PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1995 Repair Manual

New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition Switch
NOTICE:
Your modern Pontiac doesn’t need an elaborate
%break-in.” But it
will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
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Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km@) or
less for the first
500 miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed
-- fast or slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km). Don’t
make full-throttle starts.
Ayoid making hard stops for the first
2a0: miles (322 kni) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this “breaking-in” guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during “break-in.” See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index for more
information.
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions:
ACC (A): Position in which you can operate your
electrical power accessories. Press in the ignition switch as you
turn the top of it toward you.
LOCK (B): The only position in which you can remove
the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission.
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If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can’t be turned to
LOCK unless the shift lever is
in the PARK (P) position.
OFF (C): Unlocks the steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission, but does not send electrical
power to
any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed.
A warning tone will
sound if you open the driver’s door when the ignition is
OFF and the key is in the ignition.
RUN (D): Position to which the switch returns after you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the
RUN position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical power accessories and to
display some instrument panel warning and indicator
lights.
START (E): Starts the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch will return to
RUN
for normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, ACC and
RUN allow you to operate your electrical accessories,
such as the radio and ventilation fan.
Key Release Button: If you have a manual
transmission, your ignition lock has
a key release button.
You must press the button before you can take: your key
out
of the ignition lock.
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Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
NOTICE: ~
If your
key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure it is all the way in. If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
If you have power door locks, your vehicle has a feature
called Retained Accessory Power (RAP). With
RAP
your power door locks, electric mirrors, power
windows, audio system and remote hatch release will
continue to work up to
10 minutes after the ignition key
is turned to
OW and neither door is opened.
If a door is opened, the audio system and power
windows will shut
off. The power door locks, electric
mirrors and remote hatch release work until you shut the
door. Once you have shut
the door, these accessories
will continue to work for approximately
35 seconds.
After this time you will not be able to use these
accessories until the next time you open
a door or turn
the ignition.
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Starting Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or
number for your engine. You will fiid the
VIN at the top
left of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number”
in the Index.) Follow the proper
steps to start the engine.
Automatic transmission:
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N)
only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Pontiac is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
Manual transmission:
The gear selector should be in neutral. Hold the clutch
pedal to the
floor and start the engine. Your vehicle
won’t
start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down --
that’s a safety feature.
To start your V6 engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as your‘
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer thh
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive. heat
can damage your starter motor.
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2. If your engine won’t start (or starts but then stops), it
could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the car starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. ~ ~
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed
to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories9 you could change the
way
the fuel in&tion system operates. Before adding
electrical equipment, check with your dealer.
If
you don’t, your engine might not perform
properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Car” in the ‘Index.
To start your 5.7 Liter LT1 engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go
of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets
warm.
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NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go
of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to
help avoid draining your battery.
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When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0°F or -18"C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there. When the
engine starts, let
go of the key. Use the accelerator
pedal to maintaiq engine speed, if you have to, until
your engine has run for
a while.
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the
car starts
briefly but then stops again,
do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
' NOTICE:
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Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the
way
the fuel injection system operates. Before adding
electrical equipment, check with your dealer.
If
you don't, your engine might not perform
properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do
it
without damaging your vehicle. See "Towing
Your Car" in the Index.
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Driving Through Deep Standing
Water
,*
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody
of your vehicle. If you
can’t avoid deep puddles or standing waiter, drive
through them very slowly.
Performance Mode Switch
This switch lets you change from a normal driving mode
to a performance mode. When you start the engine, the
switch will be in normal mode. For general driving
conditions, use
the normal mode. It will remain in
normal unless you select the PERFORM feature.
For a firmer shift and increased performance, you may
choose the
PERFORM mode. The light in the center of
the switch will light
up when selected. The switch will
then remain in performance mode until the engine
is
shut off, when it will go back to normal mode.
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Second-Gear Start Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
TRANSMISSION
2NDGEAR@ START
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Second-Gear Start
feature. Press
2ND GEAR START to provide more
traction when you are starting on ice or other slippery
surfaces. The transmission will be in second gear when
the vehicle begins to move. After starting in second
gear, the vehicle will upshift normally.
This feature is only for improved traction when the road
surface
is slippery and is not intended for continuous
use. Always use NORMAL for normal road conditions.
You may press
2ND GEAR START again to turn off this
feature. Whenever you start your vehicle, the
transmission is
in the NORMAL mode.
In very cold weather, 0 "F (- 18 O C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
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To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine. NOTICE:
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt outlet.
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After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to
store the cord as it was before to keep
it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
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How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer depends on the weather, the kind of oil
you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to list
everything here, we ask that you contact your Pontiac
dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle.
The dealer can give
you the best advice for that
particular area.
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Automatic Transmission
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
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