instrument panel PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 User Guide

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)
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Features and Controls
x1 000
GAUGES
Instrument Panel and Cluster
Your instrument cluster is designed to let
you know at a glance how your vehicle is
running. You'll know how fast you're
going, about how much fuel you have
left and many other things you'll need to
know to drive safely and economically.
Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your
speed in both miles per hour (mph)
and kilometers per hour
(km/h). Your
odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the
U.S.) 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 tLirn it back. The
numbers may not be true.
U.S. shown, Canada similar
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 reading 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.
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This is a mistake. Your brakes may not
have time to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if
you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow
realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer
brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you’re
driving, brake normally but don’t pump
your brakes. If you do, the pedal may get
harder to push down. If your engine stops,
you will still have some power brake
assist. But you will use it when you brake.
Once the power assist
is used up, it make
take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
mti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
[our Pontiac has an advanced electronic
lraking system that will help prevent
kidding.
ABS
INOP
This light on the instrument panel will go
on when you start your vehicle.
When you start your vehicle, or when you
begin to drive away, you may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise. And
you may even notice that
your brake
pedal moves a little while
this is going on.
This is the
ABS system testing itself. If
there’s a problem with the anti-lock brake
system, the anti-lack brake system
warning light will stay on or flash.
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Your Driving and the Road
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer
to the left, just move that hand to the left.
To move the trailer to the right, move
your hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making 7hms
When you’re turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal.
Do this so your
trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Thrn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has
to have a different turn signal flasher and
extra wiring. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lights will also
flash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop. When
towing a trailer, the green arrows
on your instrument panel will flash for
turns even
if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs
are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you
might have to use your brakes
so much
that they would get hot and no longer
work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and
reduce your speed to around
45 mph
(70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of
engine and transmission overheating.
If you are towing a trailer and you
have an automatic transmission with
Overdrive, you may prefer to drive in
“D”
instead of Overdrive (or, as you need to, a
lower gear). Or,
if you have a manual
transmission with fifth (or sixth) gear and
you are towing a trailer, it’s better not to
use fifth (or sixth) gear. Just drive in
fourth gear (fifth gear if you have a six-speed manual transmission) or, as you
need to, a lower gear.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
-
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a
hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t
shift into
“P” (Park) yet, or into gear
for a manual transmission.
2. Have someone place chxks under the
3. When the wheel chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load. trailer wheels.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then
apply your parking brake, and then shift to
“P” (Park), or “R” (Reverse)
for a manual transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
. . .I48
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I NOTICE:
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces
could damage a vehicle. Damage
can occur from vehicle-to-ground
or vehicle-to-wheel-lift-equipment
contact.
To help avoid damage, install
a towing dolly and raise vehicle until
adequate clearance is obtained between
the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
Engine Overheating
I
If Steam Is Coming from Your Engine:
You will find a coolant temperature gage
on your Pontiac’s instrument panel.
You may also find a low coolant warning
light
on your Pontiac instrument panel.
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H Fuel
The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows
the code letter for your engine.
You will
find the VIN at the top left of your
instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number” in the Index.)
3.4L L32 (Code S)
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher. It should meet
specifications ASTM D4814 in the
U.S.
and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels
should have the proper additives,
so you
should not have
to add anything to: the
fuel.
In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the right kind of giisoline
(unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED”
right on the pump. And only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler
neck.
’ Be sure the posted octane is at least 87.
If the octane is less than 87, you may get
a heavy knochng noise when
you drive.
If it’s bad enough, it can damage your
1 engine. If
you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or
higher and you still hear heavy knoclung,
your engine needs service. But don’t
worry if you hear a little pinging noise
when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal, and you don’t have to
buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock
that means you have a problem.
5.7L LT1 (Code P)
Use premium unleaded gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher. You may use middle
grade or regular unleaded gasolines, but
your vehicle may not accelerate as well.
The gasoline you use should meet
specifications
ASTM D4814 in the U.S.
and
CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels
should have the proper additives,
so you
should not have to add anything to the
fuel.
In the
U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be
sure you get the right lund of gasoline
(unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED”
right on the pump. And only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler
neck. Be sure
the posted octane for premium
is
at least 91 (at least 89 for middle grade
and 87 for regular).
