lock PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owner's Guide

NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn
it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it 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
Automatic Transmission
Move your snm 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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Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (a): 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 roll.
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 Pontiac 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 shift 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.
I NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see
“Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow” 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.
A 1
A CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) 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 of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL
(N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting
out of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the
engine racing isn’t covered
by you warranty.
2-29

SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal 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), FIFTH (5) and
SIXTH (6): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4),
FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (4) 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 you 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. If you
shift from SIXTH (6) into REVERSE (R), the shift lever
must
be first placed in NEUTRAL (N) position centered
between
SECOND (2) and THIRD (3) prior to shifting
into REVERSE (R).
Your six-speed manual transmission has a feature that
allows
you safely to shift into REVERSE (R) while the
vehicle is rolling at less than
5 mph (8 km/h). You will
be locked-out
if you try to shift into REVERSE (R)
while your vehicle is movins fa ’ :r than 5 mph
(8 km/h).
If you have turned your ignition off and want to park
your car
in REVERSE (R), you will have to move the
shift lever quickly to the right, then forward into gear.
2-34

Shift Speeds
If pull skip more than one gear waien you
downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle.
And
you could injure yourself or others. Don’t
shift from SIXTH (6) to THIRD (3), or FIFTH (5:
to SECOND (2) or FOURTH (4) to FIRST (1).
This chart shows when to shift to the next higher gear
for best fuel economy.
I MANUAL TRANSMISSION RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS, IN MPH (kmfh) ,
Engine Acceloratlen Shlft Speed
it02 I 2to3 I 3to4 I 4to5 I St06
(72-75) I N’A 45-47
If your speed drops below 20 mph (30 km/h), or if the
engine is
not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear. You may have to downshift two or
more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or for
good performance.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
If you have this feature, your rear axle can give you
additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It
works like
a standard axle most of the time, but when
one
of the rear wheels has no traction and the other does,
the limited-slip locking feature will allow the wheel
with traction to move the vehicle.
2-36

2.
3.
4.
Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
Move the shift lever
into PARK (P) position by
holding in the button
on the lever and pushing the
lever all the way toward the front
of your vehicle.
Move the ignition key to
LOCK.
Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission
Models Only)
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running,
it could
overheat and even catch fire. You
or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle
with the
engine running unless you have to.
2-39

Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into
PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission.
You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of
PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK
(P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK
(P)” in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle
push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transmission in REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the
parking
brake.
If your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index,
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transmission shift interlock.
You have to fully apply your regular brake before you
can shift from PARK
(P) when the ignition is in the
RUN position.
See “Automatic Trans---’ssion” in
the Index.
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 release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P),
try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
2-40

Windows
Manual Windows
Rotate the window crank handle to open and close each
door
window.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
With power windows, switches on the door control each
window when
the ignition is on or when RAP is present.
(See “Retained Accessory P’ower’’ in the Index.) You
can open the passenger’s window any amount by
pressing the switch and releasing it when the window
has lowered to the position
you want.
The switch for the driver’s window has an express-down
feature. Quickly press and release the switch for the
driver’s window and the window will lower completely.
You can also open the driver’s window any
amount by
pressing the switch again while the window is in the
express-down mode when
it has lowered to the position
you want.
Horn
To sound the horn, press either horn symbol on your
steering wheel.
If your horn sounds two or three chirps when unlocking
your vehicle with the transmitter (if you have that
option), the alarm was triggered while
you were away.
Check the vehicle before entering.
2-43

Tilt Steering Wheel Thrn SignaVMultifunction Lever
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before
you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when
you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to
a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:
0 Turn Signal and Lane Chaaage Indicator
0 Headlamp HighLow Beam Changer and
Passing Signal
Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
Cruise Control (Option)
2-44

Windshield Washer
At the top of the turn signal lever, there’s a paddle with
the word
PUSH on it. To spray washer fluid on the
windshield, just push the paddle for less than a second.
The washer will continue to spray until you release the
paddle. The wipers will clear the window and wipe
a
few more times before stopping or returning to the
previous setting. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in
the Index.
n freezing weather, don’t I : your was1 r until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can
form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of ab’out
25 mph (40 kmh) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise
control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph
(40 kmh).
When you apply your brakes, or push the clutch pedal,
if you have a manual transmission, the ‘cruise control
shuts
off.
2-47