PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual

Comfort Controls Temperature Control Knob
Turn the knob to change the temperature of the air
I flowing from the heating system, Turn it toward the
I, ,I red or clockwise for warmer air and toward the blue or
counterclockwise
for cooler air. The temperature of the
air cannot be less than the temperature
of the outside air.
Air ContL - - ____ - .b
OFF: The system is off. I
2 VENT Air flows through the upper air vents.
12 BI-LEVEL: Air is directed through the upper air
vents and the heater ducts.
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.
a FAN: Turn this knob to select the force of air
you want.
/ HEATER: This setting directs most of the air
through the heater ducts and some
of the air through the
windshield defroster vents.
'9 BLEND: Air is 'directed through the windshield
defroster vents
and the heater ducts.
9 DEFROS'G: This setting directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster vents and some of the
air through the heater ducts.
3-2

Air Conditioning (If Equipped)
I
The air conditioning system uses the same controls as
the heating system, except that the air control knob has
two extra settings, described below.
MAX: Provides maximum cooling or quick cool-down
on very hot days. This setting recirculates most of the air
inside your vehicle.
If it is used for long periods of time,
the air may become dry. This setting directs air through
the upper air vents,
A/C: Use for normal cooling on hot days. This setting
cools outside
air and c‘kts it through the upper air vents.
The i-111- conditioner cumpressor operates in MAX, AIC,
BI-LEVEL, BLEND and DEFROST when the outside
temperature is above freezing. When the
air conditioner
is on,
you may sometimes notice slight changes in
your vehicle’s engine speed and power. This is normal
because the system is designed to cycle the compressor
on and
off to keep the desired cooling and help
fuel economy.
Cooling
The air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On very
hot days, open the windows
just long enough for the hot air to escape.
1. Turn the air control knob to A/C for normal cooling.
For faster cooling, move the
knob to MAX.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
comfortable setting.
3. Move the fan control knob to the desired speed.

Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it.
1. Turn the air control knob to HEATER.
2. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
3. Turn the temperature control knob to a
During initial start-up only, if your vehicle is equipped
with
an optional engine coolant h'eater, you can use it in
cold weather (around +20°F/-8"C or lower) to improve
heater performance on start up, Because an engine
coolant heater
warms the engine coolant, your vehicle's
heating
system can more efficiently pro'vide heat for the
passenger area of your vehicle. See "Engine Coolant
Heater" in the Index.
comfortable
setting.
Bi-Level Heating
You may want to use bi-level heating on cool, but sunny
days. This setting directs cool air toward your body and
warmer air toward your feet. 1,
Turn the air control
knob to BI-LEVEL.
2. Turn the temperamre control knob to a
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
comfortable
setting.
Ventilation
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, you can still direct outside air through
your vehicle.
I, Turn the air control knob to VENT.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
co'mfortable setting.
Defogging and Defrosting
1. 'Turn
the air cantrol knob to DEFROST.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to the
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
desired setting.
3-4

Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped) Ventilation System
The
rear window defogger
uses
a warming grid to
remove fog from
the rear window.
Press the switch to turn on
the defogger. An indicator
light will come on to remind
you that the defogger is on.
I
The defogger will turn off automatically after about
10 minutes of use. If you turn it on again, the defogger
will operate for about five minutes only. You can also
turn the defogger off by pressing the switch again.
Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle license
or
a decal across the defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don’t use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Your Pontiac’s flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will
also enter the vehicle when the blower fan
is running.
3-5

Ventilation Tips
a Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such
as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance
of fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter
a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan control
knob to the right for a few moments
before driving
off. This helps clear the intake ducts
of snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of
fogging
the inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the rront sems clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
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 o’f 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
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.
3-6

AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
(If Equipped)
Playing the Radio
VOL: Push this knob to turn the system on and off.
To increase volume, turn the knob clockwise. Turn it
counterclockwise to decrease volume.
RECALL: Display the time with the ignition off by
pressing this knob. When the radio is playing, press this
knob to recall the station frequency.
Finding a Station
AM-FM: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1
and FM2. The display shows your selection.
TUNE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to
choose radio stations. Push the knob back into its stored
position when
you’re not using it.
SEEK: Press the up or down arrow to go to the next
higher or lower station and stay there.
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). Just:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press AM-FM to select the band.
3. Tune in the desired station.
4. 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.
5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
Setting the Tone
BASS: Slide the lever to the right or left to increase or
decrease bass.
TREBLE: Slide the lever to the right or left to increase
or decrease treble, If
a station is weak or noisy, you may
want to decrease the treble.
3-7

