1998 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 88

SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy.You can use SECOND (2) on hills. go It can help control your speed as you down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use your brakes off and on. FIRST (1): This position (if equipped) gives you even more power (but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, in or deep snow or mud. If the gear shift lever is put in first gear, the transmission won't shift into FIRST (1) until the vehicle is going slowly enough. NOTICE: Don't drive inSECOND (2) for more than 25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over55 mph (88 km/h), or you can damage your transmission. Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE or THIRD (3) as muchas possible. Don't shift intoSECOND (2)unless you are going slower than 65 mph (105 kmh), or you can damage yourengine. NOTICE: (a) If your rearwheels can't rotate, don'ttry to drive. This might happen if you were stuck in very deep sandor mud or were up against a solid object. You could damage yourtransmission. Also, if you stop when going uphill,don't hold your vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This couldoverheat and damage the transmission. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P) to hold your vehicle in position on a hill. Maximum engine speed is limited to protect driveline components from improper operation. 2-33