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1996 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 126

1996 Pontiac Firebird Manual

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Air Bag Readiness Light There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the air bag's electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules, the wiring andthe crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag system, sed "Air Bag" in the Index. You will see this light flash for a few seconds when you turn your ignition to RUN or START. Then the light should go out. This means the system is ready. Voltmeter You can read battery I p4 voltage on your voltmeter. If it reads less than 11 volts or more than 16 volts while your engine is running, and it stays there, you may have a problem with the electrical charging system. AIR BAG If the air bag readiness light doesn't come on when you start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes on when you are driving, your air bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle serviced right away. Have it checked right away. Driving with the voltmeter reading in awarning zone could drain your battery. If you idle your engine for a while, the voltmeter reading might move into the yellow zone, If the reading stays in the yellow zone while you are driving, you may have a problem with the electrical charging system. Have it checked. While the voltmeter reads in the yellow zone, your battery may not be able to power certain electrical accessories, like A B S . (If this happens, your ABS INOP light will come on. See"Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light" in this part.) If you must drive a short distance with the voltmeter reading in a warning zone, turn off all your accessories, including your comfort control and audio system.

Section	Page
Table of Contents	2
Seats and Restraint Systems	8
Seats and Seat Controls	8
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone	14
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers	18
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	19
Supplemental Restraint (SRS) System	26
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	33
Right Front Passenger Position	33
Rear Seat Passengers	34
Children	37
Child Restraints	39
Larger Children	45
Safety Belt Extender	48
Checking Your Restraint Systems	48
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	48
Features and Controls	50
Keys	50
Door Locks	52
Remote Lock Control (Option)	54
Theft	60
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System (Option)	61
PASS-Key II	63
Feature Customization (Option)	65
New Vehicle “Break-In”	70
Ignition Switch	70
Starting Your Engine	72
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)	75
Automatic Transmission Operation	76
Manual Transmission	80
Limited-Slip Rear Axle	84
Parking Brake	85
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transmission Models Only)	86
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission)	88
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transmission)	88
Parking Over Things That Burn	89
Engine Exhaust	89
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked (Automatic Transmission)	90
Windows	91
Horn	91
Tilt Steering Wheel	92
Turn Signa/Multifunction Lever	92
Lamps	99
Interior Lamps	102
Mirrors	104
Storage Compartments	105
Ashtray and Lighter	108
Sun Visors	109
Floor Mats	110
lhvin Lift-off Roof Panels (Option)	110
Convertible Top	115
Instrument Panel	121
Instrument Panel Cluster	123
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	124
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	138
Comfort Controls	138
Air Conditioning (Option)	139
Cooling	140
Heating	140
Bi-Level Heating	140
Rear Window Defogger (Option)	141
Ventilation System	142
Audio Systems	143
Setting the Clock for All Systems Except AM-FM Stereo	143
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player	143
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Equalizer	147
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player	150
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Equalizer	152
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	159
Care of Your Compact Discs	159
Power Antenna Mast Care	160
Your Driving and the Road	162
Defensive Driving	162
Drunken Driving	163
Control of a Vehicle	166
Braking	166
Steering	171
Off-Road Recovery	173
Passing	174
Driving at Night	176
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	178
City Driving	181
Freeway Driving	182
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	183
Highway Hypnosis	184
Hill and Mountain Roads	184
Winter Driving	186
Loading Your Vehicle	190
Towing a Trailer	192
Problems on the Road	200
Hazard Warning Flashers	200
Jump Starting	201
Towing Your Vehicle	206
Engine Overheating	212
If a Tire Goes Flat	226
Changing a Flat Tire	226
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	241
Service and Appearance Care	242
Service	242
Fuel	243
Checking Things Under the Hood	247
Engine Oil	251
Air Cleaner	257
Automatic Transmission Fluid	261
Manual Transmission Fluid	265
Hydraulic Clutch	266
Rear Axle	267
Engine Coolant	267
Power Steering Fluid	271
Windshield Washer Fluid	273
Brakes	274
Battery	278
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	284
Tires	286
Appearance Care	294
Cleaning the Inside of Your Pontiac	294
Cleaning the Outside of Your Pontiac	299
Appearance Care Materials Chart	302
VehicleIdentification Number (VIN)	303
Electrical System	304
Replacement Bulbs	309
Capacities and Specifications	310
Maintenance Schedule	314
Introduction	314
Your Vehicie and the Environment	314
How This Section is Organized	315
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	316
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	316
Selecting the Right Schedule	316
Maintenance Schedule	317
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	352
At Each Fuel Fill	352
At Least Once a Month	352
At Least Twice a Year	353
At Least Once a Year	353
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	356
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	357
Part E: Maintenance Record	359
Customer Assistance Information	362
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	363
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	365
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program	366
Pontiac Courtesy Transportation	368
GM Participation in BBB AUTO LINE -- Alternative Dispute Resolution Program*	369
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT	370
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT	371
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS	371

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Air

Bag

Readiness

Light

There

air

bag readiness light

the instrument

panel,

which shows

AIR

BAG.

The system checks the

air

bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light

tells you if there

an electrical problem. The system

check includes

the

air bag sensors, the air bag modules,

the

wiring

and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.

For more information on the air bag system, sed “Air

Bag” in the Index.

AIR

BAG

You will see this light flash

for a few seconds when you

turn your ignition to

RUN

START. Then the light

should

out. This means

the system is ready.

If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you

start

your

vehicle, or stays on, or comes

when

you

are driving, your air bag system may not work

properly.

Have your vehicle serviced right away.

Voltmeter

You

can read battery

voltage on

your

voltmeter.

If it reads less than 11 volts

more than 16 volts while

your engine

running,

and it stays there, you

may

have

problem

with

the

electrical charging system.

Have it checked right away. Driving with

the voltmeter

reading in

a warning zone could drain your battery.

you idle your engine for a while, the voltmeter

reading might move into the yellow zone, If the reading

stays in the yellow zone while you are driving, you

may

have a problem with the electrical charging system.

Have it checked. While the voltmeter reads in the

yellow

zone, your battery may

not be able to power certain

electrical accessories,

A B S .

(If

this

happens, your

ABS INOP light will come on.

See “Anti-Lock Brake

System Warning Light” in this

part.)

you must drive

short distance

with

the

voltmeter

reading in a warning zone,

turn

off

all your accessories,

including your comfort control and audio system.