keyless PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 Owners Manual

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
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

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

Your remote keyless entry system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with
Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of
the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment. This
system has a range
of about 3 feet (1 m) up to
30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a decrease in
range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry
system.
If the transmitter does not work or if you have
to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to
work, try this:
0
0
0
0
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary.
See the instructions that follow.
Check the distance.
You may be too far from your
vehicle.
You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps
to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
If you’re still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.
2-7

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.

Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry
transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t
work at the normal range in
any location. If you have to
get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it’s probably time to change the battery.
Use one battery, type
CR2032, or a similar type.
NOTICE:
When replacing the battery, use care not to touch
any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage
the transmitter.
To replace the battery in the remote keyless
entry transmitter:
1. Carefully pry off the cover by inserting a dime
(or similar object) in the slot between the covers
and twist.
2. Lift off the back cover.
3. Remove and replace the battery. Use one battery,
type
CR2032, or a similar type. Put the new battery
in printed side down.
4. Replace the back cover. Make sure the cover is on
5. Check the transmitter operation. If the transmitter
tightly
so water
won’t get in.
does not work after battery replacement, it may need
to be resynchronized or matched to your vehicle. See
“Synchronization” in the Index.
2-10

Hatch Hatch Release
A CAUTION:
I
It can be dangerous to drive with the hatch open
because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into
your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can
cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the hatch open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the
seal between the body and
the hatch:
Make sure all windows are shut.
0 Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on VENT. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls” in
the Index.
instrument panel, open them all the way.
0 If you have air outlets on or under the
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Your door key opens the hatch from the outside. If your
vehicle has the 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
keyless entry transmitter to open the hatch.
2-11

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?
0
0
0
0
0
0
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.
2-13

Arming the System
The alarm system can be
armed to detect break-ins
by locking your vehicle
using the remote keyless entry transmitter or by
locking the
doors with the
power door lock switch.
Passive arming is
also available, if you would like the
system to arm 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
remote keyless entry 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, the horn chirps twice and the parking
lamps will flash. If the hatch is open or ajar at the time
the system is arming, the horn will only chup 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 the parking lamps will flash. If both
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.
2-15

Passive Arming
If the ignition was just turned off and a door was
opened, the system will arm six seconds after both doors
are closed, whether or not you lock them. In all other
cases, the system will wait
30 seconds after both 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.
Disarming the System
There are two ways to disarm the system:
Press the UNLOCK button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter. If the
horn chqs 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 chqs means that a door
or hatch
was opened.
0 Turn the ignition to RUN with the proper key.
For more information on customizing the features
mentioned here, see “Feature Customization” in
the Index.
’hrning Off the Alarm
If you started the alarm by pressing the panic button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter, you must either push that
button again or
turn the ignition to RUN 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 with
a proper key inserted or by
pressing any button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter. If you use your remote keyless entry
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 dism the system.
Pressing the LOCK button will turn the alarm off,
keep the doors locked and keep the system armed.
Pressing the REAR 2X button twice will turn the
alarm off. A second push of the button (within five
seconds) will unlock
and disarm the hatch only.
0 Pressing the panic button will turn the alarm off,
keep the doors locked and keep the system armed.
If the
alarm is sounding because an incorrect ignition
key was used, press
any button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter to
turn the alarm off.
The alarm will stop by itself after two minutes.