traction control PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 User Guide

Driving on Snow or, Ice
Most of the time,. those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
Hdwever,
if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road,
you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll
have a lot less traction or “grip?’ and
will need to be
very careful.
If you don’t have the traction control system, accelerate
gently.
Try not to b.reak the fragile traction. If you
accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish
the surface under the tires even more.
What’s
the worst
time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold
snow or ice
can be slick4and hard to drive on. But wet
ice can be evermore trouble because it may offer the
least traction
of all. You can get wet ice when it”s about
freezing
(32°F; 0” C) and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition
-- smooth ice, packed, blowing
or loose snow
-- drive with caution.
If you have traction control, keep the system on. It will
improve
your ability to accelerate when driving on a
slippery road. Even though your vehicle has a traction
control system, you’ll want to slow down and adjust
.your driving to the road conditions. See “Traction
Control System”
in the Index.
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Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when
your
vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check
the inflation pressure regularly. It should be 60 psi
(420 Wa).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure your
spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare is
made
to perform well at posted speed limits for
distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can
finish your trip and have your full-size tire repaired or
replaced where you want. Of course, it’s best to replace
your spare with a full-size tire as soon as you can. Your
spare will last longer and be in good shape in case
you
need it again. When
the compact spare is
on the rear axle, the optional
traction control system will cycle and limit acceleration
for about the first
15 seconds of driving after each
engine start.
I NOTICE:
When the compact spare is installed, don’t take
your vehicle through
an automatic car wash with
guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on
the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts
of your vehicle.
5-40
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If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
What you d0n’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must
use caution.
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be
igjlared. And,
the transmission
or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels
as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well
as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while
shifting your transmission back
and forth,
you can destroy your transmission.
For infomation about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
I
has traction control, you should turn the system off. (See
“Traction Control System” in the Index.) Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear (or with a manual transmission, between
FIRST (1)
or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the
wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you
shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal
when the transmission is in gear. If that doesn’t
get you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed
out. If
you do-need to be towed out, see “Towing Your
Vehicle” in the Index. !-
1) . .:>:; i . -, . ,_ I *, ._. .I.. -.
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Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when
it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating, traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle.
If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an
“MS”
I>>.,.. ,.. ;: (for mud and snow). A. . > ..
I ‘, -. If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted
or radial) as your original tires.
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires
of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though.
It was developed for use on your vehicle.
.
6-49
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed
by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger cars and light trucks may vary with respect
to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
I , conditions on a specified government test course. For
example,
a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1 112) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon
the actual conditions of their use, however,
and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction,performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled co’nditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the
material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performame
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109.
6-50
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Main Fuse Block Fuse
PCM BATT
FUSE USAGE CHART
10 2D 30 40 STOPlHAZARD TURN B-U PCM BATT RADIO ACCY
TAIL LTS HVAC PWR
ACCY
COURTESY
GAGES AIR BAG CIGARIACCY DEFOGISEATS
IGN PCM IGN WIPERIWASH BATT WINDOWS
160 Q 17- . IP DIMMER ACCY RADIO
SEE OWNER'S MANUAL
FOR MORE INFORMATION PRINTED IN U.S.A 10281550
I
Fuse Usage
STOP/HAZARD Hazard Flasher,
Brake Switch Assembly
Switch, Transmission Range
Switch, Back-up Lamp Switch,
Turn Flasher, Daytime Running
Lamps
(DRL) Module
TURN'
B-U Performance/Traction
Control RADIO ACCY
TAIL,
LTS
HVAC
PWR ACCY
COURTESY
GAGES
AIR BAG
Usage
Powertrain Control Module '(PCM),
Fuel Pump Relay
Radio, Power Antenna,
Bose Relay, Remote Compact
Disc Changer
Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) Module, Headlamp Switch
HVAC Selector Switch,
Rear Defogger TimerRelay,
Rear Defogger Switch, Rear
Defogger Switch/Timer
Park Lamp Relay,
Hatch Release Relay,
Power Mirror Switch,
Radio,
Shock Sensor, Instrument Cluster
Body Control Module (BCM)
Body Control Module (BCM),
Brake Switch Assembly (BTSI),
Instrument Cluster, Daytime
Running Lamps
(DIU) Module,
Auxiliary Accessory Wire
Air
Bag System,
Dual Pole Arming Sensor
6-65
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Fuse Usage
CIGAWACCY Cigarette Lighter, Data Link
Connector (DLC), Auxiliary
Accessory Wire
DEFOG/SEATS Rear Defogger SwitchiTimer,
Rear Defogger Timermelay,
Power Seats
EVAP Canister Purge
Vacuum Switch, EVAP Canister
Purge Valve, Transmission
Wiperwasher Switch
Express-Down Module, Coolant
Level Latching Module,
Convertible Top Switch
PCM IGN Powertrain Control Module (PCM),
WIPEWASH Wiper Motor Assembly,
WINDOWS Power Windows
Switch (RH, LH),
Fuse
Usage
I/P DIMMER Door
Illumination Lamp (RH, LH),
Headlamp Switch,
Fog Lamp
Switch, Instrument Cluster,
HVAC Control Assembly,
PRNDL Illumination Lamp,
Ashtray Lamp, Radio, Steering
Wheel Controls-Radio,
Rear Window Defogger
Switch/Timer,
