ABS PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 Owners Manual

Features and Controls
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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.
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Features and Controls
I
Voltmeter
You can read battery voltage on your
voltmeter.
If it reads less than 11 volts or
more than
16 volts while your engine is
running, and it stays there, you may have
a problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked right away.
Driving with the voltmeter reading in a
warning zone could drain your battery.
If you idle your engine for a while, the
voltmeter reading might move into the
yellow zone.
If the reading stays in the
yellow zone while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical
charging system. Have it checked. While
the voltmeter reads in the yellow zone,
your battery may not be able
to power
certain electrical accessories, like
ABS.
... 94
:If this happens, your “ABS INOP’ light
will come on. See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” in this
part.)
[f you must drive a short distance with the
voltmeter reading in a warning zone, turn
~ff all your accessories, including your
:omfort control and audio systems.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
A computer monitors operation of your
fuel, ignition and emission control
systems. This light should come on when
the ignition is on, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show you it is
working.
If it doesnot come on at all,
have it fixed right away.
If it stays on, or
it comes on while you are driving, the
computer is indicating that you have a
problem. You should take your vehicle in
for service soon.
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1.
2. Open the
trunk and remove the
two
side covers from the storage bag.
Install the two side covers by
engaging the tab into the front seatbelt
cover. Lower the covers onto vehicle. 3. Install middle section of cover by
sliding tabs into slots on right side
cover. Lower cover and engage latch.
4. Close the trunk.
To Raise Your Convertible Tap
1. Park on a level surface. Set the
parking brake firmly. If you have an
automatic transmission, shift into
“P”
(Park). If you have a manual
transmission, shift into
“R7 (Reverse).
The ignition must be in the “ACC”
or “Run” position. Lower both sun
visors. Lower both windows at least
three inches. If the boot cover is
in
place, it must be removed first.
2. Open the trunk. Remove the middle
piece
of the cover by pushing in on
the latch and lifting up on the cover.
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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
Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say
the road is wet. You’re driving safely.
Suddenly an animal jumps out in front
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what
happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels is
about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each front
wheel and at the rear wheels.
The anti-lock system can change the
brake pressure faster than any driver
could. The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and road
conditions.
of you.
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You can steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps
receiving updates
on wheel speed and
controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the
time you need to get your foot
up to the
brake pedal. If you get too close to the vehicle
in front of you, you won’t have
time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
To Use Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the
brake pedal down and let anti-lock work for
you. You may feel the system
working, or you may notice some noise,
but this is normal. When your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help
avoid a braking skid, the “LOW TRAC”
light will come on. See “Low Traction
Light” in the Index.
Traction Control System (Option: LT1
V8 Engine)
Your vehicle may have a traction control
system that limits wheel spin. This is
especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates only
if
it
senses that one or both of the rear wheels
are spinning or beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, the system works the
rear brakes and reduces engine power (by
closing the throttle and managing spark)
to limit wheel spin.
The “LOW TRAC” light will come on
when your traction control system is
limiting wheel spin. See “Low Traction Light” in the Index.
You may feel the
system working, or you may notice some
noise, but this is normal.
The traction control system may operate
on dry roads under some conditions, and
you may notice a reduction
in acceleration
when this happens. This is normal and
doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your vehicle. Examples of these conditions
include a hard acceleration in a turn, or
an abrupt upshift or downshift.
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Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three
control systems (brakes, steering and
acceleration) don’t have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what
the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep
trying to steer and constantly seek an
escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the
vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most
skids by taking reasonable care suited
to existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving” those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to
your Pontiac’s three control systems. In
the braking skid your wheels aren’t
rolling.
In the steering or cornering skid,
too much speed or steering in a curve
causes tires to slip and lose cornering
force. And in the acceleration skid too
much throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by
Easing your foot
off the accelerator pedal.
[f you have the traction control system,
remember:
It helps avoid only the
acceleration skid. If you do not have
traction control, or if the system is
off,
then an acceleration skid is also best
handled by easing your foot
off the
accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your
bot off the accelerator pedal and quickly
steer the way you want the vehicle to
go.
