steering PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems
AIR
BAG
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on
the instrument panel, which shows
“AIR BAG” on it. The system checks
for electrical malfunctions, and
the light
tells you
if there is a problem.
You will see this light flash for a few
seconds when you turn your ignition to
“Run” or “Start.” Then the light should
go out, which means the system is ready.
Remember, if the air bag readiness light
doesn’t come on when you start your
vehicle, or stays on, or comes on when
you are driving, your air bag system may
not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
How the Air Bag System Works
Where
is the air bag?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle
steering wheel. of th
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The right-front passenger’s air bag is
located in the instrument panel on the
passenger’s side.
When is an air bag expected to inflate?
The air bag is designed to inflate in
moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal
crashes. The air bag will only inflate if
the velocity of the impact is above the
designed threshold level. When impacting straight into a wall that does not move or
deform, the threshold level for most
GM vehicles is between 9 and 15 mph
(14 and 23 km/h). However, this velocity
threshold depends on the vehicle design
and may be several miles-per-hour faster
or slower. In addition, this threshold
velocity will be considerably higher if the
vehicle strikes an object such as a parked
car which will move and deform on
impact. The air bag is also not designed to
inflate in rollovers, side impacts, or rear
impacts where the inflation would provide
no occupant protection benefit.
It is possible that in a crash, only one of
the two air bags in your Firebird will
deploy.
This is rare, but can happen in a
crash just severe enough to make an air
bag inflate.
In any particular crash, the determination
of whether the air bag should have
inflated cannot be based solely on the
level of damage on the vehicle(s).
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and the vehicle’s
deceleration, of
which vehicle damage is only one
indication. Repair cost
is not a good
indicator of whether an air bag should
have deployed.
What makes an air bag inflate? ;,
[n a frontal or near-frontal impact of
sufficient severity, the
air bag sensikg
system detects that the vehicle is suddenly
stopping as a result of a crash. The
sensing sytem triggers a chemical teaction
of the sodium azide sealed in the inflator.
The reaction produces nitrogen gas;
which inflates a cloth bag. The infktor,
210th bag, and related hardware are all
part of the air bag inflator modules
packed inside the steering wheel and in
the instrument panel in front of the
passenger.
How does an air bag restrain?
[n moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering wheel
or the instrument panel. The air bag
supplements the protection provided by
safety belts. Air bags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over the
occupant’s upper body, stopping the
occupant more gradually. But air bags
would not provide protection in many
~.
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Seats and Restraint Systems
types of collisions, including rollovers
and rear and side impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion is not
toward the air bag. Air bags should
never be regarded as anything more
than a supplement to safety belt
protection in moderate to severe frontal
and near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag
inflation?
After the air bag has inflated, it will then
quickly deflate. This occurs
so quickly
that some people may not
even realize
that the air bag inflated. Some
components
of the air bag module in the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air
bag or the instrument panel for the
passenger’s bag may be hot for a short
time, but the portion of the bag that comes
into contact with you will not be hot to
the touch. There will be small amounts
of
smoke and dust coming from vents in the
deflated air bags. The air bag will
not
impede the driver’s vision or ability to
steer the vehicle, nor will it hinder the
occupants from exiting the vehicle.
In many crashes severe enough
to inflate
an air bag, windshields are broken by
vehicle deformation. Additional
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windshield breakage may occur in
vehicles with passenger air bags because
the windshield acts as a reaction surface
for the inflating air bag.
The air bags are designed to inflate only
once. After they inflate you’ll need some
new parts for your air bag system. If you
don’t get them, the air bag system won’t
be there to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include air bag
modules and possibly other
parts. The
service manual has information about the
need to replace other parts.
0 Your vehicle is equipped with a
diagnostic module, which records
information about the air bag system if
the air bag deploys in a crash. The
module records information about the
readiness of the system, which sensors
activated the deployment, and whether the
driver’s safety belt was in use.
Let only qualified technicians work on
your air bag system. Improper service can
mean that your air bag system won’t work
properly. See your dealer for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the
driver’s or the right-front passenger’s
air bag, they may not work properly.
You may have to replace the air bag
on the steering wheel or both the air
bag and the instrument panel for the
passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag covers.
1s the smoke from an air bag inflation
harmful?
The particles emitted during air bag
inflation are not harmful to most people.
Some people with respiratory ailments
may experience difficulty breathing if
they stay in the vehicle with the windows
closed after air bag inflation.
So, if your
air bag inflates, you and any passengers
should exit the vehicle if and when it is
safe to do
so. If you or your passengers
can’t get out
of the vehicle, try to get
fresh air by opening a window, turning
on the fan, or opening a door.
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Features and Controls
To match transmitters to your vehicle:
1. Find the Data Link Connector (DLC).
It is in the bottom of the instrument
panel near the steering column.
