convertible PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2002 Owners Manual

1-14
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 so you can sit up straight.
To see how, see ªSeatsº in the Index.
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.

1-15
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt isn't long enough, see ªSafety Belt
Extenderº at the end of this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle
end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt.
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 crash.
On convertible models, the safety belt also locks if you
pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.

1-29
Lap-Shoulder Belt
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.
If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the
latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt is not long enough, see ªSafety Belt
Extenderº at the end of this section. Make sure the
release button on the buckle is positioned so you
would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly
if you ever had to.

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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.
To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.

1-40 Top Strap
Some child restraints have a top strap, or ªtop tether.º
It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision.
For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored
to the vehicle. Some top strap
-equipped child restraints
are designed for use with or without the top strap being
anchored. Others require the top strap always to be
anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for your child restraint. If yours requires that the top
strap be anchored, don't use the restraint unless it is
anchored properly.
If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one
can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints.
Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a
kit is available.
In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored.
In the United States, some child restraints also have a
top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap, it should
be anchored.
If you have a convertible, don't use a child restraint that
requires a top strap in your vehicle because the top strap
anchor cannot be installed properly.

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Anchor the top strap to one of the following anchor
points. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the
same side of the vehicle as the seating position where
the child restraint will be placed. If you have an
adjustable head restraint, route the top strap under it.
Once you have the top strap anchored, you'll be ready
to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap
when and as the child restraint manufacturer's
instructions say.
If your vehicle is not a convertible, two top strap
anchors are already installed for the rear seating
positions. You'll find the anchors behind the rear
seat, on the floor in the cargo area.

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
-27 PASS-Key
II
2
-29 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-29 Ignition Positions
2
-32 Starting Your Engine
2
-34 Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
2
-36 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-40 Manual Transmission Operation
2
-43 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
-61 Mirrors
2
-62 Storage Compartments
2
-67 T-Top Roof Panels (If Equipped)
2
-74 Convertible Top (If Equipped)
2
-82 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-86 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-15 Trunk Release Handle (Convertible Only)
NOTICE:
The trunk release handle was not designed to
be used to tie down the trunk lid or as an anchor
point when securing items in the trunk. Improper
use of the trunk release handle could damage it.
There is a glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle
located on the inside wall of the trunk near the floor.
The handle is on the passenger's side. This handle will
glow following exposure to light. Pull the release handle
down to open the trunk from the inside.

2-18 Shock Sensor
Coupe Convertible
The shock sensor is what triggers the alarm when it
detects a blow to your vehicle. It is located over the
wheelhouse near the spare tire in the hatch area,
on the passenger's side of the vehicle. There are two
levels of alarms via the shock sensor. Two horn blasts
and parking lamp flashes for non
-threatening blows tothe vehicle and a full two
-minute alarm for harder blows
to the vehicle. Its sensitivity can be adjusted if more or
less sensitivity is desired. If sensitivity is increased too
much, it may give false alarms caused by gusts of wind
or other natural events that may shake the vehicle.
When your vehicle is new, there will be a label covering
the adjustment knob. Remove the label and adjust the
sensor as desired. Turn the knob clockwise to increase
sensitivity and counterclockwise to decrease sensitivity.
The shock sensor is ignored by the alarm system when
the following happens:

The ignition is on,

the hatch is open,

the alarm is disarmed,

when customized to be ignored, or

for five seconds after the horn sounds an
alarm or chirp.
The shock sensor is ignored after triggering three
full alarms until the system is rearmed.

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E (START): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition will return to
RUN for normal driving.
Even if the engine is not running, ACCESSORY or
RUN or Retained Accessory Power (RAP), when active,
allows you to operate your electrical accessories, such as
the radio and ventilation fan. See ªRetained Accessory
Power (RAP)º in the Index.
Key Release Button (If Equipped)
If you have a manual
transmission, your
ignition lock has a
key release button.
You must press the key release button to turn the
ignition key to LOCK before you can take your key out.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature. It allows certain features on
your vehicle to continue to work for up to 10 minutes
after the ignition key is turned to OFF.
Your convertible top, power windows, power mirrors
and audio system will work when the ignition key is in
RUN or ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from
RUN to OFF, these features will continue to work for
up to 10 minutes or until a door is opened.
Your power door unlock and remote hatch release
features will work when the ignition key is in RUN or
ACCESSORY, or if either door is open. Once the key
is turned to OFF, these features will continue to work
for up to 10 minutes. If a door is open and the ignition
key is off, these features will continue to work until both
doors have been closed for about 30 seconds or until the
theft
-deterrent system arms. At that time, both the
power door unlock and remote hatch release features
will be disabled to enhance the security of the vehicle.
The power door lock function will work at all
times except when lockout prevention is enabled.
See ªLockout Preventionº in the Index.