trailer PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Owners Manual

New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition
Switch
NOTICE:
Your modern Pontiac doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
a
a
a
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmh) or
less
for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t drive
at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t
tow a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing
a Trailer’’ in the Index for
more information.
C
I
D
A E
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions.
ACC (A): Position in which you can operate your
electrical power accessories. Press in the ignition switch
as you turn the top
of it toward you.
LOCK (B): The only position in which you can remove
the
key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition an’d
automatic transmission.
2-23

Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (a): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position
to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily,
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on
fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
2-28

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0): This position is for
normal driving.
If you need more power for passing,
and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 kdln), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
accelerator all the way down.
You’ll shift down to
the next gear and have
more power.
- Going about 35 mph (56 kdh) or more, push the
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it
offers more power and lower fuel
economy than
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0);
- When driving on hilly, winding roads.
- When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
- When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower
fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It
can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes
off and 0n.
Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more
than
25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(88 km/h), or you can damage your transmission.
Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@) or
THIRD (3) as much as possible.
Don’t shift into SECUND (2) unless you are going
slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
2-30

I NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parlung on any hill,
see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission Models Only)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see
‘(Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index.
2-38

Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into
PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission.
You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of
PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK
(P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK
(P)” in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle
push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transmission in REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the
parking
brake.
If your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index,
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transmission shift interlock.
You have to fully apply your regular brake before you
can shift from PARK
(P) when the ignition is in the
RUN position.
See “Automatic Trans---’ssion” in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P),
try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
2-40

Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
er have to, here are some things.. .fl,.:?=....v,> tg kngw,. ,:+:-., i::, ,..>?pd; y.
Idling the engine with the air system control off
could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle
(see the earlier Caution under <‘Engine Exhaustss),
Also, idling in
a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CU) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is
at the highest setting. One place
this
can happen is a garage. Exhaust -- with
CO -- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard, (See
“Blizzard” in the Index.)
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake
firmly set, Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly.
You
or others could be injured. ‘Bo be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift PWW to P;ARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
2-42

This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
0
0
Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service
is required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
0 Reducing vehicle speed.
0 Avoiding hard accelerations.
0 Avoiding steep uphill grades.
0 If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light
Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
2-85

Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds\
of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4-2
4-2
4-5
4-6
4-10
4-12
4-13
4- 14
4-15
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss of Control
Driving at Night
4- 17 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4-20 City Driving
4-22 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4-25 Winter Driving
4-32 Towing a Trailer
4-2 1 Freeway Driving
4-23 Hill and Mountain Roads
4-30 Loading Your Vehicle
4-1

Towing a Trailer
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer
is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section.
Ask your Pontiac dealer for
advice and information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your Pontiac
dealer
for important information about towing a
trailer with your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
3800 and 5.7L engines and proper trailer towing
equipment.
To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity
is for your vehicle,
you should read the inforrnation in
“Weight of the Trailer” that appears later in
this section.
But trailering is different than just driving your vehicle by
itself. Trailering means changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering
takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and
that of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before
you pull a trailer.
4-32

Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transmission, rear axle, wheel assemblies and tires
are
forced to work harder against the drag of the added
weight. The engine is required to operate at relatively
higher speeds and under greater loads, generating extra
heat. What’s more, the trailer adds considerably to wind
resistance, increasing the pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
0
0
0
0
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this
information can
be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway
control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
1,000 miles
(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first 500 miles
(800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
50 mph (80 km/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts
of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
0 Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer,
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers (or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h)) to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
0 the weight of the trailer,
0 the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more
than 1,500 pounds (680 kg)
under normal driving conditions.
It should never weigh
more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg) when driven on long
grades at high ambient temperatures. Above
90” F
(32°C). But even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. And,
it can also depend on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
4-33