brake PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 Owners Manual

How to Use This Manual
Rear Window Defogger
Y
Ventilating Fan
Bi-
L e vel
Vent
Heater Blend
These symbols are used on warning and
indicator lights:
Engine Coolant
Temperature
Battery Charging System
1-7
Fuel
Engine
Oil Pressure w,
Brake (Canada) (0) (8)
Anti-Lock Brake System
(Canada) Low Coolant
m
Here
are some other symbols you may see:
Hatchnrunk Release a
Hood Release
Lighter
Horn
Speaker Convertible Top Switch
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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
I rl SECUIITY
The ignition key must be clean and dry
before it’s inserted in the ignition or the
engine may not start. If the engine does
not start and the “SECURITY” light stays on when you
try to start the vehicle, the
key may be dirty or wet. Turn the
ignition
off.
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three
minutes and try again. The security light
will remain on during this time. If the
starter still won’t work, and the key
appears to be clean and
dry, wait about
three minutes and try another ignition key.
At this time, you may also want
to check
the fuses (see “Fuses and Circuit
Breakers” in the Index). If the starter
won’t work with the other key, your
vehicle needs service.
If your vehicle
does start, the first ignition key may be
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Faulty. See your Pontiac dealer or a
locksmith who can service the
PASS-Key@II.
[f you accidentally use a key that has a
Jamaged or missing resistor pellet, the
starter won’t work and the security light
will flash. But you don’t have to wait
three minutes before trying another
ignition key.
See your Pontiac dealer or a locksmith
who can service the PASS-Key@II to
have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the
“SECURITY’’ light comes on and stays
on, you will be able to restart your engine
if you turn it
off. Your PASS-Key@ I1
system, however, is not working properly
and must be serviced by your Pontiac
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by
the PASS-Key% system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key@ I1
ignition key, see your Pontiac
dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key% to have a new key made.
In
an emergency, call the Pontiac Roadside
Assistance Program on
1-800-ROADSIDE
or 1-800-762-3743.
New Vehicle
“Break-Zn”
NOTICE:
Your modem Pontiac doesn’t need an
elaborate “break-in.” But it will per-
form better in the long run if you fol-
low these guidelines:
Keep your speed at
55 mph (88
km/h) or less for the first 500
miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed
-
fast or slow - for the first 500
miles (804 km). Don’t make
full-throttle starts.
Avoid malung hard stops for the
first 200 miles (322 km) or
so.
During this time your new brake linings aren’t yet broken in. Hard
stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
“brealung-in” guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
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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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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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1 3 5
2
4 R
Manual Transmission
We-Speed
’his is your shift pattern. Here’s how to
perate your transmission:
1 1 (First Gear) - Press the clutch
pedal and shift into
“ 1 .” Then, slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into
“1” when you’re
going less than
20 mph (32 km/h). If
you’ve come to a complete stop and
it’s hard to shift into
“1,” put the shift
lever in “Neutral” and let up on the
clutch. Press the clutch pedal back
down. Then shift into
“1.”
2 (Second Gear) - Press the clutch
pedal as you let up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into
“2.” Then, slowly
let up
on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal.
3,4 and 5 (Third, Fourth and Fifth
Gears)
- Shift into “3,” “4” and “5”
the same way you do for “2.” Slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.
To Stop - Let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal. Just
before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and
shift to “Neutral.”
Neutral - Use this position when
you start or idle your engine.
R (Reverse) - To back up, press
down
the clutch pedal and shift into
“R.” Let up on the clutch pedal slowly
while pressing
the accelerator pedal.
I NOTICE:
Shift to “R” (Reverse) only after
your vehicle
is stopped. Shifting to
“R” (Reverse) while your vehicle
is moving could damage your
transmission.
Also, use Reverse, along with the parking
brake, for parking your vehicle.
11.. I. *i
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Features and Controls
Six-Speed ,-
This is your shift pattern. Here’s how to
operate your transmission:
0 1 (First Gear) - Press the clutch
pedal and shift into
“1.” Then, slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into “1” when you’re
going less than
20 mph (30 km/h). If
you’ve come to a complete stop and
it’s hard to shift into
“1,” put the shift
lever in “Neutral” and let up on
the
clutch. Press the clutch pedal back
down. Then shift into
“1.”
2 (Second Gear) - Press the clutch
pedal as you let up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into
“2.” Then, slowly
let up
on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal.
3,4,5 and 6 (Third, Fourth, Fifth
and
Sixth Gears) - Shift into “3,”
“4,” “5” and “6” the same way you do
for
“2.” Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as
you press the accelerator
pedal.
To Stop - Let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal. Just
before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal,
and shift to “Neutral.”
Neutral - Use this position when
you start or idle your engine.
R (Reverse) - To back up, press
down the clutch pedal and shift into
“R.” Let up on the clutch pedal slowly
while pressing the accelerator pedal.
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Parking
Parking Brake
The parking brake uses the brakes on the
rear wheels.
To set the parking brake: Hold the brake
pedal down and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
To release the parking brake: Hold the
brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake
lever up until you can push in the release
button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on
can cause your rear brakes to over-
heat. You may have to replace them,
and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are
parking on any hill:
See “Towing a
Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from
moving.
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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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