If the octane is less
than 87, you may get a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough,
it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at
91 octane or
higher and you still hear heavy knocking,
your engine needs service. But don’t
worry if you hear a little pinging noise
when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal and you don’t have to
buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock
that means you have a problem.
All Engines
What about gasoline with blending
materials that contain oxygen
(oxygenates), such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.”
Fuel that is no more than
15% MTBB is
fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol.
Properly-blended fuel that is no more
than 10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
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When you clean a stain from fabric,
immediately dry the area with an air
hose, hair dryer, or heat lamp to help
prevent a cleaning ring. (See
the
previous NOTICE.)
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or oily stains:
Such as grease,
oil, butter, margarine, shoe polish, coffee
with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic
creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon, tar
and asphalt.
0 Carefully scrape off excess stain.
0 Follow the solvent-type instructions
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and described earlier.
asphalt will stain if left on a vehicle
seat fabric. They should be removed
as soon as possible. Be careful,
because the cleaner will dissolve them
and may cause
them to spread
Non-greasy stains: Such as catsup,
coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk,
soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine and blood.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
sponge
the soiled area with cool water.
If a stain remains, follow the foam-type
instructions described earlier. If an
odor lingers after cleaning
vomit or urine, treat the area with
a waterhaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to
1 cup
(250 ml) of lukewarm water.
If needed, clean lightly with
solvent-type cleaner.
Combination stains: Such as candy,
ice cream, mayonnaise, chili sauce and
lnknown stains.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
clean with cool water and allow to
dry-
@ If a stain remains, clean it with
solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to
remove dirt. You may have to do it
more than once.
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe
polish will stain if you don’t get them
off quickly. Use a clean cloth and a
solvent-type vinyl cleaner.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarn water and
a mild soap or saddle soap.
For stubborn stains, use a mild
solution of
10% isopropyl alcohol
(rubbing alcohol) and
90% water.
solvent-based or abrasive cleaners,
furntiure polish or shoe polish on
leather.
immediately. If dirt is allowed,to work
into finish, it can harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument
Panel
Use only mild soap and water to Clean
the top surfaces of the instrument.pane1.
Sprays containing silicones or waxes
may cause annoying reflections in the
windshield and even make it difficult to
see through the windshield under certain
conditions.
Never use oils, varnishes,
Soiled leather should be cleaned
223. . .
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Service and Appearance Care
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Vehicle Identification
Number
(VIN)
rhis is the' legal identifier for your
'ontiac. It appears on a plate in the front
:orner of the instrument panel, on the
lriver's side. You can see it if you look
hrough the windshield from outside your
rehicle. The
VIN also appears on the
Jehicle Certification and Service Parts
abels and the certificates of title and
egistration.
hgine Identification
?he eighth character in your VIN is the
:ngine code. This code will help you
.dentify your engine, specifications, and
*eplacement parts.
. .228
Service Parts
Identification Label
You'll find this label inside your console
storage compartment. It's very helpful if
you ever need to order parts.
On this
label is:
D your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information, and
a list of all production options and
special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed
From the vehcle.
Add-on Electrical
Equipment
NOTICE:
Don't add anything electrical to your
Pontiac unless you check with your
dealer first. Some electrical equip-
ment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn't be covered
by your warranty. Some add-on
electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they
should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system.
Before attempting to add anything
zlectrical to your Pontiac, see "Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac" in the
Index.
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Customer Assistance Information
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure
Your satisfaction and goodwill are
important to your dealer and Pontiac.
Normally, any concern with the sales
transaction or the operation of your
vehicle will be resolved by your
dealer’s Sales or Service Departments.
Sometimes, however, despite the
best intentions of all concerned,
misunderstandings can occur. If your
concern has not been resolved to your
satisfaction, the following steps should
be taken:
STEP ONE: Discuss your concern with
a member of dealership management.
Normally, concerns can be quickly
resolved at that level. If the matter has
already been reviewed with the Sales,
Service, or Parts Manager, contact the
owner of the dealership or the General
Manager.
STEP TWO: If after contacting a
member of dealership management, it
appears your concern cannot be resolved
by the dealership without further help,
contact the Pontiac Customer Assistance
Center by calling 1 -800-PM-CARES.
[n Canada, contact GM of Canada
Customer Assistance Center
in Oshawa
by calling 1-800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French). In Mexico,
call (525) 254-3777. In Puerto Rico or
U.S. Virgin Islands, call 1-809-763- 13 15.
