turn signal PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Owners Manual

peration
The driver’s door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed. If UNLOCK is pressed again
within five seconds, the passenger door will also unlock.
All doors will lock when LOCK
is pressed.
The hatch will unlock when the button with the trunk
symbol is pressed, as long as the ignition is turned to the
OFF position. If the ignition is in the RUN position, the
trunk symbol button will only work if
the transmission
is in PARK (P) for an automatic transmission, or if the
parking brake is set on a manual transmission.
The system will turn on the interior lamps for about
40 seconds (or until the ignition switch is turned t’o the
RUN position), when you unlock the doors or hatch.
The interior lamps will
go off when you lock the doors.
Operating the Remote Lock Control transmitter may
interact with the Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent
System (if
you have this option). See “Vehicle and
Content Theft-Deterrent System”
in the Index.
Alarm/Panic Mode
If your vehicle is equipped with the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System, you will have a fourth button on
your Remote
Lock Control transmitter. This button is the
panic button. If you
are involved in a panic situation,
press this button and your vehicle’s horn will sound and the parking lamps will flash. This will draw needed attention
to you
and your vehicle. To turn this feature off,
either push the panic button again or turn the ignition to
the RUN position. Note: This feature will not work if
your ignition is in the
RUN position or if the remote
transmitter is
30 feet or more away from your vehicle.
Transmitter Range
The range of your Remote Lock Control system should
be about
30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a
decrease
in the range. This is normal for any Remote
Lock Control system. If the transmitter does not work,
or you have to stand closer to your vehicle than normal
for the transmitter to work:
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You may have to replace the battery in your transmitter.
See
the instructions8 for battery replacement.
You may be too far from your vehicle. Check your
distance. You may have to stand closer
to your
vehicle in rain or snow.
Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take
a few steps to the right or left.
You may have
to synchronize your transmitter to the
receiver in your vehicle. See the instructions for
synchronization.
You may have to match the transmitters to your
vehicle. See instructions for matching transmitters.
If none of the above apply, see your dealer or
qualified technician for service.
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Tilt Steering Wheel Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before
you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel
to a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel in place. The
lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
e Headlamp Highkow Beam and Passing Signal
e Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
Cruise Control (Option)
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Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When
the turn is finished, the lever will +
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash in the
direction.
of the turn or lane
change.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows don’t
flash but just ‘stay
on, a signal bulb may be burned out
and other drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse (see “Fuses and,Circuit
Breakers” in the Index).
Headlarnp High/Low Beam Changer ’
.. -.
.;: , i.:. : . .. 1 g .- ..
To change the headlamps
from low beam to high or
high to low, pull the turn
signal lever all the way
toward you.
Then release it.
When
the high beams are
con, this light
on the
instrument panel also will
be on.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the
mow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete
your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
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Windshield Washer
At the top of the turn signal lever there’s a paddle with
the word PUSH on it. To spray washer fluid on the
windshield, just push the paddle for less than
a second.
The washer will continue to spray until you release the
paddle. The wipers will clear the window and wipe a
few more times before stopping or returning to the
previous setting. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in
the Index.
In freezing weather, don’t use your washer until
the windshield
is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice
on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
Cruise Control (Option)
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the’ accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise
control does not
work at speeds below about 25 mph
(40 km/h).
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Daytime Running Lamps (Option)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others
tu see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in.the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn’t covered.
The
DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when:
The ignition is on,
The headlamp switch is OFF, and
The parking brake is released.
When
the DRL are on, only your front turn signal
lamps will be on. The taillamps, sidemarker and other
lamps won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’t be lit
up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, your front turn signal
lamps will
go out and your headlamps will come on.
The other lamps that come on with your headlamps will
also come on.
When it’s bright enough outside, the regular lamps will
go off, and your front turn signal lamps will come on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps (Option)
Use your fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty
conditions. Your parking lamps must be on or your fog
lamps won’t work.
SO To turn the fog lamps on, push the top of the fog
lamp switch,
Push the bottom of the switch to turn the
fog lamps off. A light on the switch will come on when
the fog
lamps are on.