2. Insert one end of a fused jumper into
terminal
“G.” Terminal “G” is the top
terminal on the far right.
jumper into terminal
“A.” Terminal
“A” is the bottom terminal on the far
left.
3. Insert the other end of the fused
You have grounded the program input
line. You should hear the door locks lock
and unlock within one to three seconds. Nhen
matching transmitters, the first
ransmitter code matched will be stored
in
loth memories until a second transmitter
s matched. This means that the second
ransmitter will not work until it is
natched in step
5.
0.
5.
. a.
7.
Press any button on the first
transmitter. The door locks should
lock and unlock.
Press any button on the second
transmitter. The door locks should
lock and unlock.
Remove the fused jumper from the DLC. The system will not work unless
the jumper is removed.
Check that all the buttons on both
transmitters work correctly.
[f the transmitters don’t work, or if you’d
rather not match the transmitters yourself,
see your Pontiac dealer.
Battery Replacement
&der normal use, the batteries in your
rey chain transmitter should last about
:wo years.
You can tell the batteries are weak
if the
:ransmitter won’t work at the normal
-ange in any location.
If you have to get
:lose to your vehicle before the
:ransmitter works, it’s probably time to
:hange the batteries.
I‘o replace batteries in the Remote Lock
Zontrol:
1. Pop the cover off by inserting a dime
(or similar object)
in the slot between
the covers and twisting.
first.
2. Lift off the front cover, bottom half
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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
The switch for the driver’s window has an
5xpress Down feature. Quickly press and
aelease the switch for the driver’s window
md the window will lower completely.
fou can also open the driver’s window
my amount by pressing the switch again
while the window is in the Express Down
node when it has lowered to the position
IOU want.
Power Windows (Option)
With power windows, switches on the
door control each window when the
ignition is on or when RAP is present.
(See “Retained Accessory Power” in
the Index.)
You can
also open the passenger window
any amount by pressing the switch and
releasing it when the window has
lowered to the position you want.
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Horn
ro sound the horn, press either horn
;ymbol on your steering wheel.
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I Tilt Wheel
1 tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust
he steering wheel before you drive.
r'ou can also raise it to the highest level tc
$ve your legs more room when you exit
md enter the vehicle.
?o tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel
md pull the lever. Move the steering
vheel to a comfortable level, then release
he lever to lock the wheel in place.
I The Turn
Signal'Headlight Beam
Lever
'he lever on the left side of the steering
dumn includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change
Indicator
Headlight HigNLow Beam and
Passing Signal
Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
Cruise Control (Option)
rurn Signal and Lane Change
ndicator
'he turn signal has two upward '(for
Light) and two downward
(for Left)
lositions. These positions allow
'you to
ignal a turn or a lane change.
b signal a turn, move the lever dl the
day up or down. When the turn is
inished, the lever will return
utomatically.
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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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Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Pushbuttons
The six pushbuttons let you return to
your favorite stations. You can preset
up to 18 stations
(6 AM, 6 FMl and
6 FM2).
1. Press “AM/FM’ to choose AM,
2. Tune in the station.
FM1 or
FM2.
3. Press and hold one of the six
pushbuttons until the display shows
“SET.” Whenever you press that
button, the preset station will
return.
Repeat these steps for each pushbutton.
Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may be equipped with
steering wheel controls for this audio
system. With steering wheel controls,
you can use the buttons
on your
steering wheel to:
Turn the audio system on or off.
Adjust the volume.
Choose AM, FM1 or FM2.
Use the seek and recall functions.
Choose one of the preset stations
on your pushbuttons.
Setting the Tone
Bass:
Slide the “BASS” lever to the
5ght to hear more bass.
I’reble: Slide the “TREBLE’ lever to
:he right to hear more treble.
[f a station is weak and noisy, slide
‘TREBLE’ to the left to reduce the
noise.
Adjusting the Speakers
Balance:
Press “BAL” to release the
knob. Turn the knob to move the sound
between the right and left speakers.
Push “BAL” back in to store
it when
not adjusting.
Fade: Press “FADE” to release the
knob. Turn the knob to move the sound
between the front and rear speakers.
Push “FADE’ back in to store it when
not adjusting.
To Play a Cassette Tape
Your tape player is built to work best
with tapes that are
30 to 45 minutes
long on each side. Tapes longer than
that are
so thin they may not work well
in this player. A cassette symbol will
appear in the upper left corner of the
display whenever a tape is inserted.
The longer side with the tape visible
goes in first. If you hear nothing or
hear just a garbled sound, it may not be
in squarely. Press “EJECT” to remove
the tape and start over.
Once the tape is playing, use “VOLUME,” “FADE,” “TREBLE’
and “BASS” just as you do for the
radio. The arrows show which side of
the tape is playing.
Forward
Press “FWD” to rapidly advance to
another part of the tape. Press “PROG”
or “FWD” again to stop it. The radio will play during this operation.
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