service PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1995 Owners Manual
Page 2 of 386
The 1995 Pontiac Firebird Owner’s Manual
... How to Use This Manual .............................................................. .m
Seats and Restraint Systems .................................................. .’ ....... 1-1
Features and Controls ............................................................... 2-1
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems .................................................. 3-1
This section tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage warnings\
and symbols.
This section tells
you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SIR’ system.
This section explains how to start and operate your Pontiac.
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfo\
rt controls and how to operate your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road\
and how to drive under different conditions.
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem whil\
e driving, such as a flat tire or engine
overheating, etc.
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Pontiac running properly and looking good.
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what \
fluids and lubricants to use.
This section tells
you how to contact Pontiac for assistance and how to get service publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects”\
on page 8-4.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
Your Driving and the Road ........................................................... 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad ............................................................... 5-1
Service and Appearance Care ......................................................... 6-1
Maintenanceschedule ............................................................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
..................................................... 8-1
Index ........................................................................\
..... 9-1
i
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.I
I PONTIAC I I
GENERAL MOTORS, GM and the GM Emblem,
PONTIAC and the PONTIAC Emblem, Firebird and the
Firebird Emblem are registered trademarks of General
Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve
the right to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice. For
.
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors
of Canada Limited’’ for Pontiac Motor
Division whenever
it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your Pontiac, so it will be
there
if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new
owner can use it.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 10254416 A First Edition
k
We support voluntary
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION THROUGH
National Institute for
AUTQMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE
I technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propri6taires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous procurer
un exemplaire de ce guide en
fransais chez votre /
concessionaire ou au DGN Marketing Services Ltd.,
1500 Bonhill Rd., Mississauga, Ontario L5T
1C7.
@Copyright General Motors Corporation 1994
All Rights Reserved
ii
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Page 31 of 386
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields
are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
The air bags are designed to inflate only once. After
they inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your
air
bag system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there to help protect
you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module,
which records information about the air bag system.
The module records information about the readiness
of the system, when the sensors are activated and
driver’s safety
belt usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your air bag
system won’t work properly. See your dealer for
service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s
air bag, they may not
work properly.
You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag covers.
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Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac
Air bags affect how your Pontiac should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Pontiac dealer and the
1995 Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system.
To purchase a service manual, see “Service
Publications”
in the Index.
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant
women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be
seriously injured if they don’t wear safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and
the lap portion should be worn as low as possible
throughout the pregnancy.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
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Page 52 of 386
Remote Lock Control (Option)
If your Pontiac has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your hatch up to about
30 feet (9
m) using the key chain transmitter supplied with your
Your Remote Lock Control operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules.
CX.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation
is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Should interference to this system occur, try this:
0
0
0
0
Check to determine if battery replacement is .;
necessary. See the instructions on battery -'%,
replacement.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. This product has a maximum range.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
See your Pontiac dealer or a qualified technician for
service.
32
.I -2 ,. . -. .<
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
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Page 60 of 386
When the PASS-Key(% system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter and
fuel systems. For about
three minutes, the starter won’t
work and fuel won’t
go to the engine. If someone tries to
start your vehicle again or uses another key during this
time, the vehicle will not start. This discourages someone
from randomly
trying different keys with different resistor
pellets in
an attempt to make a match.
The ignition key must be clean and dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start. If the
engine does not start and the
SECURITY light stays on
when you
try to start the car, the key may be dirty or
wet.
Turn the ignition off.
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The security light may remain on during this
time. If the starter still won’t work, and the key appears
to be clean
and dry, wait about three minutes and try
another ignition key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuses (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the
Index).
If the starter won’t work with the other key, your
vehicle needs service.
If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty. See your Pontiac dealer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS-Key%.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work and the
security light will flash. But you don’t have to wait three
minutes before trying another ignition key.
See your Pontiac dealer or a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key% to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the
SECURITY light comes
on and stays on, you will be able to restart
your engine if
you
turn it off. Your PASS-Key% system, however, is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
Pontiac dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key% system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key@II ignition key, see
your Pontiac dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key’II to have a new key made. In
an
emergency, call the Pontiac Roadside Assistance
Program at 1-800-ROADSIm or
1-800-762-3743.
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Page 63 of 386
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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Safety Belt . . ,.. Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come
on €& about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten
their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled. The safety belt light will also come on
and
I Ctiy .. on until the driver’s belt is buckled.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows
AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there
is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the
air bag sensors and modules, the
wiring and the diagnostic module. For more information
on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in the Index.
AIR
BAG
You will see this light flash for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition to RUN or START. Then the light
should go out. This means the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you
start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes on when you
are driving, your
air bag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
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Page 116 of 386
Brake System Warning Light
Your Pontiac’s hydraulic
B RAKE two parts. If one part isn’t
brake system is divided into
working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For
good braking, though, you
need both parts working
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briefly as you start the
vehicle. If it doesn’t come
on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may
go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light is flashing, have
the vehicle towed for service. (See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” and “Towing Your Car” in the
Index.)
The brake system warning light will also come on when
you set your parking brake, and it will stay on if your
parking brake doesn’t release fully. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you have a
brake problem.
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
ABS
INOP
With the anti-lock brake system, this light will come on when
you
start your engine and it will stay on for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it fixed so it
will be ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
If the light flashes when you’re driving, you don’t have
anti-lock brakes and there could be a problem with your
regular brakes. Pull
off the road and stop carefully. You
may notice that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal
may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop.
Have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your
Car” in the Index.)
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and
tum
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system.
If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, your Pontiac needs service.
If the
light
is on but not flashing and the regular brake system
warning light isn’t
on, you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes.
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