weight PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 User Guide

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.
4-36
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Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
. . ....... ... 2-81
Engine Oil Pressure
......... ............... 2-85
Fuel
....................................... 2-87
GAWR
....................................... 4-30
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission
............. 2-28
Gear Positions. Manual Transmission
.......... 2.32. 2.33
GloveBox
.................................... 2-56
Graphic Equalizer
......................... 3.10. 3.15
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-30
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-30
Guide en Franqais
11
GVWR ....................................... 4-30
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-37
Hatch Release
.................................. 2- 10
Hatch Release. Remote
.......................... 2- 10
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-1
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlamp Bulb Replacement
...................... 6-38
Headlamp
Doors ............................... 2-51
Headlamps
.................................... 2-50
HighLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-44
OnReminder
................................ 2-50
Wiring
..................................... 6-63
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3-3
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-44
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads ......................... 4-23
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-35
Hood
Checking Things Under .......... ............ 6-6
Release ...................................... 6-7
Horn
......................................... 2-42
Hydraulic Clutch
............................... 6-25
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
................... 7-40
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-19
Ignition Switch
................................ 2-21
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-46
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-55
Inspections
.................................... 7-43
Brakesystem
................................ 7-43
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-43
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-43
RearAxle
................................... 7-43
Steering
.................................... 7-43
Suspension .................................. 7-43
Throttle Linkage
........ : ..................... 7-43
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-72
Brightness Control
............................ 2-53
Cleaning
.................................... 6-56
Cluster
............ ......... 2-74
Interior Lamps
. . ....... 2-53
Jack. Tire
.................................. 5-28
Jump Starting
................................... 5-2
Key Lock Cylinders Service
...................... 7-40
Key Release Button
............................. 2-22
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
9-5
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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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