brake PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 User Guide

Torque Lock
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t
shift your transmission into “P” (Park)
properly, the weight of the vehicle may
put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult
to pull the shift lever out of “P” (Park)
This is called “torque lock.” To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into “P’7 (Park) properly before
you leave the driver’s Seat. To find out
how, see “Shifting Into “P” (Park)” in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the
shift lever out of
“P” (Park) BEFORE you
release the parking brake.
If “torque lock” does occur, you may
need to have another vehicle push yours
a little uphill to take some of the pressure
from the transmission,
so you can pull the
shift lever out of “P” (Park).
Shifting out of P (Park)
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transmission
shift interlock. You have to fully apply
your regular brake before you can shift
from “P” (Park) when the ignition is in
the “Run” position. See “Automatic
Transmission” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of
“F”’ (Park), ease
pressure on the shift lever
- push the
shift lever all the way into
“P” (Park) and
release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press
the shift lever button and move the shift
lever into the gear you wish.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but
still can’t shift out of
“P” (Park), try this:
1. Turn the key to “Off.”
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end
3. Shift to “N’ (Neutral).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the
drive gear you want.
of
Step
4.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you
can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(MANUAL TRANSMISSION)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put
your manual transmission in
“R’
(Reverse) and firmly apply the parking
brake.
If your vehicle is equipped
to tow a
trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the
Index.
65..
ProCarManuals.com

Features and Controls
NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer
fluid, follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for adding water.
Don’t mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid. Water
can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid
tank and other parts of the washer
system. Also, water doesn’t clean
as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
314 full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could
damage the tank if
it is completely
full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in
your windshield washer. It can
damage your washer system and
paint.
.. . .
hise Control (opnoN)
Vith Cruise Control, you can maintain a
peed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more
rrithout keeping your foot on the
ccelerator. This can really help on long
:ips. Cruise Control does not
work at
peeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
Vhen you apply your brakes, or push the
lutch pedal, if you have a manual
ransmission, the Cruise Control shuts
off
To Set Cruise Control
1. Move the Cruise Control switch to
“ON.”
... 72
ProCarManuals.com

Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your
speed. When you take your foot
off the
pedal, your vehicle will slow down to the
Cruise Control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your Cruise Control will work
on hills depends upon your speed, load,
and the steepness
of the hills. When going
up steep hills, you may have to step on
the accelerator pedal to maintain your
speed. When going downhill, you may
have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to
keep your speed down.
Of course,
applying the brake takes you out
of
Cruise Control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don’t use Cruise
Control on steep hills.
ro Get Out of Cruise Control
:here are several ways to turn off the
3ruise Control:
I. Step lightly on the brake pedal or pus1
the clutch pedal, if you have a manual
transmission;
OR
!. Move the Cruise switch to “OFF.”
:o Erase Speed Memory
Yhen you turn off the Cruise Control or
he ignition, your Cruise Control set speec
nemory is erased.
kaction Control System and Cruise
lontrol
f your traction control system engages
vhile your Cruise Control
is set, Cruise
lontrol will disengage. Your speed will
le
set in memory, though. When Cruise
lontrol engages again, use
“WA”
Resume/Accelerate) to go back to your
et speed.
”‘ 1. 2. 4>
fa...
ProCarManuals.com

turning on the headlights by turning the
headlights on, then turning the switch
back to the parking lights position.
The headlight doors should be open when
driving
in icy or snowy conditions to
prevent the doors from freezing when
closed and when washing the vehicle to
help clean the headlights.
You can open the headlight doors
nanually
:
1. Turn on the headlights.
2. Open the hood.
3. Remove the plastic cover from the
#. Turn the retractor motor knob
retractor motor
knob.
counterclockwise until the headlight
door is fully open. The knob will get
harder to turn when the headlight do01
is all the way up.
retractor motor knob.
5. Replace the plastic cover on the
ro manually close the headlight doors,
:urn the lights off and turn the knob
:lockwise.
If the headlight doors aren’t working properly,
see
your Pontiac dealer
for help.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada)
The Canadian Federal Government has
decided that “Daytime Running Lights”
(DRL) are a useful feature,
in that DIU
can make your vehicle more visible to
pedestrians and other drivers during
daylight hours. DRL are required on new
vehicles sold in Canada.
Your DRL work with a light sensor on top
of the instrument panel. Don’t cover it up.
The front
turn signal lights will come on
in daylight when:
0 The ignition is on
The headlight switch is off, &d
The parking brake is released.
At dusk, the exterior lights will come
on
automatically and the front turn signal
lights will go out. At dawn, the exterior
lights will go out and the front turn signal
lights will come on (if the headlight
switch
is off).
Of course, you may still turn on the
headlights any time you need to.
77 ...
ProCarManuals.com

Features and Controls
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set
the parking brake while the ignition is
in
the "Off" or "LOCK" position. Then start
the vehicle. The
DRL will stay off until
you release the parking brake.
. . .78
Fog Lights (Option)
Jse your fog lights for better vision in
!'oggy or misty conditions. Your parking
ights must be
on or your fog lights won'
work.
ro turn the fog lights on, push the right
;ide
of the switch. Push $0 to turn the
Fog lights
off. A light on the switch will
:ome on when the fog lights are
on.
't
Fog lights will go off whenever your high
beams come on. When the high beams go
Dff, the fog lights will come on again. Znterior Lights
Courtesy Lights
When any door is opened, several interior
lights go on. These lights are courtesy
lights. They make it easier for you to
enter and leave your vehicle.
Courtesy lights include the dome light and other lights throughout the interior
of
your vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com

