brake PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Owners Manual

I
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHlELDlNG
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BATTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
n
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
1
WINDOW
a?
AIR BAG p
These symbols
have to
do with
your lights:
PARKING pf
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE Fd
COOLANT
TEMP
-
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL e,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(e)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
m
HORN )cr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3
J
V
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peration
The driver’s door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed. If UNLOCK is pressed again
within five seconds, the passenger door will also unlock.
All doors will lock when LOCK
is pressed.
The hatch will unlock when the button with the trunk
symbol is pressed, as long as the ignition is turned to the
OFF position. If the ignition is in the RUN position, the
trunk symbol button will only work if
the transmission
is in PARK (P) for an automatic transmission, or if the
parking brake is set on a manual transmission.
The system will turn on the interior lamps for about
40 seconds (or until the ignition switch is turned t’o the
RUN position), when you unlock the doors or hatch.
The interior lamps will
go off when you lock the doors.
Operating the Remote Lock Control transmitter may
interact with the Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent
System (if
you have this option). See “Vehicle and
Content Theft-Deterrent System”
in the Index.
Alarm/Panic Mode
If your vehicle is equipped with the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System, you will have a fourth button on
your Remote
Lock Control transmitter. This button is the
panic button. If you
are involved in a panic situation,
press this button and your vehicle’s horn will sound and the parking lamps will flash. This will draw needed attention
to you
and your vehicle. To turn this feature off,
either push the panic button again or turn the ignition to
the RUN position. Note: This feature will not work if
your ignition is in the
RUN position or if the remote
transmitter is
30 feet or more away from your vehicle.
Transmitter Range
The range of your Remote Lock Control system should
be about
30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a
decrease
in the range. This is normal for any Remote
Lock Control system. If the transmitter does not work,
or you have to stand closer to your vehicle than normal
for the transmitter to work:
0
0
0
0
0
0
You may have to replace the battery in your transmitter.
See
the instructions8 for battery replacement.
You may be too far from your vehicle. Check your
distance. You may have to stand closer
to your
vehicle in rain or snow.
Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take
a few steps to the right or left.
You may have
to synchronize your transmitter to the
receiver in your vehicle. See the instructions for
synchronization.
You may have to match the transmitters to your
vehicle. See instructions for matching transmitters.
If none of the above apply, see your dealer or
qualified technician for service.
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Hatch Release
Your door key opens the hatch.
If your vehicle has the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System, and the system
is armed,
opening the hatch this way will trigger the alarm. First
&sarin the system or use the Remote Lock Control
transmitter to
open the hatch.
Remote Hatch Release (Option)
\
Press the switch under the lamp controls to unlock the
hatch
from inside y’our vehicle. If you have an automatic
transmission, your shift lever must be in
PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) to use the switch. If you have a
manual transmission and the ignition switch is in
RUN, you must set the parking brake before you can
use the switch.
The switch only works when the ignition switch
is in
RUN or ACC, or when RAP is present. (See “Retained
Accessory Power” in the Index.)
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New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition Switch
NOTICE:
Ywr modern Pontiac doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first
500 miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
See ((Towing a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first
0 Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
C
A E
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions:
ACC (A): Position in which you can operate your
electrical power accessories. Press in the ignition switch
as you turn
the top of it toward you.
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Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position
to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
-
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roII.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You
or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t
move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)’% in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer’’ in
the Index.
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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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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@): This position is
for normal driving.
If you need more power for passing,
and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
accelerator all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower
fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@),
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a):
- When driving on hilly, winding roads.
- When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
- When going down a steep hill.
between gears.
SECOND (2): This
position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use
SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you
go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want
to use
your brakes
off and on.
NOTICE:
Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than 25 miles
(40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph (88 km/h),
or you can damage your transmission. Use
AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (a) or THIRD (3)
as much as possible.
Don’t shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than 65 mph (105 M), or you can
damage your engine.
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FIRST.(l): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy)
than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hiils,
or in deep snow or mud. If
the selector lever is put in FIRST (11, the transmission
won't
shift into first gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
NOTICE:
I If your rear wheels can't rotate, don't try to, I..
NOTICE: (Continued)
Also,
if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with
only the accelerator
pedal. This couEd overheat and damage the
transmission. Use your brakes
or shift into
PARK (P) to hold your vehicle in position on
a hill.
drive. This might happen if you were stuck
in- Maximum engine speed is limited to protect driveline
very deep sand or mud or were up agaht'a s&d
NOTICE: (Continued)
components from improper operation.
, object. You could damage your transmission.
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SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal to the floor as
you let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into
SECOND
(2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal.
THIRD(3),FOURTH(4)andF'IFTH(5): Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the. clutch
pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal. ...
To Stop:Let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and
shift to
NEUTRAL (N).
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when ym start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while
pressing the accelerator pedal.
L ~~ ~
NOTICE:
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your
transmission.
Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake,
for parking your vehicle.
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6-Speed
1 3 5 R
2 4 6
This is your shift pattern.
Here’s how to operate
your transmission:
FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST
(1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST
(1) when you’re going less
than
20 mph (32 M). If you’ve come to a complete
stop and it’s hard to shift into FIRST
(1) put, the shift
THIRD(3),FOURTH(4),FIFTH(5),and SIXTH
(6): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and
SIXTH (6) the same way you do for SECOND (2).
Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
To Stop: Let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
$rake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to neutral.
‘NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let
up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
If you
shift from SIXTH (6) into REVERSE (R) the shift lever
must be first placed in the
ITl3UTRAL (N) position
centered between
SECOND (2) and THIRD (3) prior to
shifting into REVERSE (R).
Your six-speed manual transmission has a feature that
’ ’ idle your engine.
lever in NEUTRAL
(N) and let up on the clutch. Press allows
you to safely shift into REVERSE (R) while the
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1). vehicle is rolling (at less than 5 mph). You will: be
locked-out if you try to shift into REVERSE (R) while
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on your vehicle is moving faster than 5 mph (8 km/h).
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,
slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you press the If you have turned your ignition to the OFF position
accelerator pedal.
and wish to park your vehicle in, REVERSE (a), you will have to move the shift lever quickly to the right,
“crashing”through the high load spring and then into gear.
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