key PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Owner's Manual

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range
before starting the engine. Your Ponti’ac has
a
brake-transmission shift interlock. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in the RUN position.
If YOU cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and also release the shZt lever button on floor
shift console models as you maintain brake application.
Then move
the shift lever into the gear you wish.
(Press the shift lever button before moving the shift
lever
on floor shift console models.) See “Shifting Out
of PARK” (P) in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to BEVERSE (R) while your vehicle
’is moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only
after
your vehicle is stopped,
To rock YOW vehicle back and f~~th to get out of snow, ice
or
sand without damaging your transmission, see “Stuck
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow, If You’re” -in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Shifting out of PARI( (B) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine
is “racing” (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or
objects, Don’t shift out ofPARK (P) or
NEUTBAL (N) while your engine is racing.
I NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting
out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the
engine racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
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1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
I
2. Move the shift lever into' PARK (P) position by
holding in
the button on the lever, and push the lever
all the way toward the front
af your vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK,
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (PI.
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission
Models Only)
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine
running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle
with the engine running, it could
overheat and ev'en catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't
leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running,
be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking
brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved
the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position, hold, the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pushing the button. If you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn't fully locked
into PARK (P).
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Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission) Shifting Out of PARK (P)
If you are parlung on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK
(P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult
to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P),. This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)”
in the Index.
When you
are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
(Automatic Transmission)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transmission shift interlock.
You have to fully apply your regular brake before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in
the
RUN position. See “Automatic Transmission” in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on
the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and ‘move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
If torque lock does occur, you may need
to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill
to take some of the
pressure from the transmission,
so you can pull the shift
lever out
of PARK (P). 1. Turn the key to the OFF position.
If
you
ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
Parking Your Vehicle 2. Apply and hold the brake.
(Manual Transmission) 3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transmission in REVERSE
(R) and firmly apply the
parking brake.
5. .Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
If your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
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Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This switch controls the brightness of your
instrument panel lights. Turn the switch to brighten
or
dim the lights. If you turn the switch all the way up your
courtesy lamps will come on.
Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several interior lamps go on.
These lamps are courtesy lamps. They make it easier for
you to enter and leave your vehicle.
Courtesy lamps include the dome lamp and other
lamps
throughout the interior of your vehicle.
To prevent battery rundown, your interior lamps will be
disabled about
10 minutes after the ignition is turned to
OFFm The 10 minute timer will be restarted if you do any
of the following:
1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Open either door.
3.
4.
5.
Press any button on your Remote Lock
Control transmitter.
Turn the interior lamp switch from off to on.
Open the hatch.
Delayed Illumination (Option)
With delayed illumination, when you open a door, your
courtesy lamps will come
on and stay on for 25 seconds
after the doors
are closed. The 25 seconds is shortened
if the ignition is turned to
the RUN position or if the
power locks
are activated. To turn this feature on or off,
see “Feature Customization” in the Index.
Exit Lighting (Option)
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition to help you see
while exiting the vehicle. To turn
this feature on or off,
see “Feature Customization” in the Index.
..
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Front Map Lamps
Your inside rearview mirror includes two map lamps.
Each lamp has its own switch. Use the switch closest to
the lamp
to turn it on, The lamps will also go on when a
door is opened.
Retained Acce,ssory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power
(RAP) feature which will allow certain features
of your vehicle to continue to work
up to 10 minutes
after the ignition key
is turned to OFF.
Your convertible top, power windows, and audio system
will work when the ignition key is in the
RUN or ACC
positions. Once the key is turned from RUN to OFF,
these features will continue to work for up to 10 minutes
or until either door
is opened.
Your power door unlock and remote hatch release
features will work when the ignition key
is in the RUN
or ACC positions or if either door is open. Once the key
is turned to OFF, these features will continue to work for
up to 10 minutes. If either door is open and the ignition
key is OFF, these features will continue to work until
both doors have been closed for about 30 seconds or
until the theft-deterrent system
arms. At that time, both
the power door unlock and remote hatch release features
will be disabled to enhance the security of the vehicle.
The power door lock function will work at all times
except during Lockout Prevention (if this feature is
enabled). See “Lockout Prevention’’
in the Index.
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Power Remote Control Mirror (Option)

The power mirror control is on the driver’s door. To
adjust either mirror, move the center switch to left (L) or
right (R). Then use the touch pad to adjust the mirror.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles)
look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Glove BOX
To open the glove box, lift up on the lever. Use your
door key to lock and unlock it. The glove box has a
lamp inside.
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Floor Mats
Your Firebird’s floor mats are custom fitted to the
floor wells. Be sure the driver’s floor mat is in place.
If it isn’t, it could interfere with the accelerator or
brake pedal.
lhvin Lift-off Roof Panels (Option)
If you have this option, you can remove one or both
lift-off roof panels.
Don’- __ to remove the T-top panels while the
vehicle is moving. Trying to remotre T-top panel
while the vehicle is moving could cause an
accident. The panel could
fall into the vehicle and
cause you to lose control, or it could fly off and
strike another vehicle.
You or others could be
injured. Remove
T-top panel only when the
vehicle is parked.
The door key unlocks the panels. The lock is over the
front door window. Turn the key to the left to unlock
the panel.
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Open the close-out panel completely. Place the panel in
the correct slot (DRIVER) or (PASSENGER) in the rear
area
of your vehicle. Make sure the handle is open and
facing you when you put
it in the storage slot.
Push the handle closed to secure the panel in the slot. To
lock each panel in the storage area, use your door key.
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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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Warning lights come on when there my be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As YQU
will see in the details on the next fay pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine
just to let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when
this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be
or is a problem
with one
of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages md
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one o’f the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to
do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to
do repairs can be costly -- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re
a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on
for about eight seconds to remind people t~
fasten their safety belts.
The safety
belt light will
also come on and 2tay.m
for about 70 seconds. If the
driver’s belt is already
buckled, neither
the chime
nor the light will come on.
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