1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD steering wheel

Your Driving and the Road
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer
to the left, just move that hand to the left.
To move the trailer to the right, move
your hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making 7hms
When you’re turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal.
Do this so your
trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Thrn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has
to have a different turn signal flasher and
extra wiring. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lights will also
flash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop. When
towing a trailer, the green arrows
on your instrument panel will flash for
turns even
if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs
are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you
might have to use your brakes
so much
that they would get hot and no longer
work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and
reduce your speed to around
45 mph
(70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of
engine and transmission overheating.
If you are towing a trailer and you
have an automatic transmission with
Overdrive, you may prefer to drive in
“D”
instead of Overdrive (or, as you need to, a
lower gear). Or,
if you have a manual
transmission with fifth (or sixth) gear and
you are towing a trailer, it’s better not to
use fifth (or sixth) gear. Just drive in
fourth gear (fifth gear if you have a six-speed manual transmission) or, as you
need to, a lower gear.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
-
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a
hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t
shift into
“P” (Park) yet, or into gear
for a manual transmission.
2. Have someone place chxks under the
3. When the wheel chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load. trailer wheels.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then
apply your parking brake, and then shift to
“P” (Park), or “R” (Reverse)
for a manual transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
. . .I48
ProCarManuals.com

Problems on the Road
When your vehicle is being towed, have
the ignition key off. The steering wheel
should be clamped in a straight-ahead
position, with a clamping device designed
for towing service. Do not use the
vehicle’s steering column lock for this.
The transmission should be in “Neutral”
and the parking brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the rear
wheels, unless you must. If the vehicle
must be towed on the rear wheels, don’t
go more than 35 mph (55 km/h) or farther
than
50 miles (80 km) or your
transmission will be damaged. If these
limits must be exceeded, then the rear
wheels have to be supported on a dolly. Front Towing Hook-Ups
Attach T-hook chains to slots in frame
rearward
of front wheels on both sides.
NOTICE:
Do not attach winch cables or “J”
hooks to suspension components
when using car carrier equipment.
Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
1
. . .158
ProCarManuals.com

Problems on the Road
9. Shut the engine off and replace the
pressure cap. Be sure the arrows
on
the cap line up like this.
I
0. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to
;or a complete drain, flush and refill, see
‘our Pontiac dealer or a Pontiac Firebird
Iervice Manual. To purchase a service
nanual, see “Service Publications’’ in
he Index. the proper
level.
If a Tire Goes Flat
[t’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while
you’re driving, especially
if you maintain
your tires properly. If air goes out of a
;ire, it’s much more likely to leak out
jlowly. But if you should ever have a
‘blowout,” here are a few tips about what
:o expect and what to do:
[fa front tire fails, the
flat tire will create
3 drag that pulls the vehicle toward that
side. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position,
then
gently brake to a stop well out of the
traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve,
acts much like a
slud and may require the
same correction you’d use in a skid. In
any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way you
want the vehicle to go.
It may be very
bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer.
Gently brake to a stop, well
off the road
if possible.
[f a tire goes flat, the next section shows
how to use your jacking equipment to
change a flat tire safely.
. . .I70
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as the
tires.
If you spin the wheels too fast
while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your trans-
mission.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and
right. That will clear the area around your
front wheels. If your vehicle has traction
control, you should
turn the system off.
(See “Traction Control System” in the
Index.) Then shift back and forth’ between
“R’ (Reverse) and a forward gear (or with
a manual transmission, between First or
Second gear and Reverse), spinning the
wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and
press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
If that
doesn’t get you out after a few tries,
you
may need to be towed out. If you:do need
to be towed out, see “Towing
Yow
Vehicle” in the Index. .’
181 ...
ProCarManuals.com

Service and Appearance Care
Main Fuse Block
1 - Air Bag: SIR Components
2 - Backup Lights; Daytime Running (15
Amp.)
Lights Module (Canada); Turn
Flasher
(20 Amp.)
3 - HVAC Selector Switch (Heater/Ail
Conditioner); Rear Defogger
(25 Amp.)
4 - Powertrain Control Module;
Instrument Cluster; PASS-Key
II@
Decoder Module (10 Amp.)
5 - Powertrain Control Module;
PASS-Key
11s Decoder Module;
Fuel Pump Relay (15 Amp.)
;
6 - Brake LightKruise Release
Switch; Hazard Flasher
(20 Amp.)
7 - Power Door Locks; Power Mirrors;
Hatch Release (15 Amp.)
8
- Audio Alarm Module; Base@
Relay; Courtesy Lights: Console
Compartment, Glove Box, Dome,
Trunk, Rear Courtesy, Rearview
Mirror and Radio (15 Amp.)
9 - Audio Alarm Module; Daytime
Running Lights Module (Canada);
Diagnostic Energy Reserve
Module; Instrument Cluster; Remote Lock Control Module
( 10 Amp.)
10 - Exterior Lighting (20 Amp.)
11 - Cigarette Lighter; Horn Relay
12 - Power Seats; Rear Defogger
13 - Brightness Control (5 Amp.)
14 - Windshield Wipermasher
(25 Amp.)
15 - Power Windows, Convertible
Top Switch
(30 Amp. Circuit
Breaker)
Module
(3 Amp.)
(15 Amp.)
(25 Amp.)
(30 Amp. Circuit Breaker)
16 - Diagnostic Energy Reserve
17 - Radio; Steering Wheel Controls
. . ,230
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance Services (Cont.)
Explanation of Scheduled
Maintenance Services
Following are explanations of the services
listed in Schedule I and Schedule
II.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are
listed in Section
D. Make sure whoever
services your vehicle uses these. All parts
should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle.
NOTE: To determine your engine’s
displacement and code, see
“Engine Identification” in the
Index.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
1 Engine Oil and Filter Change* -
Always use SH or SG Energy
Conserving
I1 oils of proper
viscosity. The “SH” or “SG”
designation may be shown alone
or in combination with others,
such as “SH/CD,”
“SH, SG,
CD,” “SG/CD,” etc. To deter-
mine the preferred viscosity for
your vehicle’s engine (e.g., SAE
ITEM
NO.
2
3
4
SERVICE
5W-30 or SAE 10W-30), see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
Chassis Lubrication
- Lubricate
the suspension and steering
linkage. Lubricate the
transmission
shift linkage.
Tire and Wheel Rotation and
InsDection
- For proper wear
and maximum tire life, rotate
your tires following the
instructions in this manual. See
“Tires, Inspection and Rotation”
in the Index. Check the tires for
uneven wear or damage. If you
see irregular or premature wear,
check the wheel alignment.
Check for damaged wheels also.
Engine Accessorv Drive Belt!s)
InsDection
- Inspect the belt(s)
for cracks, fraying, wear and
proper tension. Replace as
needed. (Belts can have many small cracks in individual ribs
without affecting performance.)
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
5 Cooling: System Service* -
Drain, flush and refill the system
with new or approved recycled
coolant conforming to GM
Specification 1825M. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See “Coolant”
in the
Index. This provides proper
freeze and boil protection, corrosion inhibitor level and
maintains proper engine operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace if they
are cracked, swollen or deterior-
ated. Tighten screw-type hose
clamps. Clean the outside of the
radiator and air conditioning
condenser. Wash the pressure cap and neck.
To help ensure proper operation,
we recommend a pressure test of
both the cooling system and the
pressure cap.
* An Emission Control Service.
. . .246
ProCarManuals.com

Index
Pedal Travel. Brake ............. 207
Performance Mode Switch
........ 54
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
. . 251
Pontiac Roadside Assistance
...... 262
Pontiac Service Publications
(Ordering Information)
........ 265
Power Door Locks
.................. 44
Retained Accessory ........... 52
Seat. Six-Way
................ 9
Steering
.................... 132
Steering Fluid
................ 204
Windows
................... 68
Pregnancy. Safety Belt Use
during
...................... 27
Pressure Cap. Radiator
........... 204
Problems on
we Road ........... 15 1
Publications. Service
............ 263
Questions Many People Ask about
Safety Belts
- and the Answers.
Here are
.................. 17
Radiator Pressure Cap
.......... 204
Radiator. How to Add Coolant
to the
................... .165. 167
Radio Reception. Understanding
... 121
Radio.
To Play the
A" Stereo with Cassette
Tape Player
............... 109 Radio.
To Play
the
AM/FM Stereo with Cassette
Tape Player and Graphic
Equalizer
............... 1 12
AM/FM Stereo with Compact
Disc Player
................ 115
A" Stereo with Compact
Disc Player and Graphic
Equalizer
............... 1 18
Rain. Driving in the
............. 137
Rear
Rainy Weather Tips. Some Other ... 138
Axle
....................... 201
Axle. Limited-Slip
............ 62
Seat Passengers (Safety Belts) ... 28
Seat. Securing a Child Restraint
in the
..................... 33
Seatback. Folding
............. 13
Towing Hook-Ups
............ 160
Window Defogger
............ 107
Rearview Mirror. Inside
Daymight
................... 79
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
............... 253
Recovery. Off-Road
............. 133
Release Hatch
...................... 47
Hatch. Remote
............... 47
Hood
....................... 188
Reminder Light. Safety Belt
...... 18
Reminder. Lights On
............ 76 Remote Hatch Release
........... 47
Remote Lock Control
............ 44
Replacement Air Filter
.................... 196
Battery. Remote Lock Control
... 44
Bulbs (Part Numbers) .......... 232
Bulbs (Service)
............... 209
Parts
....................... 234
Wheel
...................... 220
Wheels. Used
................ 220
Replacing Brake System Parts
..... 208
Replacing Safety Belts after a Crash
..................... 40
Reporting Safety Defects
......... 261
Restraint Systems. Seats and
...... 7
Restraints Checking Your System
......... 40
Child
....................... 31
Head
....................... 12
Where to Put the
.............. 31
Retained Accessory Power
........ 52
Right Front Passenger Position (Safety Belts)
................ 27
Right Front Seat. Securing a Child
Restraint in the
............... 35
Road. Problems on the ........... 151
Road. Your Driving and the
....... 125
Roads. Hill and Mountain
........ 141
Roadside Assistance. Canadian
.... 263
Roadside Assistance. Pontiac
...... 262
... 274
ProCarManuals.com

Index
Steering
Storage Tips
........................ 132
Compartments
............... 83
Vehicle
..................... 208
Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow
. . 180
Sun Visors
.................... 85
Sunshades. T-Top ............... 82
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System (Air Bags)
............ 23
Switch. Ignition
................ 51
Switch. Performance Mode
....... 54
Symbols. Vehicle
............... 5
TTop Sunshades .............. 82
Tachometer .................... 89
Tank. Filling Your
.............. 187
Temperature Control Knob
....... 104
Theft
......................... 48
Theft Deterrent Feature/
THEFTLOCK
............... 120
Theft.Deterrent. PASS-Key I1 ..... 49
Thermostat
.................... 204
Tilt Wheel
..................... 69
Tips. Steering .................. 132
Tips. Ventilation
................ 108
Tire Loading
................... 2 13
Tires
......................... 215
Balance. Wheel Alignment and
. . 220
Buying New
................. 2 18
Symbols. Safety Warnings and
.... 4
... 276
Tires
Chains
..................... 221
Changing
a Flat .............. 17 1
Inflation Pressure ............. 2 16
Inspection and Rotation
........ 217
Temperature Grades
........... 2 1 9
Traction Grades .............. 219
Treadwear ................... 2 19
Uniform Quality Grading
....... 219
When It's Time for New
....... 2 18
AM/F" Stereo with Cassette Tape
Player
.................... 1 10
AM/FM Stereo with Cassette
Tape Player and Graphic
Tone.
Setting the
Equalizer
............... 1 13
A" Stereo with Compact Disc
Player
.................... I 16
A" Stereo with Compact
Disc Player and Graphic
Equalizer
............... 1 19
Top Strap (Child Restraints)
....... 32
Torque Lock
.................. 65
Towing
A Trailer .................... 144
Front Hook-Ups
.............. 158
Rear Hook-Ups .............. 160
Your Vehicle
................. 156
Traction Control System
......... 130
And Cruise Control ........... 75
Warning Light ............... 92 Trailer Brakes
.................. 147
Trailer. Towing a
............... 144
Transmission
Automatic
................... 56
Fluid. Automatic ............. 198
Fluid. Manual
................ 200
Manual. Five-Speed
........... 59
Manual. Six-Speed
............ 60
Transmitters. Matching to Your
Vehicle (Remote Lock Control)
. . 45
Transportation. Courtesy ......... 263
Trip Odometer
................. 89
Trip. Before Leaving on a Long
.... 140
Turn Signal and Lane Change
Indicator
.................... 69
Turn Signaweadlight
Beam Lever
................. 69
Twin Lift-off Roof Panels
........ 80
Underbody Maintenance ....... 226
Underhood Electrical Center
...... 231
Understanding Radio Reception
... 121
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
..... 219
Used Oil. What to Do With
....... 195
Used Replacement Wheels
........ 220
Vehicle Control of a
................. 128
Damage Warnings
............ 4
Dimensions ................. 236
Environment and Your
......... 240
ProCarManuals.com