Fog lamps will go off whenever your high beams come
on. When the high beams
go off, the fog lamps will
come
on again.
If your vehicle is equipped with Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System and your
fog lamp switch is
on,
the fog lamps may flash to indicate operation of
the Vehicle
and Content Theft-Deterrent System.
See “Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System” in
the
Index.
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per how (mph) and kilometers per hour
(krnh). Your
odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven,
in either
miles (used in the United States) or kilometers
(used in Canada).
Your Pontiac's odometer is tamper-resistant. If you can
see.silver lines between the numbers, probably someone
has tried to turn
it back. The numbers may not be true.
You may wonder what happens if your Pontiac needs
a new odometer installed. If possible, the new one has
to be set to the same rkading the old one had.
If it can't
be, then it's set at zero, but a label on the driver's door
must show the old reading and when the new one
was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has
been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero.
To set the trip odometer to zero, press the knob.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in thousands
of revolutions per minute (rpm).
I NOTICE: 1
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in
the red area, or engine damage may occur.
Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an {":::$)
expensive repair or replacement. Ptiying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
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Steering Wheel Controls (Option)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio functions using the buttons on
your steering wheel.
VOLUME: Press the up arrow to increase the volume
and the down arrow to decrease volume.
PLAY: Press this button to play a cassette tape or
compact disc when the radio is playing.
MUTE: Press this button to silence the system. Press it
again, or any other
radio button, to turn on the sound.
SEEK: Press the up mow to tune to the next radio
station and
the down arrow to tune to the previous radio
station. If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, the
player will advance with the up arrow and rewind with
the down mow.
PRESET: Press this button to hear the radio stations
that
are set on your pushbuttons.
AM-F": Press this button to select AM, FM1 or €342.
If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, the tape or
disc will stop playing and the radio will play.
UBderstanding Radio R: 3eption
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound. But FM signals
will reach only about
10 to 40 miles ( 16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or
hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to come and go.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations
to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise horn things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.
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Care of Your CasAte 'I - r1;
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. 'Cassette tapes should be stored
in their
cases
away from *contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat.
If they aren't, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure of the
tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN to indicate
that you have used your tape player
for 50 hours without
resetting the tape clean timer.
If you notice a reduction in
sound quality, try a known good cassette to see if the tape
or the tape player is at fault. If this other cassette has no
improvement in sound quality, clean the tape player.
Cleaning may be done with a scrubbing action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub
the tape head as the hubs
of the cleaner cassette turn. It
is normal for the cassette to eject while cleaning. Insert
the cassette at least three times to ensure thorough
cleaning. A scrubbing action cleaning cassette is
available through your Pontiac dealer.
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You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean
the tape head. This type
of cleaning cassette will not
eject. €t may not clean
as thoroughly as the scrubbing
type cleaner.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound
quality may
degrade over time. Always make sure that the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.
Care of Your Compact Discs ,
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust.
If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth
in a mild, neutral detergent .solution and
clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling
discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge.
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Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right
lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror
is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than
L it really is,)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
Don’t
overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps
are not flashing,,it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead
of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.
Loss of Control
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid
most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving”\

those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond
to your Pontiac’s
three control systems. In the braking
skid, your wheels
aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If you have the traction control system, remember: It
helps avoid only the acceleration skid.
If
you do not have traction control, or if the system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled by
easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Let’s
review what driving experts say about what E your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
happens when the
three control systems (brakes, steering accelerator
pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the vehicle to
go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. vehicle may straighten
out. Always be ready for a
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger. second
skid if it occurs.
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Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a’wet
road, you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because
your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads.
And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get
even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be
cautious
if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The
surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are
tuned for driving on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even
if your
windshield wiper blades
are in good shape, a heavy rain
can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals,
pavement markings, the edge of the road and even
people wallung.
,
It’s wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment in
good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled
with washer fluid. Replace your windshield wiper
inserts when tbey
show signs of streaking or missing
areas
on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts.
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