ignition PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 Owners Manual

0 0 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.
NOTICE:
I ~~
If you damage the covering for the driver’s 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
right front passenger’s
air bag. Do not open or
break the
air bag coverings.
~ bag module and the instrument panel for the
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of 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
dealer 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.
CAUTION:
I
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned
off 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.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
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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.
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2-4
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2-17
2-18
2-23
2-24
2-26 2-29
2-30
2-35
2-39
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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)
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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.
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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

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.
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Lockout Prevention (If Equipped)
To protect you from locking your keys in the vehicle,
this feature stops the power door locks from locking
when 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. The
vehicle is shipped from the factory with
this feature
turned
on. 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 inside. Then get out and
close
the door.
Remote Keyless Entry System
If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your hatch from about
3 feet (1 m)
up to about 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless
entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
2-6

Operation AlarWanic Mode
The driver’s door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed. If UNLOCK is pressed again
within five seconds, the passenger’s door will also
unlock. All doors will lock when LOCK is pressed.
The hatch will unlock when the button with
REAR 2X
is pressed twice within five seconds, as long as the
ignition is turned to
OFF. If the ignition is on, the
REAR 2X 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 is turned to RUN), when
you unlock the doors or hatch. The interior lamps will
go off when you lock the doors.
Operating the remote keyless entry transmitter may
interact with the Content Theft-Deterrent System (if you
have
this option). See “Content Theft-Deterrent System”
in the Index.
If you are involved in a panic situation, press the horn
symbol button on your remote keyless entry transmitter
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 horn
symbol 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.
Synchronization
Synchronization may be necessary due to the security
method 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 sent previously. This prevents anyone from recording
and playing back the signal hm the transmitter.
To resynchronize the transmitter with the receiver, stand
close to your vehicle, and at the same time press and
hold the
LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the
transmitter for about eight seconds. The door locks
should cycle and the parking lamps should flash to
confirm synchronization. If this does not happen, you
may need to replace the battery
in your transmitter or
match the transmitter to your vehicle.
2-8

Transmitter Verification (If Equipped)
This feature provides feedback to the holder of the
remote keyless entry transmitter that a command has
been received by the Remote Lock Receiver. The parking lamps will flash on every lock and unlock
command and the horn will sound only if the LOCK
button
is pressed twice within five seconds. This allows
for silent operation of locking and unlocking unless
a
confirming horn chirp is desired. Other options may be
selected
for this feature (see “Feature Customization” 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 only four transmitters
matched
to it.
Have each transmitter you intend to match ready for the
next steps.
To match transmitters to your vehicle:
1. Turn the ignition to RUN, then to OFF. This will
disarm the Content Theft-Deterrent System (if your
vehicle has this option).
2. Remove the RADIO fuse. This fuse is located in the
main fuse block, which is located
on the left side of
your instrument panel. The RADIO fuse is located
on the lower right hand corner of the panel. See
“Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index.
3. Turn the ignition fi-om OFF to RUN three times quickly
(within five seconds). The vehicle
will respond by
locking the
doors, unlocking the driver’s door and
releasing the hatch. Your transmitter is now ready to
match your vehicle. Leave the ignition in RUN.
4. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on
the first transmitter for up to
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
transmitters, replace
the RADIO fuse.
7. Check that all transmitters work by pressing their buttons.
If the transmitters don’t work, or if you’d rather not
match the transmitters yourself, see your Pontiac dealer.

Remote Hatch Release
Press the switch under the
main lamp control below
the instrument panel to
unlock the hatch
from
inside your vehicle. The
switch only works when the ignition switch is
in
RUN, ACC or when RAP is present. (See “Retained
Accessory Power” in the Index.)
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).
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 is in RUN, you must set the parking brake
before you can use the switch. On
vehicles with the Content Theft-Deterrent System,
the hatch switch will
not work while the system is
armed. See Tontent Theft-Deterrent System” in
the Index.
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Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle 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 vehicle 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 storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
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?
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If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
hatch or glove box.
Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.
Close
all windows.
Lock the glove box.
Lock
all the doors except the driver’s.
Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.
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