PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2002 Owners Manual

2-95 Oil Pressure Gage
United States
5.7L V8 Engine shown
3800 V6 Engine similarCanada
5.7L V8 Engine shown
3800 V6 Engine similar
This gage tells you if there could be a problem with
your engine oil pressure. The gage shows the engine
oil pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) or
kPa (kilopascals) when the engine is running.
On the 3800 V6 engine, the oil pressure should be
20 to 120 psi (140 to 827 kPa). On the 5.7L V8 engine,
oil pressure should be 20 to 80 psi (140 to 550 kPa). In certain situations such as long, extended idles on hot
days, it could read as low as 6 psi (40 kPa) and still be
considered normal. It may vary with engine speed,
outside temperature and oil viscosity, but readings
above the red area show the normal operating range.
Readings in the red area tell you that the engine is low
on oil, or that you might have some other oil problem.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered
by your warranty.

2-96 Low Oil Light
This warning light should
come on briefly while you
are starting your engine.
If the light doesn't come on,
have it repaired.
If the light stays on after starting your engine, your
engine oil level may be too low. You may need to add
oil. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
NOTICE:
The oil level monitoring system only checks
the oil level when you are starting your engine.
It does not keep monitoring the level once the
engine is running. Also, the oil level check only
works when the engine has been turned off long
enough for the oil to drain back into the oil pan.
Oil Change Light
This OIL CHANGE light
should come on briefly as
a bulb check when you
start the engine. If the OIL
CHANGE light doesn't
come on, have it serviced.
If the OIL CHANGE light comes on and stays
on for 60 seconds after you start the engine,
have the oil changed.
For additional information, see ªEngine Oil, When to
Changeº in the Index. After changing the engine oil,
the system must be reset. See ªHow to Reset the Oil
Change Lightº in the Index.

2-97 Service Vehicle Light
This warning light should
come on in your instrument
panel cluster for a
three
-second bulb check
when you first start your
vehicle. If the light doesn't
come on, have it serviced.
This light will stay on steady if you have certain
non
-emission related vehicle problems. These problems
may not be obvious and may affect vehicle performance
or durability. Consult a qualified dealer for necessary
repairs to maintain top vehicle performance.
Check Gages Light
This warning light will
come on briefly when
you start the engine.
If the light comes on and stays on while you are driving,
check your gages to see if they are in the warning areas.
Hatch Ajar Light
This warning light should
come on in your instrument
panel cluster for a
three
-second bulb check
when you first start your
vehicle. If the light doesn't
come on, have it serviced.
This light will stay on steady if your hatch is open or
ajar and the ignition key is in RUN.
Fuel Gage
United States Canada
Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have
left when the ignition is on.

2-98
When the indicator nears empty, you still have a little
fuel left, but you should get more soon.
Here are four things that some owners ask about.
All these things are normal and do not indicate that
anything is wrong with the fuel gage.

At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.

It takes more (or less) fuel to fill up than the gage
reads. For example, the gage reads half full, but it
took more (or less) than half of the tank's capacity
to fill it.

The gage pointer may move while cornering, braking
or speeding up.

The gage may not indicate empty when the ignition
is turned off.
Low Fuel Light
If your fuel is low, your vehicle's CHECK GAGES
light on your instrument panel cluster will come on.
See ªCheck Gages Lightº in the Index.
Reduced Engine Power Light
(V6 Engine Only)
The REDUCED ENG PWR
warning light should come
on in your instrument panel
cluster for a three
-second
bulb check when you first
start your vehicle.
If the light doesn't come on, have it serviced.
If the REDUCED ENG PWR warning light comes on,
a noticeable reduction in the vehicle's performance may
occur. The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed
while the REDUCED ENG PWR light is on, but
acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime this
warning light stays on, the vehicle should be taken to
an authorized Pontiac dealer as soon as possible for
diagnosis and repair.

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
-6AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
and Equalizer3
-10 Trunk Mounted CD Changer (Option)
3
-13 Theft-Deterrent Feature
3
-16 Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
3
-17 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-17 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-18 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-18 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-18 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 Knob
Use the knob on the left of the control panel to select
the force of air you want. Turn the knob clockwise to
increase fan speed and counterclockwise to decrease
fan speed.Temperature 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.
Mode Knob
OFF: In this setting the system is off.
MAX (Maximum): This setting provides maximum
cooling or quick cool
-down on very hot days. It
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 (Air Conditioning): 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): This setting directs air through the
upper air vents and the heater ducts.
(Vent): This setting directs air 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): This setting directs air 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 knob to A/C for normal cooling.
For faster cooling, turn the knob to MAX.
2. Turn the temperature knob to a comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan knob to the desired speed.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it.
1. Turn the mode knob to the heater symbol.
2. Turn the fan knob to the desired speed.
3. Turn the temperature knob to a comfortable setting.
During initial start
-up only, if your vehicle is equipped
with an 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
You may want to use bi
-level on cool, but sunny days.
This setting directs cooler air toward your body and
warmer air toward your feet.
1. Turn the air knob to the bi
-level symbol.
2. Turn the temperature knob to a comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan knob to the desired speed.

3-4 Defogging and Defrosting
1. Turn the air knob to the defrost symbol.
2. Turn the temperature knob to the desired setting.
3. Turn the fan knob to the desired speed.
The side window defogging works equally as well in the
heater, blend and defrost modes.
Rear Window Defogger
(Defogger): Press the button with the defogger
symbol to turn on the rear window warming grid.
An indicator light will come on to remind you that the
defogger is on. The defogger will turn off automatically
after about 10 minutes of use. If you turn it on again,
the defogger will operate for about five minutes only.
You can turn the defogger off by pressing the button
again. The indicator light will go off when the system is
turned off.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle license
or a decal across the defogger grid on the rear window.

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 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 knob to the vent symbol.
2. Turn the temperature knob to a comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan 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 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.

3-6
Audio Systems
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the
most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it
first. Find out what your audio system can do and how
to operate all of its controls to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is turned off. See
ªRetained Accessory Power (RAP)º in the Index.
Setting the Clock
Press and hold HR or MIN for two seconds. Then press
and hold HR until the correct hour appears. AM or PM
will appear on the display. Press and hold MIN until the
correct minute appears. The clock may be set with the
ignition on or off.
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
and Equalizer
Standard radio --- Monsoon not shown
If your vehicle is equipped with the Monsoon audio
system (not shown), included are 8 (convertibles only)
or 10 speakers and an eight channel amplifier. See your
dealer for details.