PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 Workshop Manual

6. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt while
you push down on the child restraint.
You may find it
helpful
to use your knee to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it
go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for
an adult
or larger child passenger. directions to
be sure it is secure.
Larger Children
a
U
Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle’s safety belts.
Accident statistics show that children
are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat. But
they need to use the
safety belts properly.
Children who aren’t buckled up can be thrown out in
Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other
a
crash.
people who are.
1-44

Never do this.
Here
two children are wearing the same belt. The
belt can’t properly spread the impact forces.
In a
crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured.
A belt must be used by
only one person at a time.
1-45

@ What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is
so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child’s face or neck?
A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s
shoulder,
so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide.
A CAUTION: I
I
I
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child.
If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt’s force would then be applied right on the
child’s abdomen. That could cause serious
or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be
worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child’s thighs.
This applies belt force to the child’s
pelvic bones in a crash.
1-46

Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear,
so the
extender
will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have
it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt
is tom or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look €or any opened or broken air bag covers,
and have
them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a
very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But
if the belts were stretched, as they would be if wom
during
a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage
also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New
parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If
an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier
in this section.

@b NOTES
1-48

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and inform\
ation on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel a\
nd 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
2-11
2-13
2- 14
2-17
2-18
2-23
2-24
2-26 2-29
2-30
2-35
2-39
2-4 1
Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System
Hatch Theft
Content Theft-Deterrent System
(If Equipped)
PASS-Key@
I1
Feature Customization (If Equipped)
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
Automatic Transmission Operation
Manual Transmission Operation
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
2-4 1
2-42
2-42
2-43
2-44
2-45
2-46
2-46 2-52
2-55
2-57
2-58
2-62
2-69
2-76
2-79
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
Parking Brake
Windows
Tilt Steering Wheel
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
%in Lift-off Roof Panels
(If Equipped)
Convertible
Top
Instrument Panel
Waming Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-1

Keys
A CAUTION:
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. Don’t
leave the keys
in a vehicle with young children.
2-2

The ignition keys are
I for the ignition only.
The door keys
are for the
doors and all other locks.
When
a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer removes the
bar coded tags from the door keys and gives them to the
first owner. 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 dealer who
can obtain the correct key code. Remember to carry the
pre-cut emergency key which Pontiac sends after delivery (this service is not available in Canada). In an
emergency, call Pontiac Roadside Assistance at
1-800-ROADSIE or 1-800-762-3743.
(In Canada call 1-800-268-6800.)
I NOTICE:
Your vehicle 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.
2-3

Door Locks
A CAU-ION:
I
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers
-- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When
a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open
it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out
of the vehicle in a
crash
if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you
will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock
and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use
your door key. If your vehicle has
the Content Theft-Deterrent System and it is med,
unlocking and opening a door this way will set off the
alarm. See “Content Theft-Deterrent System” in the Index.

L
To lock the door from the inside, slide the lock control
on the door rearward.
To unlock the door, slide the lock control on the
door
forward.
2-4 ’

Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
Press the power door lock
switch to lock or unlock
both doors at once.
Note: Operating the power door locks may affect the
Content Theft-Deterrent System (if you have this
option). See “Content Theft-Deterrent System” in
the Index.
The lock switch works at all times, except when
“Lockout Prevention” is enabled. The unlock switch
only works when the ignition is in
RUN, ACC or when
RAP is present. (See “Retained Accessory Power” in
the Index.)
Last Door Closed Locking (If Equipped)
If you have power door locks, you can program your
vehicle to have 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 vehicIe and
closed their doors.
When the power door lock switch is pressed, a chime will sound three times, indicating that the Last Door
Closed Locking feature 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.
The vehicle is shipped from the factory with this feature
turned off. To turn this feature on, see “Feature
Customization” in the Index.
2-5