2001 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

6-5
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and
fuel system, allowing your emission control system
to function properly. Therefore, you should not
have to add anything to the fuel. In addition, gasolines
containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to
contribute to clean air. General Motors recommends that
you use these gasolines, particularly if they comply with
the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn't
be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you'll be driving.
Filling Your Tank
CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don't smoke if you're near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.

6-6
The cap is located behind a hinged door on the driver's
side of your vehicle.While refueling, hang the cap from the hook on the
hinge. The lip of the cap will fit into the groove on
the hook.
To remove the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The cap has a spring in it; if you let
go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the right.

6-7
CAUTION:
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any ªhissº noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See ªCleaning the
Outside of Your Vehicleº in the Index.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 ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in
the Index.
NOTICE:
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 properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in
the Index.

6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.

Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.

Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
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.

6-9 Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull
the handle located inside
the vehicle below the
instrument panel on the
driver's side.
Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull up on the
hood release located at the center of your hood.
Lift the hood.

6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood of the 3800 V6 engine, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Dipstick (If Equipped)F. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Cooling Fans
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Power Steering Fluid ReservoirJ. Engine Oil Dipstick
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)

6-11
When you open the hood of the 5.7L V8 engine, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Engine Oil Fill CapF. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Cooling Fans
H. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Dipstick (If Equipped)I. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)

6-12
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on.
Then pull the hood down and close it firmly.
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL light
appears on the instrument
panel, it means you need
to check your engine oil
level right away. For more
information, see ªLow Oil
Lightº in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near the
back of the engine. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more information on location.
Do not check the 5.7L V8 engine oil level after the engine
has been sitting overnight. A higher than normal reading
might be obtained. Check oil level with the oil warm.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.