2001 PONTIAC FIREBIRD air condition

5-10
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or
THIRD (3) for automatic transmissions.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn't come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you're parked. If you still have the
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle until it cools down. Also, see ªOverheated
Engine Protection Operating Modeº listed previously in
this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Coolant Recovery Tank

6-4
In Canada, look for
the ªAuto Makers'
Choiceº label on the
fuel pump.
Canada Only
Be sure the posted octane for premium is at least 91
(at least 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 hear heavy knocking, your engine
needs service. But don't 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 emission control
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, but 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. See ªMalfunction
Indicator Lampº in the Index. 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 may contain an octane
-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask your service station operator whether or
not the 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.

6-51 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are
not needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road,
your wheels may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load
-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.
CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use
the correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or
tire chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index for
more information.

6-60
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch
-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer's body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame,
floor pan and exhaust system even though they
have corrosion protection.At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do
this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create
a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This
damage can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet
-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched
into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Pontiac
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.

6-68
Fuse and Relay Center 2
Fuse Usage
INJ
-2 Fuel Injectors (Not used for V6)
(LH Injectors for V8 and
Ignition Module)
INJ
-1 Fuel Injectors (All for V6)
(RH Injectors for V8 and
Ignition Module)Fuse Usage
ENG SEN Mass Air Flow Sensor, Heated
Oxygen Sensor, Skip Shift
Solenoid (V8 Only), Reverse
Lockout Solenoid, Brake Switch
STRTR Powertrain Control Module (PCM),
Clutch Pedal Switch
ABS IGN Anti
-Lock Brake System Module
PCM IGN Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
ETC Electronic Throttle Control
(V6 Only)
ENG CTRL Ignition Module (V6 Only),
Automatic Transmission,
Charcoal Canister Purge Solenoid
A/C CRUISE Air Conditioning Compressor
Relay, Cruise Control Switches
and Module
ENG CTRL Engine Controls, Fuel Pump,
Powertrain Control Module (PCM),
A.I.R. Pump and Cooling Fans

6-69
Fuse Usage
I/P
-1 HVAC Blower Control and Relay
IGN Ignition Switch, Relay and Starter
Enable Relay
I/P
-2 Instrument Panel Fuse Center
Relay Description
Blank Not Used
AIR PUMP Air Pump
A/C COMP Air Conditioning Compressor
FUEL PUMP Fuel Pump
STARTER Starter
IGN Engine Controls, Cruise Controls,
Air Conditioning
Replacement Bulbs
Back-up3155 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center High
-Mounted Stoplamp921 . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Parking and Turn Signal4157NAK . . . . . . .
Headlamp
High Beam 4701. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Beam 4703. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sidemarker Lamp194 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taillamp Only194 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tail/Stop/Turn Lamps3057 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For service information on other bulbs, contact your
dealer's service department.

6-70
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in English
and metric conversions. Please refer to ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index for more information.
Air Conditioning
See the refrigerant . . . . . . . . . . . .
information label under the hood.
Automatic Transmission
Drain and Refill 5.0 quarts (4.7 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overhaul
3800 V6 8.8 quarts (8.3 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.7L V8 10.8 quarts (10.2 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Transmission
Five
-Speed 3.4 quarts (3.2 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Six
-Speed 4.0 quarts (3.8 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling System
3800 V6
With Manual Transmission 11.6 quarts (11.0 L). . . .
With Automatic
Transmission 11.4 quarts (10.8 L). . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.7L V8
With Manual Transmission 11.9 quarts (11.3 L). . . .
With Automatic
Transmission 11.8 quarts (11.2 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change
3800 V6 4.5 quarts (4.3 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.7L V8 5.5 quarts (5.2 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank16.5 U.S. gallons (63 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Pressures, SizesSee Tire
-Loading . . . . . . . . . . .
Information label on
rear edge of driver's door.
Wheel Nut Torque100 lb
-ft (140 N´m) . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Axle Lubricant1.75 quarts (1.7 L) . . . . . . . . .
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to
fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.
Engine Specifications
Type
VIN Engine Code K 3800 V6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VIN Engine Code G 5.7L V8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel DeliveryFuel Injection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Valve ArrangementIn
-Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement
3800 V6 231 cubic inches (3791 cc). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.7L V8 346 cubic inches (5670 cc). . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7-2
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections and
recommended fluids and lubricants as prescribed in this
manual are necessary to keep your vehicle in good
working condition. Any damage caused by failure to
follow recommended maintenance may not be covered
by warranty.