light PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Owners Manual

I
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHlELDlNG
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BATTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
n
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
1
WINDOW
a?
AIR BAG p
These symbols
have to
do with
your lights:
PARKING pf
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE Fd
COOLANT
TEMP
-
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL e,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(e)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
m
HORN )cr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3
J
V
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Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly.
It also tells you some things you should not do
with safety belts.
And it explains the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
(SIR), or air bag system.
Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear
a safety belt properly.
If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse. You can
hit things inside the
vehicle
or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed. In the same crash, you might
not be if yon are buckled up. Always fasten your
satety belt, and check
that your passengers’ belts
are fastened properly too.
Your vehicle has a light
that comes on as a reminder
to buckle
up. (See “Safety
Belt Reminder Light” in the Index.)
In most states and Canadian provinces,
the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are. mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes
are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than
25 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts
are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter
... a lot!
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How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
Adults
This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there
are special things to know about
safety belts add children. And there are Merent rules for
smaller chldren and babies.
If a child wilI be riding in
your Pontiac, see the part of this manual called
“Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’s protection.
First, you’ll want to
know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.
We’ll start with the driver position.
Driver Position
This part describes the driver’s restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear
it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see “Seats” in the Index)
so you can sit up straight.
3. Pick-up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
On convertible models, the shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this
happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it.
Then pull the belt across you more slowly.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
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AIR
BAG
There is an air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel, which
shows AIR BAG.
How the Air Bag System Works
The system checks the air bag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells
you if there is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
for more information.
Where is the air bag?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering whee\
l.
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Rear Seat Passengers
It’s very imprtant for rear seat passengers to buckle up!
Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear
seat are
hurt mre often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown
out
of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.
1.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The rear seats have lap-shoulder belts. Here’s how to
wear one properly.
l.
Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
On convertible models, the shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this
happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock
it.
Then.pul1 the belt across you more slowly.
Push’the
latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten,, your
1 dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender
will be long enough for you. The extender will
‘be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat
it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
NOW and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn
01‘ frayed, get a new one right away.
Ah look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After
a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But
if the belts were stretched, as they would be if wm
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired
or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If
an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system
parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in
this section.
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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).
On vehicles with the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System: If the system has sounded an
alarm, the hatch switch will not work until the system is
disarmed. See “Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent
System” in the Index.
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 leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy tmget for joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it. When you
park your Pontiac and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear 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.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key? What
if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
0 Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key with you.
glove box.
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Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent
System (Option)
If your vehicle has ths option, it has a theft-deterrent
alarm system. Once armed, the system will sound the horn
and
flash the parking lamps if the vehicle is broken into.
Shock Sensor
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Coupe Convertible
The shock sensor is what triggers the alarm when it
detects a blow to your vehicle. It is located over the
right rear wheelhouse near the
spare tire in the hatch
area. There are two levels of
alarrns via the shock
sensor: Two horn blasts and parlung lamp flashes for
non-threatening blows to the vehicle and a full two
minute alarm for harder blows to the vehicle. Its
sensitivity can be adjusted if more or less sensitivity is
desired. (Note: If sensitivity increased too much, it may
give false alarms caused
by gusts of wind or other
natural events that may shake the vehicle).
To adjust, remove the label covering the adjustment knob
and adjust as desired. Turn clockwise to increase sensitivity.
Turn counterclockwise to decrease sensitivity. The shock
sensor
is ignored by the alarm system during ignition on,
when the hatch is open, when the alarm is &arm& when
customized to
be ignored and for five seconds after the horn
sounds an alarm or chq. The shock sensor is ignored after
triggering
three fuu. alarms until the system is rearmed.
Arming the System
The alarm system can be armed to detect break-ins by
locking your vehicle using the Remote Lock Control
transmitter
or by lochng the doors with the power door
lock switch. Passive
arming is also available, if you
would
like the system to arm all by itself after the doors
have
been closed for a short time. When the system is
armed, a red light will flash briefly once every two
seconds. (Note: If you return to your vehicle and the red
light is
flashing two brief flashes every two seconds, the
system
is armed and the shock sensor had triggered a
two minute alarm. If the red light is flashing three times
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The ignition key must be clean and dry befote 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 may 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 faulty. See your Pontiac dealer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS-Key
II.
See your Pontiac dealer or a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key
I1 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 II system, however, is
not working properly and must be serviced’by your
Pontiac dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key I1 system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key I1 ignition key, see
your Pontiac dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key I1 to have a new key made.
In an emergency,
call the Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program at
1-800-ROADSDJ
or 1-800-762-3743.
If you accidentally use
a key that has a damaged 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.
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Feature Customization (Option)
Your Pontiac’s locks and lighting systems can be
programmed with several, different features.. The
features you can program depend upon the options that
came with your vehicle. The following list tells you the
features that can be programmed. Listed next
to each
feature is the option you need to have on your vehicle in
order to be able to program that particular feature.
Exit Lighting (available for all)
Delayed Illumination (available for all)
Last Door Closed Locking
(if equipped with power
door locks)
Lockout Prevention
(if. equipped with power
door locks)
Remote Lock Control Verification (if equipped with
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System)
Theft-Deterrent Arming.
Method (if equipped with
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System)
Theft-Deterrent Arming Verification
(if equipped
with Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System)
Driver’s Door Alarm Delay (if equipped with
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System)
Shock Sensor Enable
(if equipped with Vehicle and
Content Theft-Deterrent System) To
program features, your vehicle must be
in the
programming mode. Follow these steps:
1. Put your key in the ignition.
2. Turn the ignition to the RUN position to disarm the
3. Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
4. Remove the RADIO fuse. This fuse is in the main
Vehicle .and Content Theft-Deterrent System.
fuse block, located on the left side of your
instrument panel. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index.
5. Put the ignirion in the ACC posmon.
You should hear a chime to veiify that the system is
in programming mode. If the chime sounds once,
you will be able to program Exit Lighting, Delayed
Illumination, Last Door Closed Locking and Lockout
Prevention only.
If the chime sounds twice and your
vehicle
is equipped with the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System, you will also be able to set
Remote Lock Control Verification, Arming Method,
Arrning Verification, Driver’s Door Delay and Shock
Sensor Enable.
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