turn signal PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 User Guide

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice
on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow
driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have
a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow.
Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as
often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if
it’s slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you
want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle
in your
“blind” spot.
-A
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance.
If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
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Driving with a m +er
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the
open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep .in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle
is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle
and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps
and any trailer brakes
are still working.
FoIlowing 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
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. 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 coul’d 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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Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different ‘turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Pontiac dealer.
The arrows
on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
1 ’ Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade.
If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On
a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transmission overheating.
If YOU are towing a trailer and you have an automatic
transmission with Overdrive, you may prefer to drive in
THIRD (D) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0)
(or, as you need to, a lower gear). Or, if you have a
manual transmission with
FJFTH (5) (or SIXTH (6)) gear
and you are towing a trailer, it’s better not to use FIFTH
(5) (or SIXTH) (6) gear. Just drive in FOURTH (4) (drive
in
FIFTH (5) if you have a six-speed manual transmission)
or,
as you need to, a lower gear.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load..
’
4. Reapply the regular brakes, Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to
PARK (P), or REVERSE (R)
for a manual transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
PARK (P) yet, or into gear for a manual transmission.
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v Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that
can occur on the road.
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your‘front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and
off.
Press the button in to make
your front and rear turn
signal lamps flash on and
Off.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even
if the key isn’t in.
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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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Front Turn Signal
4. Pull out the bulb and disconnect the electrical connector.
5. Reverse the steps with a new bulb. 1. Using a screwdriver, remove the plastic screws from
' the deflector under the vehicle. Move the deflector
out
of the way.
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Relay
B . L 1 ... ..
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
r .. '
Usage
Air Conditioning Compressor
Anti-Lock Brake Systedraction
Control
System (TCS)
Cooling Fan 1
Air Pump
Cooling Fan 2
Not Used
Fog Lamps
Cooling Fan 3 .... .... ... ...._ . . € ~ : ". .. L .. ....
.. !
Replacement Bulbs
Ashtray* ................................ 194
Automatic Transmission Indicator
............. 73
Back-up ................................ 1156
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp ............. 921
Cluster
.................................. 161
Dome
.................................. 906
Do'or Courtesy ............................ 74
Fog ..................................... 880
Front Parking and Turn Signal .............. 3057
GloveBox .............................. 194
..... Headlamp .................. ......... H-6545
Heater and
A/C Control ..................... 37
Indicator Lights
......................... PC74
Interior
Door Handle ....................... 74
License
................................. 194
Reading
.............................. .21 2-2
Rea Courtesy ............................ 562
Sidemarker
.............................. 194
Tail
Only ................................ 194
TaiVStop/Turn .......................... 2057
Trunk ................................... 562
Turn Signal Indicators ..................... 161
*Manual transmission only
.
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Engine Coolant
...................................... 6-26
CoolantHeater ............................... 2-26
Coolant Level Check .......................... 7-39
Coolant Temperature Gage ..................... 2~81
Exhaust ..................................... 2-40
FuseBlocks ................................. 6-64
I'dentification ................................ 6-62
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7- 39
Overheating ................................. 5- 13
Running While Parked
......................... 2-41
Specifications
................................ 6-69
Starting Your
...................... 2-23,2-24, 2-25
Engine Oil
..................................... 6-10
Additives
................................... 6-14
Checking ................................... 6-11
Used
....................................... 6-15
Adding
..................................... 6-12
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-85
When to Change ............................... 6- 15
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-40
Exit Lighting
.............................. 2-17. 2-53
Express-Down Window
.......................... 2-42
Ethan01
......................................... 6-3
Exit Lightingmelayed Illumination
.................. 2- 17
Fabric Cleaning ................................ 6-54
Fan Control, Climate Control System ................ 3-1
Feature Customization ........................... 2- 16
Delayed Illumination
.......................... 2- 17
Driver's Door
Alarm Delay/Shock.Sensor Enable .... 2-20
Exit Lighting ................................ 2-17
Last Door Closed Locking ...................... 2- 17
Lockout Prevention ........................... 2-17
Remote Lock
Control Verification ................ 2-18
Theft-Deterrent Arming Method
................. 2-19
Theft-Deterrent Arming Verification .............. 2-19
Fifth Gear. Manual Transmission
.............. 2-32. 2.33
FillingYourTa
nk ................................ 64
Filter, Engine Oil ............................... 6-15
First Gear, Automatic 'Transmission
................ 2-30
First Gear, Manual Transmission
.............. 2-3 1 , 2-33 '
Flashers, Hazard Warning ......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-27
Floor Mats .................................... 2-61
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 7-44
FogLamps
.................................... 2-52
Folding
Rear Seatback ............................ 1-6
Foreign
Countries, Fuel ........................... 6-4
Fourth Gear, Manual Transmission ............ 2-33. 2-34
Four-Way Mmal Seat
........................... 1-2 ......
Filter, Air ..................................... 6-17
.Finishcare
.................................... 6-58
Finish Damage
................................... 6-60
French Language Manual ........................... ii~ i' T.!
