power steering PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 Owners Manual

Ignition Positions
C
1
A i E
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn the
switch to five positions.
ACC (A): Position in which you can operate your
electrical power accessories. Push in the ignition switch
as you turn
it toward you.
LOCK (B): The only position from which you can
remove the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition
and automatic transmission.
If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can’t be turned to
LOCK unless the shift lever is
in
PARK (P).
OFF (C): Unlocks the steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed.
A warning tone will
sound
if you open the driver’s door when the ignition is
off and the key is in the ignition.
RUN (D): Position to which the switch returns after you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays
in RUN when the engine is running. But even
when the engine
is not running, you can use RUN to
operate your electrical power accessories and to display some instrument panel warning and indicator lights.
START (E): Starts the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition will return to RUN for
normal driving.
2-24

If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
Windows
Manual Windows
Turn the window crank handle to open and close each
door window.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
Switches on the driver’s door control each window
when the ignition is on or when
RAP is present.
(See “Retained Accessory Power” in the Index.)
You can open the passenger’s window any amount by
pressing the switch and releasing it when the window
has lowered to the position you want.
The driver’s window has an auto-down feature. This
switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the bottom of the switch
and the driver’s window will open a small amount.
If the
rear of the switch is pressed all the way down and
released, the window will
go all the way down.
To stop the window while
it is lowering, press the top of
the switch.
To raise the window, press and hold the top
of the switch.
Horn
To sound the horn, press either horn symbol on your
steering wheel.
If your horn sounds two or three chirps when unlocking
your vehicle
with the optional remote keyless entry
transmitter, the
alarm was triggered while you were
away. Check the vehicle before entering.
2-45

A. Fog Lamp Switch
B. Main Lamp Control C. Air Vents
D. Instrument Panel Cluster
E. Horn
E Audio System
G. Glove
Box
H. Comfort Controls
I. Cupholders
J. Parking Brake Lever
K. Storage Console
L. Rear Window Defogger Switch
M. Convertible Top Switch (If Equipped)
N. Traction Control System Switch (V8) or Second
Gear Start Switch (V6 Automatic)
0. Cigarette Lighter
P. Shift Lever
Q. Ashtray (Automatic Transmission)
R. Steering Wheel Controls
S. Remote Hatch Release
T. Accessory Power Outlet
2-77

Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be
sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your v\
ehicle.
3-2
3-3
3-4
3-4
3-5
3-6
3-7
3-7
3-8 3-11 Comfort Controls
Air Conditioning
Heating
Defogging and Defrosting
Rear Window Defogger
Ventilation System
Setting the Clock
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
Equalizer (If Equipped)
Monsoonm
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette
Tape Player and Equalizer (If Equipped)
AM-€34 Stereo with Compact Disc Player and
Equalizer (If Equipped)
3-12
3-14
3-17
3-19
3-20
3
-20
3-21
3-22
3-22
3-22
MonsoonTM AM-FM Stereo with Compact
Disc Player and Equalizer
(If Equipped)
Trunk Mounted CD Changer (If Equipped)
Theft-Deterrent Feature
Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
Understanding Radio Reception
Tips About Your Audio System
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
Care of Your Compact Discs
Care of Your Compact Disc Player
Power Antenna Mast Care
3-1

To unlock a secured radio, see “Unlocking the
Theft-Deterrent Feature After
a Power Loss” earlier
in
this section.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio and compact disc functions using
the buttons on
your steering wheel.
VOLUME: Press the up or down arrow to increase or
decrease volume.
PLAY: Press this button to play a cassette tape or
compact disc when the radio is playing.
MUTE: Press this button to silence the system. Press
it again to turn on the sound.
SEEK: Press the up arrow to tune to the next radio
station and the down arrow to tune to the previous radio
station.
If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, the
player will advance with the up arrow and rewind with
the down arrow.
PRESET: Press this button to hear the radio stations
that are set on
your pushbuttons. Pressing this button
while playing a tape
will cause the tape to change sides.
If it is pressed while playing a CD, the CD random
feature can be turned
off and on.
AM-FM: Press this button to select AM, FM1 or FM2.
If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, the tape or
disc will stop playing
and the radio will play. If this
button is pressed with a
CD in the CD changer, the disc
will go to the next selection.
3-19

L
To turn the system off, press
the
TCS switch located at
the front
of the console.
The light on
the switch will go off, and the traction
control system warning light in
the cluster will come on
and stay on.
If the traction control system is limiting
wheel spin when you press the switch, the light on the switch will
go off and the warning light will come on --
but the system won’t turn off right away. It will wait
until there’s no longer a current need to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing
the switch again. The light on the switch should come
on,
and the traction control system warning light
should
go off.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help
you more
than even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each
of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving
on curves. The
traction
of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there’s
no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going
in the same direction. If you’ve ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand
this.
4- 10

Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about
your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6-2
6-3
6-5
6-6
6-8
6-8
6-12
6-18
6-19
6-20
6-24
6-26
6-27
6-3 1
6-32
6-33
Service
Fuel
Fuels
in Foreign Countries
Filling
Your Tank
Filling a Portable Fuel Container Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Air Filter Replacement
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid Hydraulic Clutch
Engine Coolant
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid Brakes 6-37
6-38
6-44
6-53
6-56
6-56
6-57
6-59
6-60
6-6
1
6-62
6-62
6-68
6-68
6-70 Battery
Bulb
Replacement
Tires
Appearance Care
Care of Safety Belts
Cleaning Glass Surfaces
Cleaning the Outside
of Your Vehicle
Cleaning Aluminum
or Chrome Wheels
(If Equipped)
Underbody Maintenance
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants

When you open the hood of the 3800 V6 engine you’ll see:
F a
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Cap
D. Oil Fill Cap
E. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (If Equipped)
E Windshield Washer Reservoir
G. Engine Cooling Fan
H. Air Filter
I. Power Steering Reservoir
J. Engine Oil Dipstick
IS. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Clutch fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)
6-10

When you open the hood of the 5.7L V8 engine you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E. Windshield Washer Reservoir F.
Engine Cooling Fan
G. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick
(If Equipped)
H. Air Filter
I. Power Steering Reservoir
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(If Equipped)

Radiator Pressure Cap (All Engines)
I NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is an 18 psi (124 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, a GM cap
is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, a GM thermostat
is
recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid
reseivoir is locatei toward
the back
of the engine on
the driver’s side.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or you hear
an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace
the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again and
look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
6-31