PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Manual PDF

Driver’s Door Alarm Delay and Shock
Sensor Enable
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 4.
This means that if you open the driver’s door using
your key, the alarm will not sound
for eight seconds.
Also the shock sensor, able
to detect sharp blows to
your vehicle, is active.
To change the factory setting, do
the following:
1. Turn the parking lamps
on and off,
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
3. Turn the parking lamps on and off until you hear the
number of chimes that correspond to the mode
selection you want.
Mode 1: Zero Delay and Shock Sensor Disabled (The
alarm will sound immediately
if the driver’s door is
opened with your
key and the shock sensor will not be
available to measure sharp blows to your vehicle).
Mode 2: Eight Second Delay and Shock Sensor
Disabled (The alarm will sound eight seconds after the
driver’s door is opened with your key and the shock
sensor will not be available to measure sharp blows to
your vehicle),
Mode 3: Zero Relay and Shock Sensor Enabled (The
alum will sound immediately after the driver’s door is
opened with your key and the
shock sensor will be
available
to measure sharp blows to your vehicle).
Mode 4: Eight Second Delay and Shock Sensor Enabled
(The alarm will
sound eight seconds after the driver’s
door is
opened with your key and the shock sensor will
be available to measure sharp
blows to your vehicle).
Leaving Programming Mode
When programming is done, turn the ignition switch to
the
OFF position and replace the RADIO fuse.
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New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition
Switch
NOTICE:
Your modern Pontiac doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
a
a
a
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmh) or
less
for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t drive
at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
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.
Don’t
tow a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing
a Trailer’’ in the Index for
more information.
C
I
D
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.
LOCK (B): The only position in which you can remove
the
key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition an’d
automatic transmission.
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If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can’t be turned to
LOCK unless the shift lever is
in the PARK (P) position.
OFF (C): Unlocks the steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle
must be pushed or towed. A warning tone will
sound if you open the driver’s door when the ignition is
in OFF and the key is in the ignition.
RUN (D): Position to which the switch returns after you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the
RUN position when the engine is running,
But even when the engine is not running, you can
use RUN to operate your electrical power accessories
and to display some instrument panel warning and
indicator lights.
START (E): Starts the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch will return to RUN
€or normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, ACC and
RUN allow you to operate your electrical accessories,
such
as the radio and ventilation fan.
Key Release Button
If you have a manual
transmission, your ignition
lock has a key release
button.
You must press the
button before you can take
your key out
of the
ignition
lock.
On manual transmission vehicles, turn g the key
to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in a loss
of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause
a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to OFF. Don’t press the key release button while
the vehicle
is moving.
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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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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.
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. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped) 3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause
an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least
15 amps.
In very cold weather, 0°F (- 18 "C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in
a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To Use the Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away from
hot pipes, manifold or any moving engine parts. If
' you don't, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind
of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Pontiac dealer in the area where you'll be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for
that particular area.
2-27

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.
2-28

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

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0): This position is for
normal driving.
If you need more power for passing,
and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 kdln), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
accelerator all the way down.
You’ll shift down to
the next gear and have
more power.
- Going about 35 mph (56 kdh) or more, push the
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 (0);
- When driving on hilly, winding roads.
- When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
- When going down a steep hill.
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 0n.
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 (@) or
THIRD (3) as much as possible.
Don’t shift into SECUND (2) unless you are going
slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
2-30

FIRST (1): This position (if equipped) gives you
even more power (but lower fuel economy) than
SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in
deep snow or mud. If the selector lever is put in first
gear, the transmission won’t shift into
FIRST (1) until
the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold your
vehicle there
with only the accelerator pedal. This
could overheat and damage the transmission. Use
your brakes or shift into
PARK (P) to hold your
vehicle in position on
a hill.
Maximum engine speed is limited to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
Second-Gear Start (If Equipped)
(3800 Engine)
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.
A light on the switch will illuminate when the
2nd gear start
is selected. 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.
2-31