1996 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 80

Second-Gear Start conditions. You may press 2ND GEAR START again to turn off this feature. Whenever you start your vehicle, the transmission isin the NORMAL mode. Manual Transmission TRANSMISSION 5-Speed This isyour shift pattern. Here's how to operate your transmission: 2NDGEARQ START 1 3 5 2 4 R Your vehicle may be equipped with a second-gear start feature. Press 2ND GEAR START toprovide more traction when you are starting on ice or other slippery surfaces. The transmission will be in SECOND (2) gear when the vehicle begins to move. After starting in SECOND (2) gear, the vehicle will upshift normally. This feature is only for improved traction only when the road surface is slippery and is not intended for continuous use or when the vehicle isstuck in sand, mud, ice, snow or gravel. Always use NORMAL normal road for FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal shift into and FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutchpedal as you press the accelerator pedaL You can shift into FIRST (1) when you're going less than 20 mph(32 km/h). If you've come to a complete stop and it's hard to shift into FIRST (l),put the shift lever in NEUTRAL (N) and let up on the clutch. Press the clutchpedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1). 2-31 . , .