reset PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 Owners Manual

Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then apply the brake or clutch pedal. This, of course,
shuts off the cruise control. But you don’t need to
reset it.
Once you’re going about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch from
ON to
R/A (Resume/Accelerate) for about half a second.
You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are three ways to go to a higher speed:
0
0
0
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push the button at the end of the lever, then release
the button and the accelerator pedal. You’ll now
cruise at
the higher speed.
To increase your speed in very small amounts, move
the switch to
R/A for less than half a second and then
release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go
about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Move the cruise switch from
ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want, and
then release the switch.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Push in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
0 To slow down in very small amounts, push the
button for less than half a second. Each time you do
this, you’ll
go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise
control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon
your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When
going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down.
Of course, applying the brake
takes
you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
ABS
INOP
With the anti-lock brake system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and
it will stay
on for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition
off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system.
If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, your vehicle needs service. If the
light is on and the regular brake system warning light
isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have
anti-lock brakes. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System Warning Light
(Option)
This warning light should
come on briefly
as you start
the engine. If the warning
light doesn’t come on
then,
have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there’s
a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on when you’re driving, there
may be a problem with your traction control system and
your vehicle may need service. When this warning light
is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
The traction control system warning light will come on
if
you turn the system off by pressing the TCS button
located in front
of the console, the warning light will
come on and stay on. To turn the system back on,
press the button again. The warning light should go
off. (See “Traction Control System” in the Index for
more information.)
If
the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
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NEXT (2): Press this button or the SEEK up arrow to
search for the next selection on the tape. If you hold the
button, the player will continue moving forward through
the tape. Your tape must have at least three seconds of
silence between each selection for NEXT or SEEK to
work. The tape direction arrow blinks during
NEXT or
SEEK operation. Press NEXT or the SEEK up arrow to
stop searching. The sound will mute during NEXT or
SEEK operation.
PROG (3): Press this button to play the other side
of the tape.
00 (4): Press this button to reduce background
noise. Note that the double-D symbol will appear on
the display.
Dolby Noise Reduction
is manufactured under a license
from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Dolby
and the double-D symbol are trademarks
of Dolby
Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
REV (5): Press this button to reverse the tape rapidly.
Press it again to return
to playing speed. The radio will
play the last-selected station while the tape reverses.
You may select stations during
REV operation by using
SEEK or TUNE.
FWD (6): Press this button to advance quickly to
another part of the tape. Press the button again to return
to playing speed. The radio
will play the last-selected
station while the tape advances. You may select stations
during
FWD operation by using SEEK or TUNE.
AM-FM: Press this button to play the radio when a tape
is
in the player.
TAPEFLAY: Press this button to change to the tape
function when the radio is
on. The tape symbol with an
arrow will appear on the display when the tape is active.
To return to playing the radio, press the
AM-FM button.
E JECE Press this button to remove the tape. The radio
will play.
EJECT may be activated with either the
ignition or radio
off. Cassettes may be loaded with the
radio
off if this button is pressed first.
CLN: If this message appears on the display, the
cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. It will still play
tapes, but
you should clean it as soon as possible to
prevent damage
to the tapes and player. See “Care of
Your Cassette Tape Player” in the Index. After you clean
the player, press and hold EJECT for five seconds to
reset the CLN indicator. The radio will display
--- to
show the indicator was reset.
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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

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat. If they aren’t, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN to indicate
that
you have used your tape player for 50 hours without
resetting the tape clean timer.
If this message appears on
the display, your cassette tape player needs to be
cleaned. It will still play tapes, but you should clean it as
soon as possible to prevent damage to your tapes and
player.
If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a
known good cassette to see if it is the tape or the tape
player at fault. If this other cassette has
no improvement
in sound quality, clean the tape player.
The recommended cleaning method for your cassette
tape player is to use a scrubbing action, non abrasive
cleaning cassette with pads which scrub the tape head as
the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn. The recommended
cleaning cassette is available through your dealership
(GM Part No. 12344789).
When using a scrubbing action, non-abrasive cleaning
cassette, it
is normal for the cassette to eject because
your unit
is equipped with a cut tape detection feature
and a cleaning cassette may appear as a broken tape.
To
prevent the cleaning cassette from being ejected:
1. Turn the ignition to RUN or ACC.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press and hold TAPEPLAY button for three
seconds. The tape symbol
on the display will flash
for two seconds.
4. Insert the scrubbing action cleaning cassette while
the tape symbol is flashing.
5. Eject the cleaning cassette.
When the cleaning cassette
has been ejected, the cut tape
detection feature
is active again.
After you clean the player, press and hold EJECT for
five seconds to reset the CLN indicator. The radio will
display
--- to show the indicator was reset.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality
may degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.
3-21

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

Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade
for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance. Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on
a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer if any
of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know
the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment
parts. This way, you will be sure to have
the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your
Pontiac model.
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