Pontiac Fiero 1988 Service Manual page 21

OB-6 MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION
INSPECT BRAKES MORE OFTEN IF
DRIVING HABITS OR CONDITIONS RESULT
IN FREQUENT BRAKING.
S t e e r i n g , s u s p e n s i o n a n d f r o n t d r i v e a x l e
b o o t a n d s e a l i n s p e c t i o n
-Inspect front and rear
suspension and steering system for damaged, loose or
missing parts, signs of wear or lack of lubrication.
Inspect power steering lines and hoses for proper
hookup, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. (On cars
equipped with manual steering gear, check for seal
leakage.) On front-wheel-drive cars, clean then inspect
drive axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage.
Replace seals if necessary.
E x h a u s t s y s t e m i n s p e c t i o n
-Inspect
complete system. Inspect body near the exhaust
system. Look for broken, damaged, missing or
out-of-position parts as well as open seams, holes, loose
connections or other conditions which could cause a
heat build up in the floor pan or could let exhaust
fumes seep into the trunk or passenger compartment.
T h r o t t l e l i n k a g e i n s p e c t i o n
-Inspect for
damaged or missing parts, interference or binding and
lubricate with GM Part No. 9985164 grease or
equivalent.
E n g i n e d r i v e b e l t s i n s p e c t i o n
-Inspect all
belts for cracks, fraying and wear. Adjust or replace as
needed.
R e a r axle/final drive s e r v i c e
—
Check fluid
level and add if needed. Note: Some rear wheel drive
cars equipped with limited slip differential should have
fluid drained and refilled at 7,500 miles (12 500 km).
Some also use a limited slip additive. See the 1987 GM
Maintenance Schedule for specific information.
IF YOU USE YOUR CAR TO PULL A
TRAILER CHANGE LUBRICANT EVERY 7,500
miles (12 500 km).
P o w e r A n t e n n a
- Clean and then lubricate
power antenna mast with light machine oil.
AT L E A S T A N N U A L L Y
S t a r t e r s a f e t y s w i t c h o p e r a t i o n :
C A U T I O N : B e f o r e p e r f o r m i n g t h e
f o l l o w i n g s a f e t y s w i t c h c h e c k , b e s u r e
t o h a v e e n o u g h r o o m a r o u n d t h e c a r .
T h e n , f i r m l y a p p l y b o t h t h e p a r k i n g
b r a k e ( s e e y o u r O w n e r ' s M a n u a l f o r
p r o c e d u r e ) a n d t h e r e g u l a r b r a k e s . D o
n o t u s e t h e a c c e l e r a t o r p e d a l . If t h e
e n g i n e s t a r t s , be r e a d y t o t u r n off t h e
i g n i t i o n p r o m p t l y . T a k e t h e s e
p r e c a u t i o n s b e c a u s e t h e c a r c o u l d
m o v e w i t h o u t w a r n i n g a n d p o s s i b l y
c a u s e p e r s o n a l i n j u r y or p r o p e r t y
d a m a g e .
On automatic transmission/transaxle cars, try to
start the engine in each gear. The starter should crank
only in "Park" or "Neutral".
On manual transmission/transaxle cars, place the
shifter lever in "Neutral", push the clutch halfway and
try to start. The starter should crank only when the
clutch is fully depressed.
S t e e r i n g c o l u m n l o c k o p e r a t i o n
-While
parked, try to turn key to "Lock" in each gear range.
The key should turn to "Lock" only when gear is in
"Park" on automatic or "Reverse" on manual
transmission/transaxle. On cars with key release lever,
try to turn key to "Lock" without depressing the lever.
The key should turn to "Lock" only with the key lever
depressed. On all vehicles, the key should come out
only in "Lock".
Parking brake and transmission/transaxle "Park"
mechanism operation —
C A U T I O N : Before c h e c k i n g the holding
a b i l i t y of t h e p a r k i n g b r a k e a n d
a u t o m a t i c t r a n s m i s s i o n / t r a n s a x l e
" P a r k " m e c h a n i s m , park on a fairly s t e e p
hill w i t h e n o u g h r o o m for m o v e m e n t in
t h e d o w n h i l l d i r e c t i o n ; to r e d u c e t h e risk
of p e r s o n a l injury or property d a m a g e ,
be p r e p a r e d to a p p l y t h e regular b r a k e s
p r o m p t l y if t h e car b e g i n s to m o v e .
To check the parking brake, with the engine running
and transmission/transaxle in
kk
neutral'\ slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular brake pedal until the car
is held by only the parking brake.
To check the automatic transmission/transaxle
"Park" mechanism holding ability, release all brakes
after shifting the transmission/transaxle to "Park".
S e a t b a c k l a t c h o p e r a t i o n
-Be sure seatbacks
latch on those cars with folding seats using mechanical
latches. See your Owner's Manual for latch operating
information.
L a p a n d s h o u l d e r b e l t s c o n d i t i o n a n d
o p e r a t i o n
-Inspect belt system, including: webbing,
buckles, latch plates, retractors, guide loops and
anchors.
M o v a b l e h e a d r e s t r a i n t o p e r a t i o n
-On
cars with movable restraints, make sure restraints stay
in the desired position. (See adjustment instructions in
your Owner's Manual.)
S e a t b a c k r e c l i n e r o p e r a t i o n (if e q u i p p e d )
-Make sure the recliner is holding by pushing and
pulling on the top of the seatback while it is reclined.
S p a r e tire a n d j a c k s t o r a g e
—
Be alert to
rattles in car. Make sure the spare tire, all jacking
equipment, any tire inflator and any covers or doors are
securely stowed at all times. Oil jack ratchet or screw
mechanism after each use.
U n d e r b o d y f l u s h i n g
-At least every spring,
flush from the underbody with plain water any
corrosive materials used for ice and snow removal and
dust control. Take care to thoroughly clean any areas
where mud and other debris can collect. Sediment
packed in closed areas of the vehicle should be loosened
before being flushed.
E n g i n e c o o l i n g s y s t e m s e r v i c e
-Inspect
coolant and freeze protection. If dirty or rusty, drain,
flush and refill with new coolant. Keep coolant at the
proper mixture as specified in your Owner's Manual.
This provides proper freeze protection, corrosion
inhibitor level and engine operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace if cracked, swollen or
deteriorated. Tighten hose clamps. Clean outside of
radiator and air conditioning condensor. Wash
radiator filler cap and neck. To help ensure proper