lock PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2001 User Guide

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.

1-30
The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you'd be less
likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the
belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could
cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt
should go over the shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best able to take belt
restraining forces.
The safety belt locks if there's a sudden stop or a crash.
On convertible models, the safety belt also locks if you
pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.
CAUTION:
You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward
too much, which could increase injury. The
shoulder belt should fit against your body.

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 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-8 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-13 Hatch
2
-16 Theft
2
-17 Content Theft-Deterrent/Alarm System
(If Equipped)
2
-20 PASS-Key
II
2
-29 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-30 Ignition Positions
2
-32 Starting Your Engine
2
-35 Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
2
-37 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-40 Manual Transmission Operation
2
-44 Parking Brake
2
-45 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)2
-47 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-47 Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission
Models Only)
2
-48 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-48 Engine Exhaust
2
-49 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-50 Limited-Slip Rear Axle
2
-50 Tilt Wheel
2
-51 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-56 Exterior Lamps
2
-59 Interior Lamps
2
-60 Mirrors
2
-62 Storage Compartments
2
-65 T-Top Roof Panels (If Equipped)
2
-72 Convertible Top (If Equipped)
2
-80 The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System
2
-84 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-5
This key is for the
ignition only.
This key is for the doors
and all other locks.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer removes the
bar
-coded plugs from the door keys and gives them to
the first owner.However, the ignition keys don't have plugs. Instead,
they have bar
-coded key tags. These tags may be
removed by your dealer or even before the vehicle is
delivered to your dealer.
Each door key plug has a code on it that tells your dealer
or a qualified locksmith how to make extra door keys.
Keep the plugs in a safe place. If you lose your door
keys, you'll be able to have new ones made using
these plugs.
If you need a new ignition key, contact your dealer who
can obtain the correct key code. Remember to carry the
pre
-cut emergency key that Pontiac sends after delivery
(this service is not available in Canada). In an emergency,
call Pontiac Roadside Assistance. See ºRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index for more information.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot
of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in. So be sure you
have extra keys.

2-6
Door Locks
CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.

Passengers -- especially children -- can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked,
the handle won't open it. You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in
a crash if the doors aren't locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.

Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.

Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors
can help prevent this from happening.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your door key. If your vehicle has
the content theft
-deterrent/alarm system and it is armed,
unlocking and opening a door this way will set off the
alarm after eight seconds unless the ignition key is inserted
into the ignition. See ªContent Theft
-Deterrent/Alarm
Systemº in the Index.
To lock the door from the inside, slide the lever located
on the door rearward.
To unlock the door, slide the lever located on the
door forward.

2-7 Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
Press the power door lock
switch located on the
driver's door to lock or
unlock both doors at once.
The power door lock switch works at all times, except
when lockout prevention (if equipped) is programmed.
The unlock switch only works when the ignition is in
RUN, ACC or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
is active. See ªRetained Accessory Power (RAP)º in
the Index.
Operating the power door locks may affect the content
theft
-deterrent/alarm system (if equipped). See ªContent
Theft
-Deterrent/Alarm Systemº in the Index.
Last Door Closed Locking (If Equipped)
If you have power door locks, you can program your
vehicle to delay the locking of the doors. This lets you
and your passengers exit the vehicle after you've
pressed the power door lock switch. All of the doors
will lock once everyone has gotten out of the vehicle
and the doors are closed.
When the power door lock switch is pressed, a chime
will sound three times, indicating that the last door
closed locking feature has been activated. Pressing
the power door lock switch again will lock the doors
immediately. Pressing the unlock switch will cancel
a previously requested last door closed locking.
The vehicle is shipped from the factory with this
feature turned off. To turn this feature on, see
ªFeature Customizationº in the Index.

2-8 Lockout Prevention (If Equipped)
To protect you from locking your keys in the vehicle,
this feature stops the power door locks from locking
when the keys are in the ignition and a door is open.
If the power lock switch is pressed when a door is open,
a chime will sound five times as a reminder to take the
keys out of the ignition before locking the door.
The vehicle is shipped from the factory with this feature
turned on. If you would like to turn this feature off,
see ªFeature Customizationº in the Index.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your trunk from about 3 feet (1 m)
up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry
transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
Your keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency
subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.

2-9
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This device complies with RSS
-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:

Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.

Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left
or right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.

Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions that follow.

If you're still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.

2-10 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).

2-11 Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be
purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any
remaining transmitters with you when you go to your
dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your
vehicle. Each vehicle can have only four transmitters
matched to it.
Have each transmitter you intend to match ready for
the next steps. To match transmitters to your vehicle,
do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN, then to OFF. This
will disarm the content theft
-deterrent/alarm system
(if equipped).
2. Remove the RADIO fuse. This fuse is located in
the main fuse block which is located on the left side
of your instrument panel. See ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index.3. Turn the ignition key from OFF to RUN three times
quickly (within five seconds). The vehicle will respond
by locking the doors, unlocking the driver's door and
releasing the hatch. Your transmitter is now ready to
match the vehicle. Leave the ignition in RUN.
4. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons
on the first transmitter for 15 seconds. The vehicle
will respond as in Step 3.
5. Repeat Step 4 for the remaining transmitters.
6. When you have finished matching all of your
transmitters, replace the RADIO fuse.
7. Check that all transmitters work by pressing
the buttons.
If the transmitters don't work, or if you'd rather not
match the transmitters yourself, see your dealer.