cooling PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual

NOTICE:
When replacing the battery, use care not to touch
any
of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred
to these surfaces may damage
the
transmitter.
To replace the battery in the key chain transmitter:
1. Carefully pry off the cover by inserting a dime (or
2. Lift off the back cover.
3. Remove and repla’ce the battery. Use one battery,
similar object) in a slot between the covers and twist,
type CR2032, or a sirnilar type. Put the new battery
in printed side down.
tightly s0 water won’t get in.
does not work after battery replacement, it may need
to be resynchronized or matched
to your vehicle. See
“Synchronization” in the Index.
4. Replace the back cov’er. Make sure the cover is on
5. Check the transmitter operation. If the transmitter
Hatch
It can be dangerous to drive with the hatch open
because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into
your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell CO, It can
cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the hatch open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and
the hatch:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan your heating or cooling
system to
its highest speed with the setting on
VENT, That will force outside air into your
vehicle. See ‘‘Comfort Controls” in the Index.
instrument
paad, open them all the way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See
‘(Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
2-10

Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your Pontiac.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3-2
3-3
3-3
3-4
3-4
3-4
3
-4
3-5
3-5
3-6
3 -6
3-7
Comfort Controls
Air Conditioning
Cooling
Heating
Bi-Level Heating
Ventilation
Defogging and Defrosting
Rear Window Defogger
Ventilation System
Audio Systems Setting the Clock
for All Systems
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
3-10
3- 14
3-16
3-19
3-2
1
3-22
3-22
3-23
3-23
3-24 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette
Tape Player
and Equalizer
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
and Equalizer
Trunk Mounted
CD Changer
Theft-Deterrent Feature
Steering Wheel Controls
Understanding Radio Reception
Tips About Your Audio System
Care
of Your Cassette Tape Player
Care
of Your Compact Discs
Power Antenna Mast Care
3-1

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

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can
make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These
parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know
is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a
steep or long kill.
Coasting downhill! in NEUTRAL (N) or with
the ignition
off is dangerous. Your brakes will
have to do all the work of slowing
down. They
could get
so hot that they wouldn’t work well.
You would then have poor braking or even
none
going down a hill. You c’ould crash. Always have
your engine running and your vehicle in gear
when you! go downhill.
then have poor braking or even none going
down
a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let
your engine assist your brakes on a steep
4-24

Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and
the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet, or into gear for a manual transmiss’ion.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3, When the wheel C~OGBS are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes, Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to
PARK (P), or REVERSE (R)
for a manual transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while
you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation
are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly,
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before
you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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..
A. Cool - ~ : Zecovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Fan
I /A CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing
and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside th'e coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't
do anything else until it cools down.
When it is cool, remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and look at the dipstick.
The coolant l'evel should be at
FULL COLD.
If it isn't, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
5-16

Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run
the engine,
it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fans are running. If the engine
is overheating, both fans should be running. If they
aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at
FULL COLD add a 50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free)
antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine,
Coolant’’
in the Index for more information.)
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain
water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you
or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and DEX-COOL@coolant.
5-17

NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant
mix.
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine. 1
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at
FULL COLD start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to
the radiator but be sure the cooling system is
cool before you do it.
~
1 A CAUTION:
Steam and sc’alding liquids from a hot cooling
system can
blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and
if you turn the pressure
cap
-- even a little I- they can come out at high
speed. Never turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap to
cool if
you ever have to turn the pressure cap.
5-18