1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD mirror

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. At
the entrance there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic.
Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder ‘as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your
“blind” spot.
Once you are moving
on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
1 ..
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance. If you
miss your exit do not, under
any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to the
next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
4-21
ProCarManuals.com

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway
hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack
of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let
it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in
less than a second, and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
0 Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to
the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
0 If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service,
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
, . C? . ‘j . .i .
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.
4-23
ProCarManuals.com

Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never .allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes
-- and they must be
adequate. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to instal, adjust and
maintain them properly. Because you have anti-lock
brakes, do not try to tap into your vehicle’s brake
system. If you do, both brake systems won’t work well,
or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel
of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand.to be sure
thg brakes
are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
4-35
ProCarManuals.com

5. PCM IGN: Powertrain Control Module; Fuel Pump
Re1ay;Theft Deterrent Module; Engine Mass Air
Flow Sensor (V8 Engine)
6. STOP/HAZARD: Brake Light/Cruise Release
Switch; Hazard Flasher
7. PWR ACCY: Power Door Locks; Power Mirrors;
Hatch Release Switch; Auxiliary Accessory Wire
8. COURTESY: Audio Alarm Module; Courtesy
Lamps: Console Compartment, Glove Box, Dome,
Trunk, Rear Courtesy, Rearview Mirror; Radio;
Theft Deterrent Module; SECURITY Indicator;
Hatch Release Relay; Keyless Entry Receiver
9. GAGES: Audio Alarm Module; Daytime Running
Lamps Module (Canada); Diagnostic Energy
Reserve Module; Instrument Cluster; Keyless Entry
Receiver; Brake Switch Assembly; Auxiliary
Accessory Wire
10. TAIL LTS: Exterior Lighting
11.
CIGAR/HORN: Cigarette Lighter; Horn Relay;
12. DEFOGBEATS: Power Seats; Rear Defogger
13.
IP DIMMER: Brightness Control
14.
WIPEWASH: Windshield Wipermasher
15. WINDOWS: Power Windows, Convertible Top
Data Link Connector
Switch (Circuit Breaker); Cooling Level Latching
Module
16. CRANK: Diagnostic Energy Reserve Module
17.
RADIO: Radio Amplifier; Steering Wheel Controls
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Oil .................................. 6-14
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
........................ 6-29
Manual Transmission Fluid
.................... 6-27
Power Steering Fluid
......................... 6-34
Restraint Systems
............................ 1-40
Things Under the Hood
........................ 6-8
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-63
Child Restraints
....................................
Securing in st Rear Seat Position ................. 1-33
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-34
TopStrap
................................... 1-32
WheretoPut
................................ 1-31
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-63
Circuit Breaker. Power Windows and Other
Power Options ................................ 6-67
Cleaner.
Air ................................... 6-19
Cleaning
Aluminurnwheels ........................... 6-62
Fabric
..................................... 6-57
Glass
...................................... 6-59
Leather
.................................... 6-59
Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades
....... 6-60
Special Problems
............................ 6-58
Stains
...................................... 6-58
The Inside
of Your Pontiac ..................... 6-56
The Outside
of Your Pontiac .................... 6-60
Tires
...................................... 6-62
Your Convertible Top ......................... 6-62
Vinyl
...................................... 6-58
Top of the Instrument Panel .................... 6-59
Clock. Setting the ................................ 3-5
Close-OutPanel
................................ 2-60
Clutch Adjustment
.............................. 6-28
Clutch. Hydraulic
............................... 6-28
Compact Disc Care ............................. 3-16
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-42
Console. Front
................................. 2-60
Control
of a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
Control.
Loss of ................................ 4-14
Convertible Top
................................ 2-80
Convertible Top Cleaning
........................ 6-62
CornfortControls ................................ 3-1
Convertible Top. To Lower Your ................... 2-80
Convertible Top.
To Raise Your .................... 2-83
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-54
Coolant
....................................... 6-30
Coolant Heater. Engine .......................... 2-21
Coolant Recovery Tank
.......................... 5-20
Coolant Temperature Gage
.................. ; .... 2-73
Coolant. How to Add to the Coolant Recovery Tank
... 5-20
Coolant. How to Add
to the Radiator (LT1 Engine) .... 5-26
Coolant.
How to Add to the Radiator (V6 Engine) ..... 5-23
Cooling System
................................ 5-18
Coudesy Lamps ................................ 2-52
Covered Visor Vanity Mirror ...................... 2-61
Cruise Control
Erasing Speed Memory
........................ 2-49
Passing Another Vehicle While Using ............ 2-48
Getting Out of ............................... 2-48
To Increase Speed ............................ 2-47
9-3
ProCarManuals.com

