light 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

ix
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
SPEAKER
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

1-8
CAUTION:
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.
Your vehicle has a light that
comes on as a reminder to
buckle up. (See ªSafety Belt
Reminder Lightº in
the Index.)In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here's why: They work.
You never know if you'll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don't know if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn't survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter ... a lot!

1-13
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
Adults
This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about safety
belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller
children and babies. If a child will be riding in your
vehicle, see the part of this manual called ªChildren.º
Follow those rules for everyone's protection.
First, you'll want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.
We'll start with the driver position.
Driver Position
This part describes the driver's restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here's how to wear
it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see ªSeatsº in the Index)
so you can sit up straight.
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don't let it get twisted.
On convertible models, the shoulder belt may lock
if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this
happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it.
Then pull the belt across you more slowly.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

1-23
United States Canada
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG or the air bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See ªAir Bag Readiness Lightº in the Index
for more information.
How the Air Bag System Works
Where are the air bags?
The driver's air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.

1-28
Rear Seat Passengers
It's very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up!
Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear
seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who aren't safety belted can be thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The rear seats have lap
-shoulder belts. Here's how to
wear one properly.
1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don't let it get twisted.
On convertible models, the shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this
happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it.
Then pull the belt across you more slowly.
2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

1-48
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier
in this section.

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).

2-13 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.