2002 PONTIAC FIREBIRD cooling

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 Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped)
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on. Then pull the hood down and close it firmly.

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.

6-29 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.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as 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.

6-30 Checking Coolant
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index
for information on location.
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.
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.
CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the engine
and radiator are hot can allow steam and scalding
liquids to blow out and burn you badly. Never turn
the pressure cap
-- even a little -- when the engine
and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mixture at the recovery tank, but be careful
not to spill it.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
see ªCooling Systemº in the Index.

6-54
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.
Used Replacement Wheels
CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can't know how it's been used or
how far it's been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause a crash. If you have to replace a wheel,
use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P235/55R16, P245/50ZR16
or P275/40ZR17 size tires, don't use tire chains,
there's not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension or other vehicle parts.
The area damaged by the tire chains could
cause you to lose control of your vehicle and
you or others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it's contacting your vehicle, and don't
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit,
install them on the rear tires.

6-70
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
Fuse and Relay Center 1
Fuse Usage
ABS BAT SOL Anti
-Lock Brake System
TCS BAT Traction Control System
COOL FAN Cooling Fan Control
PCM BAT Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
FUEL PUMP Fuel PumpFuse Usage
AIR PUMP A.I.R. Pump Relay and
Bleed Valve
LH HDLP DR Left Headlamp Door Module
RH HDLP DR Right Headlamp Door Module
HORN Horn Relay
ABS BAT
-1 Anti-Lock Brake System Module
H/L DR HORN Horn and Headlamp Doors
ABS BAT
-2 Anti-Lock Brake and Traction
Control System
COOL FAN Cooling Fan Relays
Relay Description
FOG LAMP Fog Lamps
HORN Horn
FAN #3 Cooling Fans
FAN #2 Cooling Fans
FAN #1 Cooling Fans

6-71
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

6-73
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). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil with Filter
3800 V6 4.5 quarts (4.3 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.7L V8 5.5 quarts (5.2 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank16.8 U.S. gallons (63 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Nut Torque100 lb
-ft (140 N´m) . . . . . . . . . .
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity
If you do your own service work, you'll need the proper
service manual. See ªDoing Your Own Service Workº in
the Index for additional information. It is recommended
that service work on your air conditioning system be
performed by a qualified technician.
Air Conditioning R
-134a 1.5 lbs (0.68 kg) . . . . . . . .
Use Refrigerant Oil, R134a Systems
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Engine Air Cleaner/FilterA917C* . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil Filter
3800 V6 PF47*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.7L V8 PF44*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Filter
3800 V6 G627*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.7L V8 GF578*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark Plug
3800 V6 ´41
-921 (0.060 inch Gap)* . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.7L V8 ´41
-974 (0.060 inch Gap)* . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Type Hook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Length 24.0 inches (60.3 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
*ACDelco

part number.