instrument panel PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2000 User Guide

2-12 Hatch Release
Your door key opens the hatch from the outside. If your
vehicle has the content theft
-deterrent/alarm 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. See
ªContent Theft
-Deterrent/Alarm Systemº in the Index.
Remote Hatch Release
Press the button located
under the lamp control on
the driver's side below the
instrument panel to unlock
the hatch from inside
your vehicle.
If you have an automatic transmission, the shift lever
must be in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to use the
remote hatch release. If you have a manual transmission
and the ignition is in RUN, you must set the parking
brake before you can use the remote hatch release.This button only works when the ignition is in RUN,
ACC or when RAP is present. (See ªRetained Accessory
Powerº 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).
On vehicles with the content theft-deterrent/alarm
system, the remote hatch release button will not work
while the system is armed. See ªContent
Theft
-Deterrent/Alarm Systemº in the Index.
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.

2-14
Content Theft-Deterrent/Alarm
System (Option)
If your vehicle has this option, it has a theft-deterrent
alarm system. Once armed, the system will sound the
horn and flash the parking lamps if the vehicle is
broken into.
Arming the System
The alarm system can be armed to detect break-ins by
locking your vehicle with 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 located on top of the instrument panel will flash
briefly once every two seconds. 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
customized to your personal preference. See ªFeature
Customizationº in the Index.
Turning 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 to RUN with a proper key 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 disarm the system.

Pressing the panic button or the LOCK button will
turn the alarm off, keep the doors locked and keep
the system armed.

Pressing the REAR 2X button will turn the alarm off
and keep the system armed. A second push of the
button (within five seconds, pause slightly between
presses) will unlock and disarm the hatch only.
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.

2-19 Entering Programming Mode
To program any feature, your vehicle must be in the
programming mode. Follow these steps:
1. Put your key in the ignition.
2. Turn the ignition to RUN to disarm the content
theft
-deterrent/alarm system.
3. Turn the ignition to OFF.
4. Remove the RADIO fuse. This fuse is in the main
fuse block, located on the left side of your
instrument panel. When the main fuse block is open,
the RADIO fuse is located in the lower right corner
side of the fuse panel. See ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index.
5. Turn the ignition towards you to ACC.
6. Count the number of chimes you hear. You will hear
one to two chimes depending on the features your
vehicle is equipped with. Refer to the chart
shown previously.
You can now program your choices.
To exit the programming mode, follow the steps listed
under ªLeaving Programming Modeº later in
this section.
Exit Lighting and Delayed Illumination
With exit lighting, your interior lamps will come on for
up to 25 seconds when the key is removed from
the ignition.
With delayed illumination, your interior lamps will
come on and stay on for up to 25 seconds when entering
your vehicle and up to five seconds when leaving
your vehicle.
Programmable Modes
Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the
following modes:
Mode 1: Both Off
Mode 2: Delayed Illumination Only
Mode 3: Exit Lighting Only
Mode 4: Both On
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode 4.

2-20
To change the mode, do the following:
1. Turn the courtesy lamps on by turning the instrument
panel brightness control all the way up.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of
chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set for.
3. Turn the courtesy lamp switch off.
4. Turn the courtesy lamp switch from on to off until
you hear the number of chimes that corresponds to
the mode selection you want.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
Last Door Closed Locking and
Lockout Prevention
These features are designed to help prevent your keys
from being locked in your vehicle.
Programmable Modes
Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the
following modes:
Mode 1: Both Off (Doors will lock/unlock when you
press the power door lock switch.)Mode 2: Lockout Prevention Only (If you leave your
keys in the ignition and leave through the driver's door,
you won't be able to lock the doors with the power door
lock switch.)
Mode 3: Last Door Closed Locking Only (If the power
door lock switch is used to lock the vehicle while any
door is open, you will hear three chimes. The doors will
not lock until after all doors are closed.)
Mode 4: Both On (This combines Mode 2 and 3.)
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode 2.
To change the mode, do the following:
1. Press the power door lock switch on the door.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
3. Press the power door lock switch, again, on the door
until you hear the number of chimes that correspond
to the mode selection you want.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.

2-26
CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key
to LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to OFF. Don't press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
OFF (C): This position 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): The 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.
Even if the engine is not running, ACC and RUN or
when retained accessory power (RAP) is active allows
you to operate your electrical accessories, such as the
radio and ventilation fan. See ªRetained Accessory
Powerº in the Index.

