wheel PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 Owners Manual

Why Safety Belts' Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go
as fast as it goes.
For example, if the bike is going 10 mph
(16 kmk), so is the child. When the bike
hits the block, it stops. But
the child keeps going! Take the simplest vehicle. Suppwe it's
just a seat on wheels. -. I' .
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Seats and Restraint Systems
AIR
BAG
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on
the instrument panel, which shows
“AIR BAG” on it. The system checks
for electrical malfunctions, and
the light
tells you
if there is a problem.
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, which means the system is ready.
Remember, 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.
How the Air Bag System Works
Where
is the air bag?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle
steering wheel. of th
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The right-front passenger’s air bag is
located in the instrument panel on the
passenger’s side.
When is an air bag expected to inflate?
The air bag is designed to inflate in
moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal
crashes. The air bag will only inflate if
the velocity of the impact is above the
designed threshold level. When impacting straight into a wall that does not move or
deform, the threshold level for most
GM vehicles is between 9 and 15 mph
(14 and 23 km/h). However, this velocity
threshold depends on the vehicle design
and may be several miles-per-hour faster
or slower. In addition, this threshold
velocity will be considerably higher if the
vehicle strikes an object such as a parked
car which will move and deform on
impact. The air bag is also not designed to
inflate in rollovers, side impacts, or rear
impacts where the inflation would provide
no occupant protection benefit.
It is possible that in a crash, only one of
the two air bags in your Firebird will
deploy.
This is rare, but can happen in a
crash just severe enough to make an air
bag inflate.
In any particular crash, the determination
of whether the air bag should have
inflated cannot be based solely on the
level of damage on the vehicle(s).
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and the vehicle’s
deceleration, of
which vehicle damage is only one
indication. Repair cost
is not a good
indicator of whether an air bag should
have deployed.
What makes an air bag inflate? ;,
[n a frontal or near-frontal impact of
sufficient severity, the
air bag sensikg
system detects that the vehicle is suddenly
stopping as a result of a crash. The
sensing sytem triggers a chemical teaction
of the sodium azide sealed in the inflator.
The reaction produces nitrogen gas;
which inflates a cloth bag. The infktor,
210th bag, and related hardware are all
part of the air bag inflator modules
packed inside the steering wheel and in
the instrument panel in front of the
passenger.
How does an air bag restrain?
[n moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering wheel
or the instrument panel. The air bag
supplements the protection provided by
safety belts. Air bags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over the
occupant’s upper body, stopping the
occupant more gradually. But air bags
would not provide protection in many
~.
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Seats and Restraint Systems
types of collisions, including rollovers
and rear and side impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion is not
toward the air bag. Air bags should
never be regarded as anything more
than a supplement to safety belt
protection in moderate to severe frontal
and near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag
inflation?
After the air bag has inflated, it will then
quickly deflate. This occurs
so quickly
that some people may not
even realize
that the air bag inflated. Some
components
of the air bag module in the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air
bag or the instrument panel for the
passenger’s bag may be hot for a short
time, but the portion of the bag that comes
into contact with you will not be hot to
the touch. There will be small amounts
of
smoke and dust coming from vents in the
deflated air bags. The air bag will
not
impede the driver’s vision or ability to
steer the vehicle, nor will it hinder the
occupants from exiting the vehicle.
In many crashes severe enough
to inflate
an air bag, windshields are broken by
vehicle deformation. Additional
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windshield breakage may occur in
vehicles with passenger air bags because
the windshield acts as a reaction surface
for the inflating 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 has information about the
need to replace other parts.
0 Your vehicle is equipped with a
diagnostic module, which records
information about the air bag system if
the air bag deploys in a crash. The
module records information about the
readiness of the system, which sensors
activated the deployment, and whether the
driver’s safety belt was in use.
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
on the steering wheel or both the air
bag and the instrument panel for the
passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag covers.
1s the smoke from an air bag inflation
harmful?
The particles emitted during air bag
inflation are not harmful to most people.
Some people with respiratory ailments
may experience difficulty breathing if
they stay in the vehicle with the windows
closed after air bag inflation.
So, if your
air bag inflates, you and any passengers
should exit the vehicle if and when it is
safe to do
so. If you or your passengers
can’t get out
of the vehicle, try to get
fresh air by opening a window, turning
on the fan, or opening a door.
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Here you can learn about the
many standard and optional
features on your Pontiac.
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
.
Keys .......
Door Locks . .
Part 2
Features & Controls
....................................................
....................................................
Theft and Theft Deterrents ...........................................
