turn signal PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2000 Owners Manual

Table of Contents
Keys and Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Hatch
Automatic Transmission (If Equipped)
Manual Transmission Operation (If Equipped)
Parking Brake
Windows
Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction LeverWindshield Wipers
Cruise Control
Interior and Exterior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Cargo Cover
Accessory Power Outlet
Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and Gages Seats and Seat Controls
Safety BeltsAir Bag System
Child Restraints
Section
1
Section
2
Seats and Restraint Systems
Features and Controls
ii

ix
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
SPEAKER
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2-4 Door Locks
2-6 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2-11 Hatch
2-12 Theft
2-14 Content Theft-Deterrent/Alarm
System (Option)
2
-17 PASS-Key
II
2-25 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2-25 Ignition Positions
2-27 Starting Your Engine
2-30 Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
2-32 Automatic Transmission Operation
2-35 Manual Transmission Operation
2-39 Parking Brake
2-40 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-42 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)2
-42 Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission)
2-43 Parking Over Things That Burn
2-43 Engine Exhaust
2-44 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-44 Limited-Slip Rear Axle
2-45 Windows
2-46 Tilt Wheel
2-46 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2-51 Exterior Lamps
2-54 Interior Lamps
2-56 Mirrors
2-57 Storage Compartments
2-61 T-Top Roof Panels (If Equipped)
2-68 Convertible Top (If Equipped)
2-76 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-80 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-11 Resynchronization
Resynchronization may be necessary due to the security
method used by the remote keyless entry system. The
transmitter does not send the same signal twice to the
receiver. The receiver will not respond to a signal that has
been sent previously. This prevents anyone from recording
and playing back the signal from the transmitter.
To resynchronize the transmitter with the receiver, do
the following:
1. Stand close to the vehicle.
2. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons
on the transmitter at the same time for about
eight seconds.
The door locks should cycle and the interior lamps
should flash to confirm resynchronization.
If this does not happen, you may need to replace the
battery in your transmitter or match the transmitter to
your vehicle. See ªMatching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicleº in the Index.
Hatch
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the hatch open
because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into
your vehicle. You can't see or smell CO. It can
cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the hatch open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and
the hatch:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on VENT. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See ªComfort Controlsº in
the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.

2-46
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. The tilt wheel is located on the left
side of the steering column.
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.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever located on the left side of the steering column
includes your:

Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer and
Passing Signal

Windshield Wipers

Windshield Washer

Cruise Control

2-47 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 cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows don't
flash but just stay on as you signal a turn or lane change,
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 ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index).
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
When the high beams are
on, this light located on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on.
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or
from high beam to low, pull the turn signal lever all the
way toward you. Then release it.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it, located on the turn
signal/multifunction lever.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the
band on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or
snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time. The
closer to LO, the shorter the delay.

2-48
For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away
from you to the LO position. For high
-speed wiping,
turn the band further, to HI. To stop the wipers, turn the
band to OFF.
Damaged wiper blades may prevent you from seeing
well enough to drive safely. To avoid damage, be sure to
clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using
them. If they're frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers. A circuit
breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away
snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Windshield Washer
There is a paddle with the word PUSH on it at the top of
the turn signal/multifunction lever. To spray washer
fluid on the windshield, just push the paddle briefly. 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 ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
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
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).
When you apply your brakes or push the clutch pedal
(manual transmission), the cruise control shuts off.

2-52 Headlamp Doors
The headlamp doors are designed to open when you turn
the headlamps on and close when you turn the
headlamps off. The headlamp doors can be opened
without turning on the headlamps by turning the
headlamps on, then turning the switch back to the
parking lamps position.
The headlamp doors should be open when driving in icy
or snowy conditions to prevent the doors from freezing
closed, and when washing the vehicle to help clean
the headlamps.
To open the headlamp doors manually:
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the plastic cover from the retractor
motor knob.
3. Turn the retractor motor knob counterclockwise until
the headlamp door is fully open. The knob will get
harder to turn when the headlamp door is all the
way up.
4. Reinstall the plastic cover on the retractor
motor knob.
To manually close the headlamp doors, turn the lamps off
and turn the retractor motor knob clockwise. If the
headlamp doors aren't working properly, see your dealer.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to 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.
For Canadian vehicles, a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel automatically turns the headlamps on,
so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system will not activate if the parking brake is
engaged prior to turning the ignition on.
The DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when:

The ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is OFF,

the parking brake is released, and

it is bright enough outside (on Canadian vehicles).

2-53
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 you use your turn signals, the front turn
signal and the taillamp of the desired side will flash.
For Canadian vehicles, 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.
On a non
-Canadian vehicle, the headlamps have to be
turned on manually when you need them. On Canadian
and non
-Canadian vehicles, when the headlamps are
turned on, the front turn signal lamps will go out. When
you use your turn signals, the front turn signal lamp and
the taillamp on the desired side will flash.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps
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.
Your fog lamp switch is
located on your instrument
panel located to the left of
the steering wheel.
To turn the fog lamps on, push the right side of the fog
lamp switch and a light on the switch will come on
indicating that the fog lamps are on. Push the left side of
the fog lamp switch to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will go off whenever your high
-beam
headlamps come on. When the high
-beam headlamps go
off, the fog lamps will come on again.
If your vehicle is equipped with the content
theft
-deterrent/alarm system and your fog lamp switch is
on, the fog lamps may flash to indicate operation of the
content theft
-deterrent/alarm system. See ªContent
Theft
-Deterrent/Alarm Systemº in the Index.

4-14

Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass
while you're awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,
following too closely reduces your area of vision,
especially if you're following a larger vehicle.
Also, you won't have adequate space if the vehicle
ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.

When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don't
get too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
ªrunning startº that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.

If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn't trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
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 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.