1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD engine

Features and Controls
I
Voltmeter
You can read battery 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. Have it checked right away.
Driving with the voltmeter reading in a
warning 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
ABS.
... 94
:If this happens, your “ABS INOP’ light
will come on. See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” in this
part.)
[f you must drive a short distance with the
voltmeter reading in a warning zone, turn
~ff all your accessories, including your
:omfort control and audio systems.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
A computer monitors operation of your
fuel, ignition and emission control
systems. This light should come on when
the ignition is on, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show you it is
working.
If it doesnot come on at all,
have it fixed right away.
If it stays on, or
it comes on while you are driving, the
computer is indicating that you have a
problem. You should take your vehicle in
for service soon.
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after a while the emis-
sion controls won’t work as well,
your fuel economy won’t be as good
and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty.
E
T
P
I
el
(1
is
8
el
a1
R
el
h,
G
SC
0
hgine Oil Pressure Gage
‘his gage tells you if there could be a
roblem with your engine oil pressure.
’he engine oil pressure gage shows the
ngine oil pressure in psi (pounds per
quare inch)
in the U.S., or kPa
cilopascals) in Canada, when the engine
; running. Oil pressure should be 20 to
0 psi (140 to 550 kPa). It may vary with
ngine speed, outside temperature and
il viscosity, but readings above the red
rea show the normal operating range.
leadings in the red area tell you that the
ngine is low on oil, or that you might
ave some other oil problem. See “Engint
Iil” in the Index.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from
neglected oil problems can be costly
and is not covered by your warqanty.
ProCarManuals.com

Features and Controls
CHECK
GAUGES
Check Gages Light
This light will come on briefly when you
are starting the engine. If the light comes
on and stays on while you are driving,
check your gages to see
if they are in the
warning areas.
... 96
LOW
OIL
,ow Oil Light
!our vehicle is equipped with an oil level
nonitoring system. When you start your
ngine, the light will come on briefly. If
he light doesn’t come on, have it
epaired. If the light stays on after startine
‘our engine, your engine oil level may be
30 low. You may need to add oil. See
Engine Oil” in the Index.
I NOTICE:
The oil level monitoring system only
checks the oil level when you are
starting your engine. It does not keep
monitoring the level once your en- gine is running.
Also, the oil level
check only works when the engine
has been turned off long enough for
the oil to drain back into the oil pan.
ProCarManuals.com

9
!I LOW
COOLANT
Low Coolant Light (4% Engine)
This light should come on while you are
starting your engine.
If the light doesn’t
come on, have it repaired. The light also
comes on when the coolant in your
radiator
is low. You may need to add
coolant. See “Engine Coolant”
in the
NOTICE:
Driving with the “LOW COOLANT”
light on could cause
your Pontiac to
overheat. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index. Your Pontiac could
be
damaged, and it wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
Convertible Top
The following procedures explain the
proper operation of your convertible top.
To Lower Your Convertible Top
NOTICE:
Don’t leave yoqxconvertible out with
the top down for any long periods
of time. The sun and the rain can
damage your seat material and other
things inside your vehicle.
97. .
ProCarManuals.com

During initial start-up only, if your
vehicle is eduipped with an optional
engine coolant heater, you can
use i't in
cold weather (around
+20°F/-8" C or
lower) to heat the passenger areq better
than without it. Because an engine coolant
heater warms the engine coolant, your
vehicle's Heating system can more
efficiently provide heat for the passenger
area
of your vehicle. See "Engine Coolant
Heater" in the Index.
Bi-Level Heating
You may want to use bi-level heating on
cool, but sunny days. This setting directs
cool air toward your body and warmer air
toward your feet.
1. Turn the air control knob to ,d .
2. Turn the temperature control knob to
3. Turn the fan control knob to the right.
a
comfortable setting.
VentiMon
?or mild outside temperatures when little
leating or cooling
is needed, you can still
iirect outside air through your vehicle.
I. Turn the air control knob to 2 .
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
3. Turn the fan control knob to the right.
comfortable setting.
3efogging and Defrosting
Windows
I. Tui-n
the air control knob to
!. Turn the temperature control knob all
1. Turn the fan control knob to the: right.
P.
the way to the right.
105 ...
ProCarManuals.com

