ESP PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 1997, Model line: FIREBIRD, Model: PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997Pages: 410, PDF Size: 19.2 MB
Page 19 of 410

Here Are Questions Many People Ask
About Safety Belts -- and the Answers
QZ Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an
accident if
I’m wearing a safety belt?
A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety
belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt,
even
if you’re upside down. And your chance of
being conscious during and after an accident, so
you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if
you are belted.
If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to
wear safety belts?
A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in
most of them in the future. But they are
supplemental systems only;
so they work with
safety belts -- not instead of them. Every air bag
system ever offered for sale has required the use of
safety belts.
Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air
bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most
protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions,
but esp’ecially in side and other collisions.
If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from
home, why should I wear safety belts?
A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an
accident
-- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and
your passengers
can be hurt. Being a good driver
doesn’t protect you
from things beyond your
control, such
as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within
25 miles (40 km) of
home. And the greatest number of serious injuries
and deaths occur at speeds
of less than 40 mph
(65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
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Page 53 of 410

Door Locks
A CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers
-- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you
will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your door key,
If your vehicle has
the Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System and it
is armed, unlocking and opening a door
this way will set
off the alarm.
See “Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent
System”
in the Index.
‘4 -- I
From the inside, to lock the door, move the lock control
on the door rearward.
To unlock the door, move the lock control on the door
forward.
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Page 57 of 410

0
0
0
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects
may be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to
the right or left.
You may have to synchronize your transmitter
to the receiver in your vehicle. See instructions
for synchronization.
You may have to match the transmitters to your
vehicle. See instructions.
If none of the above apply, see your dealer or
qualified technician for service.
Synchronization
Synchronization may be necessary due to the security
metho’d used
by the Remote Keyless Entry system. The
transmitter does not send the same signal twice to the
receiver.
The receiver will not respond to a signal it has
been s’ent previously.
This prevents anyone from recoding
and playing
back the signal fiom the transmitter. To
resynchronize the transmitter with the receiver:
While standing close to your vehicle, simultaneously
press and hold the
LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on
the transmitter for eight seconds. The door locks
should cycle and parking lamps flash
to confirm
synchronization. If this does not happen, you may
need
to replace the battery in your transmitter.
Transmitter Verification (I€ Equipped)
This feature provides feedback to the holder of the remote
keyless entry transmitter that a command has been
received by the keyless entry receiver.
The parking larnps
will
flash on every lock and unlock command and the horn
will sound only if the
LOCK button is pushed twice within
five seconds.
This allows for silent operation of locking
and unloclung unless
a confirming horn chxp is desired.
Other options may be selected for
this feature (see
“Feature Custornization” in the Index).
Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be
purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any
remaining transmitters with you when you go to your
dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle,
any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer
has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your
vehicle. Each vehicle can have up
to four transmitters
matched to it.
Page 58 of 410

Have each transmitter you intend to match ready for the
next steps. To match transmitters to your vehicle:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position then to
the
OFF position. This will disarm the Vehicle and
Content Theft-Deterrent System (if your vehicle has
this option).
2. Remove the RADIO fuse. This fuse is located in the
main fuse block, located on the left side of your
instrument panel. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index.
3. Turn the ignition switch from the OFF to the RUN
position three times quickly (within five seconds).
The vehicle will respond by locking the doors,
unlocking the driver’s doors and releasing the hatch.
Your transmitter is now ready to match your vehicle.
4. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on
the first transmitter for 15 seconds. The vehicle will
respond as in Step
3.
5. Repeat Step 4 for the remaining transmitters.
6. When you have finished matching all of your
7. Check that all transmitters work by pressing their buttons.
transmitters,
replace the
RADIO fuse.
If the transmitters don’t work, or if you’d rather not
match the transmitters yourself,
see your Pontiac dealer.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your key chain
transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t
work at the normal range in any location.
If you have to
get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it’s probably time to change the battery.
Use one battery, type
CR2032, or a similar type.
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Page 61 of 410

NOTICE:
If you put things in the hatchback area, be sure
they won’t break the glass when
you close it.
Never slam the
hatch down. You could break the
glass
or damage the defogger grid (if equipped).
On vehicles with the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System: The hatch switch will not work
while the system
is armed. See “Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System” in the
Index.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Pontiac has
a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put
on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it. When
you park
your Pontia’c and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition.
If you have an automatic transmission, taking
your key out also locks your transmission. And
remember to lock the
doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables
out of sight.
Put them in a storag-e area. or take them with vou.
Par ng ,ots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to
lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have
to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your glove
box.
Lock the glove box.
a Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
Then take the door key and Remote Keyless Entry
keychain with
you.
2-12
Page 67 of 410