ToReduceSpeed ............................ 2-48
To Resume a Set Speed
........................ 2-47
ToSet
..................................... 2-46
UseonHills
................................ 2-48
Customer Assistance for the Hearing or Speech
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8-1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
.................... 8- 1
Impaired ..................................... 8-2
Damage. Finish ............................... 6-63
Damage. Sheet Metal ............................ 6-63
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-50
Defects. Reporting
............................... 8-4
Defensive Driving ............................... 4- 1
Defogging ..................................... 3-3
Differential. Limited Slip
......................... 6-29
Dolby 00 Noise Reduction ........................ 3-8
DoorLocks
..................................... 2-3
DriverPosition
................................. 1-13
Driving
On Grades. With a Trailer .................. 4-37
Driving
AtNight ................................... 4-16
City
....................................... 4-20
Defensive
................................... 4-1
Drunken
.................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-21
DeadBattery ................................... 5-2
Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 3-4
Defrosting
..................................... 3-3
InaBlizzard ................................ 4- 27
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
IntheRain
.................................. 4-17
OnCurves
.................................. 4-11
On
Hill and Mountain Roads ................... 4-23
On Snow and Ice ............................. 4-26
Through Deep Standing Water
.................. 2-20
Winter
..................................... 4-25
With a Trailer
............................... 4-35
DrunkenDriving ................................ 4-2
Electric Mirror Control ......................... 2-54
Electrical Equipment, Adding
..................... 6-65
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
............. 6-66, 6-69
Engine Coolant
................................. 6-30
Adding .................................... 6-31
Checking
................................... 6-31
Heater
..................................... 2-21
Temperature Gage ............................ 2-72
Exhaust
.................................... 2-37
Identification
................................ 6-65
Oil ........................................ 6-12
Engine Oil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
.................................... 6-15
Additives
................................... 6-18
Checking
................................... 6-14
Engine
What Kind to Use (3.4L, 5.7L) .................. 6-17
What Kind to Use (3.8L)
...................... 6-16
9-4
. ...
ProCarManuals.com

Glass. Cleaning ................................ 6-59
GloveBox
.................................... 2-60 GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) .............. 4-30
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-40
Hatchback Release
............................... 2-9
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-1
Head Restraints ................................. 1-6
Headlamp High-Low Beam Changer ............... 2-42
Headlamp, Wiring
.............................. 6-67
Headlamps, Bulb Replacement
.................... 6-40
Hearing or Speech Impaired, Customer Assistance
...... 8-2
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-23
HeadlampDoor ................................ 2-51
Headlamps .................................... 2-49
Heating ........................................ 3-1
Hitches,Trailer ................................. 4-34
HoodRelease
................................... 6-8
Horn ......................................... 2-40
Hydraulic Clutch ............................... 6-28
Adding
.................................. 6-28
Checking
................................... 6-29
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4- 19
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
If You’re Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow ......... 5-43
Ignition Key Positions
........................... 2-14
Ignition Switch
................................. 2-14
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-53
Brake System ............................... 7-49
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-48
Manual Transmission
......................... 7-49
Rear Axle Service
............................ 7-49
Restraint System
............................. 7-48
Steering and Suspension
....................... 7-48
Throttle Linkage
............................. 7-49
Installing Boot Cover ............................ 2-82
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-64
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
................ 2-49
Instrument Panel Cluster
......................... 2-66
Instrument Panel Cleaning
........................ 6-59
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-52
Inspections
J ack. Tire .................................... 5-31
................................... Jump Starting 5-2
Key Lock Cvlinders ............................ 7-46 .I
Key Release Button ............................. 2-15
Keys .......................................... 2-1
9-6
.................. ........... - ~~ ProCarManuals.com

Lamps ...................................... 2-49
Lamps On Reminder
............................ 2-50
Lamps. Courtesy
............................... 2-52
Lamps. Daytime Running
........................ 2-50
Lmps. Front Map .............................. 2-52
Lamps. Interior
................................. 2-52
Lane Change Indicator
........................... 2-41
Larger Children. Safety Belt Use
................... 1-37
Latches. Front Seatback
........................... 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-4
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
....... 2-35
Lights
Air Bag Readiness ...................... 1-21. 2-68
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
........... 2-70. 4-6
Brake System Warning
........................ 2-69
Check Gauges
............................... 2-79
Coolant
(V8 Engine Only) ..................... 2-73
Low Traction
................................ 2-72
Safety Belt Reminder
..................... 1.8. 2.68
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-74
LowCoolant ................................ 2-73
LowOil
.................................... 2-77
Low Traction
................................ 2-72
Lighter ....................................... 2-63
Limited Slip Differential
......................... 6-29
Limited
Slip Axle .............................. 6-32
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-29
Locks
Lamps. Fog ................................... 2-52
Traction Control System Warning ........... 2.72. 4-9
Door ....................................... 2-3
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Steering Column
............................. 7-46
Lock. Torque .................................. 2-35
Loss of Control
................................ 4-14
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 6-73
Lubrication. Body .............................. 7-46
Main Fuse Block ......................... 6-66. 6-67
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-52
Maintenance Schedule
Long Trip. Before Leaving on a .................... 4-22
Low Maintenance Battery
........................ 6-40
Owner Checks and Services .................... 7-45 .
Periodic Maintenance Inspections ............... 7-48
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............ 7-50
Schedule1
................................... 7-6
Schedule
I Definition .......................... 7-4
ScheduleII
................................. 7-32
Schedule
11 Definition .......................... 7-5
Scheduled Maintenance Services
................. 7-3
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ............ 6-74
Maintenance. Underbody
.... .- .. ................... 6-63
Maihtenance. When Trailer Towing
................. 4-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light) 2-74
Manual Adjust Mirror
........................... 2-53
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-1
Manual Remote Control Mirror .................... 2-53
Manual Transmission
ProCarManuals.com