1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD ignition

LOCK (B): The only position in which you can remove
the key.
This locks your steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission.
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 plashed 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
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.
I warning and indicator lights.
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.
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key
to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a
collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to OFF. Don't press the key release button while
the vehicle
is moving.
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NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn
it, be sure it is all the way in. If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
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
find the VIN at the top
left of your instnzment 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.
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Manual transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL (N).’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.
Starting Your 3800 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 than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner.
And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START for about three to five seconds at a time until
your engine starts. Wait about
15 seconds between
each try to help avoid draining your battery.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the’ pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline
from the engine.
After waiting about
15 seconds, repeat the normal
starting procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics
in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the
way
the engine operates. Before .adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging
your vehicle. I See c6To~g
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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Starting Your 5.7 Liter LT1 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn the
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 than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn't start wihn 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal
all the way to the floor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to
help avoid draining your battery.
When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0°F or -18"C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there. When the
engine starts,
let go of the key. Use the accelerator pedal
to maintain engine speed, if you have to, until
your engine
has run for a while.
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal
all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
I NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accepsories, you could change the
way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do
it
without damaging your vehicle. See 4'Towing
Your Vehicle" in the Index.
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Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range
before starting the engine. Your Ponti’ac 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 shZt 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 section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to BEVERSE (R) while your vehicle
’is moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only
after
your vehicle is stopped,
To rock YOW vehicle back and f~~th 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.
Shifting out of PARI( (B) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine
is “racing” (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or
objects, Don’t shift out ofPARK (P) or
NEUTBAL (N) while your engine is racing.
I NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting
out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the
engine racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
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6-Speed
1 3 5 R
2 4 6
This is your shift pattern.
Here’s how to operate
your transmission:
FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST
(1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST
(1) when you’re going less
than
20 mph (32 M). If you’ve come to a complete
stop and it’s hard to shift into FIRST
(1) put, the shift
THIRD(3),FOURTH(4),FIFTH(5),and SIXTH
(6): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and
SIXTH (6) the same way you do for SECOND (2).
Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
To Stop: Let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
$rake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to neutral.
‘NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let
up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
If you
shift from SIXTH (6) into REVERSE (R) the shift lever
must be first placed in the
ITl3UTRAL (N) position
centered between
SECOND (2) and THIRD (3) prior to
shifting into REVERSE (R).
Your six-speed manual transmission has a feature that
’ ’ idle your engine.
lever in NEUTRAL
(N) and let up on the clutch. Press allows
you to safely shift into REVERSE (R) while the
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1). vehicle is rolling (at less than 5 mph). You will: be
locked-out if you try to shift into REVERSE (R) while
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on your vehicle is moving faster than 5 mph (8 km/h).
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,
slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you press the If you have turned your ignition to the OFF position
accelerator pedal.
and wish to park your vehicle in, REVERSE (a), you will have to move the shift lever quickly to the right,
“crashing”through the high load spring and then into gear.
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Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and
pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is on,
the brake system warning light will come
on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the
parking brake lever up until you can push in the
release button.
Hold the release button in as you move
the brake lever all the way down.
1. '
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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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