ESP PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 1996, Model line: FIREBIRD, Model: PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996Pages: 386, PDF Size: 19.18 MB
Page 18 of 386

Here Are Questions Many People Ask
About Safety Belts -- and the Answers
&.’ Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an . ., . ~ . .
accident if I’m wearing a safety belt? --:+..: 7, ‘ -. ’ .; , :..- . . _. .I . . . .. I .., .
A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety
belt or ‘not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt,
even if you’re upside down. And your chance of
being conscious during and after an accident,
so
you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if
you
are belted.
&: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to
wear safety belts?
A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in
most of them in the future. But they are
supplemental systems only;
so they work with
safety belts -- not instead of them. Every air bag ,
system ever offered for sale has required the use of
safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air
bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most
protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions,
but especially in side and other collisions.
Q.’ If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from
home, why should
I wear safety belts?
A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an
accident
-- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and
your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver
doesn’t protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within
25 miles (40 km) of
home. And the greatest number of serious injuries
and deaths occur at speeds
of less than 40 mph
(65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
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Page 52 of 386

Door Locks
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers
-- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door
is
locked, the inside handle won’t open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow
down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in
a
crash if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better
off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From’the outside, Use your door key. If your vehicle has
the Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System and it
is armed, unlocking and opening a door
this way will set
off the alarm. See “Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent
System”
in the Index.
From the inside, to lock the door, move the lock
control on the door backward.
To unlock the door, move the lock control on the
door forward.
.’ ,
..
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Page 56 of 386

Synchronization
Synchronization may be necessary due to the security
method used by Remote Lock Control system. The transmitter does not send the same signal twice to the
receiver. The receiver will not respond to a signal it has
been sent previously.
This prevents anyone from recording
and playing back the signal fiom the transmitter.
To resynchronize the transmitter with the receiver:
While standing close to your vehicle, simultaneously
press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the
transmitter for
8 seconds. The door locks should cycle
and parking lamps flash
to confirm synchronization. If
this does happen, you may need to replace the battery in
your transmitter or match the transmitter
to your vehicle.
Transmitter Verification (Option)
This feature provides feedback to the holder of the Remote
Lock Control transmitter that a command has been received
by
the Remote Lock Control receiver. The parking lamps
will flash on every lock and unlock command and
the horn
will sound only
if the LOCK button is pushed twice within
five seconds.
This allows for silent operation of locking and
unlocking, unless
a confirming horn chrrp is desired. Other
optkns may be sekcted for this feature (see “Feature
Gustomization”
in the Index).
Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle
Each Remote Lock Control transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be
purchased through your dealer. Remember
to bring any
remaining transmitters with
you when you go to your
dealer, When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once the new transmitter
is coded,
the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. Each
vehicle can have up
to four transmitters matched to it.
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Page 57 of 386

Have each transmitter you intend to match ready for the
next steps.
To match transmitters to your vehicle:
a
e
a
e
0
e
Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position then to
the OFF position. This will disarm the Vehicle and
Content Theft-Deterrent System (if your vehicle has
this option).
Remove
RADIO fuse. This fuse is located in the
main fuse block, located on the left side of your
instrument panel. See
“Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index.
Turn the ignition switch from the
OFF to the RUN
position three times quickly (within five seconds.)
The
vehicle will respond by locking the doors,
unlocking the driver’s
doors and releasing the hatch.
Your transmitter is now ready to match your vehicle.
Press
and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on
the first transmitter for 15 seconds. The vehicle will
respond
as in Step 3.
Repeat Step 4 for the remining transmitters.
When you have finished matching all
of your
transmitters, replace the
RADIO fuse.
Check that all transmitters work
by pressing
their buttons.
If the transmitters don’t work, or if you’d rather not
match the transmitters yourself, See your Pontiac dealer.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your Remote Lock
Control transmitter should last about
two years.
kou can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t
work at
the normal range in any location. If you have to
get
close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it’s probably time to change the battery.
Use one battery, type CR2032, or a similar type.
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Page 60 of 386

