audio PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Owners Manual

v The 1996’Pontiac Firebird Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................. 1-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
This section explains how to start and operate your Pontiac.
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your
audio system.
FeaturesandControls .................................................................. 2-1
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..................................................... 3-1
.... Your Driving and the Road .............................................................. 4-1
..... Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 5-1
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or
overheated engine, etc.
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Pontiac running properly and looking good.
.
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
This section tells you how to contact Pontiac for assistance and h’ow to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8-9.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
Service and Appearance Care .............................................................. 6-1
Maintenanceschedule ................................................................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information ........................................................ 8-1
Index ........................................................................\
........ 9-1
i
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

1. Fog Lamp Switch (if equipped)
2. Main Lamp Control
3. Side Upper Air Vent
4. Instrument Cluster
5. Horn
6. Center Upper Air Vent
7.
Audio System
8. Glove Box
9. Comfort Controls
10. Cigarette Lighter .
1 1. Parking Brake Lever
12. Cupholder
13. Storage Console
14. Shift Lever
15. Ashtray (Automatic Transmission)
16. Rear Window Defogger Switch
17. Steering Wheel Controls
18. Remote Hatch Release
19. Convertible Top Switch (Option)
20. Traction Control System Switch (Option)
21. Second Gear Start (V6 Automatic only)
2-73
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

Section ,I 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section you’ll find out how to operate the comfort
control and audio systems offered with your Pontiac. Be
sure
to read about the particular systems supplied with
your vehcle.
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the heating and
ventilation in your Pontiac.
If you have the air
conditioning option, you can also control cooling. Your
vehicle also has the flow-through ventilation
system described later in this section.
Fan Control Knob
FAN: Turn this knob to select the force of air
you want.
Temperature Control Knob
Turn the knob to change the temperature of the air
flowing from the heating system. Turn it to the right for
warmer air and
to the left for cooler air. The temperature
of the air cannot be less than the temperature of the
outside air.
3-1
ProCarManuals.com

Audio Systems
Your Delco@ audio system has been designed to operate
easily and give years of listening pleasure. You will get
the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself
with
it first. Find out what your Delco system can do
and how to operate all its controls, to be sure you’re
getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that
went into it.
If you have power door locks, your vehicle has a feature
called Retained Accessory Power
(RAP). With RAP you
can play your audio system even after the ignition is
off.
See “Retained Accessory Power” in the Index.
Setting the Clock for All Systems Except
AM-FM Stereo
Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears. Press
and hold
MIN until the correct minute appears. There
will
be a two-second delay before the clock goes into
time-set mode, and the colon
on the display will blink
while in this mode.
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
Playing the Radio
VOL: Push this knob to turn the system on or off. Turn
it clockwise to increase volume and counterclockwise to
decrease volume.
RECALL: Press this button briefly to recall the station
being played or
to display the clock. If you press the
knob when the ignition is
off, the clock will show for a
few seconds.
3-6
ProCarManuals.com

AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
and Equalizer
Playing the Radio
VOL: Push this knob to turn the system on or off. Turn
it clockwise to increase volume and counterclockwise to
: 'decrease volume.
RECALL: Press this button briefly to recall the station
being played or to display the clock.
If you press the
knob when the ignition is off, the clock wiIl show for a
few seconds.
Finding a Station
AM-FM: Press this button to get AM, FM1 or FM2.
The display shows your selection. If a cassette tape is
playing, press this button to play the radio.
TUNE: 'Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to
choose radio stations. Push the knob back in when
you're not using it.
SEEK: Press the up or down arrow to go to the next
higher or lower station.
PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let
you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to
18 stations (six AM, six FM1 and six FM2).
1. Press AM-FM to select the band.
2. Find the station you want by using
TUNE or SEEK.
3. Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons until
SET appears on the display. Whenever you press that
numbered button, the station you set will return.
4. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
Setting the Tone . .- I '.
EQUALIZER: A seven band equalizer is part of your
audio system. Slide the levers
up to boost or down to
reduce frequency range.
3-10
ProCarManuals.com

Finding a Station Setting the Tone
AM-FM:
Press this button to get AM, FM1 or FM2.
The display shows your selection.
TUNE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to
choose radio stations. Push the knob back in when
you're not using it.
SEEK: Press the up or d,own arrow to go to the next
higher or lower station.
PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let
you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to
18 stations (six AM, six FM1 and six FM2).
1. Press AM-FM to select the band.
2. Find the station you want by using TUNE or SEEK.
3. Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons until
SET appears on the display. Whenever you press that
numbered button, the station you set will return.
7
4. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
EQUALIZER: A seven band equalizer is part of your
audio system. Slide the levers up to
boost or down to
reduce frequency range.
Adjusting the Speakers
BAL: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to
move the
sound to the left or right speakers. Use the
middle position to balance these speakers.
Push the knob
back in when you're not using it.
FADE: Pressthis knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to
move the sound to the front or rear speakers. Use the
middle position to balance these speakers. Push the
knob
back in when you're not using it.
Playing a Compact,Disc
The integral CD player can play 8 cm "single"
mini-discs.
Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The
player
will pull it in. If the ignition is on, but the radio is
off, the disc will begin playing. If you want to insert a
disc when the ignition is off, first press EJECT.
ProCarManuals.com

Tips About Your Audio System
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes
of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud
and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions
by
adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to it.
To help avoid hearing loss or damage:
Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.
Increase volume slowly until you hear Comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle
-- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone
or two-way radio -- be sure you can add
what you want. If you .can, it’s very important to
do
it properly.. Added sound equipment may
interfere with the operation
of your vehicle’s
engine, Delco radio or other systems, and even
with the operation
of sound equipment that has
been added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
~ damage them. Your vehicle’s systems may interfere
3-21
ProCarManuals.com

Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, take off the black, negative (-) cable fiom the battery.
This will help keep your battery fiom running down. Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in
the Index.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulb, see
“Replacement Bulbs” ‘in
the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
/I CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You’can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See 66Jump Starting”
in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Ibs ha presr
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Take special care when
handling and
disposing of halogen bulbs. 1
6-37
ProCarManuals.com