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
I‘
Air Conditioner Controls (OPTIoN)
The air conditioning system uses the same
controls
as the heating system, except that
the air control knob has two extra
settings, described below. For
an
explanation of all the controls, see
“Heater Controls” earlier in this part.
MAX: Provides maximum cooling or
quick cool-down on very hot days. This
setting recirculates most of the air inside
your vehicle. If it is used for long periods
of time, the air may become
dry. This
setting directs air through the upper air
vents.
. . .lo6
A/C: Use for normal cooling on hot days
This setting cools outside air and directs
through the upper air vents.
The air conditioner comtxessor oDerates
in
“MAX,” “NC” and ii VJ , ,% and
9 when the outside temperature is
a6&e freezing. When the air conditioner
is on, you may sometimes notice slight
changes in your vehicle’s engine speed
and power. This is normal because the
system is designed
to cycle the
compressor on and
off to keep the desirec
cooling and help fuel economy.
Cooling
The air conditioner works best
if you keep
your windows closed. On very hot days,
open the windows just long enough for
the hot air to escape.
1. Turn the air control knob to “NC” for
normal cooling. For faster cooling
move the knob to
‘“AX.”
2. Turn the temperature control knob to
3. Turn the fan control knob to the right. a comfortable setting.
ProCarManuals.com

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
/I
Ventilation Tips
Keep the hood and front air inlet free
of ice, snow, or any other obstruction
(such as leaves). The heater and
defroster will work far better, reducin
the chance of fogging the inside of
your windows.
When you enter a vehicle
in cold
weather, turn the fan control knob to
the right for a few moments before
driving off. This helps clear the intak
ducts of snow and moisture, and
reduces the chance of fogging the
inside
of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seat
clear of objects. This helps air to
circulate throughout your vehicle.
Audio Systems
7
i
(
1:
1
1
i
1
1
I
I’
four Delco@ audio system has been
lesigned to operate easily and give years
>f listening pleasure. But you will get the
nost enjoyment out of it if you acquaint
yourself with it first..Find out what your
Delco’ system can do and how to operate
111 its controls, to be sure you’re getting
he most out of the advanced engineering
:hat went into it.
[f you have power door locks, your
vehicle has a feature called Retained
Accessory Power
(RAP). With RAP you
:an play your audio system even after the
ignition is
off. See the Index under
“Retained Accessory Power.”
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment
to your vehicle
- like a tape player,
CB radio, mobile telephone or
two-way radio
- be sure you can
add what you want. If you
can, it’s
very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may inter-
fere with the operation of your
vehicle’s engine, Delco@ radio or
other systems, and even damage them. And, your vehicle’s systems
may interfere with the operation of
sound equipment that has been added
improperly
So, before adding sound equipment,
check with your dealer and be sure to
check Federal rules covering mobile radio and telephone units.
. . .IO8
ProCarManuals.com

This is a mistake. Your brakes may not
have time to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if
you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow
realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer
brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you’re
driving, brake normally but don’t pump
your brakes. If you do, the pedal may get
harder to push down. If your engine stops,
you will still have some power brake
assist. But you will use it when you brake.
Once the power assist
is used up, it make
take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
mti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
[our Pontiac has an advanced electronic
lraking system that will help prevent
kidding.
ABS
INOP
This light on the instrument panel will go
on when you start your vehicle.
When you start your vehicle, or when you
begin to drive away, you may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise. And
you may even notice that
your brake
pedal moves a little while
this is going on.
This is the
ABS system testing itself. If
there’s a problem with the anti-lock brake
system, the anti-lack brake system
warning light will stay on or flash.
129 ...
ProCarManuals.com