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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Page 66 of 386

Exit Lighting and Delayed Illumination Last Door Closed Locking and
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 4. This Lockout Prevention
means that your interior lamps will go on when the key
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 2.
is removed from the ignition switch and stay on for This means that your power door locks will not lock
25 seconds after closing the doors to help in exiting the
when the keys are in the ignition and a door is open.
vehicle. TO change the factory setting, do the following:
TO change the factory setting, do the following:
1. Turn the courtesy lamps on by turning the instrument 1. press the LOCK switch on the door.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
panel brightness control knob all the way up.
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set for.
set for.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
3. Press the LOCK switch on the door until you hear
3. Turn the courtesy lamp switch to off. the number of chimes that correspond to the mode
4. Turn the courtesy lamp switch from on to off until
you hear the number of chimes that correspond to the Mode 1: Both Off (Doors will 1ocWunlock when you
mode selection you want. press the power door lock switch).
Mode 1: Both Off (Interior lamps will turn on or off at ~ Mode 2: Lockout Prevention Only (If you leave your
the same instant that a door is opened or closed). keys in the ignition and get outl the driver’s door, you
Mode 2: Delayed Illumination Only (Interior lamps will
stay on for
25 seconds after the doors are closed).
Mode 3: Exit Lighting Only (Interior lamps will come
on whenever you remove the ignition key). selection
you want.
won’t be able to lock the doors with the,power door lock
switch). Mode 3: Last Door Closed Locking Only (If the power
door lock switch is used to lock the, vehicle while any
door is open,
y0.u will hear three chimes. The doors will
Mode 4: Both On (This combines Mode 2 and 3). not lock until after all doors are closed).
Mode 4: Both On (This combines Mode 2 and 3).
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Page 67 of 386

Remote Lock Control Verification
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 5.
This ,means that when you use the Remote Lock
Control transmitter to lockhnlock your vehicle, your
parking lamps will flash briefly upon the fist push on
LOCK. Your horn will sound briefly, your
parking
lamps will flash briefly upon the second push on LOCK
and your parking lamps will flash briefly upon any
push on UNLOCK. To change the factory setting, do
the following:
1.
2.
3.
Press the UNLOCK switch an the Remote Lock
Control transmitter.
Count
the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
Press the
UNLOCK switch on the Remote Lock
Control transmitter
until you hear the number
of chimes that correspond to the mode selection
you want.
Mode 1: All Off (The headlamps will not flash and the
horn will not sound to provide you feedback that 'a
1ocWunlock command has been received
by the Remote
Lock Control transmitter).
Mode 2: Horn and LampsLamps (Your horn will
sound briefly and your parking lamps will flash
when you press LOCK on the Remote Lock Control
transmitter. Only your parking lamps will flash when
you press UNLOCK).
Molde 3: Horn and Lamps (Your horn will sound briefly
and yo'ur parking lamps will flash every time you push
LOCK and UNLOCK).
Mode 4: Lamps (Your parking lamps will flash every
time you push LOCK and UNLOCK).
Mode 5: Lamps/Horri and LampsLamps (Your lamps
will flash upon
the fist push on LOCK, your lamps
will flash and your horn will sound upon the second
push on
LOCK and your lamps will flash upon any
push
on UNLOCK).
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Page 68 of 386

