cooling PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2002 Owners Manual

2-13 Resynchronization
Resynchronization may be necessary due to the security
method used by the remote keyless entry system.
The transmitter does not send the same signal twice to
the receiver. The receiver will not respond to a signal
that has been sent previously. This prevents anyone
from recording and playing back the signal from
the transmitter.
To resynchronize the transmitter with the receiver,
do the following:
1. Stand close to the vehicle.
2. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons
on the transmitter at the same time for about
eight seconds.
The door locks should cycle and the interior lamps
should flash to confirm resynchronization.
If this does not happen, you may need to replace the
battery in your transmitter or match the transmitter to
your vehicle. See ªMatching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicleº in the Index.
Hatch
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the hatch open
because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come
into your vehicle. You can't see or smell CO.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the hatch open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body
and the hatch:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on vent. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See ªComfort Controlsº in
the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.

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.

3-5 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.

4-25
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.

Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get
so hot that they wouldn't work well. You would
then have poor braking or even none going
down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to
let your engine assist your brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.

Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down
to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine
and transmission, and you can climb the hill better.

Stay in your own lane when driving on two
-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.

As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.

You may see highway signs on mountains that warn
of special problems. Examples are long grades, passing
or no
-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding
roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.

4-40 When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

start your engine,

shift into a gear, and

release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid
(don't overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, drive belts,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help you
find them quickly. If you're trailering, it's a good idea
to review this information before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

5-
5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-3 Other Warning Devices
5
-3 Jump Starting
5
-8 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-9 Engine Overheating5
-12 Cooling System
5
-22 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-22 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-33 Compact Spare Tire
5
-34 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

5-12
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.
When it is cool, remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and look at the dipstick. When the engine is cold, the
coolant level should be at the FULL COLD mark.

5-13
If it isn't, you may have a leak at the pressure cap or in
the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or
somewhere else in the cooling system.
CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they aren't, your vehicle needs service.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.
See ªOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Modeº in the Index.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL
is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.