ignition PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual

Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the air bag system. The module records information
about
the readiness of the system, when the sensors are
activated
and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment,
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your
air bag system won’t work properly.
See your
dealer
for service.
I I
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver% or the
right front passenger’s
air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel
or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
S ~ ring Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac
Air bags affect how your Pontiac should be serviced.
There are parts
sf the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Pontiac deal’er and the Firebird Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system.
To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index,
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned of€ and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service, You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid
wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors.
They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure
the person
performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
rhe air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
1-26

Section 2 Features and Controls
~~ ~ ~
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Pontiac, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2
2-4
2-6
2-
10
2-12
2-13
2-1 6
2- 17
2-23
2-23
2-25
2-27 2-28
2-32
2-37
2-3 8
2-40
Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System
Hatch
Theft
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System
Feature Customization New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Switch
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transmission Operation
Manual Transmission
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P)
Parking Your Vehicle
PASS-K@ 11
2-40
2-4 1
2-4
1
2-43
2-43
2-44
2-44
2-5 1
2-54
2-56
2-5
8
2-59
2-60
2-6 1
2-68
2-74
2-77
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Windows
Horn
Tilt Steering Wheel
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Ashtray and Lighter
Sun Visors
Floor Mats
Convertible
Top
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights,
Cages and Indicators
2-1

Keys
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key
is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or others could be badly injured or
even killed.
They
could operate power windows or other
controls or even
make the vehicle move. If they
turned the
ignition to ON and moved the shift
lever out of PARK (a), that would release the
parking brake. Don't leave the keys in a vehicle
with
young children.
2-2

The ignition keys are for the
ignition only.
The door keys are for the
doors and all other locks. The
ignition keys don’t have plugs. Instead they have
bar-coded key tags. These
tags may be removed by
your dealer
or even before the vehicle is delivered to
your dealer.
Each plug has a code on it that tells your dealer or
a
qualified locksmith how to make extra door keys. Keep
the plugs in a safe place.
If you lose your door keys,
you’ll be able
to have new ones made using these plugs.
If you need a new ignition key, contact your Pontiac
dealer who can obtain the correct key code. Remember
to carry the pre-cut emergency key which Pontiac sends
after delivery. In an emergency, call Pontiac Roadside
Assistance at 1-800-ROADSIB
or 1-800-762-3743.
(In Canada, call 1-800-268-6800).
When a new Firebird is delivered, the dealer removes
the plugs from the door keys and gives them to the
first owner.
NOTICE:
Your Pontiac has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot
of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you
have extra keys.

Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
Push the power door lock switch to lock or unlock
both doors at once.
The lock switch works at all times except during
“Lockout Prevention” (if that feature is enabled). The
unlock switch only works when the ignition switch is in
RUN or ACC or when RAP is present, (See “Retained
Accessorv Power”
in the Index.)
Last Door Closed Locking (If Equipped)
If you have power door locks, you can program a Last
Door Closed Locking feature for your vehicle. This
feature allows for a delayed locking
of the doors. This
lets you
and your passengers exit the vehicle after
you’ve pressed the power door lock switch. All
of the
doors will lock once everyone has gotten out of the
vehicle and closed their doors. When the power door lock switch is pressed,
a chime
will sound three times, indicating that Last Door Closed
Locking has been activated. Pressing the
LOCK switch
again will lock the doors immediately. Pressing the
UNLOCK switch will cancel a previously requested
Last Door Closed Locking.
This feature is shipped from the factory in the
off
position. To turn this feature on, see “Feature
Customization” in the Index.
Lockout Prevention (If Equipped)
To protect you from locking your keys in the vehicle,
this feature stops the power door locks from locking
wh’en the keys
are in the ignition and a door is open. If
the power lock switch is pressed when
a door is open, a
chime will sound five times as a reminder to take
the
keys out of the ignition before locking the door. This
feature is shipped from the factory in the
on position. If
you would like to turn this feature off, see “Feature
Customization” in the Index.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set
the locks from the inside. Then get out and
close the door.
2-5

AlarmRanic Mode Operation
The driver’s door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed.
If UNLOCK is pressed again
within five seconds, the passenger door will also unlock.
All doors will lock when
LOCK is pressed.
The hatch will unlock when the button with the trunk
symbol is pressed twice within five seconds, as long as
the ignition is turned to the
OFF position. If the ignition
is on, the trunk symbol button will only work if the
transmission is in
PARK (P) for an automatic
transmission, or if the parking brake is set on a manual
transmission.
The system will turn on the interior lamps for about
40
seconds (or until the ignition switch is turned to the
RUN position), when you unlock the doors or hatch.
The interior lamps will go
off when you lock the doors.
Operating the key chain transmitter may interact with
the Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System
(if you
have this option). See “Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System” in the Index.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System, you will have a fourth button
on your key chain transmitter. This button
is the panic
button. If you are involved in a panic situation, press
this button and your vehicle’s horn will sound and the
parking lamps will flash. This will draw needed
attention to you and your vehicle. To turn this feature
off, either push the panic button again or turn the
ignition to on. Note: This feature will not work if your
ignition is on
or if the key fob is 30 feet (9 m) or more
away from your vehicle.
Transmitter Range
The range of your Remote Keyless Entry system should
be about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m). At times you
may notice a decrease in the range. This is normal for
any Remote Keyless Entry system. If the transmitter
does not work, or you have to stand closer to your
vehicle than normal for the transmitter to work:
0 You may have to replace the battery in
your transmitter. See
the instructions for
battery replacement.
You may be too far from your vehicle. Check your
distance,
You may have to stand closer to your
vehicle in rain or snow.
2-7

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.
2-9

Hatch Release Remote Hatch Release (If Equipped)
Your
door key opens the hatch. If your vehicle has the
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System and the
system is armed, opening the hatch this way will trigger
the alarm. First disarm the system or
use the Remote
Lock Control transmitter
to open the hatch. Press
the switch under the Main Lamp Control to unlock
the hatch from inside your vehicle.
If you have an
automatic transmission, your shift lever must be in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to use the switch.
If you
have a manual transmission and the ignition switch is in
RUN, you must set the parking brake before you can use
the switch.
The switch
only works when the ignition switch is in
RUN or ACC, or when RAP is present. (See “Retained
Accessory Power” in the Index.)
2-11

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

If your vehicle has this option, it has a theft-deterrent
alarm system. Once armed, the system will sound the
horn and flash the parking lamps if the vehicle is
broken into.
Shock Sensor
Coupe Convertible
The shock sensor is what triggers the alarm when it
detects a blow to your vehicle. It
is located over the
right rear wheelhouse near the spare
tire in the hatch
area. There are two levels of alarms via the shock
sensor: Two horn blasts and parking lamp flashes for
non-threatening blows to the vehicle and
a full two
minute alarm for harder blows to the vehicle. Its
sensitivity can be adjusted if more or less sensitivity is
desired. (Note: If sensitivity is increased too much,
it
may give false alarms caused by gusts of wind or other
natural events that may shake the vehicle).
To adjust, remove the label covering the adjustment
knob on the sensor and adjust as desired. Turn clockwise
to increase sensitivity and turn counterclockwise to decrease sensitivity. The shock sensor
is ignored by the
alarm system when the ignition is on, when the hatch is
open, when the alarm is disarmed, when it is customized
to be ignored and for five seconds after
the horn sounds
an alarm or chirp. The shock sensor is ignored after
triggering three full alarms until the system is rearmed.
2-13