Section |
Page |
2002 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual |
1 |
Copyright General Motors Corp. 2001 |
2 |
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a French Language Manual |
3 |
How to Use this Manual |
4 |
Safety Warnings and Symbols |
4 |
Vehicle Damage Warnings |
5 |
Vehicle Symbols |
5 |
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems |
7 |
Seats and Seat Controls |
8 |
Manual Front Seats |
8 |
Four-Way Manual Seats |
9 |
Six-Way Power Seat (If Equipped) |
9 |
Reclining Front Seatbacks |
10 |
Head Restraints |
12 |
Front Seatback Latches |
12 |
Folding Rear Seatback |
13 |
Safety Belts: They're for Everyone |
14 |
Why Safety Belts Work |
15 |
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers |
18 |
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly |
19 |
Adults |
19 |
Driver Position |
20 |
Lap-Shoulder Belt |
20 |
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy |
26 |
Right Front Passenger Position |
27 |
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
28 |
How the Air Bag System Works |
30 |
Where are the air bags? |
30 |
When should an air bag inflate? |
31 |
What makes an air bag inflate? |
32 |
How does an air bag restrain? |
32 |
What will you see after an air bag inflates? |
32 |
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle |
34 |
Rear Seat Passengers |
34 |
Lap-Shoulder Belt |
35 |
Children |
38 |
Infants and Young Children |
38 |
Restraint Systems for Children |
42 |
Where to Put the Restraint |
45 |
Top Strap |
46 |
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position |
48 |
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position |
50 |
Older Children |
53 |
Safety Belt Extender |
56 |
Checking Your Restraint Systems |
56 |
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash |
56 |
Section 2 Features and Controls |
57 |
Windows |
58 |
Power Windows |
59 |
Keys |
60 |
Door Locks |
62 |
Power Door Locks Last Door Closed Locking |
63 |
Lockout Prevention |
64 |
Leaving Your Vehicle |
64 |
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped) |
64 |
Operation |
66 |
Alarm/Panic Mode |
66 |
Transmitter Verification |
66 |
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle |
67 |
Battery Replacement |
68 |
Resynchronization |
69 |
Hatch |
69 |
Hatch Release |
70 |
Remote Hatch Release |
70 |
Trunk Release Handle (Convertible Only) |
71 |
Theft |
72 |
Key in the Ignition |
72 |
Parking at Night |
72 |
Parking Lots |
72 |
Content Theft-Deterrent/Alarm System (If Equipped) |
73 |
Arming the System |
73 |
Turning Off the Alarm |
73 |
Shock Sensor |
74 |
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Locking |
75 |
Power Door Lock Switch Locking |
75 |
Passive Arming |
75 |
Disarming the System |
75 |
Feature Customization (If Equipped) |
76 |
Entering Programming Mode Exit Lighting and Delayed Illumination |
77 |
Last Door Closed Locking and Lockout Prevention |
78 |
Remote Keyless Entry Verification |
79 |
Theft- Deterrent Arming Verification |
80 |
Theft- Deterrent Arming Method |
81 |
Driver's Door Alarm Delay and Shock Sensor Enable |
82 |
Exiting Programming Mode |
83 |
PASS-Key II |
83 |
New Vehicle "Break-In" |
85 |
Ignition Positions |
85 |
Key Release Button (If Equipped) |
87 |
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) |
87 |
Starting Your Engine |
88 |
Automatic Transmission |
88 |
Manual Transmission |
88 |
Starting Your 3800 Series II V6 Engine |
88 |
Starting Your 5.7L V8 Engine |
89 |
Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only) |
90 |
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater |
91 |
Automatic Transmission Operation |
92 |
Manual Transmission Operation |
96 |
Five-Speed |
96 |
Six-Speed |
97 |
Shift Speeds |
98 |
Skip Shift Light (5.7L V8 Engine) |
98 |
Computer- Aided Manual Transmission Shift Speeds |
99 |
Parking Brake |
99 |
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transmission Only) |
101 |
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running (Automatic Transmission Only) |
102 |
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission) |
102 |
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transmission Only) |
103 |
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission Models Only) |
103 |
Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust |
104 |
Running Your Engine While You're Parked (Automatic Transmission) |
105 |
Limited-Slip Rear Axle |
106 |
Horn |
106 |
Tilt Wheel |
106 |
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever |
107 |
Turn and Lane-Change Signals |
107 |
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer |
108 |
Windshield Wipers |
108 |
Windshield Washer |
108 |
Cruise Control |
109 |
Setting Cruise Control Resuming a Set Speed |
110 |
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control |
110 |
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control |
111 |
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control |
111 |
Using Cruise Control on Hills |
111 |
Ending Out of Cruise Control |
111 |
Erasing Speed Memory |
111 |
Exterior Lamps |
112 |
Headlamps on Reminder |
113 |
Headlamp Doors |
113 |
Daytime Running Lamps |
114 |
Fog Lamps |
115 |
Interior Lamps |
115 |
Instrument Panel Brightness Control |
115 |
Courtesy Lamps Delayed Illumination |
116 |
Exit Lighting |
116 |
Front Map Lamps |
116 |
Mirrors |
117 |
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror |
117 |
Power Remote Control Mirrors |
117 |
Convex Outside Mirror |
117 |
Storage Compartments |
118 |
Glove Box |
118 |
Front Console |
118 |
Map Pocket |
118 |
Compact Disc Storage |
118 |
Cargo Cover |
118 |
Using the Cargo Cover |
118 |
Removing the Cargo Cover |
119 |
Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter |
120 |
Sun Visors |
121 |
Visor Vanity Mirror |
121 |
Accessory Power Outlet |
121 |
Floor Mats |
122 |
T-Top Roof Panels (If Equipped) |
123 |
Removing the T-Top Roof Panels |
123 |
Storing the T-Top Roof Panels |
124 |
Installing the T-Top Roof Panels |
126 |
T-Top Sunshades |
128 |
Convertible Top (If Equipped) |
130 |
Lowering Your Convertible Top |
130 |
Installing the Boot Cover |
132 |
Removing the Boot Cover |
134 |
Raising Your Convertible Top |
135 |
The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System |
138 |
Instrument Panel Cluster |
140 |
Speedometer and Odometer |
141 |
Trip Odometer |
141 |
Tachometer |
141 |
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators |
142 |
Safety Belt Reminder Light |
142 |
Air Bag Readiness Light |
143 |
Voltmeter |
144 |
Brake System Warning Light |
144 |
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light |
145 |
Traction Control System Warning Light (Option) |
146 |
Low Traction Light |
146 |
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage |
147 |
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light in the United States or Check Engine Light in Canada) |
147 |
If the Light Is Flashing |
149 |
If the Light Is On Steady |
149 |
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs |
150 |
Oil Pressure Gage |
151 |
Low Oil Light |
152 |
Oil Change Light |
152 |
Service Vehicle Light |
153 |
Check Gages Light |
153 |
Hatch Ajar Light |
153 |
Fuel Gage |
153 |
Low Fuel Light |
154 |
Reduced Engine Power Light (V6 Engine Only) |
154 |
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems |
155 |
Comfort Controls |
156 |
Fan Knob |
156 |
Temperature Knob |
156 |
Mode Knob |
156 |
Cooling |
157 |
Heating |
157 |
Bi- Level |
157 |
Defogging and Defrosting |
158 |
Rear Window Defogger |
158 |
Ventilation System |
159 |
Ventilation Tips |
159 |
Audio Systems |
160 |
Setting the Clock |
160 |
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Equalizer |
160 |
Playing the Radio |
161 |
Finding a Station |
161 |
Setting Preset Stations |
161 |
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) |
161 |
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) |
162 |
Playing a Compact Disc |
162 |
Compact Disc Messages |
163 |
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer (Option) |
164 |
Playing a Compact Disc |
166 |
Compact Disc Messages |
167 |
Theft-Deterrent Feature |
167 |
Activating the Theft- Deterrent Feature |
168 |
Unlocking the Theft- Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss |
168 |
Disabling the Theft- Deterrent Feature |
169 |
Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped) |
170 |
Understanding Radio Reception |
171 |
AM |
171 |
FM Stereo |
171 |
Tips About Your Audio System |
171 |
Care of Your Compact Discs |
172 |
Care of Your Compact Disc Player |
172 |
Power Antenna Mast Care |
172 |
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road |
173 |
Defensive Driving |
174 |
Drunken Driving |
175 |
Control of a Vehicle |
178 |
Braking |
178 |
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) |
179 |
Using Anti- Lock |
181 |
Braking in Emergencies |
181 |
Traction Control System (Option) |
181 |
Steering |
183 |
Power Steering |
183 |
Steering Tips |
183 |
Driving on Curves |
183 |
Steering in Emergencies |
184 |
Off-Road Recovery |
185 |
Passing |
185 |
Loss of Control |
187 |
Skidding |
187 |
Driving at Night |
188 |
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads |
190 |
Hydroplaning |
191 |
Driving Through Deep Standing Water |
192 |
Driving Through Flowing Water |
192 |
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips |
192 |
City Driving |
193 |
Freeway Driving |
194 |
Before Leaving on a Long Trip |
195 |
Highway Hypnosis |
196 |
Hill and Mountain Roads |
196 |
Winter Driving |
198 |
Driving on Snow or Ice |
199 |
If You're Caught in a Blizzard |
200 |
Recreational Vehicle Towing |
202 |
Loading Your Vehicle |
202 |
Towing a Trailer |
204 |
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer |
205 |
Weight of the Trailer |
206 |
Weight of the Trailer Tongue |
206 |
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires |
207 |
Hitches |
207 |
Safety Chains |
208 |
Trailer Brakes |
208 |
Driving with a Trailer |
208 |
Following Distance |
209 |
Passing |
209 |
Backing Up |
209 |
Making Turns |
209 |
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer |
210 |
Driving On Grades |
210 |
Parking on Hills |
211 |
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill |
212 |
Maintenance When Trailer Towing |
212 |
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing |
212 |
Section 5 Problems on the Road |
213 |
Hazard Warning Flashers |
214 |
Other Warning Devices |
215 |
Jump Starting |
215 |
Towing Your Vehicle |
220 |
Engine Overheating |
221 |
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode |
221 |
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine |
222 |
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine |
223 |
Cooling System |
224 |
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank |
226 |
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator (3800 V6 Engine Only) |
228 |
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator (V8 Engine Only) |
231 |
If a Tire Goes Flat |
234 |
Changing a Flat Tire |
234 |
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools |
235 |
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire |
238 |
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools |
243 |
Compact Spare Tire |
245 |
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow |
246 |
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out |
246 |
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care |
247 |
Service |
248 |
Doing Your Own Service Work |
248 |
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle |
249 |
Fuel |
249 |
Gasoline Octane |
249 |
Gasoline Specifications |
250 |
California Fuel |
250 |
Additives |
250 |
Fuels in Foreign Countries |
251 |
Filling Your Tank |
251 |
Filling a Portable Fuel Container |
254 |
Checking Things Under the Hood |
254 |
Hood Release |
255 |
Engine Compartment Overview |
256 |
Engine Oil |
258 |
Checking Engine Oil |
258 |
When to Add Engine Oil |
259 |
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use |
260 |
Engine Oil Additives |
262 |
When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life System) |
262 |
How to Reset the Oil Change Light |
263 |
What to Do with Used Oil |
263 |
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter |
264 |
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Replacement |
265 |
Automatic Transmission Fluid |
266 |
When to Check and Change |
266 |
How to Check |
267 |
Checking the Fluid Level |
268 |
How to Add Fluid |
269 |
Manual Transmission Fluid |
270 |
When to Check |
270 |
How to Check |
270 |
How to Add Fluid |
271 |
Hydraulic Clutch |
272 |
When to Check and What to Use |
272 |
How to Check and Add Fluid |
272 |
Rear Axle |
273 |
When to Check and Change Lubricant |
273 |
How to Check Lubricant |
273 |
What to Use |
273 |
Standard Differential |
273 |
Limited- Slip Differential |
273 |
Engine Coolant |
274 |
What to Use |
275 |
Checking Coolant |
276 |
Adding Coolant to the Recovery Tank |
276 |
Radiator Pressure Cap |
277 |
Power Steering Fluid |
277 |
When to Check Power Steering Fluid |
278 |
How to Check Power Steering Fluid |
278 |
What to Use |
278 |
Windshield Washer Fluid |
279 |
What to Use |
279 |
Adding Washer Fluid |
279 |
Brakes |
280 |
Brake Fluid |
280 |
Checking Brake Fluid |
281 |
What to Add |
282 |
Brake Wear |
283 |
Brake Pedal Travel |
284 |
Brake Adjustment |
284 |
Replacing Brake System Parts |
284 |
Battery |
284 |
Vehicle Storage |
285 |
Bulb Replacement |
285 |
Halogen Bulbs |
285 |
Headlamps |
286 |
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp |
288 |
Rear Lamps |
289 |
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement |
290 |
Wiper Blade Element Replacement |
291 |
Tires |
292 |
Inflation -- Tire Pressure |
293 |
When to Check |
294 |
How to Check |
294 |
Tire Inspection and Rotation |
294 |
When It's Time for New Tires |
296 |
Buying New Tires |
296 |
Uniform Tire Quality Grading |
297 |
Treadwear |
298 |
Traction -- AA, A, B, C |
298 |
Temperature -- A, B, C |
298 |
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance |
299 |
Wheel Replacement |
299 |
Used Replacement Wheels |
300 |
Tire Chains |
300 |
Appearance Care |
301 |
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle |
302 |
Cleaning of Fabric/Carpet |
302 |
Using Cleaner on Fabric |
302 |
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems |
303 |
Cleaning Vinyl |
303 |
Cleaning Leather |
303 |
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel |
304 |
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components |
304 |
Care of Safety Belts |
304 |
Cleaning Glass Surfaces |
304 |
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades |
305 |
Weatherstrips |
305 |
Cleaning a Removable Roof Panel |
305 |
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle |
306 |
Washing Your Vehicle |
306 |
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses |
306 |
Finish Care |
306 |
Cleaning Your Convertible Top |
307 |
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome- Plated Wheels (If Equipped) |
308 |
Cleaning Tires |
308 |
Sheet Metal Damage |
308 |
Finish Damage |
309 |
Underbody Maintenance |
309 |
Chemical Paint Spotting |
309 |
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials |
310 |
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) |
311 |
Engine Identification |
311 |
Service Parts Identification Label |
311 |
Electrical System |
312 |
Add-On Electrical Equipment |
312 |
Headlamps |
312 |
Windshield Wipers |
312 |
Power Windows and Other Power Options |
312 |
Fuses and Circuit Breakers |
313 |
Instrument Panel Fuse Block |
314 |
Engine Compartment Fuse Block |
316 |
Replacement Bulbs |
318 |
Capacities and Specifications |
318 |
Engine Specifications |
319 |
Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity |
319 |
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts |
319 |
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule |
320 |
Introduction |
321 |
Your Vehicle and the Environment |
321 |
Maintenance Requirements |
321 |
How This Section is Organized |
322 |
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services |
323 |
Using Your Maintenance Schedule |
323 |
Scheduled Maintenance |
324 |
Footnotes |
324 |
Scheduled Maintenance |
325 |
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance |
325 |
Scheduled Maintenance |
326 |
Part B: Owner Checks and Services |
336 |
At Each Fuel Fill |
336 |
Engine Oil Level Check |
336 |
Engine Coolant Level Check |
336 |
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check |
336 |
At Least Once a Month |
336 |
Tire Inflation Check |
336 |
At Least Twice a Year |
336 |
Restraint System Check |
336 |
Wiper Blade Check |
337 |
Weatherstrip Lubrication |
337 |
Manual Transmission Check |
337 |
Automatic Transmission Check |
337 |
Hydraulic Clutch System Check |
337 |
At Least Once a Year |
337 |
Key Lock Cylinders Service |
337 |
Body Lubrication Service |
337 |
Starter Switch Check |
338 |
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System Check |
338 |
Ignition Transmission Lock Check |
339 |
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission PARK (P) Mechanism Check |
339 |
Underbody Flushing Service |
339 |
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections |
340 |
Steering and Suspension Inspection |
340 |
Exhaust System Inspection |
340 |
Fuel System Inspection |
340 |
Engine Cooling System Inspection |
341 |
Throttle System Inspection (Except 3800 Series V6 Engine) |
341 |
Rear Axle Service |
341 |
Brake System Inspection |
341 |
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants |
342 |
Part E: Maintenance Record |
344 |
Section 8 Customer Assistance Information |
348 |
Pontiac Cares |
349 |
What Makes Up Pontiac Cares? |
349 |
Customer Satisfaction Procedure |
350 |
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users |
352 |
Customer Assistance Offices |
352 |
United States |
352 |
Canada |
352 |
All Overseas Locations |
352 |
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/ Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U. S. Virgin Islands) |
352 |
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities |
353 |
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program |
353 |
Security While You Travel |
353 |
Canadian Roadside Assistance |
355 |
Courtesy Transportation |
355 |
Plan Ahead When Possible |
355 |
Transportation Options |
356 |
Shuttle Service |
356 |
Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement |
356 |
Courtesy Rental Vehicle |
356 |
Additional Program Information |
356 |
Warranty Information |
357 |
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT |
357 |
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT |
358 |
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS |
358 |
SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION |
359 |
Service Manuals |
359 |
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual |
359 |
Service Bulletins |
359 |
Owner's Information |
359 |