ignition PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2000 User Guide

2-13 Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition. If you take the key with you, and you have an
automatic transmission, it will be locked. And remember
to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it's best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key?

If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.

Close all windows.

Lock the glove box.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.

Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.

2-14
Content Theft-Deterrent/Alarm
System (Option)
If your vehicle has this option, it has a theft-deterrent
alarm system. Once armed, the system will sound the
horn and flash the parking lamps if the vehicle is
broken into.
Arming the System
The alarm system can be armed to detect break-ins by
locking your vehicle with the remote keyless entry
transmitter or by locking the doors with the power door
lock switch.
Passive arming is also available if you would like the
system to arm all by itself after the doors have been
closed for a short time. When the system is armed, a red
light located on top of the instrument panel will flash
briefly once every two seconds. If you return to your
vehicle and the red light is flashing two brief flashes
every two seconds, the system is armed and the shock
sensor had triggered a two minute alarm. If the red light
is flashing three times every two seconds, the system is
armed and there was an intrusion that sounded the
alarm. Horn chirps and parking lamp flashes can be
customized to your personal preference. See ªFeature
Customizationº in the Index.
Turning Off the Alarm
If you started the alarm by pressing the panic button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter, you must either push that
button again or turn the ignition to RUN to stop the alarm.
If the alarm is sounding due to the shock sensor or a
door or hatch opening, it can be turned off by either
turning the ignition to RUN with a proper key or by
pressing any button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter. If you use your remote keyless entry
transmitter to silence the alarm, additional things will
happen depending upon which button you press.

Pressing the UNLOCK button will turn the alarm
off, unlock the driver's door and disarm the system.

Pressing the panic button or the LOCK button will
turn the alarm off, keep the doors locked and keep
the system armed.

Pressing the REAR 2X button will turn the alarm off
and keep the system armed. A second push of the
button (within five seconds, pause slightly between
presses) will unlock and disarm the hatch only.
If the alarm is sounding because an incorrect ignition
key was used, press any button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter to turn the alarm off.
The alarm will stop by itself after two minutes.

2-15 Shock Sensor
Coupe Convertible
The shock sensor is what triggers the alarm when it
detects a blow to your vehicle. It is located over the
wheelhouse near the spare tire in the hatch area, on the
passenger's side of the vehicle. There are two levels of
alarms via the shock sensor. Two horn blasts and
parking lamp flashes for non
-threatening blows to the
vehicle and a full two
-minute alarm for harder blows to
the vehicle. Its sensitivity can be adjusted if more or less
sensitivity is desired. If sensitivity is increased too
much, it may give false alarms caused by gusts of wind
or other natural events that may shake the vehicle.When your vehicle is new, there will be a label covering
the adjustment knob. Remove the label and adjust the
sensor as desired. Turn the knob clockwise to increase
sensitivity and counterclockwise to decrease sensitivity.
The shock sensor is ignored by the alarm system when
the following happens:

The ignition is on,

the hatch is open,

the alarm is disarmed,

when customized to be ignored, or

for five seconds after the horn sounds an alarm
or chirp.
The shock sensor is ignored after triggering three full
alarms until the system is rearmed.

2-16 Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Locking
If all the doors are closed, locking the vehicle with the
remote keyless entry transmitter will immediately arm
the system. The horn will chirp twice and the parking
lamps will flash, confirming that the system is armed.
If any door is open when the LOCK button is pressed,
the system goes into an armed wait mode, waiting for
the doors to close. Once they are closed, the system will
arm, the horn will chirp twice and the parking lamps
will flash. If the hatch is open or ajar at the time the
system is arming, the horn will only chirp once.
Power Door Lock Switch Locking
If any door is open when the power door lock switch is
pressed, the system goes into an armed wait mode,
waiting for the doors to close. Once they are closed, the
system will arm and the parking lamps will flash. If both
doors are closed when the power door lock switch is
pressed, the system assumes you are inside the vehicle,
so it will not arm. Locking the doors by using the
manual door locks will not arm the system.
Passive Arming
If the ignition was just turned off and a door was
opened, the system will arm six seconds after both doors
are closed, whether or not you lock them. In all other
cases, the system will wait 30 seconds after both doors
are closed before arming, allowing you time to get into
the vehicle and put the key in the ignition. The parking
lamps will flash when the system arms.
The vehicle is shipped from the factory with this feature
turned off. To turn this feature on, see ªFeature
Customizationº in the Index.
Disarming the System
There are two ways to disarm the system:

Press the UNLOCK button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter. If the horn chirps two or three
times when you unlock the vehicle, the alarm
sounded in your absence. Two chirps means that the
shock sensor was set off and three chirps means that
a door or the hatch was opened.

Turn the ignition key to RUN.
For more information on customizing the features
mentioned here, see ªFeature Customizationº in
the Index.