If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be
ready for a second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on
the road. For safety, you’ll want to slow
down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important
to slow down
on slippery surfaces because stopping
distance will be longer and vehicle
control more limited. While
driving
on a surface with reduced
traction,
try your best to avoid sudden
steering, acceleration, or braking
(including engine braking by shifting to
a lower gear). Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not
realize the surface is ‘slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recqgnize
warning clues
- such as enough water,
ice or packed snow
on the road to make a
“mirrored surface”
- and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock braking system
(ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid.
*:p? ’
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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
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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.
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NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equiment
or fascia/fog light damage will occur.
Use wheel lift or car carrier equip-
ment. Additional ramping may be
required for car carrier equipment.
Use safety chains and wheel straps. Attach a
separate safety chain around
outboard end of each lower control arm.
~TICE:
I
Take care not to damage the brake
pipes and hoses or the
ABS sensor
and wiring.
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.
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ABS ........................ 129
Accessory Power. Retained
....... 52
Add-on Electrical Equipment
..... 228
Adding Coolant
................ 202
Additives. Engine Oil
............ 194
AirBags
...................... 23
How the System Works
........ 24
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Pontiac
................... 27
Readiness Light
.............. 24
Air Cleaner
.................... 195
Air Conditioner Controls
......... 106
Air Control
Knob ............... 104
Air Filter Replacement
........... 196
Alignment and Tire Balance.
Wheel
...................... 220
Aluminum Wheels
.............. 225
A"M Stereo
With Cassette Tape Player
...... 109
With Cassette Tape Player and
Graphic Equalizer
.......... 1 12
With Compact Disc Player
...... 115
With Compact Disc Player and
Graphic Equalizer
.......... 1 18
Antenna. Fixed Mast
............ 123
Anti-Lock Brakes
.............. 129
To Use ..................... 130
System Warning Light ......... 91
Appearance Care
............... 221
Appearance Care and Materials
.... 227 Appearance Care.
Service and
..... 183
Ashtray and Lighter
............. 85
Ashtray. Front
................. 85
Audio Systems ................. 108
Audio Systems. Comfort
Controls and
................. 103
Automatic Transmission
................ 56
Transmission Fluid
............ 198
Axle. Limited-Slip Rear
.......... 62
Axle. Rear
.................... 201
Babies. Smaller Children
and (Safety Belts)
............. 30
Balance. Wheel Alignment
and Tire
.................... 220
Battery
....................... 208
Battery Replacement. Remote Lock
Control
..................... 45
BBB Auto Line
- Alternative Dispute
Resolution Program.
GM Participation in
......... 261
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
.... 140
Belt Routing
................... 237
Belt. Lap-Shoulder
.............. 19
Bi-Level Heating
............... 105
Blizzard. If You're Caught in a
... 143
Box. Glove
.................... 83
Brakes Adjustment
.................. 208
Anti-Lock
(ABS) ............. 129 Brakes
Fluid
....................... 207
Master Cylinder
.............. 206
Parking
..................... 63
Pedal Travel ................. 207
System Parts. Replacing
........ 208
System Warning Light
......... 90
Trailer ...................... 147
Wear
...................... 207
Braking (Control of a Vehicle)
..... 128
Braking
in Emergencies ........... 132
"Break.In,
.. New Vehicle ........ 50
Brightness Control .............. 76
Bulb Replacement .............. 209
Center High-Mounted
Stoplight
.................. 210
Front Turn Signal
............. 211
Headlights
............. .' .... 209
Rear Lights
.................. 211
Rear Sidemarker
.............. 212
Bulbs, Halogen
................. 209
Bulbs. Replacement
............. 232
Canadian Roadside Assistance
... 263
Capacities and Specifications
...... 233
Carbon Monoxide
.............. 48
Care
Appearance
................. 221
Cassette Tape Player
.......... 122
Compact Discs
............... 122
Safety Belts
................. 224
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