1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

GM Participation in BBB AUTO
LINE -- Alternative Dispute r, - ... I ., . - .'
"--Resolution Program*
*This- program may not be available in all states,
depending
on state law. Canadian owners refer to your
Warranty
and Owner Assistance Informaticm booklet.
GeneralMotors reserves the right to change eligibility
limitations and/or
to discontinue its participation in
this program,.
Both Pontiac and your Pontiac dealer are committed to'
making sure you are completely satisfied with your new
vehicle. Our experience has shown that, if a situation
arjses where you feel your concern has not been
adequately
addressed, the Customer Satisfaction Procedure
described earlier in
this section is very successful.
There may
be instances where an impartial third party
can
assist in arriving at a solution to a disagreement
regarding vehicle repairs or interpretation
of the New
Vehicle Limited
Warianty. To assist in resolving these
disagreements,
Pontiac voluntarily participates in
BBB AUTO LINE.
BBB AUTO LINE is an out-of-court program
administered
by the Better Business Bureau system to
settle disputes between customers and automobile
manufacturers.
This program is available fkee of charge
to customers who currently own or lease a GM vehicle.
If you are not satisfied after following the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure, you
may contact the BBB using
the toll-free telephone number
or write them at the
following address: m,--.:-, 4 :
BBB AUTO LINE
Council sf Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203
Telephone: 1-800-955-5 100
To file a claim, you will be asked to provide your name
and address, your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN),
and a statement
of the nature of your complaint.
Eligibility is limited
by vehicle age and mileage, and
other factors.
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8-8
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We prefer you utilize the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure before
you resort to AUTO LINE, but you
may contact the BBB at any time. The BBB will attempt
to resolve the complaint serving as an intermediary
between you and Pontiac.
If this mediation is
unsuccessful, an informal hearing will be scheduled
where eligible customers may present their case to an
impartial third-party arbitrator.
The arbitrator will make a decision which you may
accept or reject.
If you accept the decision, GM will be
bound by that decision. The entire dispute resolution
procedure should ordinarily take about
40 days from the
time you file a claim until a decision is made.
Some state laws may require
you to use this program
before filing a claim with a state-run arbitration program
or in the courts. For further information, contact the
BBB at- 1-800-955-5100 or the Pontiac Customer
Assistance Center at
1 -800-PM-CARES.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TO THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death,'you
should
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to
notifying General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and
if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your dealer, or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in the
Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA,
U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C.
20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.
I.
8-9
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REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TO THE CANADIAN
GOVERNMENT
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transpart Canada
Box 8880
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 352
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TQ GENERAL MOTORS
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Tran-sport Canada)
in a situation like this, we certainly hope you’il not*
us. Please call us at 1-800-PM-CARES or write:
Pontiac Division Customer Assistance Center
One Pontiac Plaza
Pontiac,
MI 48340-2952
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
01- 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General
Motors of CdLimited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
8- 10
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1996 PONTIAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1996 PONTIAC
SERVICE MANUALS OWNER’S INFORMATION
Service
Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information Owner
publications are written directly for Owner’s and
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes, intended to provide basic operational information
about the
electrical, steering, body, etc. vehicle.
The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$90.00 Schedule for all models.
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service In-Portfolio: Includes
a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $1 5.00
procedures, adjustments and specifications’for the Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
1996
GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $1 0.00
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS Service Publications are available for current and past
Service Bulletins give technical Sewice information needed model GM vehicles.
TO request an order form, please
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks. specify year and model name of the vehicle.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the
diagnosis
and service of your vehicle.
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
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Air ~ag ...................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain .... ............. 1-23
How it Works .............................. 1-21
Location ............................... 1.21. 1.22
Readiness Light ......................... 1.21. 2.77
Servicing ................................... 1-25
What Makes it Inflate .......................... 1-23
What Will You See.After it Inflates ............... 1-24
When Should it Inflate ......................... 1-23
Aircleaner .................................... 6-16
Air Conditioning ................................ 3-2
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-7 1
Air Control. Climate Control System ................. 3-2
Alarm. Content Theft-Deterrent ................... 2- 12
Alarm/Panic Mode ............................... 2-6
Alignment and Balance. Tire ...................... 6-51
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning ...................... 6-59
Antenna. Power .............................. : . 3-23
Antifreeze ..................................... 6-26
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-78. 4-6
Brakes ....................................... 4-6
Anti-Theft. Radio .............................. 3-18
Appearance Care ............................... 6-53
Appearance Care Materials ....................... 6-61
Arbitration Program .............................. 8-8
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control 3-20
Audio Systems .................................. 3-6
Automatic Overdrive ............................ 2-29
Automatic Transmission
Check
...................................... 7-40
Fluid ....................................... 6-20
Operation ................................... 2-27
Park Mechanism Check ........................ 7-42
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-23
Axle, Limited-Slip Rear ......................... 2-35
Axle, Rear .................................... 6-26
Ashtrays .................................... 2-59
Audio Equipment. Adding ........................ 3-21
' * .......