Front Map Lights
Your inside rearview mirror includes two
map lights. Each light has its own switch.
Use the switch closest to the light to turn
it on. The lights will also
go on when a
door is opened.
Floor Mats
Your Firebird’s floor mats are
custom-fitted to the foot wells. Be sure
the driver’s floor mat is in place. If it
isn’t, it could interfere with the
accelerator or brake pedals.
I Mirrors
nside Daymight Rearview Mirror
in inside rearview mirror is attached to
’our windshield. The mirror has pivots
sa
hat you can adjust it up and down or side
o side.
lou
can adjust the mirror for day or night
Iriving. Pull the tab for night driving to
educe glare. Push the tab for daytime
Iriving.
vlanual Adjust Mirror
idjust the passenger side outside mirror
’y hand
so that you can just see the side
’f your vehicle when you are sitting in a
:omfortable driving position.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your right side mirror is convex.
A convex mirror’s surface is curved so
you can see more from the driver’s seat.
Manual Remote Control Mirror
Adjust the driver side outside mirror with
the lever on the door. Adjust the mirror
so
that you can just see the side of your
vehicle when you
are sitting in a
comfortable driving position.
fY...
ProCarManuals.com

Instrument Panel
1. Fog Lamp Switch (if equipped)
2. Main Light Control
3. Side Upper Air Vent
4. Instrument Cluster
5. Horn
6. Center Upper Air Vent
7. Audio System
8. Glove Box
9. Comfort Controls
10. Cigarette Lighter
11. Parking Brake Lever
12. Cupholder
13. Storage Console and Cassette Tape/
14. Transmission Mode Switch Compact
Disc Storage (as equipped)
(Automatic Transmission)
15. Shift Lever
16. Ashtray (Automatic Transmission)
17. Rear Window Defogger Switch
18. Steering Wheel Controls
19. Remote Hatch Release
20. Convertible Top Switch
21. Traction Control Switch
(if
equipped)
(if equipped)
22. Ashtray (Manual Transmission)
87 ...
ProCarManuals.com

Features and Controls
Fuel Gage
four fuel gage shows about how much
bel is in your tank. The fuel gage works
mly when the ignition switch is in the
‘Run” position. When the gage pointer
‘Irst indicates
“E,” you still have a little
uel left (about one to two gallons), but
IOU need to get more right away.
3ere are four concerns some owners
lave had about the fuel gage. All these
iituations are normal and do not indicate
:hat anything is wrong with the fuel gage.
,..go
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts
off before the gage reads “E”
It takes more (or less) gas to fill up
than the gage reads. For example, the
gage reads
1/2 full, but it took more
(or less) than half of the tank’s
capacity to fill it.
The gage moves
a little when you
turn, stop or speed up.
When you turn the engine
off, the
gage doesn’t go back to
“E.”
Brake System Warning Light
Your Pontiac’s hydraulic brake system is
divided into two parts. If one part isn’t
working, the
other part can still work and
stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both pws working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could
be a brake problem. Have your brake
system inspected right away.
This light should come on as you start the
vehicle. If it doesn’t come on then, have
it
fixed so it will be ready to warn you if
there’s a problem.
ProCarManuals.com

If the light comes on while you are driving, pull
off the road and stop
carefully.
You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may
go
closer to the floor. It may take longer to
stop. If the light is still on,
or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light is
flashing, have the vehicle towed for
service. (See “Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light” and “Towing Your
Vehicle” in
the Index.) The brake
system warning light will also
come on when you set your parlung
brake, and it will stay on if your parking
brake doesn’t release fully. If
it stays on
after your parking brake
is fully released,
it means
you have a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
With anti-lock, this light will come on
when you start your engine and it will
stay on for three seconds. That’s normal.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
If the light flashes when you’re driving,
you don’t have anti-lock brakes and
there’s a problem with your regular
brakes. Pull
off the road and stop
carefully.
You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go
closer to the floor. It may take longer to
stop. Have the vehicle towed for service.
(See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the
Index.)
91 ...
ProCarManuals.com

Features and Controls
-
I
1:
4
i;
S
S
1
S
C
s
C
S
1
t
... 92
ABS
INOP
f the anti-lock brake system warning
ight stays on longer than normal after
rou’ve started your engine, turn the
gnition
off. Or, if the light comes on and
tays on when you’re driving, stop as
oon as possible and turn the ignition
off.
rhen start the engine again to reset the
‘ystem. If the light still stays on, or
:omed on again while you’re driving,
rour Pontiac needs service. If the light is
In but not flashing and the regular brake
,ystem warning light isn’t on, you still
lave brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock
wakes.
TCS
OFF
kaction Control System Warning
,ight (Option)
men the traction control system is off,
he “TCS OFF” light will come on. This
ight will also come on for three seconds
:ach time you start your vehicle as a bulb
:heck and if there’s a system failure. See
‘Traction Control System” in the Index.
The traction control system will shut
lown partially due to brake overheating
)ut the “TCS OFF” light will not come
m. If there is throttle relaxer overheating,
he “TCS
OFF” light will illuminate
md the system will shut down. Once
werything cools
off, the system will
)perate normally again.
ProCarManuals.com