Theft-Deterrent Arming Method
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 3. This
means that both your Remote Lock Control transmitter
and the power door lock switch will actively arm the'
system. To change the factory setting, do the following:
1. Press the UNLOCK switch on the door.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of
,chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set for.
3. Press the UNLOCK switch on the door until you
hear the number of chimes that correspond to the
mode selection you want.
Mode 1: Alarm System Off (The System will not arm).
Mode 2: Remote Lock Control Transmitter Lock (When
you lock your doors using the transmitter, the system
will
arm itself).
Mode 3: Remote Lock Control Transmitterh'ower Door
Lock Switch (If you use
either the transmitter or the
power door lock switch to lock the doors, the system
will
arm itself').
Mode 4: Passive arming and Remote Lock Control
Transmitterh'ower Door Lock Switch Arming (The
system will arm itself after
all doors are closed, plus
arming per mode
3).
Theft-Deterrent Arming Verification
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 3. This
means that if you arm the system using the Remote Lock
Control transmitter, your parking lamps will flash and
your horn will chirp twice to verify that the system
is
armed. If it only chirps once, the hatch is open or
unlatched. If you arm the system using either the power
door lock switch
or by passive arming, only the parking
lamps will flash for verification.
) To change the factory
setting, do the following:
1. Press the LOCK switch on the transmitter.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
3. Press the LOCK switch on the transmitter until you
hear the number of chimes that correspond to the
mode selection you want.
Mode 1: All Off (No horn chirps or parking lamp flash).
Mode 2: Horn and Lamps (Your parking lamps will
flash and your horn will chirp twice to verify the system
is armed using any arming method).
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Mode 3: Horn and LampsLamps (If you use the
transmitter to arm the system, your parking lamps will
flash and your horn will chirp twice
to verify that the
system is armed.
If you use either the power door lock
switch or passive arming, only your lamps will flash
for verification).
Mode 4: Lamps (When your vehicle arms, only your
parking lamps will flash for verification).
Driver’s Door Alarm Delay and Shock
Sensor Enable
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 4.
This means that if you open the driver’s door using
your key, the alarm will not
soand for eight seconds.
Also the sho’ck sensor, able
to detect sharp blows to
your vehicle is active. To change the factory setting, do
the following:
1.
2.
3.
Turn the parking lamps on and off.
Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of
chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set for.
Turn the parking Imps on and off until you’hear the
number
of chimes that correspond to the mode
selection
you want.
Mode 1: Zero Del,ay and Shock Sensor Disabled (The
alarm will sound immediately if the driver’s door is
opened with your key and the shock sensor will not be
available
to measure sharp blows to your vehicle).
Mode 2: Eight Second Delay and Shock Sensor
Disabled (The alarm will sound eight seconds after the
driver’s door is opened with your key and the shock
sensor will not be available to measure sharp blows to
,
your vehicle).
Mode 3: Zero Delay and Shock Sensor Enabled (The
alarm will sound immediately after the driver’s door is
opened
with your key and the shock sensor will be
available to measure sharp blows to your vehicle).
Mode 4: Eight Second Delay and Shock Sensor Enabled
(The alarm will sound eight seconds’ after the driver’s
door is opened with your key and the shock sensor will
be available to measure sharp blows to your vehicle). :
Leaving Programming Mode
When programming is done, turn the ignition switch to
the
OW position and replace the RADIO fuse.
. ,,.
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Page 101 of 386

Daytime Running Lamps (Option)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others
tu see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in.the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn’t covered.
The
DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when:
The ignition is on,
The headlamp switch is OFF, and
The parking brake is released.
When
the DRL are on, only your front turn signal
lamps will be on. The taillamps, sidemarker and other
lamps won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’t be lit
up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, your front turn signal
lamps will
go out and your headlamps will come on.
The other lamps that come on with your headlamps will
also come on.
When it’s bright enough outside, the regular lamps will
go off, and your front turn signal lamps will come on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps (Option)
Use your fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty
conditions. Your parking lamps must be on or your fog
lamps won’t work.
SO To turn the fog lamps on, push the top of the fog
lamp switch,
Push the bottom of the switch to turn the
fog lamps off. A light on the switch will come on when
the fog
lamps are on.
Fog lamps will go off whenever your high beams come
on. When the high beams
go off, the fog lamps will
come
on again.
If your vehicle is equipped with Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System and your
fog lamp switch is
on,
the fog lamps may flash to indicate operation of
the Vehicle
and Content Theft-Deterrent System.
See “Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System” in
the
Index.
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