Shifting ..................................... 2-28
Battery ....................... .............. 6-37
Jump Starting ................................. 5-2
Replacement. Remote Lock Control ............... 2-8
Warnings ................................ 5.2. 5.4
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-8
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-8
Blizzard ....................................... 4-27
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Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-36
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-33
Parking
..................................... 2-36
Pedal Travel
................................. 6-36
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-36
System Warning Light
......................... 2-78
Fluid
....................................... 6-33
Trailer
...................................... 4-35
Transmission Shift Interlock
.................... 2-39
Wear
....................................... 6-35
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking in Emergencies .......................... 4- 10
Break-In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2-21
Brightness Control .............................. 2-53
BTSI ......................................... 2-39
BTSICheck
................................... 7-41
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-37
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-6
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-69
Carbon Monoxide
.................... 2-40,4-28. 4-35
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-39
Cassette Tape Player
........................ 3-6. 3-10
Care ....................................... 3-22
Errors .................................. 3-8, 3.11
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3- 18
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
Bulb Replacement .... 6-40
Certification Label .............................. 4-30
Chains. Safety ................................. 4-35
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-52 Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-27
Chechng Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-41
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-60
Child Restraints
................................ 1-32
Securing in a Rear Seat Position
................. 1-34
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-36
TopStrap
................................... 1-33
Where
to Put ....................... ... 1-32
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-59
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-64
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-16
Cleaning
...................................... 6-53
Aluminum Wheels
.................... ... 6-59
ConvertibleTop
............................... 6-59
Check Gauges Light
............................. 2-87
Fabric
...................................... 6-54
Glass ....................................... 6-56
Inside
of Your Pontiac ......................... 6-53
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-56
Leather
..................................... 6-56
Outside of Your Pontiac
........................ 6-58
Removable Roof Panel
......................... 6-57
Stains
...................................... 6-55
Tires ....................................... 6-59
Wheels
..................................... 6-59
Special Problems
............................. 6-55
.Vinyl
....................................... 6-55
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-57
Climate Control System
........................... 3-1
Clock, Setting the
................................ 3-6
Close-Out Panel
................................ 2-58
Clutch, Hydraulic
............................... 6-25
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-1
2 . .
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Compact Disc Player ....................... 3- 13. 3 . 15
Errors ................................. 3.14. 3.17
Care ....................................... 3-22
Compact Spare Tire ............................. 5-40
Control of a Vehicle . . .. ........... 4-5
Convertible Top ....... .................... 2-66
Convex Outside Mirror .......................... , 2-57
Coolant ....................................... 6-26
Bleed Valves ................................. 5 -24
Heater. Engine ............................... 2-26
Recovery Tank ........................ ' ....... 5-, 17
Cooling System ................................ 5-15
Courtesy Lamps ................................ 2-53
Courtesy Transportation ........................... 8-7
Cruise Control .................................. 2-46
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users ......... 8-4
Customer Assktance Information ................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8-2
Damage. Finish ................................ 6-60
Damage. Sheet Metal ............................ 6-60
Daytime Running Lamps ......................... 2-52
Dead Battery ................................... 5-2
Defects. Reporting Safety ................... ., 8-9. 8-10
Defensive Driving ............................... 4- 1
Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 3-4
Defogging ...................................... 3-5
Defrosting ., .................................... 3-5
Delayed Illumination ............................ 2-53
Dimensions. Vehicle ............................ 6-70
Dolby@ B Noise Reduction ....... ..... 3-9
Door
Last Door Closed Locking Feature
.... . . 2-4, 2-17
Lockout Prevention
................ . . 2.4, 2.17
Locks ......................... ....... 2-3
Downshifting .................................. 2-35
Driver Position ................................. 1 . 12
Driving Driver's Door Alarm Delay/Shock Sensor Enable
..... 2-20
City.' ........................................ 4-20
Defensive .......... ................... 4.- 1
Drunken ..................................... 4-2
Freeway .................................... 4-21
In a Blizzard ................................. 4-27
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
In the Rain .................................. 4-17
Night ...................................... 4-15
On Curves .................................. 4-10
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-37
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-23
On Snow and Ice ............................. 4-26
Throughwater ............................... 4-19
WetRoads .................................. 4-17
Winter ...................................... 4-25
With a Trailer ................................ 4-36
Drunken Driving ................................ 4-2
%lectrical Equipment, Adding .......... 2-24,3-21, 6-63
Electrical System ............................... 6-63
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