parking PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BATTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
.i)
AIR BAG p
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS 6
TURN
PARKING
PC LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
$0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL w,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you
may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
1
HORN )cT
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3

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

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

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.

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

Arming the System
The alarm system can be
armed to detect break-ins
by locking your vehicle
using the key chain
transmitter or by locking
the
doors with the power door
lock switch.
Passive arming is also available,
if you would like the
system to
am all by itself after the doors have been
closed for a short time. When the system
is armed, a red
light will flash briefly once every two seconds. (Note:
If
you return to your vehicle and the red light is flashing
two
brief flashes every two seconds, the system is armed
and the shock sensor had triggered a two minute alarm.
If the red light is flashing three times every two seconds,
the system
is armed and there was an intrusion that
sounded the alarm).
Horn chirps and parking lamp
flashes can be
set to your choice.
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Locking
If all the doors are closed, locking the vehicle with the
transmitter will immediately arm the system. The horn
will chirp twice and the
parking lamps will flash,
confirming that the system
is armed. If any door is open
when the transmitter
LOCK button is pressed, the
system goes into an armed wait mode, waiting for the
doors
to close. Once they are closed, the system will
arm, chirp the horns twice and flash the parking lamps.
If the hatch
is open or ajar at the time the system is
arming, the
horn will only chirp once.
Power Door Lock Switch Locking
If any door is open when the power door lock switch is
pressed, the system goes into an armed wait mode,
waiting for the doors to close. Once they are closed, the
system will arm and flash the parking lamps.
If all of the
doors are closed when the lock switch is pressed, the
system assumes
you are inside the vehicle, so it will not
arm. Note: Locking the doors
by using the manual door
locks will
not arm the system.
2-14

Passive Arming
If the ignition was just turned off and a door was
opened, the system will arm
six seconds after all doors
are closed, whether or not you lock them. In all other
cases, the system will wait 30 seconds after all doors are
closed before arming, allowing you time
to get into the
vehicle and put the key in the ignition. The parking
lamps will flash when the system arms. Passive arming
is not enabled from the factory.
Turning Off the Alarm
Disarming the System
There are two ways to disarm the system:
1. Press the UNLOCK button on the key chain
transmitter. If the horn chirps two or three times
when you unlock the car, the alarm sounded in your
absence. Two chirps means that the shock sensor was
set off and three chirps means that a door or hatch
was opened.
proper key.
2. Turn the ignition to the RUN position with the
For more information on customizing the features
mentioned here, see “Feature Customization” in
the Index.
If you started the alarm by pressing the panic button on
the key chain transmitter, you must either push that
button again or turn the ignition switch to the RUN
position to stop the alarm.
If the alarm is sounding due to the shock sensor or a
door or hatch opening, it can be turned
off by either
turning the ignition switch with a proper key inserted or
by pressing any button on the key chain transmitter. If
you
use your key chain transmitter to silence the alarm,
additional things will happen depending upon which
button you press.
Pressing the UNLOCK button will turn the alarm
off, unlock the driver’s door and disarm the system.
0 Pressing the LOCK button will turn the alarm off,
keep the doors locked and keep the system armed.
Pressing the trunk symbol button twice within five
seconds will turn the alarm off, unlock and disarm
the hatch only.
keep the doors locked and keep the system armed.
Pressing the panic button will turn the alarm off,
If the alarm is sounding because an incorrect ign“’ >n
key was used, press any button on the key chain
transmitter to turn the alarm off.
The alarm will stop by itself after two minutes.
2-15