Fieropedia:Editing guidelines
Fieropedia editing guidelines explains the basic editing standards for Fieropedia.
Fieropedia is intended to be a practical, Fiero-specific knowledge base built by the Fiero community. The goal is to collect useful technical information, repair knowledge, model-year details, factory specifications, common problems, and community experience in one organized place.
General principles
When editing Fieropedia, try to follow these principles:
- Keep information Fiero-specific whenever possible.
- Write clearly and practically.
- Prefer facts over opinion.
- Explain uncertainty when information is not fully confirmed.
- Do not copy copyrighted text from manuals, books, websites, or forum posts.
- Summarize information in your own words.
- Link to useful forum threads or external sources when they support the article.
- Avoid personal attacks, arguments, or forum-style debates.
- Improve pages gradually rather than waiting for them to be perfect.
Fiero-specific information
Fieropedia should focus on the Pontiac Fiero.
General automotive information is welcome when it helps explain a Fiero-specific topic, but articles should not become generic car-repair pages.
For example, an article about the Cooling system should explain the Fiero's rear-engine/front-radiator layout, long Coolant pipes, filling procedure, and common Fiero-specific cooling issues.
Factory information
Factory information is useful, but it should be handled carefully.
Good topics include:
- Model-year differences
- Factory options
- RPO codes
- Production numbers
- Factory specifications
- Known service procedures
- Factory recalls or service bulletins
Do not copy large sections of factory manuals or copyrighted documents. Instead, summarize the information and cite or link to the source when appropriate.
Forum knowledge
Pennock's Fiero Forum contains many years of useful Fiero knowledge.
Forum threads can be used as references, especially for:
- Common problems
- Repair procedures
- Part interchange
- Known failure patterns
- Community-tested solutions
- Build threads
- Modifications
When using forum knowledge, summarize the useful information in the wiki article and link to the original thread when possible.
Do not simply copy another member's post into Fieropedia without permission.
Unconfirmed information
If information is uncertain, mark it clearly.
Useful wording includes:
- "This is commonly reported by owners..."
- "This may vary by year and equipment..."
- "This should be verified against the correct service manual..."
- "More Fiero-specific confirmation is needed..."
Do not present uncertain information as absolute fact.
Images
Images are very useful on Fieropedia, especially for locations, wiring, parts, procedures, and model-year differences.
Use images only when you have the right to use them.
Good image sources include:
- Photos you took yourself
- Images uploaded by their owner with permission
- Diagrams created specifically for Fieropedia
- Public-domain or properly licensed images, if license terms are followed
If an article needs an image, use the image request template:
{{Image wanted|Photo showing the part location or procedure detail needed.}}
This automatically adds the page to Category:Pages needing images.
Article style
Try to keep articles organized with clear section headings.
Useful sections often include:
- Overview
- Location
- Function
- Common problems
- Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Notes
- See also
Not every article needs every section, but this structure works well for technical pages.
Diagnostic articles
Diagnostic articles should avoid jumping straight to a single failed part.
Many Fiero problems can be caused by wiring, grounds, connectors, vacuum leaks, previous modifications, or incorrect diagnosis.
When writing diagnostic content, include likely causes and basic checks before suggesting replacement parts.
Modifications
Modification articles are welcome, but they should be written neutrally.
Good modification articles should explain:
- What the modification is
- Why owners do it
- What parts are commonly used
- Benefits
- Drawbacks
- Safety concerns
- Fitment issues
- Legal or inspection issues where relevant
Avoid turning modification pages into advertisements or personal build threads.
Page names
Use clear, simple page names.
Examples:
Avoid unnecessary abbreviations in page titles unless the abbreviation is the normal name of the part or topic.
Categories
Add useful categories at the bottom of articles.
Common categories include:
- [[Category:Fieropedia]]
- [[Category:Diagnostics]]
- [[Category:Cooling system]]
- [[Category:Electrical system]]
- [[Category:Engine]]
- [[Category:Common problems]]
- [[Category:Service procedures]]
- [[Category:Modifications]]
Use only categories that actually fit the article.
Copyright
Do not copy copyrighted material into Fieropedia.
This includes:
- Factory manuals
- Books
- Commercial websites
- Magazine articles
- Other people's forum posts
- Images found online
- Diagrams from manuals or websites
Short factual summaries written in your own words are usually better than copied text.
Tone
Fieropedia should be helpful, factual, and practical.
It should not read like a forum argument. If there are different opinions or approaches, explain them neutrally.