[n all other overseas locations, contact
GM North American Export Sales in
Canada by calling 1-905-644-4 1 12.
For prompt assistance, please have the
following information available to give
the Customer Assistance Representative:
Your name, address, home and
business telephone numbers
Vehicle Identification Number (This is
available from the vehicle registration
or title, or the plate attached to the left
top of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.)
Dealership name and location
0 Vehicle delivery date and present
Nature of concern
We encourage you to call the toll-free
number listed previously in order to give
your inquiry prompt attention. However, if you wish to write Pontiac, write to:
mileage United
States
Pontiac Division
Customer Assistance Center
3ne Pontiac Plaza
Pontiac, MI 48340-2952
Canada
Seneral Motors of Canada Limited
Zustomer Assistance Center, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Dshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Refer to your Warranty and Owner
4ssistance Information booklet for
2ddresses
of Canadian and GM Overseas
3ffices.
When contacting Pontiac, please
remember that your concern will likely
be resolved in the dealership, using the
dealership’s facilities, equipment and
personnel. That is why
we suggest you
follow Step One first if you have a
concern.
Customer Assistance for the Hearing or
Speech Impaired (TDD)
To assist customers who have hearing
difficulties, Pontiac has installed special
TDD (Telecommunication Devices for
the Deaf) equipment at its Customer
Assistance Center. Any hearing or speech
. . .260
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Index
Cassette Tape Player and Graphic
Cassette Tape Player. AM/FM
Cassette Tape Player.
Equalizer. AM/FM
Stereo with
. . 1 12
Stereo with
.................. 109
Care of Your
................. 122
Chains. Tire
................... 221
Changing a Flat Tire
............. 171
Check Gages Light
.............. 97
Checlung Things under
the Hood . . 18
Checlung Your Restraint Systems
. . 40
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......... 226
Child Restraints
................ 31
Rear Seat
................... 33
Right Front Seat
.............. 35
Top Strap ................... 32
Where to Put the
.............. 31
Children (Safety Belts)
........... 30
Children. Larger (Safety Belts)
.... 38
Cigarette Lighter
............... 86
Circuit Breakers. Fuses and
....... 229
City Driving
................... 138
Cleaner. Air
................... 195
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels
............ 225
Convertible Top
.............. 225
Fabric
...................... 222
Glass
....................... 224
Inside of Your Pontiac
......... 222
Instrument Panel. Top of
....... 223
... 270
Cleaning
Leather
..................... 223
Outside of Your Pontiac
........ 224
Problems. Special
............. 223
Twin Lift-off Roof Panels
...... 224
Vinyl
...................... 223
Windshield and Wiper Blades
... 224
Clock. Setting the
............... 109
Close-Out Panel
................ 84
Clutch. Hydraulic
............... 20 1
Comfort Controls ............... 104
Comfort Controls and Audio
Systems
.................... 103
Compact Disc. To Play a
...... 116. 1 19
Compact Disc Player and Graphic
Equalizer. AM/FM Stereo with
. . 118
Compact Disc Player. AM/FM Stereo with
.................. 115
Compact Discs. Care of Your
...... 122
Compact Spare Tire
............. 180
Compartments. Storage and
....... 83
Control of a Vehicle
............. 128
Controls
Console. Front
................. 84
Control. Loss of
................ 135
Air Conditioner
.............. 106
Brightness
.................. 76
Comfort
.................... 104
Features and
................. 41
Heater
...................... 104
Main Light
.................. 76 Controls
Remote Lock
................ 44
Seat
........................ 8
Convertible Top
................ 98
Installing the Boot Cover
....... 99
To Lower
................... 98
To Raise
.................... 100
Convex Outside Mirror
.......... 79
Coolant Adding
..................... 202
Engine
..................... 201
Heater. Engine
............... 55
How to Add to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
............. 164
How to Add to the Radiator
. . 165. 167
Temperature Gage. Engine
...... 94
Cooling
....................... 106
Cooling System
................ 162
Courtesy Lights
................ 78
Courtesy Transportation
.......... 263
Covered Visor Vanity Mirror
...... 85
Cruise Control
................. 72
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
............... 75
To Erase Speed Memory
....... 75
To Get Out of
................ 75
To Increase Speed While Using . . 74
To Reduce Speed While Using
. . 74
To Resume a Set Speed
........ 73
ToSet
...................... 72
Traction Control System and
.... 75
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