battery PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 User Guide

Sun Visors
I
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them to the side.
The elastic bands on
your visor provide extra storage for maps or papers.
Covered Visor Vanity Mirror
Pull down the sun visor and lift the cover to expose the
vanity mirror.
Accessory Plug
This plug is located inside the front section ahead of the
shift lever in the console. The plug can be used to
connect electrical'equipment such as a cellular phone or
CB radio. Be sure to follow the installation instructions
included with the equipment.
The plug has three separate wires:
The orange wire'connects to the battery.
0 The pink wire connects to the ignition. Power is only
available in RUN.
The black wire connects to the ground.
When using the accessory plug:
The maximum load of any electrical equipment
should not exceed
3 amps.
Be sure to turn off any electrical equipment when not
in use. Leaving electrical equipment on for extended
periods
can drain your battery.
We recommend that you see a qualified technician
or your dealer for the proper installation of
your equipment.
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5. Push and hold the top
of the convertible
top switch.
6. Pull down on center opening and align hooks with
holes. Push forward on the larger part of the latch until
it clicks.
Do not force the latch. If it is hard to
lock, the top is not properly aligned.
If
your vehicle suffers a power loss, such as a dead
battery, you can still raise or lower the top manually by
rotating the valve in the left side
of the trunk.
Open the
trunk and find the tab along the left side trim
panel. Lift up the tab and turn the valve clockwise to
release the hydraulic pressure. Turn the ignition
key to
the LOCK position. You can now raise or lower your top
manually. Be sure to close
the valve after installing your
top
so you can raise or lower it electronically later.
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Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR
BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there
is an electrical problem. The system
check includes
the air bag sensors, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, sed “Air
Bag” in the Index.
AIR
BAG
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. This means
the system is ready.
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.
Voltmeter
I p4
You can read battery
voltage on
your voltmeter.
If it reads less than 11 volts
or more than 16 volts while
your engine
is running,
and it stays there, you may
have
a problem with the
electrical charging system.
Have it checked right away. Driving with the voltmeter
reading in a warning zone could drain your battery.
If you idle your engine for a while, the voltmeter
reading might move into the yellow zone, If the reading
stays in the yellow zone while you are driving, you may
have a problem with the electrical charging system.
Have it checked. While the voltmeter reads in the
yellow
zone, your battery may not be able to power certain
electrical accessories,
like ABS. (If this happens, your
ABS INOP light will come on. See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” in this
part.)
If you must drive a short distance with the voltmeter
reading in a warning zone,
turn off all your accessories,
including your comfort control and audio system.
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Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK" is designed to discourage theft of your
rabio. It works by using a secret code.to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is removed.
The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or
radio
is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK is
activated, your radio will not operate
if stolen.
When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display
LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery
power is removed.
If your battery loses power for any
reason, you must
unlock the radio with the secret code
before-it will operate.
+ ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally an'd the
Activating the Theft-Reterrent Feature
The instructions which follow explain how to enter your
secret code to activate the
THEFTLOCK system. It is
recommended that
you read through all nine steps
before starting the procedure.
NOTE: If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse
between any
steps, the radio automatically reverts to
time and you must start the procedure over at Step 4.
1. Write down any wee or four-digit number from
000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate from
the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition to the ACC or RUN position.
3. Turn the radio off.
4. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until
--- shows on the display. Next you will use the
secret code number which you have written down.
5. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
6. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
7. Press PElR to make the first one or two digits agree
8. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the
with
your code.
with
your code.
code matches the secret code
you have written down.
The display will show REP to let you know that you
need to repeat Steps 5 through 7 to confirm your
secret code.
9. Press AM-FM and this time the display will show
SEC to let you know that your radio is secure.
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Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power
Loss
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. LOC appears when the ignition is on.
2. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
3. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
4. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with
your code.
with your code.
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The
display will show SEC, indicating the radio is
now operable and secure.
5. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the
If you enter the wrong code eight times, INOP will
appear
on the display. You will have to wait an hour
with the ignition on before you can
try again. When you
try again, you will only have three chances to enter the
correct code before INOP appears.
If
you lose or forget your code, contact your dealer.
Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition to the ACC or RUN position.
2. Turn'the radio off.
3. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until
SEC shows on the display.
4. Press MIN qd 000 will appear on the display.
5. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
6. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
7. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the
with
your code.
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show
---, indicating that the radio is
no longer secured.
If the code entered is incorrect,
SEC will appear on the
display. The radio will remain secured until the correct
code is entered.
When battery power is given to a secured radio, the
radio won't
turn on and LOC will appear on the display.
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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
'@I OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP. WT.
TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION
FRT. CTR.
RR. TOTAL LBS. KG
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 aLI
nonfactory-installed options.
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To turn ~ff the flashers, pull
out on the collar.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won’t work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the
side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start
your Pontiac. But please use the following steps to
do it safely. ’. * ..
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
0 They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough dectricity to burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.

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NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Trying to start your Pontiac by pushing or
pulling
it could damage your vehicle, even if you
have a manual transmission.
And if you have an
automatic transmission, it won’t start that way.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want.
You wouldn’t be able to start
your Pontiac, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn
off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries. In addition, it could save your radio!
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
(CE:
r
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
I==--
~
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
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5. Find the positive (+) ad negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have
been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don't
need to add water to the Delco Freedom@ battery
installed in every new GM vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to take-
care
of that first. If you don't, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery
fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Dan't get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water
and get medical help immediitely.
.- :A,
,. .- , .. . ..
6. Check that the jumper cables don't have loose or
missing insulation.
If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before
you connect the cables, here are some basic
things
you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive
(+) and negative (-) will go to negative (-)
or a metal engine part. Don't connect positive.(+) to
negative
(-) or you'll get a short that would damage
the battery
and maybe other parts, too.
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away
from moving parts
once the engines are running.
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7. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Don’t use the junction block on your Pontiac.
8. Don’t let the other end
touch metal. Connect
it
to the positive (+)
terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
9. Now connect the
black negative
(-) cable
to the
good battery’s
negative
(-) terminal.
Don’t let the other end touch anythmg until the
next step. The other end
of the negative (-) cable
doesn’t
go to the dead
battery. It goes to a heavy
unpainted metal part on
the engine of&e vehicle
with the dead battery.
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