Performance/Traction
Control Switch
Body Control Module (BCM),
Radio, Amplifier, Steering Wheel
Controls-Radio
RADIO
6-66
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Labels Certification
................................. 4-30
Service
Parts Identification ..................... 6-62
Tire-Loading Information
....................... 4-29
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-62
Lamps
........................................ 2-50
Courtesy
.................................... 2-53
Interior
..................................... 2-53
On Reminder
................................ 2-50
Last Door Closed Locking Feature
............. 2.4. 2.17
Last Door Closed LoclungLockout Prevention
....... 2-17
Latches. Front Seatback
........................... 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle .............................. 2-5
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-38
Lighter
....................................... 2-59
Lights
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-2 1. 2-77
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.78. 4.6
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-78
CheckGauges
............................... 2-87
Interior
..................................... 2-53
LowCoolant
................................. 2-82
LowOil
.................................... 2-86
Low Traction
............................ 2-81, 4-8
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-7. 2-76
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-83
Traction Control System Warning
............ 2-80. 4-9
Limited-Slip Differential. Rear Axle
................ 6-26
Loading
Your Vehicle ........................... 4-29
Lockout Prevention
......................... 2-4, 2-17
Cylinders
................................... 7-40
Door
........................................ 2-3
Locks
......................................... 2-3
Key Lock
Cylinder Service ..................... 7-40
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-42
Low Coolant Light ............................... 2-82
LowOilLight
................................. 2-86
Low Traction Light
......................... 2-81, 4-8
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-44
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-40
Lumbar Controls
................................ 1-3
Main Fuse Block .................... ..... 6-65
Maintenance. Normal Replacement
Parts .......... 6-71
Maintenance Record .................. ..... 7-46
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long TripMighway Definition ................... 7-5
Long Tripmighway Intervals .................... 7-28
Owner Checks and Services ..................... 7-39
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-43
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-44
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-1
Short Trip/City Definition ....................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-6
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-38
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-1
Manual Mirror
................................. 2-55
Manual Transmission ............................ 2-31
Check
...................................... 7-40
Fluid
....................................... 6-24
Shifting
..................................... 2-32
MapPocket ................................... 2-57
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-60
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-83
9-6
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Tachometer .................................. 2-75
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-22
Temperature Control. Climate Control System
......... 3-1
Theft-Deterrent Th
......................................... 2-11
Arming Method
.............................. 2- 19
Arming Verification
........................... 2- 19
Feature,
CD Player ............................ 3- 18
Vehicle and Content
........................... 2-12
Thermostat
.................................... 6-30
Third Gear, Automatic Transmission
................ 2-29
Third Gear, Manual Transmission .............. 2-32, 2-33
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-43
Time, Setting the
................................ 3-6
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-52
TireLoading ................................... 4-29
Tire-Loading Information Label
......... , .......... 4-29
Tires
......................................... 6-45
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-5 1
Buying
New ................................. 6-49
Chains
..................................... 6-52
ChangingaFlat .............................. 5-27
Cleaning
.................................... 6-59
Compact Spare
............................... 5-40
Inflation .................................... 6-46
Inflation Check
............................... 7-39
Inspection and Rotation ........................ 6-47
Loading
.................................... 4-29
Pressure
.................................... 6-46
Temperature ................................. 6-50
Traction .................................... 6-50
Treadwe ar ................................... 6-50
Uniform Quality Grabg
....................... 6-50
THEFTLOCK"
................................ 3-18
Wear
Indicamrs
.............................. 6-48
Wheel Replacement
............................ 6-51
When
It's Time for New ....................... 6-48
TopStrap ..................................... 1-33
TorqueLock
................................... 2-39
Torque, Wheel Nut
......................... 5-37, 6-69
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-7
Traction Control
Off Button ............................. 4-9
Control System
................................ 4-8
Control System Warning Light
... ........... 2-80
Brakes ................................... 4-35
Driving on Grades
............................. 4-37
Drivingwith
................................. 4-36
Hitches
..................................... 4-35
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-38
Parking
on Hills .............................. 4-37
SafetyChains
................................ 4-35
Tongueweight
............................... 4-34
Total Weight
on Tires .......................... 4-34
Towing
..................................... 4-31
Turnsignals
................................. 4-37
Weight
..................................... 4-33
Automatic
................................... 4-20
Manual
..................................... 6-24
Transmitters, Remote Lock Control
.................. 2-5
Transportation, Courtesy
.......................... 8-7
Trip Odometer ................................. 2-75
T-Top Sunshades ............................... 2-64
Transmitter Range
............................... 2-6
TowingaTr~ler ................................ 4-31
Trailer
Transmission
9-10
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