cooling PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2000 Owners Manual

Service Station Guide
Oil Viscosity
Engine Oil
See Section 6
Premium Fuel Recommended
Use unleaded gas only,
91 Octane or higher.

See Section 6
Cooling System
See Section 5
Hood Release
See Section 6
Windshield Washer
Fluid
See Section 6
Spare Tire Pressure
See Section 5
Battery
See Section 6

For
a More
Detailed Look at
What's Under the Hood
See Section 6
Tire Pressure
See Section 6
V6 Engine Oil
Dipstick
See Section 6
V8 Engine Oil
Dipstick
See Section 6

2-11 Resynchronization
Resynchronization may be necessary due to the security
method used by the remote keyless entry system. The
transmitter does not send the same signal twice to the
receiver. The receiver will not respond to a signal that has
been sent previously. This prevents anyone from recording
and playing back the signal from the transmitter.
To resynchronize the transmitter with the receiver, do
the following:
1. Stand close to the vehicle.
2. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons
on the transmitter at the same time for about
eight seconds.
The door locks should cycle and the interior lamps
should flash to confirm resynchronization.
If this does not happen, you may need to replace the
battery in your transmitter or match the transmitter to
your vehicle. See ªMatching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicleº in the Index.
Hatch
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the hatch open
because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into
your vehicle. You can't see or smell CO. It can
cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the hatch open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and
the hatch:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on VENT. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See ªComfort Controlsº in
the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.

3-
3-1
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 vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-3 Cooling
3
-3 Heating
3
-4 Defogging and Defrosting
3
-4 Rear Window Defogger
3
-5 Ventilation System
3
-6 Audio Systems
3
-6 Setting the Clock
3
-6 Monsoon
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette
Tape Player and Equalizer
3
-10 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
and Equalizer (If Equipped)3
-12 Trunk Mounted CD Changer (Option)
3
-17 Theft-Deterrent Feature
3
-19 Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
3
-20 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-20 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-21 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-22 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-22 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-23 Power Antenna Mast Care

3-2
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the heating, air
conditioning and ventilation in your vehicle.
Your vehicle also has the flow
-through ventilation
system described later in this section.
Fan Control Knob
Turn the fan knob to select the force of air
you want.Temperature Control Knob
Turn the center knob to change the temperature of the air
flowing from the system. Turn it toward the red (clockwise)
for warmer air and toward the blue (counterclockwise)
for cooler air.
Air Control Knob
OFF: The system is off.
MAX: This setting provides maximum cooling or quick
cool
-down on very hot days. This setting recirculates
most of the air inside your vehicle. If it is used for long
periods of time the air may become dry. This setting
directs air through the upper air vents.
A/C: Use A/C for normal cooling on hot days. This
setting cools outside air and directs it through the upper
air vents.
The air conditioner compressor operates in MAX, A/C,
bi
-level, blend and defrost when the outside temperature
is above freezing. When the air conditioner is on, you
may sometimes notice slight changes in your vehicle's
engine speed and power due to the operation of
the compressor.

3-3
BI-LEVEL: Air is directed through the upper air
vents and the heater ducts.
VENT: Air flows through the upper air vents.
HEATER: This setting directs most of the air
through the heater ducts and some of the air through the
windshield defroster vents.
BLEND: Air is directed through the windshield
defroster vents and the heater ducts.
DEFROST: This setting directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster vents and some of the
air through the heater ducts.
Cooling
The air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows
just long enough for the hot air to escape.
1. Turn the air control knob to A/C for normal cooling.
For faster cooling, turn the knob to MAX.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it.
1. Turn the air control knob to heater.
2. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
3. Turn the temperature control knob to a
comfortable setting.
During initial start
-up only, if your vehicle is equipped
with an optional engine coolant heater, you can use it in
cold weather (around +20
F/
-8
C or lower) to improve
heater performance on initial start up. See ªEngine
Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Bi
-Level Heating
You may want to use bi
-level heating on cool, but sunny
days. This setting directs cool air toward your body and
warmer air toward your feet.
1. Turn the air control knob to bi
-level.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.

3-5 Ventilation System
Adjust the direction of airflow by moving the vents.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside air
will also enter the vehicle when the blower fan is running.
For mild outside temperature when little heating or
cooling is needed, you can still direct outside air through
your vehicle.1. Turn the air control knob to vent.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan control knob clockwise for a few moments
before driving off. This helps clear the intake ducts
of snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of
fogging the inside of your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.

4-25
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.

Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Shift down to let your
engine assist your brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.

Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down
to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine
and transmission, and you can climb the hill better.

Stay in your own lane when driving on two
-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide or
cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds
that let you stay in your own lane.

As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.

You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of
special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or
no
-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding
roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.

4-38
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to PARK (P), or REVERSE (R)
for a manual transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

Start your engine;

Shift into a gear; and

Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid
(don't overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, drive belts,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help you
find them quickly. If you're trailering, it's a good idea
to review this information before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

5-
5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-3 Other Warning Devices
5
-3 Jump Starting
5
-7 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-8 Engine Overheating5
-11 Cooling System
5
-22 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-23 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-33 Compact Spare Tire
5
-33 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

5-11
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.