1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD automatic transmission

1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
I
2. Move the shift lever into' PARK (P) position by
holding in
the button on the lever, and push the lever
all the way toward the front
af your vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK,
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (PI.
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission
Models Only)
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine
running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle
with the engine running, it could
overheat and ev'en catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't
leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running,
be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking
brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved
the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position, hold, the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pushing the button. If you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn't fully locked
into PARK (P).
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Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission) Shifting Out of PARK (P)
If you are parlung on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK
(P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult
to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P),. This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)”
in the Index.
When you
are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
(Automatic Transmission)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transmission shift interlock.
You have to fully apply your regular brake before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in
the
RUN position. See “Automatic Transmission” in
the Index.
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 release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and ‘move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
If torque lock does occur, you may need
to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill
to take some of the
pressure from the transmission,
so you can pull the shift
lever out
of PARK (P). 1. Turn the key to the OFF position.
If
you
ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
Parking Your Vehicle 2. Apply and hold the brake.
(Manual Transmission) 3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transmission in REVERSE
(R) and firmly apply the
parking brake.
5. .Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
If your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
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Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
,.
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have
to, here are some things to know.
- -
A CAUTION:
-
Idling the engine with the air system control
off could anow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle
(see the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhaust”).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen
is a garage. Exhaust -- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. (See
“Blizzard” in the Index.)
I
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have
.to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK
(P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer,
also see “Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index.
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When you apply your brakes, or push the clutch pedal, If
your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
if you have a manual transmission, the cruise control traction control system
begins to
limit wheel spin, the
shuts off. cruise control will automatically disengage. (See
“Traction Control System’’ in the Index.) When road
conditions allow you to safely use
it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.
Setting Cruise Control
can’t drive safely at a steady speed.
So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.
0 Cruise control can be dangerous on If you leave your cruise control switch on when
yodre not using
cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don’t want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch
OFF until you want to use it.
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Ashtray and Lighter
Lift up the cover to open the ashtray. To remove it, lift
up
on either side of the ashtray. If you have an automatic
transmission, the ashtray is near the front of your
console.
If you have a manual transmission, the ashtray
is
near your cupholder.
NOTICE:
Don’t put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtray.
If’ you do, cigarettes or other
smoking materials could set them on fire, causing
damage.
To use the lighter, push it in all the way and let go.
When it’s ready, it. will pop b’ack bv itself.
NOTICE:
Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while
it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to
back away from the heating element when
it’s
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
If you plug accessories into your cigarette lighter, such
as heating devices or air compressors, these accessories
should have a rated current of less than
15 amps.
Exceeding
this limit will result in a blown fuse.
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You can store the sunshades two different ways:
0 When the T-tops are in use, store the sunshades in
their storage area in the rear of the vehicle, and
make
sure the close-out panel is in its closed,
upright position.
0 When you have the T-tops off and in their storage
slots, store the sunshades on the T-tops, in their
installed position.
Convertible Top
The following procedures explain the proper operation
of your convertible top.
Lowering Your Convertible Top
Don’t leave your convertible out with the top
down for any long periods of time. The sun and
the rain can damage your seat material and other
1. Park on a level surface. Set the parking brake firmly,
shift
an automatic transmission into PARK (PI or a
manual transmission into
REVERSE (R). The
ignition must be in the ACC or RUN position. Lower
both
sun visors.
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3. Install the middle section of the cover by sliding
the tabs into the slots on right side cover. Lower
the cover and engage latch.
4. Close the trunk.
Raising Your Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface. Set the parking brake fdy.
If you have an automatic transmission, shift into
PARK (I?). If you have a manual transmission, shift
into REVERSE (R). The ignition must be in the ACC
or RUN position or RAP must be on. Lower both sun
visors. Lower both windows at least 3 inches (8 cm).
If the boot cover is in place, it must be removed first.
2. Open the trunk. Remove the middle piece of the
cover by pushing in on the latch and lifting up on
the cover.
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1. Fog Lamp Switch (if equipped)
2. Main Lamp Control
3. Side Upper Air Vent
4. Instrument Cluster
5. Horn
6. Center Upper Air Vent
7.
Audio System
8. Glove Box
9. Comfort Controls
10. Cigarette Lighter .
1 1. Parking Brake Lever
12. Cupholder
13. Storage Console
14. Shift Lever
15. Ashtray (Automatic Transmission)
16. Rear Window Defogger Switch
17. Steering Wheel Controls
18. Remote Hatch Release
19. Convertible Top Switch (Option)
20. Traction Control System Switch (Option)
21. Second Gear Start (V6 Automatic only)
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