2-47 Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows don't
flash but just stay on as you signal a turn or lane change,
a signal bulb may be burned out and other drivers won't
see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index).
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
When the high beams are
on, this light located on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on.
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or
from high beam to low, pull the turn signal lever all the
way toward you. Then release it.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it, located on the turn
signal/multifunction lever.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the
band on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or
snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time. The
closer to LO, the shorter the delay.

2-51
Ending Out of Cruise Control
There are several ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal or push the clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transmission, or

Move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
The main lamp control is a knob that works these lamps:

Headlamps

Taillamps

Parking Lamps

License Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
This setting turns on your parking lamps and other
operating lamps without your headlamps.
This setting turns on your headlamps and other
operating lamps and lights.
Turn the knob to OFF to turn off the lamps.
Headlamps on Reminder
If you turn the ignition off and leave the lamps on, you
will hear a chime lasting up to five seconds. If the lamps
are still on when you open the driver's door, the chime
will sound again.

2-52 Headlamp Doors
The headlamp doors are designed to open when you turn
the headlamps on and close when you turn the
headlamps off. The headlamp doors can be opened
without turning on the headlamps by turning the
headlamps on, then turning the switch back to the
parking lamps position.
The headlamp doors should be open when driving in icy
or snowy conditions to prevent the doors from freezing
closed, and when washing the vehicle to help clean
the headlamps.
To open the headlamp doors manually:
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the plastic cover from the retractor
motor knob.
3. Turn the retractor motor knob counterclockwise until
the headlamp door is fully open. The knob will get
harder to turn when the headlamp door is all the
way up.
4. Reinstall the plastic cover on the retractor
motor knob.
To manually close the headlamp doors, turn the lamps off
and turn the retractor motor knob clockwise. If the
headlamp doors aren't working properly, see your dealer.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
For Canadian vehicles, a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel automatically turns the headlamps on,
so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system will not activate if the parking brake is
engaged prior to turning the ignition on.
The DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when:

The ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is OFF,

the parking brake is released, and

it is bright enough outside (on Canadian vehicles).

2-53
When the DRL are on, only your front turn signal lamps
will be on. The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps
won't be on. Your instrument panel won't be lit up
either. When you use your turn signals, the front turn
signal and the taillamp of the desired side will flash.
For Canadian vehicles, when it's dark enough outside,
your front turn signal lamps will go out and your
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that come on
with your headlamps will also come on. When it's bright
enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and your
front turn signal lamps will come on.
On a non
-Canadian vehicle, the headlamps have to be
turned on manually when you need them. On Canadian
and non
-Canadian vehicles, when the headlamps are
turned on, the front turn signal lamps will go out. When
you use your turn signals, the front turn signal lamp and
the taillamp on the desired side will flash.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps
Use your fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty
conditions. Your parking lamps must be on or your fog
lamps won't work.
Your fog lamp switch is
located on your instrument
panel located to the left of
the steering wheel.
To turn the fog lamps on, push the right side of the fog
lamp switch and a light on the switch will come on
indicating that the fog lamps are on. Push the left side of
the fog lamp switch to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will go off whenever your high
-beam
headlamps come on. When the high
-beam headlamps go
off, the fog lamps will come on again.
If your vehicle is equipped with the content
theft
-deterrent/alarm system and your fog lamp switch is
on, the fog lamps may flash to indicate operation of the
content theft
-deterrent/alarm system. See ªContent
Theft
-Deterrent/Alarm Systemº in the Index.

2-54
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
The thumbwheel controls the brightness of your
instrument panel lights. Move the thumbwheel to
brighten or dim the lights. If you move the thumbwheel
all the way up, your courtesy lamps will come on.
Courtesy Lamps
When either door is opened, several interior lamps go
on. These lamps are courtesy lamps. They make it easier
for you to enter and leave your vehicle.
Courtesy lamps include two map lamps on the inside
rearview mirror and other lamps throughout the interior
of your vehicle.
To prevent battery rundown, your interior lamps will be
disabled about 10 minutes after the ignition is turned to
OFF. The 10
-minute timer will be restarted if you do
any of the following:

Turn the ignition on.

Open either door.

Press any button on your remote keyless entry
transmitter (if equipped).

Turn the interior lamp switch from off to on.

Open the hatch.