stop start PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 Owners Manual

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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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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NOTICE: NOTICE:
Holding your key in “Start” for
longer than
15 seconds at a time will
cause your battery to be drained
much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2. If your engine won’t start (or starts but
then stops), it could be flooded with
too much gasoline. Try pushing your
accelerator pedal all
the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold
the key in “Start” for about three
seconds. If the vehicle starts briefly
but then stops again, do
the same
thing, but this time keep the pedal
down for five or six seconds. This
clears the extra gasoline from
the
engine Your
engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you
add electrical parts or accessories,
you could change the way the fuel
injection system operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check
with your dealer. If you don’t, your
engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle
towed, see the part of this manual
that tells how to do
it without
damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
To start your VS engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to “Start.”
When the engine starts, let go of the
key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Holding your key in “Start” for
longer than
15 seconds at a time will
cause your battery
to be drained
much sooner.. And the excessive heat
2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds,
push the accelerator pedal all the
way to the floor, while
you hold the
ignition key in “Start.” When the
engine starts, let go of the key and
let up on the accelerator pedal. Wait
about
15 seconds between each try to
help avoid draining your battery.
1
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Features and Controls
When starting your engine in very cold
weather (below 0°F or
- 18”C), do this:
1.
2.
With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to “Start”
and hold it there. When the engine
starts, let go of the key. Use the
accelerator pedal to maintain engine
speed, if you have to, until your
engine has
run for a while.
If your engine still won’t start (or
starts but then stops), it could be
flooded with too much gasoline.
Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the
way to the floor and holding it there
as you hold the key
in “Start” for
about three seconds. If the vehicle
starts briefly but then stops again, do
the same thing, but this time keep the
pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears
the extra gasoline from
the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you
add electrical parts or accessories,
you could change the way
the fuel
injection system operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check
with your dealer. If you don’t, your
engine might not perform properly.
If you
ever have to have your vehicle
towed, see the part of this manual
that tells how to do it without
damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Driving through Deep
Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can
come in through your engine’s air
intake and badly damage your
engine. If you can’t avoid deep
puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Performance Mode Switch
(Option)
This switch lets you change from a
normal driving mode to a performance
mode. When you start the engine, the switch will be in normal mode. For
general driving conditions, use the
normal mode. It will remain
in normal
unless you select the “PERFORM”
feature.
For a firmer shift and increased
performance, you may choose the
“PERFORM, mode. The light in the
center
of the switch will light up when
selected. The switch will then remain in
“PERFORMANCE’ mode until the
engine is shut off, when it will go back to
normal mode.
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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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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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Features and Controls
A green arrow on the instrument panel
will flash in the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or
lower the lever until the green arrow start
to flash. Hold it there until you complete
your lane change. The lever will return b!
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if
the arrows don’t flash but just stay on, a
signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help
avoid an accident. If the green arrows
don’t go on at all when you signal a turn,
check the fuse (see “Fuses” in the Index)
and for burned-out bulbs.
feadlight High/Low Beam
’0 change the headlights from low beam
3 high or high to low, pull the turn signal
:ver all the way toward you. Then
:lease it. When the high beams are on,
lis blue light on the instrument panel
lso will be on.
Windshield Wipers
fou control the windshield wipers by
urning the band
with the wiper symbol
In it.
;or a single wiping cycle, turn the band to
‘MIST.” Hold it there until the wipers
;tart, then let go. The wipers will stop
ifter one cycle. If
you want more cycles,
lold the band on “MIST” longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or
;hort delay between wipes. This can be
iery useful in light rain or snow. Turn the
>and to choose the delay time. The closer
:o “LO,” the shorter the delay.
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Features and Controls
Fuel Gage
four fuel gage shows about how much
bel is in your tank. The fuel gage works
mly when the ignition switch is in the
‘Run” position. When the gage pointer
‘Irst indicates
“E,” you still have a little
uel left (about one to two gallons), but
IOU need to get more right away.
3ere are four concerns some owners
lave had about the fuel gage. All these
iituations are normal and do not indicate
:hat anything is wrong with the fuel gage.
,..go
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts
off before the gage reads “E”
It takes more (or less) gas to fill up
than the gage reads. For example, the
gage reads
1/2 full, but it took more
(or less) than half of the tank’s
capacity to fill it.
The gage moves
a little when you
turn, stop or speed up.
When you turn the engine
off, the
gage doesn’t go back to
“E.”
Brake System Warning Light
Your Pontiac’s hydraulic brake system is
divided into two parts. If one part isn’t
working, the
other part can still work and
stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both pws working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could
be a brake problem. Have your brake
system inspected right away.
This light should come on as you start the
vehicle. If it doesn’t come on then, have
it
fixed so it will be ready to warn you if
there’s a problem.
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If the light comes on while you are driving, pull
off the road and stop
carefully.
You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may
go
closer to the floor. It may take longer to
stop. If the light is still on,
or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light is
flashing, have the vehicle towed for
service. (See “Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light” and “Towing Your
Vehicle” in
the Index.) The brake
system warning light will also
come on when you set your parlung
brake, and it will stay on if your parking
brake doesn’t release fully. If
it stays on
after your parking brake
is fully released,
it means
you have a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
With anti-lock, this light will come on
when you start your engine and it will
stay on for three seconds. That’s normal.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
If the light flashes when you’re driving,
you don’t have anti-lock brakes and
there’s a problem with your regular
brakes. Pull
off the road and stop
carefully.
You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go
closer to the floor. It may take longer to
stop. Have the vehicle towed for service.
(See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the
Index.)
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