jump start PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that your
brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
ABS
INOP
If there’s a problem with the
anti-lock brake system, this
warning light will stay
on or
flash. See “Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road
is wet.
You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in
front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with
ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one
of the wheels is about to st,op rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at
the
rear wheels.
4-7

Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5-3
5-8
5-14
Hazard Warning Flashers
Jump Starting
Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating 5-26 If a Tire Goes Flat
5-26 Changing a Flat Tire
5-38 Compact Spare Tire 5-39
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
5-1

To turn off the flashers, pull
out on the collar.
When the hazard warning flashers
are on, your turn
signals won’t work.
Other Warning Devices
If YOU carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side
of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
Pontiac. But please use the following steps to do
it safely.
JA NTION:
I
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Trying to start your Pontiac by pushing
or
pulling it could damage your vehicle, even if you
have a manual transmission. And if you have an
automatic transmission,
it won’t start that way.
5-3

1.. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
~~
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
~~~ damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be
sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each oth’er.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection
you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your Pontiac, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
unnecessary accessories plugged into
the cigarette
lighter. Turn
off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
as radios.
This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries.
In addition, it could save your radio!
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
I
An electric fan can start up even WLA the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
5. Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
5-4

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts in them, as your Pontiac does when
it is new.
When you replace parts
of your braking system -- for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
have to have new ones put in
-- be sure you get new
genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your
brakes may no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you’ve come
to expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get
one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take off the black, negative
(-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See
‘‘Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
I 1
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio
system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index.
6-40

We will provide the following services for
3 years/36,000 miles (60 000 km), at no expense to you:
Fuel delivery
Keys locked in vehicle
Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service
Change a flat tire
Jump starts
0 Courtesy Transportation -- See Pontiac Courtesy
Transportation section for details
We have quick, easy access to telephone numbers of the
following additional services depending on
your needs:
Hotels
0 Glass replacement
Rental vehicle or taxis
Police, fire department or hospitals
In many instances, mechanical failures are covered
under Pontiac’s comprehensive warranty. However,
when other services are utilized, our advisors will
explain any payment obligations you might incur. For prompt and efficient assistance when calling,
please
provide the following information to give the advisor:
0 Location of vehicle
Telephone number of your location
0 Vehicle model, year and color
0 Mileage of vehicle
0 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
* Vehicle license plate number
Pontiac reserves the right to limit services
or
reimbursement to an owner or driver when in Pontiac’s
judgement the claims become excessive
in frequency or
type of occurrence.
While we hope that you never have the occasion to use
our service,
it is added security while traveling for you
and your family. Remember, we’re only a phone call
away. Pontiac Roadside Assistance
-- 1-800-ROADSIDE
or 1-800-762-3743.
8-7

Section 9 Index
Accessory Plug ............................. 2-61
AirBag
....................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-25
How it Works ................................ 1-23
Location
.................................... 1-23
Readiness Light
......................... 1.22. 2.78
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-24
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-24
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-18
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-74
Air Control. Climate Control System ................. 3-2
Alarm. Content Theft-Deterrent ................... 2- 13
Alarm/PanicMode ............................... 2-7
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-55
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-64
Antenna. Power
................................ 3-24
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-29
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-80. 4-7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Anti-Theft. Radio
.............................. 3- 19
Appearance Care ............................... 6-58
Servicing ................................... 1- 26 Appearance Care Materials
...... .......... 6-67
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-9
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-59
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control ....... 3-21
Audio Equipment. Adding ........................ 3-22
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-6
Automatic Overdrive ............................ 2-30
Automatic Transmission
Check
...................................... 7-45
Fluid
....................................... 6-22
Operation ................................... 2-28
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-47
Shifting ..................................... 2-28
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-25
Axle. Limited-Slip Rear ......................... 2-36
Axle. Rear
.................................. 6-29
Battery ...................................... 6-40
Jump Starting ................................. 5-3
Warnings
................................ 5-3. 5-5
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-9
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-9
Blizzard . . ... ................. 4-28
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry ............... 2-9

Instrument Panel ............................... 2-74
Brightness Control
............................ 2-54
Cleaning
.................................... 6-61
Cluster ..................................... 2-76
Interior
Lamps ................................. 2-54
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-29
JumpStarting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-45
Key Rele'ase Button ............................. 2-'24
Keys .......................................... 2-2
Labels
Certification
................................. 4-30
Service Parts Identification ..................... 6-68
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-30
Vehicle Identification Number ................... 6-68
Lamps ........................................ 2-51
Courtesy .................................... 2-54
Interior
..................................... 2-54
OnReminder
................................ 2-51
Last Door Closed Locking Feature ............. 2-52- 19
Last Door Closed LockingLockout Prevention ....... 2- 19
Latches, Front Seatback ........................... 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-5
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-39
Lighter ....................................... 2-59
Lights
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-22. 2.78
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning ............ 2.80. 4.7
Brake System Warning ......................... 2-79
Low Coolant ................................. 2-83
Low Traction ............................ 2-82. 4-9
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-8. 2-78
Service Engine Soon .......................... 2-84
Traction Control System Warning
............ 2-8 1. 4-9
Limited-Slip Differential. Rear Axle ................ 6-29
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-30
Lockout Prevention ......................... 2-5, 2-19
CheckGauges
............................... 2-89
LowOil .................................... 2-88
Locks ......................................... 2-4
CyIinders
................................... 7-45
Door ........................................ 2-4
Key Lock Cylinder Service ..................... 7-45
Power Door .................................. 2-5
Steering Column Lock Check ................... 7-47
Low Coolant Light .............................. 2-83
Low Oil Light ................................. 2-88
Low Traction Light ......................... 2-82. 4-9
Lubricants and Fluids ............................ 7-50
Lubrication Service. Body ........................ 7-45
Lumbar Controls ................................ 1-4
Main Fuse Block .............................. 6-70
Maintenance. Normal Replacem'ent Parts ............ 6-75
Maintenance
Record ............................ 7-52
............ 94