phone PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 Owners Manual

Accessory Plug
This plug is located inside the front section ahead of the
shift lever in the console. The plug can be used to
connect electrical equipment such
as a cellular phone or
CB radio. Be sure to follow the installation instructions
included with the equipment.
I NOTICE:
When using the accessory plug:
0 The maximum load of any electrical
equipment should not exceed
3 amps.
Be sure to turn off any electrical equipment
when not
in use. Leaving electrical
equipment on
for extended periods can
drain your battery.
We recommend that you see a qualified technician or your
dealer for the proper installation of your equipment.
Floor Mats
Your vehicle’s floor mats are custom-fitted to the floor
wells. Be sure the driver’s floor
mat is in place. If it
isn’t, it could interfere with the accelerator, clutch or
brake pedal.
Twin Lift-off Roof Panels
(If Equipped)
Don’t try try to remove the T-top panels while
the vehicle
is moving. Trying to remove the T-top
panel while the vehicle is moving could cause an
accident. The panel could fall into the
vehicle and
cause you to lose control, or it could
fly off and
strike another vehicle. You or others could be
iqjured. Remove
T-top panels only when the
vehicle is parked.
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Understanding Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for F",
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations
to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms
and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but EM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to come and
go.
Tips About Your Audio System
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until
it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal
can be loud
and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to it.
To help avoid hearing loss or damage:
Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.
Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle
-- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio
-- be sure you can
add what you want. If you can, it's very
important
to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's engine, Delco Electronics radio or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle's systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been
added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.

I
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is:
Drive defensively, Please
start with a very important safety device in your
Pontiac: Buckle up. (See “Safety Belts”
in the Index.)
Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.”
On city streets,
rural roads or freeways, it means
“always expect the unexpected.”
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going
to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Rear-end collisions
are about the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they are common.
Allow enough following
distance. It’s the best defensive driving maneuver, in
both
city and rural driving. You never know when the vehicle in
front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.
Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate on the
driving
task. Anythmg that distracts from the driving
task -- such as concentrating on a cellular telephone call,
reading, or reaching for something on the floor -- makes
proper defensive
driving more difficult and can even cause
a collision, with resulting injury. Ask a passenger to help
do
things like this, or pull off the road in a safe place to do
them yourself. These simple defensive driving techniques
could save your
life.
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Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you’re
going fast enough. When your vehicle
is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or
more
is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on
the road.
If you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
I NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody
of your vehicle. If you
can’t avoid deep puddles
or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room
ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray.
(See “Tires” in
the Index.)
Have good tires with proper tread depth.
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&f Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
Here you will find out how to contact Pontiac if you need as\
sistance. This section also tells you how to obtain service publications and how to report any safety defects.
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Pontiac Cares
What Makes Up Pontiac Cares?
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Pontiac Courtesy Transportation
GM Participation in an Alternative
Dispute Resolution Program 8-
10 Warranty Information
8-10 Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government
8-11 Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
8-11 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
8-11 Ordering Service and Owner Publications in Canada
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Pontiac Cares
-/
With PONTIAC CARES, you are never more than
a phone call away from having your concern taken
care of.
The PONTIAC CARES philosophy and elements are
designed to make you realize that Pontiac recognizes
you as a valuable customer, appreciates
your purchase
decision, and is dedicated to taking care
of the most
important person ... YOU! PONTIAC CARES is: A
valuable feature that comes with every Pontiac, a feature
that offers
a multitude of benefits that can give you
safety, security, comfort
and convenience.
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For prompt assistance, please have the following
information available to give the Customer
Assistance Representative:
Your name, address, home and business
telephone numbers
Vehicle Identification Number (This is available
from the vehicle registration or
title, or the plate at
the top left of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.)
0 Dealership name and location
Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
Nature of concern
We encourage
you to call us so we can give your inquiry
prompt attention. However, if you wish to write Pontiac,
address your inquiry to:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 436008
Pontiac,
MI 48343-6008 In
Canada, write to:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre,
163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H
8P7
Refer to your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information
booklet for addresses of
GM Overseas offices.
When contacting Pontiac, please remember that your
concern
will likely be resolved in the dealership, using the
dealer’s fadities, equipment and personnel. That is why we
suggest you follow
Step One first if you have a concern.
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
To assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or
speech-impaired and who use Text Telephones
(TTYs),
Pontiac has TTY equipment available at its Customer
Assistance Center. Any TTY user can communicate
with
Pontiac by dialing: 1-800-833-PONT. (TTY users in
Canada can dial
1-800-263-3830.)

Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program
Security While You Travel
1-800-ROADSIEE (1-800-762-3743)
As the proud owner of a new Pontiac vehicle, you are
automatically enrolled
in the Pontiac Roadside Assistance
program. This value-added service is
intended to provide
you with peace of mind as you
drive
in the city or travel the open road.
Pontiac’s Roadside Assistance toll-free number is
staffed by a team
of technically trained advisors, who
are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We take anxiety out
of uncertain situations by providing
minor repair information over the phone or making
arrangements to tow your vehicle to the nearest
Pontiac dealer.
We will provide the following services for
3 years/36,000 miles (60 000 km), at no expense to you:
0 Fuel delivery
0 Keys locked in vehicle
0 Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service
Change a flat tire
0 Jumpstarts
0 Courtesy Transportation -- See Pontiac Courtesy
Transportation section for details

We have quick, easy access to telephone numbers of the
following additional services depending
on your needs:
Hotels
Glass replacement
Tire repair facilities
Rental vehicle or taxis
Airports or train stations
0 Police, fire department or hospitals
In many instances, mechanical failures
are covered
under Pontiac’s comprehensive warranty. However,
when other services
are utilized, our advisors will
explain any payment obligations you might incur.
For prompt and efficient assistance when calling, please
provide the following information to give the advisor:
Location of vehicle
0 Telephone number of your location
Vehicle model, year and color
0 Mileage of vehicle
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Vehicle license plate number Pontiac reserves the right
to limit services or
reimbursement to an owner or driver when in Pontiac’s
judgement the claims become excessive in frequency or
type of occurrence.
While we hope that you never have the occasion to
use
our service, it is added security while traveling for you
and your family. Remember, we’re only a phone call
away. Pontiac Roadside Assistance
-- 1-800-ROADSIDD
or 1-800-762-3743.
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the separate brochure provided
by the dealer or call
1-800-268-6800 for emergency services.
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GM Participation in an Alternative
Dispute Resolution Program
This program is available in all 50 states and the District
of Columbia. Canadian owners refer to your Warranty
and Owner Assistance Information booklet for
information on the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration
Plan (CAMVAP). General Motors reserves the right to
change eligibility limitations and/or to discontinue its
participation in this program.
Both Pontiac and your Pontiac dealer are committed to
making sure you are completely satisfied with your new vehicle. Our experience has shown that, if
a situation
arises where you feel your concern has not been
adequately addressed, the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure described earlier in this section is
very successful.
There may be instances where an impartial third party
can assist in arriving at a solution to a disagreement
regarding vehicle repairs
or interpretation of the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
To assist in resolving these
disagreements, Pontiac voluntarily participates in
BBB AUTO
LINE.
BBB AUTO LINE is an out-of-court program
administered by the Better Business Bureau system to
settle automotive disputes. This program is available
free of charge to customers who currently own or lease
a
GM vehicle.
If you are not satisfied after following the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure, you may contact the BBB using
the toll-free telephone number, or write them at the
following address:
BBB AUTO LINE Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard Suite
800
Arlington, VA 22203- 1804
Telephone: 1-800-955-5 100
To file a claim, you will be asked to
provide y8 our name
and address, your Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
and a statement of the nature of your complaint.
Eligibility is limited by vehicle age and mileage, and
other factors.
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