rear view mirror PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2002 Owners Manual

2-60 Courtesy Lamps
When either door is opened, several interior lamps
go on. These lamps are courtesy lamps. They make it
easier for you to enter and leave your vehicle.
Courtesy lamps include two map lamps on the inside
rearview mirror and other lamps throughout the interior
of your vehicle.
To prevent battery rundown, your interior lamps will be
disabled for about 10 minutes after the ignition is turned
to OFF. The 10
-minute timer will be restarted if you do
any of the following:

Turn the ignition on.

Open either door.

Press any button on your remote keyless entry
transmitter (if equipped).

Turn the interior lamps from off to on.

Open the hatch.
Delayed Illumination
With delayed illumination, the courtesy lamps will
come on and stay on for 25 seconds after you enter
the vehicle and close the doors. They will also stay on
for five seconds after you exit the vehicle and close the
doors. Delayed illumination will be shortened if the
ignition is turned to RUN or if the power locks are
activated. To turn this feature on or off, see ªFeature
Customizationº in the Index.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition to help you see
while exiting the vehicle. To turn this feature on or off,
see ªFeature Customizationº in the Index.
Front Map Lamps
Your inside rearview mirror includes two map lamps.
Each lamp has its own switch. Use the switch closest
to the lamp to turn it on. The lamps will also come on
when a door is opened.

2-61
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
An inside rearview mirror is attached to your
windshield. The mirror pivots so that you can adjust it.
You can adjust the mirror for day or night driving.
Pull the tab for night driving to reduce glare. Push the
tab for daytime driving.
Power Remote Control Mirrors
The power mirror control is located on the driver's door.To adjust either mirror, move the selector switch to
L (left) or to R (right). The center position is off.
Then use the arrows on the control pad to adjust the
mirror in the direction you want it to go.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from
the driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.

4-16
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired
-- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.

Drive defensively.

Don't drink and drive.

Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.

Since you can't see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.

Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your headlamps can light up only so much
road ahead.

In remote areas, watch for animals.

If you're tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.

4-24
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway hypnosisº?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't let
it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a second, and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:

Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.

Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.

If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.