1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

Push the handle closed to secure the panel in the slot. To
lock e'ach panel in the storage area, use your door key.
An improperly ins'talled panel may fall into or fly
off the vehicle. You or others could be injured.
After installing a T-top panel, always check that
it is firmly attached by pushing up on the
underside
of the panel.
NOTICE:
~
the roof panel joints. This will cause leaks.
enter
your vehicle. Never spray water directly
at ~
High pressure car washes may cause water to
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Reverse the steps to remove the T-top panels
from storage.
1. When installing the panels to the roof, keep the
outboard edge
of the panel raised about 3 inches
above the roof while placing the inboard edge
of
the panel under the center roof rail.
2. After the inboard edge of the panel is in position
under the center roof rail, lower the outboard edge
of the panel into position, close the latch and lock
the T-top.
t
NOTICE:
Do not attempt to install the panels by sliding
them horizontally towards the center roof rail.
Doing
so may cause the weatherstrips to be
aligned improperly,
which may result in leaks
and possible damage
to the weatherstrips.

T-Top Sunshades
i
1,
2.
Start with the panel marked DRIVER FRONT.
Unlatch the driver’s side T-top, raise it halfway and
close the latch
handle.
With the top raised and resting on the center roof
rail, slide the flat edge of the sunshade panel (with
the vinyl side to the glass) between the glass and
plastic trim, making sure
the edge marked DRIVER
FRONT is pointing to the front of the vehicle.
3.
4,
Open the latch and close the T-top. Check to see if
there
are any gaps showing, Unlatch the T-top and
adjust the sunshade as required.
Once the sunshade is installed properly, you can
stick the Velcro@ buttons on the glass for a proper fit
every time you install the sunshades. To do this, first
remove the T-top with the sunshade installed and
place it upside down on a table
or bench, Take care
not
to scratch the glass.
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5. Pull the sunshade back a little and remove the
backing paper from the Velcro
buttons. Push the
sunshade back into place, sticking the Velcro to
the glass.
6. Install the T-top, close the latch and lock the T-top.
Repeat the above steps for the passenger-side sunshade. You
can store the sunshades two different ways:
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.
When you have the T-tops off and in their storage
slots, store the sunshades on
the T-tops, in their
installed positions.
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Convertible Top
The following procedures explain the proper operation
of your convertible top.
Lowering Your Convertible Top
NOTICE:
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
things inside your vehicle.
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.
NOTICE:
Bun% lower the top if it is damp 'or wet. When
the
top is down, trapped water can cause stains,
mildew and damage to the inside of your vehicle.
Be sure to
dry off the top before you lower it.
NOTICE:
It is' not recommended to lower the top if your
vehicle
is out in cold weather, 0°F (-18" C) or
lower, or you may damage top components.
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~~~~ Manual
Transmission
I NOTICE:
Before lowering the convertible top into the
storage area, be sure there are no objects in the
way of the folded, stored top. The weight of a
stored top
on items in the storage area will cause
the convertible top back glass
to break.
2. Unlock the front of the convertible top by pushing on
the smaller
part of the latch, then pulling down on the
larger
part of the latch. Be sure the hook on the latch
that attaches into the hole at the windshield releases.
Automatic
Transmission
3. Be sure no one or nothing is on or around the top.
Push and hold the bottom of the convertible top
switch. The switch is on the left side of your console
for a manual transmission and in front
of the gear
shift lever for automatic transmissions. The
top will
automatically lower into the storage area.

Installing the Boot Cover
After lowering the convertible top, you may want to
install the boot cover, The three-piece boot cover is
stored in
a bag in the trunk.
3. Install the middle section of the cover by sliding the
tabs into the slots on the right side cover. Lower the
cover and engage the latch.
4. Close the trunk.
1. Open the trunk and remove the two side covers from
the storage bag.
2. Install the two side covers by engaging the tab into
the front seatbelt cover. Lower
the covers onto
the vehicle.
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Raising Your Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface. Set the parking brake firrnly.
If you have an automatic transmission, shift into
PARK
(P). 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.
3. Remove the two side pieces of the boot cover
by lifting the rear cover and sliding them out
of
their slots.
2. Open the trunk. Remove the middle piece of the
cover by pushing in on the latch and lifting up on
the cover.