heater PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1995 Owners Manual

Second-Gear Start Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
TRANSMISSION
2NDGEAR@ START
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Second-Gear Start
feature. Press
2ND GEAR START to provide more
traction when you are starting on ice or other slippery
surfaces. The transmission will be in second gear when
the vehicle begins to move. After starting in second
gear, the vehicle will upshift normally.
This feature is only for improved traction when the road
surface
is slippery and is not intended for continuous
use. Always use NORMAL for normal road conditions.
You may press
2ND GEAR START again to turn off this
feature. Whenever you start your vehicle, the
transmission is
in the NORMAL mode.
In very cold weather, 0 "F (- 18 O C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
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To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine. NOTICE:
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt outlet.
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After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to
store the cord as it was before to keep
it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
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How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer depends on the weather, the kind of oil
you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to list
everything here, we ask that you contact your Pontiac
dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle.
The dealer can give
you the best advice for that
particular area.
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Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section you’ll find out how to operate the comfort \
control systems and audio systems offered with your
Pontiac. Be sure to read about the particular system
supplied with your vehicle.
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the heating and ventilation in your Pontiac. If you have the air
conditioning option, you can also control cooling.
Your vehicle also has the flow-through ventilation
system described later in this section.
Heater Controls
Fan Control Knob
* FAN: Turn this knob to select the force of air
you want.
Temperature Control Knob
Turn the knob to change the temperature of the air flowing
from the heating system. Turn it to the right for warmer
air
and to the left for cooler air. The temperature of the air can
not be less than the temperature of the outside
air.
Air Control Knob
OFF:
The system is off.
4.
~9 BI-LEVEL: Air is directed through the upper air d.
vents and the heater ducts.
9 VENT: Air flows through the upper air vents.
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d HEATER: This setting directs most of the air
through the heater ducts and some of the air through the
windshield defroster vents.
z2 BLEND: Air is directed through the windshield
defroster vents and the heater ducts.
9 DEFROST: This setting directs most of the air
through the windshield defkoster vents and some of the
air through the heater ducts.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it.
1. Turn the air control knob to HEATER.
2. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
3. Turn the temperature control knob to a comfortable
During initial start-up only, if your vehicle is equipped
with an optional engine coolant heater, you can use it in
cold weather (around
+20 O F/-8 O C or lower) to improve
heater performance on
start up. Because an engine
coolant heater warms the engine coolant, your vehicle’s
setting.
heating system can more efficiently provide heat for the
passenger area of
your vehicle. See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in the Index.
Bi-Level Heating
You may want to use bi-level heating on cool, but sunny
days. This setting directs cool air toward your body and
warmer air toward your feet.
1. Turn the air control knob to BI-LEVEL.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a comfortable
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
Ventilation
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling
is needed, you can still direct outside air through
your vehicle.
1. Turn the air control knob to VENT.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a comfortable
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
setting.
setting.
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Defogging and Defrosting the Windshield
1. Turn the air control knob to DEFROST.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to the desired
setting.
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
Air Conditioner Controls (Option)
The air conditioning system uses the same controls as the
heating system, except that the
slir control knob has two
extra settings, described below. For an explanation of all
the controls, see “Heater Controls” earlier in this part.
MAX: Provides maximum cooling or quick cool-down
on very hot days.
This setting recirculates most of the air
inside your vehicle. If it is used for long periods of time,
the
air may become dry. This setting directs air through
the upper air vents.
A/C: Use for normal cooling on hot days. This setting
cools outside
air and directs it through the upper air vents.
The air conditioner compressor operates in MAX, A/C,
BI-LEVEL, BLEND and DEFROST when the outside
temperature is above freezing. When the
air conditioner
is on, you may sometimes notice slight changes in your
vehicle’s engine speed and power.
This is normal because
the system is designed to cycle the compressor on and
off
to keep the desired cooling and help fuel economy.
Cooling
The air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows
just long enough for the hot air to escape.
1. Turn the air control knob to A/C for normal cooling.
For faster cooling move the knob to MAX.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a comfortable
3. Move the fan cdfitrol knob to the desired speed.
setting.
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~ Rear Window Defogger (Option)
‘c
The
rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
Press the switch to turn on the defogger. An indicator
light will come on to remind you that the defogger is on.
The defogger
will turn off automaticaliy after about ten
minutes of use.
If you turn it on again, the defogger will
operate for about five minutes only.
You can also turn
the defogger off by pressing the switch again.
Do not attach agything like a temporary vehicle license
or a decal acr0s.s the defogger grid on the rear window.
I NOTICE:
Don’t use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut
or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Flow-Through Ventilation System
Your Pontiac’s flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside
air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside air
will also enter the vehicle when the blower fan is running.
Ventilation Tips
0 Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow, or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster
will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
0 When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan control
knob to the right for a few moments
before driving
off. This helps clear the intake ducts
of snow and moisture, and reduces the chance
of
fogging the inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects.
This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle.
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Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Loading Your Vehicle
TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION
VEHICLE CAP. WT.
FRT. CTR. RR. TOTAL LBS.
MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY WEIGHT XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG PSI/KPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT, ADD 4PS1/28KPa
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
\INFORMATION
Two labels on your vehicle show how much ‘weight it ’
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
found on the driver’s door tells you the proper size,
speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for
the tires
on your vehicle. It also gives you important
information about the number of people that can be in
your vehicle and the total weight that you can carry.
This weight is called the Vehicle Capacity Weight and
includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
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~ ~. ~~~ .
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you
get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1.
2.
3.
If you have an air conditioner, turn it off.
Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (03)
or DRIVE (D) for automatic transmissions.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes.
If the warning doesn't come-back on, you
can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for
two or three minutes while you're parked, to see if
the warning stops. But then, if you still have the
warning,
turn oflthe engine and get everyone out of the
vehide
until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get 'service
help right away.
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NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts. Use the recommended coolant.
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engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene gly
and it will burn if the engine narts arp hnt
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at
WLL COLD, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can
try. You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is 1
cool before you do it.
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1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the
pressure cap slowly to the left until it first stops. (Don’t press down while turning the pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you
turn it. Remove the pressure cap. 3. After the engine cools, open the air bleed valves on
the heater return hose and water pump inlet.
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