automatic transmission PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 Owners Manual

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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SO
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Should interference to this system occur,
try this:
0 Check to determine if battery
replacement is necessary. See the
instructions on battery replacement.
0 Check the distance. You may be too
far from your vehicle. This product
has a maximum range.
Check the location. Other vehicles or
objects may be blocking the signal.
0 See your Pontiac dealer or a qualified
technician for service.
Changes or modifications to this system
by other than an authorized service
facility could void authorization
to use
this equipment.
Operation
The driver’s door will unlock automatically when “UNLOCK’
is
pressed. If “UNLOCK” is pressed again
within five seconds, the passenger door
will also unl‘ock. All doors will lock when
“DOQR’ is pressed. The hatch will
unlock when the opened trunk symbol is
pressed, but only when the ignition switch is
not in “Run”, and the transmission is
in
“P” (Park) if you have an automatic
transmission. If you have a manual
transmission, the parking brake must
be set.
The system will turn on the interior lights
for about
40 seconds, or until the ignition
switch is turned to “Run”, when you
unlock the doors or hatch. The interior
lights
will come on for about two seconds
when you lock the doors.
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each key chain transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from
unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter
is lost or stolen, a replacement can be
purchased through your dealer.
Remember to bring any remaining
transmitters with you when you go to
your dealer. When the dealer matches the
replacement transmitter to your vehicle,
the remaining transmitter must also be
matched. Once the new transmitter is
coded, the lost transmitter will not unlock
your vehicle. You
can match a transmitter to as many
different vehicles as you own, provided
they are equipped with exactly the same
model system. (General Motors offers
several different models of these systems
on their vehicles.) Each vehicle can have
onlv two transmitters matched to
it.
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- . . . . . .
-
3.
4.
Remove and replace the batteries.
Use two Duracell@ batteries, type
DL2016, or a similar type. Put new
batteries in printed side down.
Replace the front cover. Make sure the
cover is on tightly
so water won’t get
in.
latch Release
{our door key opens the hatch.

Remote Hatch Release (Option)
’ress the switch under the light controls
o unlock the hatch from inside your
Jehicle. If you have an automatic
ransmission, your shift lever must be
n “P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral) to use the
;witch. If you have a manual transmission
md the ignition switch is
in “Run”, you
nust set the parking brake before you can
Ise
the switch.
The switch only works when the ignition
;witch is in “Run” or “Acc”, or when
IAP is present. (See “Retained
4ccessory Power” in the Index.)
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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
@ Automatic Overdrive
This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power far passing, and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph
(56 kdh), push your accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way
down.
You’ll shift down to the
next gear and
have more power.
D (Third Gear)
This is like @ , but you never go into
Overdrive.
Here are some times you might choose
“D’ instead of @ :
- When driving on hilly, winding roads
- When towing a trailer, so there is less
shifting between gears
- When going down a steep hill
2 (Second Gear)
This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy.
You can use “2” on
hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but
then you would also want to use your
brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don’t drive in “2” (Second Gear)
for more than
5 miles (8 km), or at
speeds over
55 mph (88 kmh), or
you can damage your transmission.
Use
(EJ or “D” as much as possible.
Don’t shift into
“2” unless you
are going slower than
65 mph
( 105 km/h), or you can damage
your engine.
1 (First Gear)
This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than
“2.” You
can use it on very steep hills, or in deep
snow or mud. If the selector lever is put
in
“I,” the transmission won’t shift into
first gear until fhe vehicle is going slowly
enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t
try to drive. This might happen if you
were stuck in very deep sand or mud
or were up against a solid object.
You
could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill,
don’t hold your vehicle there with
only the accelerator pedal. This could overheat and damage the transmission. Use your brakes or
shift into
“P” (Park) to hold your
vehicle in position on a hill.
Maximum engine speed is limited
to
protect driveline components from improper operation.
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Features and Controls
Shifting into P (Park)
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your
right foot and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into T“ (Park)
position like this:
Hold in the button on the lever,
and push the lever all the way
toward the front of your vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to “LOCK.”
4. Remove the key and take it with you.
If you can walk away from your
vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in
“P’ (Park).
Leaving Your Vehicle with the
Engine Running
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
If you have to leave your vehicle with the
engine running, be sure your vehicle is
in
“P’ (Park) and your parking brake is
firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the
“P’
(Park) position, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from
“P’ (Park)
without first pushing the button. If you
can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t
fully locked into
“P” (Park).
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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.
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Running Your Engine While
You’re
Parked (AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION)
It’s better not to park with the engine
running. But if you ever have to, here are
some things to know.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your
vehicle won’t move. See “Shifting Into
“P” (Park)” in the Index.
[f you are parlung on a hill and if you’re
pulling a trailer, also see “Towing a
Trailer’’ in the Index.
Windows
Manual Windows
Use the window crank to open and close
each door window.
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