Front Console ................................... 2-57
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Front
Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement .......... 6-39
F~el
.......................................... 6-2
FillingYourTank .............................. 6-4
Gage ........................................ 2-87
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-64
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
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Seatback FoldingRe ar
.................................. 1-6
Front Latches
................................. 1-6
Reclining Front
.............................. 1 1-4
Seats Four-Way Manual
............................. 1-2
Fully Articulating Sport
......................... 1-3
Lumbar Control
............................... 1-3
Manual Front
............................... 1 - 1
Power ........... .................. 1-2
Restraint Systems
....... ................ 1-1
Seat Controls .................................. 1 - 1
Securing a Child Restraint
...................... 1-32
Second Gear, Automatic Transmission
.............. 2-29
Second Gear, Manual Transmission
............ 2-32, 2-33
Second-Gear Start
.............................. 2-3 1
Service ......................................... 6-1
Bulletins, Ordering ............................ 8- 1 1
En~neSoonLight ............................ 2-83
Manuals, Ordering ............................ 8-11
Parts Identification Label
....................... 6-62
Publications, Ordering
......................... 8- 11
Work, Doing Your Own ......................... 6-1
Service and Appearance Care ...................... 6-1
Service and Owner Publications ................... 8- 11
Service Publications .............................. 8- 11
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac ........... 1-25
Shi€tLever
.................................... 2-27
Shift Speeds .................................... 2-34
Shifting
Automatic Transmission ....................... 2-27
Sheet
Metal Damage
............................ 6-60
Into Park (P)
................................. 2-37
Out pf Park .................................. 2-39 Shifting.
Manual Transmission
............... 2-3 1. 2.33
Signaling Turns
................................ 2-44
Sixth Gear, Manual Transmission
.................. 2-33
Skidding
...................................... 4-14
Skip Shift Light
................................ 2-34
Sound Equipment, Adding
........................ $3-21
Spare Tire, Compact ............................. 5-40
Specifications and Capacities ...................... 6-69
Specifications, Engine
........................... 6-69
SRS
......................................... l-19
Speech
Impaired, Customer Assistance ............... 8-4
Speedometer ................................... 2-75
Sportseat
....................................... 1-3
Stains, Cleaning
................................ 6-55
Standard Differential. Rear Axle
................... 6-26
Starting Your Engine
.................. 2-23,2-24, 2-25
Starter
Switch Check
............................ 7-41
Steam
............... .................... 5-13
Steering
Column Lock Check ........................ 7-42
Power
...................................... 4-10
Tips
......................................... 4-10
Wheel Touch Controls ......................... 3-20
In Emergencies ............................... 4-11
Wheel, Tilt .................................. 2-43
Storage Areas
.................................. 2-57
Storage, Vehicle
................................ 6-37
Sunshades, T-Top ............................... 2-64
Supplemental Restraint
.......................... 1-19
Symbols, Vehicle .................................. v
Synchronization ................................. 2-7
Stuck:
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
.................. 5-42
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-60
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Tachometer .................................. 2-75
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-22
Temperature Control. Climate Control System
......... 3-1
Theft-Deterrent Th
......................................... 2-11
Arming Method
.............................. 2- 19
Arming Verification
........................... 2- 19
Feature,
CD Player ............................ 3- 18
Vehicle and Content
........................... 2-12
Thermostat
.................................... 6-30
Third Gear, Automatic Transmission
................ 2-29
Third Gear, Manual Transmission .............. 2-32, 2-33
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-43
Time, Setting the
................................ 3-6
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-52
TireLoading ................................... 4-29
Tire-Loading Information Label
......... , .......... 4-29
Tires
......................................... 6-45
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-5 1
Buying
New ................................. 6-49
Chains
..................................... 6-52
ChangingaFlat .............................. 5-27
Cleaning
.................................... 6-59
Compact Spare
............................... 5-40
Inflation .................................... 6-46
Inflation Check
............................... 7-39
Inspection and Rotation ........................ 6-47
Loading
.................................... 4-29
Pressure
.................................... 6-46
Temperature ................................. 6-50
Traction .................................... 6-50
Treadwe ar ................................... 6-50
Uniform Quality Grabg
....................... 6-50
THEFTLOCK"
................................ 3-18
Wear
Indicamrs
.............................. 6-48
Wheel Replacement
............................ 6-51
When
It's Time for New ....................... 6-48
TopStrap ..................................... 1-33
TorqueLock
................................... 2-39
Torque, Wheel Nut
......................... 5-37, 6-69
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-7
Traction Control
Off Button ............................. 4-9
Control System
................................ 4-8
Control System Warning Light
... ........... 2-80
Brakes ................................... 4-35
Driving on Grades
............................. 4-37
Drivingwith
................................. 4-36
Hitches
..................................... 4-35
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-38
Parking
on Hills .............................. 4-37
SafetyChains
................................ 4-35
Tongueweight
............................... 4-34
Total Weight
on Tires .......................... 4-34
Towing
..................................... 4-31
Turnsignals
................................. 4-37
Weight
..................................... 4-33
Automatic
................................... 4-20
Manual
..................................... 6-24
Transmitters, Remote Lock Control
.................. 2-5
Transportation, Courtesy
.......................... 8-7
Trip Odometer ................................. 2-75
T-Top Sunshades ............................... 2-64
Transmitter Range
............................... 2-6
TowingaTr~ler ................................ 4-31
Trailer
Transmission
9-10
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