New Vehicle “Break-In” ............................................
Ignitionswitch ....................................................
Automatic Transmission ............................................
ManualTransmission ...............................................
Limited-Slip Rear Axle .............................................
Parking ..........................................................
EngineExhaust ...................................................
Windows ........................................................
Horn ............................................................
Tiltwheel ........................................................
The Turn Signal/Headlight Beam Lever ................................
Mirrors ..........................................................
Twin Lift-off Roof Panels ...........................................
Storage and Compartments ..........................................
SunVisors .......................................................
AshtrayandLighter ................................................
Instrument Panel and Cluster .........................................
ConvertibleTop ...................................................
Starting Your Engine ...............................................
Operation of Lights ................................................
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Features and Controls
NOTICE:
If you put things in the hatchback
area, be sure they won’t break the
glass when you close it. Never slam
.the hatch down. You could break the
glass or damage the defogger grid
(if equipped).
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in
some cities. Although your Pontiac has a
number of theft-deterrent features, we
know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are
ways you can help.
Key in the ignition: If you walk away
from your vehcle with the keys inside,
it’s an easy target for joy riders or
professional thieves
- so don’t do it.
When you park your Pontiac and open
the driver’s door, ydu’ll heai a tone
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
have an automatic transmission, taking your key out also locks your transmission.
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.
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D
Ignition Switch
With the ignition key in the ignition
switch, you can
turn the switch to five
positions:
Acc (A): Position in which you can
operate your electrical power accessories.
Press in the ignition switch as you
turn
the top of it toward you.
LOCK (B): The only position in which
you can remove the key. This locks your
steering wheel, ignition and automatic
transmission.
If you have an automatic transmission,
tht
ignition switch can’t be turned to
“LOCK’ unless the shift lever is in the
“P’ (Park) position.
Off (C): 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 in
“Off”
and the key is in the ignition.
Run (D): Position to which the switch
returns after you start your engine and
release the switch. The switch stays in the
“Run” position 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
switch will return to “Run” for normal
driving.
Note that even if the engine is not
running, “Acc” and “Run” allow you to
operate your electrical accessories, such
as the radio and ventilation fan.
:I
Ley Release Button: If you have a
lanual transmission, your ignition lock
as a key release button.
You must press
le button before you can take your key
ut of the ignition lock.
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Features and Controls
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 steer-
ing 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.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
[f 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.
[f a door is opened, the audio system and
power windows will shut
off. The power
door locks, electric mirrors and remote
hatch release will 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 on the ignition.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission: Move your
shift lever to
“P” (Park) or “N’ (Neutral).
Your engine won’t start in any other
position
- that’s a safety feature. To
restart when you’re already moving,
use
“N’ (Neutral) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to “P” (Park) if
your Pontiac is moving. If you do,
you could damage the transmission.
Shift to
“P” (Park) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission: The gear select01
should be in neutral. Hold the clutch
pede1 to the floor and start the engine.
Your vehicle won’t start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down
- that’s
a safety feature.
To start your V6 engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal
turn your ignition key to “Start.”
When the engine starts, let go of the
key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
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Features and Controls
How long should you keep the coolant
heater plugged in? The answer depends
on the weather, the kind
of oil you have,
and some other things. Instead
of trying to
list everything here, we ask that you
contact a Pontiac dealer in the area where
you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer
can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Autamatic Transmission
There are several different positions for
your shift lever.
P (Park)
This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle can’t move
easily.
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Ensure the shift lever is fully in “P”
(Park) range before starting the engine.
Your Pontiac has a brake-transmission
shift interlock. You have to fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift
from
“P” (Park) when the ignition key is
in the “Run” position. If you cannot shift
out of
“P’ (Park), ease pressure on the
shift lever
- push the shift lever all the
way into “P” (Park) and also release the
shift lever button on floor shift console
models as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear
you wish. (Press the shift lever button
before moving the shift lever on floor
shift console models.) See “Shifting out
of
“P” (Park)” in this part.
R (Reverse)
Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to “R” (Reverse) while your
vehicle is moving forward could
damage your transmission. Shift to
“R’ only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice or sand without
jamaging your transmission, see “Stuck:
[n Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow, If You’re”
In the Index.
@ N (Neutral)
[n this position, your engine doesn’t
:onnect with the wheels.
To restart when
You’re already moving, use
“N” (Neutral)
mly. Also, use
“N’ when your vehicle is
Jeing towed.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused
by shifting out of
“P” (Park) or “N”
(Neutral) with the engine racing isn’t
covered by your warranty.
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