on the cap of the
coolant recovery tank. The coolant level should be at
COLD, or a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level on the dipstick should be up to HOT, or a
little higher.
5.7L V8 Engine Only
If this light comes on and stays on, it means you're low
on engine coolant.
Adding Coolant to the Recovery Tank
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but only
when your engine is cool. If the tank is very low or
empty, also add coolant to the radiator. See ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Index for information.

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9-4
Door
Keys 2-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Last Closed Locking 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locks 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Locks 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drive, Automatic Transmission 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver Position 1-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving
City 4
-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defensive 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drunken 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Freeway 4-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Foreign Countries 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In the Rain 4-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Night 4-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Curves 4-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Grades While Towing a Trailer 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Hill and Mountain Roads 4-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Snow and Ice 4-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Through Water 4-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wet Roads 4-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter 4-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
With a Trailer 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DRL 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drunken Driving 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical Equipment, Adding 3-20, 6-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical System 6-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine 6-10, 6-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Cleaner/Filter 6-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Gages Light 2-89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Heater 2-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coolant Level Check 7
-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Gage 2-82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust 2-11, 2-41, 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Block 6-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification 6-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil Level Check 7-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheated Protection Operating Mode 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reduced Power Light 2-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Running While Parked 2-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications 6-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Your 2-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil 6-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding 6-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additives 6-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking 6-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used 6-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Kind to Use 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When to Change 6-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ethanol 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust, Engine 2-11, 2-41, 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior Lamps 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric/Carpet Cleaning 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Feature Customization 2-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver's Door Alarm Delay/Shock Sensor Enable 2-21 . . .
Entering Programming Mode 2-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exit Lighting/Delayed Illumination 2-19, 2-53 . . . . . . . . . .
Last Door Closed Locking/Lockout Prevention 2-19 . . . . .
Leaving Programming Mode 2-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote Keyless Entry Verification 2-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft-Deterrent Arming Method 2-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft-Deterrent Arming Verification 2-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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9-8
Neutral, Automatic Transmission 2-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Neutral, Manual Transmission 2-33, 2-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New Vehicle Break-In 2-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Night Vision 4-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts 6-73 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer 2-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer, Trip 2-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer, Trip/Oil Reset 2-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Off-Road Recovery 4-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil
Change Light 2
-88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine 6-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Reset the Light 6-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Light 2-87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pressure Gage 2-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overdrive, Automatic Transmission 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode 5-9 . . . . . . . .
Overheating Engine 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Owner Checks and Services 7-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Owner Publications, Ordering 8-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paint Spotting, Chemical 6-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Park
Automatic Transmission 2
-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting Into 2-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting Out of 2-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking
At Night 2
-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake 2-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake Mechanism Check 7-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lots 2
-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Over Things That Burn 2-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
With a Trailer 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Vehicle 2-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passenger Position 1-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passing 4-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passive Arming 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pass-Key
II 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Periodic Maintenance Inspections 7-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Persons with Disabilities, GM Mobility Program 8-7 . . . . . . .
Pontiac Cares Information 8-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power
Accessory Plug 2
-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antenna Mast Care 3-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door Locks 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four-Way Lumbar Driver's Seat 1-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Option Fuses 6-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reduced Engine Light 2-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote Control Mirror 2-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Six-Way Seat 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Six-Way Seat with Lumbar/Lateral Control 1-4 . . . . . . . . .
Steering 4-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Fluid 6-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windows 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Door Lock Switch Locking 2-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power, Retained Accessory 2-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Steering Fluid
How to Check 6
-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What to Use 6-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When to Check 6-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts 1-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Problems on the Road 5-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publications, Service and Owner 8-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .