PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual

Headlamp Doors
The headlamp doors are designed to open when you turn
the headlamps on and close when you turn the
headlamps off. The headlamp doors can be opened
without turning
on the headlamps by turning the
headlamps on, then turning the switch back
to the
parking lamps position. The headlamp doors should
be open when
driving in
icy or snowy conditions to prevent the doors from
freezing closed and when washing the vehicle to help
clean the headlamps.
You can open the headlamp doors manually:
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the plastic cover from the retractor
motor knob.
3. Turn the retractor motor knob counterclockwise until
the headlamp door
is fully open. The knob will get
harder
to turn when the headlamp door is all the
way up.
motor
knob.
4. Replace the plastic cover on the retractor
To manually close the headlamp doors, turn the lamps
o€€ and turn the knob clockwise. If the headlamp doors
aren’t working properly, see your Pontiac dealer
for help.
2-52

Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to 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.
In Canada, a light sensor on top of the instrument
panel automatically turns the headlamps on,
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
0 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.
For Canadian vehicles 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. On a non-Canadian vehicle the headlamps have
to be
turned on manually when you need them. When the
headlamps are turned
on, the front turn signal lamps
will go out. When you use your turn signals, the front
turn signal lamp and the taillamp on the desired side
will flash.
As with any vehicle, you should turn OM the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
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.
0s To turn the fog lamps on, push the right side of the
fog lamp switch. Push the left side 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 the 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.
2-53

Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This switch controls the brightness of your
instrument panel lights. Turn the switch upward
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
OFF. The 10 minute timer will be restarted if you do any
of the following;
1, Turn the ignition on.
2. Open either door.
3. Press any button on your Remote. Lock
Control transmitter.
4. Turn the int’erior lamp switch from off to on.
5. Open the hatch.
Delayed Illumination
With delayed illumination, the courtesy lamps will stay
on for
25 seconds after you close the doors when
entering the vehicle. They will stay
on for five seconds
after you close the doors when exiting the vehicle. The
times will
be 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 Customizatian”
in the Index.
Exit Lighting
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,
2-54

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 Accessory 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 €or
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.
2-55

Mirrors
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
i
An inside rearview mirror is attached to your windshield.
The mirror has pivots so that you can adjust it.
You can adjust the minor for day or night driving. Pull
the tab for night driving to reduce glare. Push the tab for
daytime driving.
Outside Manual Adjustable Mirror
Adjust the passengefs side outside mirror by hand so
that you can just see the side of your vehicle when you
are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
Manual Remote Control Mirror
Adjust the driver’s side outside mirror with the lever on
the door. Adjust the mirror so that you just see the side
of
your vehicle when you are sitting in a comfortable
driving position.
2-56

Power Remote Control Mirror (If Equipped)
~~~~~~ ~ ~
The power mirror control is on the driver’s door. To
adjust either mirror, move the center switch to left (L) or
right
(R). (The Center position is “OFF”). 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.
2-57

Storage Compartments
Glove Box
To open the glove box, lift up on the lev'er. Use your
door key to lock and unlock it, The glove b'ox has a
lamp inside.
Front Console
To use the storage are'a, push the tab and pull up
on the front end of the console. There is a cupholder
on the console,
The console will also have
a storage area.
Cassette and Compact Disc Storage
If you have a compact disc player, the console can be
used for storing your compact discs.
Map Pocket (If Equipped)
Each door has a map pocket. There may also be a map
pocket on the back of the seats.
Close-Out Panel
The close-out panel can be closed for hidden storage in
the rear area of your vehicle.
To remove the 'close-out panel
1. Close the panel. If the close-out panel is not closed
and resting
on the trim panel, it cannot be removed.
2. Pull the panel toward you to unsnap it. Then slide the
close-out panel along the groove
in the trim panel.
Reverse the steps
to install the panel.
2-58

When carrying large or heavy items, it is a good idea to
open the panel and place the items in the rear area.
I An improperly stored close-out panel could be
thrown about the vehicle during
a collision or
sudden maneuver. You
or others could be
injured. If you remove the cover, always store it
outside your vehicle. When you put it back,
always be sure that it is securely reattached.
Ashtray and Lighter
Lift up the cover to open the ashtray. To remove it, lift
up on either side
of the ashtray. If you have an automatic
transmission, the ashtray
is near the front of your
console.
If you have a manual transmission, the ashtray
is near your cupholder.
I NOTICE:
Don’t put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtray.
If you do, cigarettes or other
smoking materials could set them on
fire,
causing damage.
To use the lighter, push it in all the way and let go.
When it’s ready, it will pop back by itself.
2-59

Sun Visors
I NOTICE:
Don? hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating.
If you do, it won9t be able to
back away
from the heating element when it’s
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
If you plug accessories into your cigarette lighter, such
as heating devices or air ~ompressors, these accessories
should have a rated current of less than 15 amps.
Exceeding this limit will result in a blown fuse.


To block out glare, YOU can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them to the side. The elastic bands on
your visor provide extra storage for maps or papers.
Covered Visor Vanity Mirror
Full down the sun visor and lift the cover to expose the
vanity mirror.
2-60

Accessory Plug
This plug is located inside the front section ahead of the
shift lever
in the console. The plug can be used to
connect electrical equipment such as a cellular phone
or
CB radio. Be sure to follow the installation instructions
included with the equipment.
The plug has three separate wires:
The orange wire connects to the battery.
The pink wire connects to the ignition. Power is only
The black wire connects to the ground.
available
in
RUN.
NOTICE:
When using the accessory plug:
The maximum load of any electrical
equipment should not exceed
3 amps.
0 Be sure to turn off any electrical equipment
when not in use. Leaving electrical
equipment on for extended periods can
drain your battery.
We recornend that you see a qualified technician or your
dealer for the proper installation of your equipment.
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.
Twin Lift-off Roof Panels
(If Ecvir-ed)
Don't try try to remove the T-top panels while
the vehicle
is moving. Trying to remove the T-toy
panel while the vehicle
is moving could cause an
accident. The panel could fall into the vehicle anc
cause you to lose control, or it could
fly off and
strike another vehicle.
You or others could be
injured. Remove T-top panels only when the
vehicle
is parked.