stop start PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Owners Manual

Turning Off the Alarm
If you started the alarm by pressing the panic button on
the Remote Lock Control transmitter, you must either
push that button again or
turn the ignition switch to the
If the alarm is sounding due to the shock sensor or a
door
or hatch opening, it can be turned off by either
turning the ignition switch with
a proper keyinserted or
’ by pressing any button on the Remote Lock Control
transmitter. If you use your transmitter to silence
the
alarm, additional things will happen depending upon
which button you press.
Pressing the UNLOCK button will lurn the alarm off,
will unlock the driver’s door and disarm the system.
Pressing the LOCK button will turn the alarm off,
keep the ,doors locked and keep the system armed.
Pressing the trunk symbol button will turn the dam
off and will unlock and disarm the hatch only.
Pressing the panic button will turn the alarni off,
keep the doors locked and keep the system armed.
If the alarm is sounding because an incorrect ignition
key was used, press any button on the transmitter
to turn
the alarm off.
The alarm will stop by itself after two minutes.
, RUN position to stop the alarm.
PASS-Key 8 ‘1
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
II
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
II is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
It works when you insert
or remove the key
from
the ignition.
PASS-Key
11 uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key 11 system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel system. For about three minutes, the starter
won’t
work and fuel won’t go to the engine. If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key
during this time,
the vehicle will not start. This
discourages someone from randomly trying different
keys
with different resistor pellets in an attempt to make
a- match.
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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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NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn
it, be sure it is all the way in. If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
Starting Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or
number for your engine. You will
find the VIN at the top
left of your instnzment panel. (See “Vehicle Identification
Number” in the Index.) Follow
the proper steps to start
the engine.
Automatic transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Pontiac is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
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Manual transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL (N).’Hold the
clutch pedal to the floor and start the engine. Your
vehicle won’t start
if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down
-- that’s a safety feature.
Starting Your 3800 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets
warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner.
And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START for about three to five seconds at a time until
your engine starts. Wait about
15 seconds between
each try to help avoid draining your battery.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the’ pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline
from the engine.
After waiting about
15 seconds, repeat the normal
starting procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics
in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the
way
the engine operates. Before .adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging
your vehicle. I See c6To~g
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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Starting Your 5.7 Liter LT1 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn't start wihn 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal
all the way to the floor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to
help avoid draining your battery.
When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0°F or -18"C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there. When the
engine starts,
let go of the key. Use the accelerator pedal
to maintain engine speed, if you have to, until
your engine
has run for a while.
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal
all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
I NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accepsories, you could change the
way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do
it
without damaging your vehicle. See 4'Towing
Your Vehicle" 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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Second-Gear Start
TRANSMISSION
2NDGEARQ START
Your vehicle may be equipped with a second-gear start
feature. Press 2ND GEAR START to provide more
traction when you are starting on ice or other slippery
surfaces. The transmission will be in SECOND
(2) gear
when the vehicle begins to move. After starting
in
SECOND (2) gear, the vehicle will upshift normally.
This feature is only for improved traction only when the
road surface is slippery
and is not intended for continuous
use
or when the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow
or gravel. Always use NORMAL for normal road conditions.
You may press
2ND GEAR START again to
turn off this feature. Whenever you start your vehicle, the
transmission is in the NORMAL mode.
Manual Transmission
5-Speed
1 3 5
2 4 R
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
km/h). If you’ve come to a complete
stop
and it’s hard to shift into FIRST (l), put the shift
lever
in NEUTRAL (N) and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into
FIRST (1).
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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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Windshield Wipers You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or
snow.
Turn the band to choose the delay time. The
closer to LO, the shorter the delay.
For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away
from you to the
LO position. For high-speed wiping,
turn the band further, to HI. To stop the wipers, move
the band to
OFF.
Damaged wiper blades may prevent you from seeing
well enough to drive safely.
To avoid damage, be sure to
clear ice and snow from the wipers blades before using
them. If they're frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers.
A circuit
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it. breaker will stop them
until the motor cools. Clear away
snow or
ice to prevent an overload.
For
it: single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle.
If you want more cycles, .hold the
band on MIST longer.
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