steering wheel PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1995 User Guide

Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a
hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere,
or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you.
You can
avoid these problems by braking
-- if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’s
the time for evasive action
-- steering around the
problem.
Your Pontiac can perform very well in emergencies like
these.
First apply your brakes. It is better to remove as
much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then
steer around the problem, to the left or right depending
on the space available.
pin emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended
9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can
turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once
you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all times and wear safety belts properly.
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Off-Road Recovery
You may find sometime that your right wheels have
dropped
off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while
you’re driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer
so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
You can turn the steering wheel up to
1/4 turn until the
right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn
your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
OFF
SLOW DOWN
edge of paved surface
5’ LEFT APPROX. QUARTER TURN
Passing
The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a
two-lane highway waits for just the right moment,
accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes
back into the right lane again.
A simple maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane
highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the
passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming
traffic for several seconds.
A miscalculation, an error in
judgment,
or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can
suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the
worst of all traffic accidents
-- the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
0 “Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides, and
to crossroads for situations that might affect your
passing patterns.
If you have any doubt whatsoever
about making a successful pass, wait for a better time.
Watch for traflic signs, pavement markings, and lines.
If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a
turn or an intersection, delay your pass. A broken
center line usually indicates it’s
all right to pass
(providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid
line on your side
of the lane or a double solid line,
even
if the road seems empty of approaching traffic.
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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.
If 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 foot 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 recognize 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 brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
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Foliawing Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden
turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer,
you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you
can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hoid the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the lek 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 Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
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.
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When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key
off. The steering wheel should be clamped in a
straight-ahead position, with a clamping device
designed for towing service. Do not use the car’s
steering column lock for this. The transmission should
be in “Neutral” and the parking brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the rear wheels,
unless you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the
rear wheels, don’t go more than
35 mph (55 km/h) or
farther than
50 miles (80 km) or your transmission will
be damaged. If these limits must be exceeded, then the
rear wheels have to be supported on a dolly.
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If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot
off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
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NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well
as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
has traction control, you should turn the system
off. (See
“Traction Control System” in the Index.) Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and
a forward
gear (or with a manual transmission, between FIRST
(1)
or SECOND (2) gear and REVERSE), spinning the
wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear.
If that doesn’t
get you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed
out. If you do need to be towed out, see “Towing Your
Car” in the Index.
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5. PCM IGN: Powertrain Control Module; Fuel Pump
Re1ay;Theft Deterrent Module; Engine Mass Air
Flow Sensor (V8 Engine)
6. STOP/HAZARD: Brake Light/Cruise Release
Switch; Hazard Flasher
7. PWR ACCY: Power Door Locks; Power Mirrors;
Hatch Release Switch; Auxiliary Accessory Wire
8. COURTESY: Audio Alarm Module; Courtesy
Lamps: Console Compartment, Glove Box, Dome,
Trunk, Rear Courtesy, Rearview Mirror; Radio;
Theft Deterrent Module; SECURITY Indicator;
Hatch Release Relay; Keyless Entry Receiver
9. GAGES: Audio Alarm Module; Daytime Running
Lamps Module (Canada); Diagnostic Energy
Reserve Module; Instrument Cluster; Keyless Entry
Receiver; Brake Switch Assembly; Auxiliary
Accessory Wire
10. TAIL LTS: Exterior Lighting
11.
CIGAR/HORN: Cigarette Lighter; Horn Relay;
12. DEFOGBEATS: Power Seats; Rear Defogger
13.
IP DIMMER: Brightness Control
14.
WIPEWASH: Windshield Wipermasher
15. WINDOWS: Power Windows, Convertible Top
Data Link Connector
Switch (Circuit Breaker); Cooling Level Latching
Module
16. CRANK: Diagnostic Energy Reserve Module
17.
RADIO: Radio Amplifier; Steering Wheel Controls
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Section 9 INDEX
Adding. Automatic Transmission Fluid ............. 6-26
Adding. Brake Fluid
............................. 6-38
Adding. Electrical Equipment
..................... 6-65
Adding. Engine Coolant
.......................... 6-31
Adding. Engine Oil
............................. 6- 15
Adding. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
.................... 6-26
Adding. Manual Transmission Fluid
................ 6-27
Adding. Power Steering Fluid
..................... 6-35
Adding. Sound Equipment
........................ 6- 14
Adding. Windshield Washer Fluid
............. 2-44. 6-35
AirBag
....................................... 1-19
Air Bag Readiness Light
.................... 1-21.2. 69
Air Bag System
................................ 1-19
Air Bag. How Does it Restrain
.................... 1-23
Air Bag.
