PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2000 Manual Online

2-21 Remote Keyless Entry Verification
This feature provides feedback when the vehicle receives a
command from the remote keyless entry transmitter.
Programmable Modes
Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the
following modes:
Mode 1: All Off (The headlamps will not flash and the
horn will not sound to provide you feedback that a
lock/unlock command has been received by the remote
keyless entry transmitter.)
Mode 2: Horn and Lamps/Lamps (Your horn will sound
briefly and your parking lamps will flash when you
press LOCK on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
Only your parking lamps will flash when you press
UNLOCK.)
Mode 3: Horn and Lamps (Your horn will sound briefly
and your parking lamps will flash every time you push
LOCK or UNLOCK.)
Mode 4: Lamps (Your parking lamps will flash every
time you press LOCK or UNLOCK.)Mode 5: Lamps/Horn and Lamps/Lamps (Your lamps
will flash upon the first press on LOCK, your lamps will
flash and your horn will sound upon the second press
on LOCK and your lamps will flash upon any press
on UNLOCK.)
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode 5.
To change the mode, do the following:
1. Press the UNLOCK button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
3. Press the UNLOCK button, again, on the remote
keyless entry transmitter 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.

2-22 Theft-Deterrent Arming Method
With this feature, you can program your vehicle to arm
the content theft
-deterrent/alarm system using the
remote keyless entry transmitter, the power door lock
switch or by passive arming.
Programmable Modes
Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the
following modes:
Mode 1: Alarm System Off (The system will not arm.)
Mode 2: Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Lock
(When you lock your doors using the LOCK button on
the remote keyless entry transmitter, the system will
arm itself.)
Mode 3: Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter/Power
Door Lock Switch (If you use either the LOCK button
on the remote keyless entry transmitter or the power
door lock switch to lock the doors, the system will
arm itself.)Mode 4: Passive Arming and Remote Keyless Entry
Transmitter/Power Door Lock Switch Arming (The
system will arm itself after all doors are closed, plus
arming per Mode 3.)
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode 3.
To change the mode, do the following:
1. Press the unlock 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 unlock 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.

2-23 Theft-Deterrent Arming Verification
With this feature, you can program your vehicle to give
verification when the theft
-deterrent system has
been armed.
Programmable Modes
Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the
following modes:
Mode 1: All Off (No horn chirps or parking lamp flash.)
Mode 2: Horn and Lamps (Your parking lamps will
flash and your horn will chirp twice to verify the system
is armed using any arming method.)
Mode 3: Horn and Lamps/Lamps (If you use the remote
keyless entry transmitter to arm the system, your
parking lamps will flash and your horn will chirp twice
to verify that the system is armed. If it only chirps once,
the hatch is open or unlatched. If you use either the
power door lock switch or passive arming, only your
parking lamps will flash for verification.)Mode 4: Lamps (When your vehicle arms, only your
parking lamps will flash for verification.)
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode 3.
To change the mode, do the following:
1. Press the LOCK button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
3. Press the LOCK button, again, on the remote keyless
entry transmitter 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.

2-24 Driver's Door Alarm Delay and Shock
Sensor Enable
These features will allow you to change when the alarm
system will sound and to turn the shock sensor on or off.
Programmable Modes
Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the
following modes:
Mode 1: Zero Delay and Shock Sensor Disabled
(The alarm will sound immediately if the driver's door
is opened with your key and the shock sensor will not be
available to measure sharp blows to your vehicle.)
Mode 2: Eight
-Second Delay and Shock Sensor
Disabled (The alarm will sound eight seconds after the
driver's door is opened with your key and the shock
sensor will not be available to measure sharp blows to
your vehicle.)
Mode 3: Zero Delay and Shock Sensor Enabled
(The alarm will sound immediately after the driver's
door is opened with your key and the shock sensor will
be available to measure sharp blows to your vehicle.)Mode 4: Eight
-Second Delay and Shock Sensor
Enabled (The alarm will sound eight seconds after the
driver's door is opened with your key and the shock
sensor will be available to measure sharp blows to
your vehicle.)
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode 4.
To change the mode, do the following:
1. Turn the parking lamps on and off.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
3. Turn the parking lamps on and off, again, 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
next in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
Leaving Programming Mode
When programming is complete, turn the ignition to
OFF and reinstall the RADIO fuse.

2-25
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the
long run if you follow these guidelines:

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).

Don't drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn the
switch to five positions.
ACC (A): The 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).

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.

2-27 Key Release Button
If you have a manual
transmission, your
ignition lock has a key
release button.
You must press the key release button to put the ignition
key in the LOCK position before you can take your
key out.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the
parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the
floor and start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the
clutch pedal is not all the way down
-- that's a
safety feature.

2-28 Starting Your 3800 Series II V6 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start right away, hold your key in
START for about three to five seconds at a time until
your engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try to help avoid draining your battery or
damaging your starter.3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor
and holding it there as you hold the key in START for
about three seconds. If the vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, do the same thing, but this time keep
the pedal down for five or six seconds. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine. After waiting about
15 seconds, repeat the normal starting procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.

2-29 Starting Your 5.7L V8 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to
help avoid draining your battery or damaging
your starter.When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0
F or
-18
C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there. When the
engine starts, let go of the key. Use the accelerator
pedal to maintain engine speed, if you have to, until
your engine has run for a while.
2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle
starts briefly but then stops again, do the same thing,
but this time keep the pedal down for five or
six seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from
the engine.

2-30
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
In very cold weather, 0
F (-18
C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.