2002 PONTIAC FIREBIRD coolant level

3-3
(Bi-Level): This setting directs air through the
upper air vents and the heater ducts.
(Vent): This setting directs air through the upper
air vents.
(Heater): This setting directs most of the air
through the heater ducts and some of the air through
the windshield defroster vents.
(Blend): This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents and the heater ducts.
(Defrost): This setting directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster vents and some of
the air through the heater ducts.
Cooling
The air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows
just long enough for the hot air to escape.
1. Turn the air knob to A/C for normal cooling.
For faster cooling, turn the knob to MAX.
2. Turn the temperature knob to a comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan knob to the desired speed.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it.
1. Turn the mode knob to the heater symbol.
2. Turn the fan knob to the desired speed.
3. Turn the temperature knob to a comfortable setting.
During initial start
-up only, if your vehicle is equipped
with an engine coolant heater, you can use it in cold
weather (around +20
F/
-8
C or lower) to improve
heater performance on initial start up. See ªEngine
Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Bi
-Level
You may want to use bi
-level on cool, but sunny days.
This setting directs cooler air toward your body and
warmer air toward your feet.
1. Turn the air knob to the bi
-level symbol.
2. Turn the temperature knob to a comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan knob to the desired speed.

5-12
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.
When it is cool, remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and look at the dipstick. When the engine is cold, the
coolant level should be at the FULL COLD mark.

5-14 How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven't found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn't at the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX
-COOL
engine
coolant at the coolant recovery tank. See ªEngine
Coolantº in the Index for more information.
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:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.

5-18
5. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the FULL
COLD mark.
6. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank,
but leave the radiator pressure cap off.7. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
8. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX
-COOL
coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches the
base of the filler neck.

5-20
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
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.
3. Fill with the proper DEX-COOL
coolant mixture.
4. Continue to fill the radiator up to the base of the
filler neck.
5. Rinse or wipe the spilled coolant from the engine
and compartment.
6. Start the engine and allow it to run in idle for
approximately four minutes. By this time, the
coolant level inside the radiator will be lower.
Add more of the proper mixture through the
filler neck until the level reaches the base of the
filler neck.

5-21
7. Shut the engine off and replace the pressure cap.
Be sure the arrows on the cap line up like this.8. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the proper level.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Engine Oil
6
-18 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-20 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-24 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-26 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-27 Rear Axle
6
-28 Engine Coolant
6
-31 Power Steering Fluid
6
-33 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-34 Brakes
6
-38 Battery
6
-39 Bulb Replacement6
-46 Tires
6
-55 Appearance Care
6
-56 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-58 Care of Safety Belts
6
-58 Cleaning Glass Surfaces
6
-59 Cleaning a Removeable Roof Panel
6
-60 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-61 Cleaning Your Convertible Top
6
-62 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-63 Underbody Maintenance
6
-64 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-65 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-65 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-66 Electrical System
6
-72 Replacement Bulbs
6
-72 Capacities and Specifications
6
-73 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

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.