How it Works ........................... 1-21
Air Bag Location
............................... 1-22
Air Bag. Servicing
.............................. 1-25
Air Bag. What
Makes it Inflate .................... 1-23
Air Bag. What Will You See After It inflates
......... 1-23
Air Bag. When Should it Inflate
................... 1-23
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-19
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-3
Alignment and Balance. Tires
..................... 6-54
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning ...................... 6-62
Antenna. Fixed Mast
............................ 3-16
Antenna. Power Mast Care
....................... 3-17
Anti-Lock
..................................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
......... 2.71. 4.6
Anti-Lock Brakes
............................... 4-6
Antifreeze ..................................... 6-30
Antifreeze Adding
.............................. 6-31
Antifreeze Checking
............................ 6-31
Anti-Theft Feature. Theftlock
..................... 3-12
Appearance Care
............................... 6-55
Appearance Care and Materials .................... 6-64
Ashtray and Lighter
............................. 2-62
Ashtray. Front
................................. 2-62
Audio System. Steering Wheel Touch Controls
....... 3-18
Audio System. Tips About Your
................... 3-14
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-5
Automatic Transmission
......................... 2-23
Automatic Overdrive Position .................. 2-25
First Gear
(1) Position ........................ 2-26
Neutral (N) Position
.......................... 2-24
Park (P) Position
............................. 2-23
Reverse (R) Position
.......................... 2-24
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Engine Oil .................................. 6-14
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
........................ 6-29
Manual Transmission Fluid
.................... 6-27
Power Steering Fluid
......................... 6-34
Restraint Systems
............................ 1-40
Things Under the Hood
........................ 6-8
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-63
Child Restraints
....................................
Securing in st Rear Seat Position ................. 1-33
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-34
TopStrap
................................... 1-32
WheretoPut
................................ 1-31
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-63
Circuit Breaker. Power Windows and Other
Power Options ................................ 6-67
Cleaner.
Air ................................... 6-19
Cleaning
Aluminurnwheels ........................... 6-62
Fabric
..................................... 6-57
Glass
...................................... 6-59
Leather
.................................... 6-59
Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades
....... 6-60
Special Problems
............................ 6-58
Stains
...................................... 6-58
The Inside
of Your Pontiac ..................... 6-56
The Outside
of Your Pontiac .................... 6-60
Tires
...................................... 6-62
Your Convertible Top ......................... 6-62
Vinyl
...................................... 6-58
Top of the Instrument Panel .................... 6-59
Clock. Setting the ................................ 3-5
Close-OutPanel
................................ 2-60
Clutch Adjustment
.............................. 6-28
Clutch. Hydraulic
............................... 6-28
Compact Disc Care ............................. 3-16
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-42
Console. Front
................................. 2-60
Control
of a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
Control.
Loss of ................................ 4-14
Convertible Top
................................ 2-80
Convertible Top Cleaning
........................ 6-62
CornfortControls ................................ 3-1
Convertible Top. To Lower Your ................... 2-80
Convertible Top.
To Raise Your .................... 2-83
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-54
Coolant
....................................... 6-30
Coolant Heater. Engine .......................... 2-21
Coolant Recovery Tank
.......................... 5-20
Coolant Temperature Gage
.................. ; .... 2-73
Coolant. How to Add to the Coolant Recovery Tank
... 5-20
Coolant. How to Add
to the Radiator (LT1 Engine) .... 5-26
Coolant.
How to Add to the Radiator (V6 Engine) ..... 5-23
Cooling System
................................ 5-18
Coudesy Lamps ................................ 2-52
Covered Visor Vanity Mirror ...................... 2-61
Cruise Control
Erasing Speed Memory
........................ 2-49
Passing Another Vehicle While Using ............ 2-48
Getting Out of ............................... 2-48
To Increase Speed ............................ 2-47
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