2-17
PASS-Key
II
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS
-Key II
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft
-deterrent system.
PASS
-Key II is a passive
theft
-deterrent system. It
works when you insert or
remove the key from
the ignition.
PASS
-Key II uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS
-Key II 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 vehicle, 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 ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº 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 dealer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS
-Key II.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won't work. The
SECURITY light will flash. But you don't have to wait
three minutes before trying another ignition key.
See your dealer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS
-Key II 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 II system, however, is not
working properly and must be serviced by your dealer.
Your vehicle is not protected by the PASS
-Key II system.
If you lose or damage a PASS
-Key II ignition key, see
your dealer or a locksmith who can service PASS
-Key II
to have a new key made. In an emergency, call the Pontiac
Roadside Assistance Center at 1
-800-ROADSIDE or
1
-800-762-3743. (In Canada call 1-800-268-6800.)

2-19 Entering Programming Mode
To program any feature, your vehicle must be in the
programming mode. Follow these steps:
1. Put your key in the ignition.
2. Turn the ignition to RUN to disarm the content
theft
-deterrent/alarm system.
3. Turn the ignition to OFF.
4. Remove the RADIO fuse. This fuse is in the main
fuse block, located on the left side of your
instrument panel. When the main fuse block is open,
the RADIO fuse is located in the lower right corner
side of the fuse panel. See ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index.
5. Turn the ignition towards you to ACC.
6. Count the number of chimes you hear. You will hear
one to two chimes depending on the features your
vehicle is equipped with. Refer to the chart
shown previously.
You can now program your choices.
To exit the programming mode, follow the steps listed
under ªLeaving Programming Modeº later in
this section.
Exit Lighting and Delayed Illumination
With exit lighting, your interior lamps will come on for
up to 25 seconds when the key is removed from
the ignition.
With delayed illumination, your interior lamps will
come on and stay on for up to 25 seconds when entering
your vehicle and up to five seconds when leaving
your vehicle.
Programmable Modes
Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the
following modes:
Mode 1: Both Off
Mode 2: Delayed Illumination Only
Mode 3: Exit Lighting Only
Mode 4: Both On
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode 4.

2-20
To change the mode, do the following:
1. Turn the courtesy lamps on by turning the instrument
panel brightness control all the way up.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of
chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set for.
3. Turn the courtesy lamp switch off.
4. Turn the courtesy lamp switch from on to off until
you hear the number of chimes that corresponds to
the mode selection you want.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
Last Door Closed Locking and
Lockout Prevention
These features are designed to help prevent your keys
from being locked in your vehicle.
Programmable Modes
Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the
following modes:
Mode 1: Both Off (Doors will lock/unlock when you
press the power door lock switch.)Mode 2: Lockout Prevention Only (If you leave your
keys in the ignition and leave through the driver's door,
you won't be able to lock the doors with the power door
lock switch.)
Mode 3: Last Door Closed Locking Only (If the power
door lock switch is used to lock the vehicle while any
door is open, you will hear three chimes. The doors will
not lock until after all doors are closed.)
Mode 4: Both On (This combines Mode 2 and 3.)
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode 2.
To change the mode, do the following:
1. Press the power door lock switch on the door.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
3. Press the power door lock switch, again, on the door
until you hear the number of chimes that correspond
to the mode selection you want.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.

2-24 Driver's Door Alarm Delay and Shock
Sensor Enable
These features will allow you to change when the alarm
system will sound and to turn the shock sensor on or off.
Programmable Modes
Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the
following modes:
Mode 1: Zero Delay and Shock Sensor Disabled
(The alarm will sound immediately if the driver's door
is opened with your key and the shock sensor will not be
available to measure sharp blows to your vehicle.)
Mode 2: Eight
-Second Delay and Shock Sensor
Disabled (The alarm will sound eight seconds after the
driver's door is opened with your key and the shock
sensor will not be available to measure sharp blows to
your vehicle.)
Mode 3: Zero Delay and Shock Sensor Enabled
(The alarm will sound immediately after the driver's
door is opened with your key and the shock sensor will
be available to measure sharp blows to your vehicle.)Mode 4: Eight
-Second Delay and Shock Sensor
Enabled (The alarm will sound eight seconds after the
driver's door is opened with your key and the shock
sensor will be available to measure sharp blows to
your vehicle.)
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode 4.
To change the mode, do the following:
1. Turn the parking lamps on and off.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
3. Turn the parking lamps on and off, again, until you
hear the number of chimes that corresponds to the
mode selection you want.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
next in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
Leaving Programming Mode
When programming is complete, turn the ignition to
OFF and reinstall the RADIO fuse.

2-25
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the
long run if you follow these guidelines:

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).

Don't drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) 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 ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn the
switch to five positions.
ACC (A): The position in which you can operate your
electrical power accessories. Push in the ignition switch
as you turn it toward you.
LOCK (B): The only position from which you can
remove the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition
and automatic transmission.
If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can't be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P).

2-26
CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key
to LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to OFF. Don't press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it 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.
OFF (C): This position 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): The position to which the switch returns after
you start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in RUN 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 will return to RUN for
normal driving.
Even if the engine is not running, ACC and RUN or
when retained accessory power (RAP) is active allows
you to operate your electrical accessories, such as the
radio and ventilation fan. See ªRetained Accessory
Powerº in the Index.