Adjusting the Speakers
BAL: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn this
knob to move the sound to the left or right speakers.
The middle position balances the sound between
the speakers.
FADE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn this
knob to move the sound to the front or rear speakers.
The middle position balances the sound between
the speakers.
Push these knobs back into their stored positions when
you’re not using them.
Playing a Cassette Tape
Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are
30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer than
that are
so thin they may not work well in this player.
While the tape is playing, use the
VOL, FADE, BAL,
BASS and TREB controls just as you do for the radio.
The display will
show an arrow to show which side of
the tape is playing. When the down indicator arrow is
lit, selections listed on the bottom side of the cassette are
playing, When the up arrow is lit, selections listed
on the
top side
of the cassette are playing. The tape player
automatically begins playing the other side when it
reaches the end
of the tape.
If E and a number appear on the radio display, the tape
won’t play because
of an error.
0 E10: The tape is tight and the player can’t turn the
tape hubs. Remove the tape. Hold the tape with
the open end down and try to turn the right hub
counterclockwise with
a pencil. Turn the tape over
and repeat.
If the hubs do not turn easily, your tape
may be damaged and should not be used in the
player. Try a new tape to make sure your player is
working properly.
Ell: The tape is broken. Try a new tape.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can’t be
corrected, please contact your dealer.
If your radio
displays
an error number, write it down and provide it to
your dealer when reporting the problem.
PREV (I): Press this button or the SEEK down arrow to
search
for the previous selection on the tape. Your tape
must have at least three seconds
of silence between each
selection for
PREV or SEEK to work. The tape direction
arrow blinks during
PREV or SEEK operation. Press
PREV or the SEEK down arrow to stop searching. The
sound will mute during PREV or SEEK operation.

NEXT (2): Press this button or the SEEK up arrow to
search for the next selection on the tape. If you hold the
button, the player will continue moving forward through
the tape. Your tape must have at least three seconds of
silence between each selection for NEXT or SEEK to
work. The tape direction arrow blinks during NEXT or
SEEK operation. Press NEXT or the SEEK up arrow to
stop searching. The sound will mute during NEXT or
SEEK operation.
PROG (3): Press this button to play the other side
of the tape.
130 (4): Press this button to reduce background noise.
Note that the double-D symbol will appear on the display.
Dolby@ Noise Reduction is manufactured under a
license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of
Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
REV (5): Press this button to reverse the tape rapidly.
Press it again to return to playing speed. The radio will
play the last-selected station while the tape reverses.
You may select stations during REV operation by using
SEEK or TUNE.
FWD (6): Press this button to advance quickly to
another part of the tape. Press the button again to return
to playing speed. The radio will play the last-selected
station while the tape advances. You may select stations
during FWD operation by using SEEK or TUNE.
AM-FM: Press this button to play the radio when a tape
is in the player.
TAPEPLAY Press this button to change to the tape
function when the radio is on. The tape symbol with an
arrow will appear on the display when the tape
is active.
To return to playing the radio, press the
AM-FM button.
EJECT Press this button to remove the tape. The radio
will play. EJECT may be activated with either the
ignition
or radio off. Cassettes may be loaded with the
radio and ignition off if this button is pressed first. If
you leave a cassette tape in the player while listening to
the radio,
it may become warm.
CLN: If this message appears on the display, the
cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. It will still play
tapes, but you should clean it as soon
as possible to
prevent damage to the tapes and player. See “Care
of
Your Cassette Tape Player” in the Index. After you clean
the player, press and hold EJECT for five seconds to
reset the CLN indicator. The radio will display --- to
show the indicator was reset.
3-9

CD Adapter Kits
It is possible to use a CD adapter kit with your cassette
tape
player after activating the bypass feature on your
tape player.
To activate the bypass feature, the ignition must be on.
Turn
your radio off. Press TAPERLAY and hold for
three seconds. After three seconds, the tape symbol in
the display will flash for two seconds indicating the
feature
is active. Turn the radio on and insert
the adapter.
This override feature will remain active until EJECT
is pressed.
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
and Equalizer (I€ Equipped)
Included with the AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape
Player and Equalizer,
are 10 high performance speakers
and an
8 channel, 500 watt amplifier. See your dealer
for details.
3-10

Playing the Radio
VOL: Push this knob to turn the system on and off. To
increase volume, turn the knob clockwise. Turn it
counterclockwise to decrease volume.
RECALL: Display the time with the ignition off by
pressing this knob. When the radio is playing, press this
knob to recall the station frequency.
Finding a Station
AM-FM:
Press this button to switch between AM, FM1
and FM2. The display shows your selection.
TUNE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to
choose radio stations. Push the knob back into its stored
position when you’re not using it.
SEEK: Press the up or down arrow to go to the next
higher or lower station and stay there.
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). Just:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press AM-FM to select the band.
3. Tune in the desired station.
4. 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.
5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
Setting the Tone
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. The middle
position balances
the sound between the speakers.
FADE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to
move the sound to the front or rear speakers. The middle
position balances the sound between
the speakers.
Push these knobs back into their stored positions
when
you’re not using them.
Playing a Cassette Tape
Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are
30 to 45 minutes long on e,ach side. Tapes longer than
that are so thin they may not work well in this play’er.
3-11