To program features, your vehicle must be in the
programming mode. Follow these steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Put your key in the ignition.
Turn the ignition to the
RUN pos’ition to disarm the
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System.
Turn the ignition
to the OFF position.
Remove the RADIO
fuse. This fuse is in the main
fuse block, located on the left side of your
instrument panel. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index.
Put the ignition in the
ACC position:
You should hear
a chime to verify that the system is
in programming mode.
If the chime sounds once,
you will be able
to program Exit Lighting, Delayed
Illumination, Last Door Closed Locking and Lockout
Prevention only.
If the chime sounds twice and your
vehicle is equipped with the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System,
you will also be able to set
Remote
Lock Control Verification, Arming Method,
Arming Verification, Driver’s Door Delay and Shock
Sensor Enable.
Exit Lighting and Delayed Illumination
Exit Lighting: Your interior lights will come on for
up to
25 seconds when the key is removed from the
ignition switch.
Delayed Illumination: Your interior lights will stay
on
for up to 25 seconds when entering your vehicle and up
to five seconds when leaving your vehicle.
Your vehicle comes with both features enabled (Mode
4).
To change the factory setting, do the following:
1. Turn the courtesy lamps on by turning the instrument
panel brightness control knob all the way up.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of
chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set for.
3. Turn the courtesy lamp switch to off.
4. Turn the courtesy lamp switch from on to off until
you hear the number of chimes that correspond to the
mode selection
you want.
Mode 1: Both Off
Mode 2: Delayed Illumination Only
Mode 3: Exit Lighting Only
Mode 4: Both On
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Page 68 of 410

Last Door Closed Locking and
Lockout Prevention
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 2. This
means that your power door locks will not lock when
the keys are in the ignition and a door is open. To
change the factory setting, do the following:
1. Press the LOCK switch on the door.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of
chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set for.
3. Press the LOCK switch on the door until you hear
the number
of chimes that correspond to the mode
selection you want.
Mode 1: Both O€€ (Doors will 1ocWunlock when you
press the power door lock switch).
Mode 2: Lockout Prevention Only (If you leave your
keys in the ignition and get out the driver’s door, you
won’t be able
to lock the doors with the power door
lock switch).
Mode 3: Last Door Closed Locking Only (If the power
door lock switch is used to lock the vehicle while any
door is open, you will hear three chimes. The doors will
not lock until after all doors are closed).
Mode 4: Both On (This combines Mode 2 and 3).
Remote Keyless Entry Lock Verification
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 5. This
means that when you
use the key chain transmitter to
lockhnlock your vehicle, your parking lamps will flash
briefly upon the first push
on LOCK. Your horn will
sound briefly, your parking lamps will flash briefly upon
the second push on LOCK and your parking lamps will
flash briefly upon any push on UNLOCK.
To change the
factory setting, do the following:
1. Press the UNLOCK switch on the Remote Keyless
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
Entry transmitter.
3. Press the UNLOCK switch on the Remote Keyless
Entry transmitter until you hear the number
of
chimes that correspond to the mode selection
you want.
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Page 69 of 410

Mode 1: All Off (The headlamps will not flash and the
horn will not sound
to provide you feedback that a
lock/ud~& command has been received by the Remote
Lock Control transmitter).
Mode 2: Horn and LampdLamps (Your horn will sound
briefly and your parking lamps will flash when you
press
LOCK on the key chain transmitter. Only your
parking lamps will flash when you press
UNLOCK).
Mode 3: Horn and Lamps (Your horn will sound briefly
and your parking lamps will flash every time you push
LOCK and
UNLOCK).
Mode 4: Lamps (Your parking lamps will flash every
time
you push LOCK and UNLOCK),
Mode 5: Lamps/Horn and Lamps/Lamps (Your
lamps will flash
upon the first push on LOCK, your
lamps will flask and
your horn will sound upon the
second push on
LOCK and your lamps will flash upon
any push on
UNLOCK).
Theft-Detlerrent Arming Method
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 3. This
means that both your key chain transmitter and the
power door lock switch will actively arm the system.
To
change the factory setting, do the following:
1. Press the UNLOCK switch on the door.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of
chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set for,
3. Press the UNLOCK switch on the door until you
hear the number
of chimes that correspond to the
mode selection
you want.
Mode I: Alarm System Off (The system will not arm).
Mode 2: Key Chain Transmitter Lock (When you lock
your doors using the Key Chain Transmitter, the system
will arm itself).
Mode 3: Key Chain TransmittedPower Door Lock
Switch
(If you use either the Key Chain Transmitter or
the power door
lock switch to lock the doors, the system
will arm itself).
Mode 4: Passive arming and Remote Lock Control
Transmitter/Power Door Lock Switch Arming
(The
system will arm itself after all doors are closed plus
arming per;mg&
3).
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Page 70 of 410

Theft-Deterrent Arming Verification
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 3. This
means that if you arm the system using the key chain
transmitter, your parking lamps will flash and your horn
will chirp twice to verify that the system is armed. If it
only chirps once, the hatch is open or unlatched. If you
arm the
system using either the power door lock switch
or by passive arming, only the parking lamps will flash
for verification. To change the factory setting, do
the following:
1. Press the LOCK switch on the key chain transmitter.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
3. Press the LOCK switch on the key chain transmitter
until you hear the number of chimes that correspond
to the mode selection
you want.
Mode 1: All Off (No horn chirps or parking lamp flash).
Mode 2: Horn and Lamps (Your parking lamps will
flash and your horn will chirp twice to verify the system
is armed using any arming method).
Mode 3: Horn and Lamps/Lamps (If you use the key
chain transmitter to arm the system, your parking lamps
will flash and your horn will chirp twice to verify that
the system is armed. If you use either the power door
lock switch or passive arming, only your lamps will
flash for verification).
Mode 4: Lamps (When your vehicle arms, only your
parking lamps will flash for verification).
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Page 71 of 410

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.
2-22