phone PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2000 Owners Manual

2-60
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors.
You can also swing them to the side.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Pull down the sun visor and lift the cover to expose the
vanity mirror.
Accessory Power Outlet
The accessory power outlet is located behind a closed
lid in front of the parking brake on the console. The plug
can be used to connect electrical equipment such as a
cellular phone or a CB radio. Be sure to follow the
installation instructions included with the equipment.
NOTICE:
When using the accessory power outlet:

The maximum load of any electrical
equipment should not exceed 3 amps.

Be sure to turn off any electrical equipment
when not in use. Leaving electrical
equipment on for extended periods can
drain your battery.
We recommend that you see a qualified technician or your
dealer for the proper installation of your equipment.
Floor Mats
Your vehicle's floor mats are custom-fitted to the floor
wells. Be sure the driver's floor mat is in place. If it
isn't, it could interfere with the accelerator pedal, brake
pedal or with the clutch pedal on manual transmissions.

3-20 Understanding Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to come and go.
Tips About Your Audio System
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud
and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to it.To help avoid hearing loss or damage:

Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.

Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle
-- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two
-way radio -- be sure you can
add what you want. If you can, it's very
important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's engine, Delphi Delco Electronics
radio or other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle's systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been
added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.

4-2
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is:
Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your
vehicle: Buckle up. (See ªSafety Beltsº in the Index.)Defensive driving really means ªbe ready for anything.º
On city streets, rural roads or freeways, it means
ªalways expect the unexpected.º
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Rear
-end collisions are about the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough
following distance. It's the best defensive driving
maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never
know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake
or turn suddenly.
Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate on
the driving task. Anything that distracts from the driving
task
-- such as concentrating on a cellular telephone call,
reading, or reaching for something on the floor
-- makes
proper defensive driving more difficult and can even cause
a collision, with resulting injury. Ask a passenger to help
do things like this, or pull off the road in a safe place to do
them yourself. These simple defensive driving techniques
could save your life.

4-20
Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on
the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops ªdimpleº the
water's surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn't a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine's air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If you
can't avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
If you try to drive through flowing water, as you
might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can be
carried away. As little as six inches of flowing
water can carry away a smaller vehicle. If this
happens, you and other vehicle occupants could
drown. Don't ignore police warning signs, and
otherwise be very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips

Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room
ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray.

Have good tires with proper tread depth.
(See ªTiresº in the Index.)

8-
8-1
Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
Here you will find out how to contact Pontiac if you need assistance. This section also tells you how to obtain service
publications and how to report any safety defects.
8
-2 Pontiac Cares
8
-3 What Makes Up Pontiac Cares?
8
-3 Customer Satisfaction Procedure
8
-5 Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users
8
-5 Customer Assistance Offices
8
-7 GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
8
-8 Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program
8
-9 Canadian Roadside Assistance8
-10 Courtesy Transportation
8
-11 Warranty Information
8
-12 Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government
8
-12 Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
8
-13 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
8
-13 Ordering Service and Owner Publications
in Canada

8-2
Pontiac Cares
With PONTIAC CARES, you are never more than
a phone call away from having your concern taken
care of.The PONTIAC CARES philosophy and elements are
designed to make you realize that Pontiac recognizes
you as a valuable customer, appreciates your purchase
decision, and is dedicated to taking care of the most
important person ... YOU! PONTIAC CARES is: A
valuable feature that comes with every Pontiac, a feature
that offers a multitude of benefits that can give you
safety, security, comfort and convenience.

8-5
The BBB Auto Line Program is an out of court program
administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus to
settle automotive disputes regarding vehicle repairs or the
interpretation of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Although you are required to resort to this informal dispute
resolution program prior to filing any court action, use of
the program is free of charge and your case will generally
be heard within 40 days. If you do not agree with the
decision given in your case, you may reject it and proceed
with any other venue for relief available to you.
You may contact the BBB using the toll
-free telephone
number or write them at the following address:
BBB Auto Line
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203
-1804
Telephone: 1
-800-955-5100
This program is available in all 50 states and the District
of Columbia. Eligibility is limited by vehicle age,
mileage and other factors. General Motors reserves the
right to change eligibility limitations and/or discontinue
its participation in this program.
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
To assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or
speech
-impaired and who use Text Telephones (TTYs),
Pontiac has TTY equipment available at its Customer
Assistance Center. Any TTY user can communicate with
Pontiac by dialing: 1
-800-833-PONT (7668).
(TTY users in Canada can dial 1
-800-263-3830.)
Customer Assistance Offices
Pontiac encourages customers to call the toll-free number
for assistance. If a U.S. customer wishes to write to
Pontiac, the letter should be addressed to Pontiac's
Customer Assistance Center.
United States
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 436008
Pontiac, MI 48343-6008
1-800-762-2737 or
1-800-833-7668 (For Text Telephone devices (TTYs))
Roadside Assistance: 1-800-ROADSIDE
(762-3743)

8-6 Canada
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
1-800-263-3777 (English)
1-800-263-7854 (French)
1-800-263-3830 (For Text Telephone devices (TTYs))
Roadside Assistance: 1-800-268-6800
All Overseas Locations
GMODC - Customer Communication Centre
169-007
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Telephone: 905-644-4112
Fax: 905-644-4866
Caribbean Numbers
1-800-496-9992 (English) Puerto Rico
1-800-496-9993 (Spanish) Puerto Rico
1-800-751-4135 (English) Dominican Republic
1-800-751-4136 (Spanish) Dominican Republic
1-800-496-9994 U.S. Virgin Islands
1-800-389-0009 Bahamas
1-800-534-0122 Bermuda, Barbados, Antigua & B.V.I.
If toll free service is not available in the Caribbean,
call Puerto Rico 1-787-763-1315.

8-7
GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to
qualified applicants, can
reimburse you up to $1,000
toward aftermarket driver or
passenger adaptive
equipment you may require
for your vehicle (hand
controls, wheelchair/scooter
lifts, etc.).This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The program is available
for a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. See your dealer for more details or call
the GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1
-800-323-9935.
Text telephone (TTY) users, call 1
-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program. Call
1
-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details. When
calling from outside Canada, please dial 1
-905-644-3063.
All TTY users call 1
-800-263-3830.

8-8
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program
Security While You Travel
1-800-ROADSIDE (1-800-762-3743)
As the proud owner of a new Pontiac vehicle, you are
automatically enrolled in the Pontiac Roadside Assistance program. This value
-added service is
intended to provide you with peace of mind as you
drive in the city or travel the open road.
Pontiac's Roadside Assistance toll
-free number is
staffed by a team of technically trained advisors, who
are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We take anxiety out of uncertain situations by providing
minor repair information over the phone or making
arrangements to tow your vehicle to the nearest
Pontiac dealer.
We will provide the following services for
3 years/36,000 miles (60 000 km), at no expense to you:

Fuel delivery

Keys locked in vehicle

Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service

Change a flat tire

Jump starts

Courtesy Transportation -- See Courtesy
Transportation section for details