1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD manual transmission

Operation
The driver’s door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed. If UNLOCK is pressed again
within five seconds, the passenger door will
also unlock.
All doors will lock when DOOR is pressed. The hatch
will unlock when the opened
trunk symbol is pressed,
but only when the ignition switch is not in
RUN, and the
transmission is in
PARK (P) if you have an automatic
transmission.
If you have a manual transmission, the
parking brake must be set.
The system will turn on the interior lamps for about
40 seconds, or until the ignition switch is turned to
RUN,
or if you unlock the doors or hatch. The interior
lamps will come on for about two seconds when you
lock the doors.
Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle
Each key chain transmitter is coded to prevent another
transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter
is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through
your dealer. Remember to bring any remaining
transmitters with you when you
go to your dealer. When
the dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your
vehicle, the remaining transmitters must also be
matched. Once the new transmitter is coded, the lost
transmitter
will not unlock your vehicle.
You can match a transmitter to as many different
vehicles as you own, provided they are equipped with
exactly the same model system. (General Motors offers
several different models of these systems on their
vehicles.) Each vehicle can have only two transmitters
matched to
it.
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New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition Switch
NOTICE:
Your modern Pontiac doesn’t need an elaborate
%break-in.” But it
will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
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Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km@) or
less for the first
500 miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed
-- fast or slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km). Don’t
make full-throttle starts.
Ayoid making hard stops for the first
2a0: miles (322 kni) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this “breaking-in” guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during “break-in.” See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index for more
information.
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions:
ACC (A): Position in which you can operate your
electrical power accessories. Press in the ignition switch as you
turn the top of it toward you.
LOCK (B): The only position in which you can remove
the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission.
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If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can’t be turned to
LOCK unless the shift lever is
in the PARK (P) position.
OFF (C): Unlocks the steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission, but does not send electrical
power to
any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed.
A warning tone will
sound if you open the driver’s door when the ignition is
OFF and the key is in the ignition.
RUN (D): Position to which the switch returns after you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the
RUN position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical power accessories and to
display some instrument panel warning and indicator
lights.
START (E): Starts the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch will return to
RUN
for normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, ACC and
RUN allow you to operate your electrical accessories,
such as the radio and ventilation fan.
Key Release Button: If you have a manual
transmission, your ignition lock has
a key release button.
You must press the button before you can take: your key
out
of the ignition lock.
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Starting Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or
number for your engine. You will fiid the
VIN at the top
left of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number”
in the Index.) Follow the proper
steps to start the engine.
Automatic transmission:
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N)
only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Pontiac is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
Manual transmission:
The gear selector should be in neutral. Hold the clutch
pedal to the
floor and start the engine. Your vehicle
won’t
start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down --
that’s a safety feature.
To start your V6 engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as your‘
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer thh
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive. heat
can damage your starter motor.
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Second-Gear Start Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
TRANSMISSION
2NDGEAR@ START
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Second-Gear Start
feature. Press
2ND GEAR START to provide more
traction when you are starting on ice or other slippery
surfaces. The transmission will be in second gear when
the vehicle begins to move. After starting in second
gear, the vehicle will upshift normally.
This feature is only for improved traction when the road
surface
is slippery and is not intended for continuous
use. Always use NORMAL for normal road conditions.
You may press
2ND GEAR START again to turn off this
feature. Whenever you start your vehicle, the
transmission is
in the NORMAL mode.
In very cold weather, 0 "F (- 18 O C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
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Automatic Transmission
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
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Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range
before starting the engine. Your Pontiac has a
brake-transmission shift interlock. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in the RUN position.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) and also release the shift lever button on floor
shift console models
as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press
the shift lever button before moving the shift lever on
floor shift console models.) See “Shifting Out of
PARK (P) in
this part.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transmission. Shift to REVERSE
(R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see
“Stuck:
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow, If You’re” in the
Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL
(N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL,
(N) when your vehicle is being towed.
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NOTICE:
THIRD (3): This is like D, but you never go into
Overdrive.
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting Here are some times you might choose THIRD instead
out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL [N) with the of OVERDRIVE:
engine racing isn’t covered by your warranty. - When driving on hilly, winding roads.
- When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
AUTOMATIC OVERDWE (D) between gears.
This position is for normal driving. If you need more
power for passing,
and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 kmk), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
- Going about 35 mph (56 kmk) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more
power.
- When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy.
You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go dowri-:.steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want-to use
’,
your brakes off and on.
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