automatic transmission PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2000 Owners Manual

Table of Contents
Keys and Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Hatch
Automatic Transmission (If Equipped)
Manual Transmission Operation (If Equipped)
Parking Brake
Windows
Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction LeverWindshield Wipers
Cruise Control
Interior and Exterior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Cargo Cover
Accessory Power Outlet
Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and Gages Seats and Seat Controls
Safety BeltsAir Bag System
Child Restraints
Section
1
Section
2
Seats and Restraint Systems
Features and Controls
ii

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2-4 Door Locks
2-6 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2-11 Hatch
2-12 Theft
2-14 Content Theft-Deterrent/Alarm
System (Option)
2
-17 PASS-Key
II
2-25 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2-25 Ignition Positions
2-27 Starting Your Engine
2-30 Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
2-32 Automatic Transmission Operation
2-35 Manual Transmission Operation
2-39 Parking Brake
2-40 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-42 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)2
-42 Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission)
2-43 Parking Over Things That Burn
2-43 Engine Exhaust
2-44 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-44 Limited-Slip Rear Axle
2-45 Windows
2-46 Tilt Wheel
2-46 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2-51 Exterior Lamps
2-54 Interior Lamps
2-56 Mirrors
2-57 Storage Compartments
2-61 T-Top Roof Panels (If Equipped)
2-68 Convertible Top (If Equipped)
2-76 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-80 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-8 Operation
The driver's door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed on the transmitter. If UNLOCK is
pressed again within five seconds, the passenger's door
will also unlock. All doors will lock when LOCK
is pressed.
The hatch will unlock when the REAR 2X button on the
transmitter is pressed twice within five seconds (pause
slightly between presses) and as long as the ignition is
turned to OFF. If the ignition is on, the REAR 2X button
will only work if the transmission is in PARK (P) for an
automatic transmission, or if the parking brake is set on
a manual transmission.
The system will turn on the interior lamps for about
40 seconds (or until the ignition is turned to RUN),
when you unlock the doors or hatch. The interior lamps
will go off when you lock the doors.
Operating the remote keyless entry transmitter may
interact with the content theft
-deterrent/alarm system
(if equipped). See ªContent Theft
-Deterrent/Alarm
Systemº in the Index.Alarm/Panic Mode
If you are involved in a panic situation, press the horn
symbol button on your remote keyless entry transmitter
and the horn will sound and the parking lamps will
flash. This will draw needed attention to you and your
vehicle. To turn this feature off, either push the horn
symbol button again or turn the ignition key to RUN.
This feature will not work if your ignition is on or if the
transmitter is 30 feet (9 m) or more away from
your vehicle.
Transmitter Verification (If Equipped)
This feature provides feedback to the holder of the
remote keyless entry transmitter that a command has
been received by the keyless entry receiver. The parking
lamps will flash on every lock and unlock command and
the horn will sound only if the LOCK button is pressed
twice within five seconds. This allows for silent
operation of locking and unlocking, unless a confirming
horn chirp is desired. Other options may be selected for
this feature (see ªFeature Customizationº in the Index).

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.

2-13 Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition. If you take the key with you, and you have an
automatic transmission, it will be locked. And remember
to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it's best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key?

If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.

Close all windows.

Lock the glove box.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.

Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.

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.

2-32
Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It's the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index. If
you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.

2-33
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
and also release the shift lever button on floor shift
console models as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever on floor
shift console models.) See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º
in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to REVERSE (R) only
after your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.