Page 34 of 410
Rear Seat Passengers
It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up!
Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear
seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown
out
of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who
are wearing safety belts.
n
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The rear seats have lap-shoulder belts. Here’s how to
wear one properly.
1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
On convertible models, the shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very quickly.
If this
happens, let the belt
go back slightly to unlock it.
Then pull the belt across you more slowly.
2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
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Page 36 of 410
The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely
to slide under the lap belt.
If you slid under it, the
belt would apply force at your abdomen.
This could
cause serious
or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt
should
go over the shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best able to take belt
restraining forces.
The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop
or a crash.
On convertible models, the safety belt also locks if you
pull the belt very quickly out
of the retractor.
A CAUTION:
I
I
You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward
too much, which could increase injury. The
shoulder belt should
fit against your body.
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Page 50 of 410

Section 2 Features and Controls
~~ ~ ~
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Pontiac, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2
2-4
2-6
2-
10
2-12
2-13
2-1 6
2- 17
2-23
2-23
2-25
2-27 2-28
2-32
2-37
2-3 8
2-40
Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System
Hatch
Theft
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System
Feature Customization New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Switch
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transmission Operation
Manual Transmission
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P)
Parking Your Vehicle
PASS-K@ 11
2-40
2-4 1
2-4
1
2-43
2-43
2-44
2-44
2-5 1
2-54
2-56
2-5
8
2-59
2-60
2-6 1
2-68
2-74
2-77
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Windows
Horn
Tilt Steering Wheel
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Ashtray and Lighter
Sun Visors
Floor Mats
Convertible
Top
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights,
Cages and Indicators
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Page 52 of 410

The ignition keys are for the
ignition only.
The door keys are for the
doors and all other locks. The
ignition keys don’t have plugs. Instead they have
bar-coded key tags. These
tags may be removed by
your dealer
or even before the vehicle is delivered to
your dealer.
Each plug has a code on it that tells your dealer or
a
qualified locksmith how to make extra door keys. Keep
the plugs in a safe place.
If you lose your door keys,
you’ll be able
to have new ones made using these plugs.
If you need a new ignition key, contact your Pontiac
dealer who can obtain the correct key code. Remember
to carry the pre-cut emergency key which Pontiac sends
after delivery. In an emergency, call Pontiac Roadside
Assistance at 1-800-ROADSIB
or 1-800-762-3743.
(In Canada, call 1-800-268-6800).
When a new Firebird is delivered, the dealer removes
the plugs from the door keys and gives them to the
first owner.
NOTICE:
Your Pontiac has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot
of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you
have extra keys.
Page 53 of 410
Door Locks
A CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers
-- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you
will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your door key,
If your vehicle has
the Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System and it
is armed, unlocking and opening a door
this way will set
off the alarm.
See “Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent
System”
in the Index.
‘4 -- I
From the inside, to lock the door, move the lock control
on the door rearward.
To unlock the door, move the lock control on the door
forward.
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Page 54 of 410

Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
Push the power door lock switch to lock or unlock
both doors at once.
The lock switch works at all times except during
“Lockout Prevention” (if that feature is enabled). The
unlock switch only works when the ignition switch is in
RUN or ACC or when RAP is present, (See “Retained
Accessorv Power”
in the Index.)
Last Door Closed Locking (If Equipped)
If you have power door locks, you can program a Last
Door Closed Locking feature for your vehicle. This
feature allows for a delayed locking
of the doors. This
lets you
and your passengers exit the vehicle after
you’ve pressed the power door lock switch. All
of the
doors will lock once everyone has gotten out of the
vehicle and closed their doors. When the power door lock switch is pressed,
a chime
will sound three times, indicating that Last Door Closed
Locking has been activated. Pressing the
LOCK switch
again will lock the doors immediately. Pressing the
UNLOCK switch will cancel a previously requested
Last Door Closed Locking.
This feature is shipped from the factory in the
off
position. To turn this feature on, see “Feature
Customization” in the Index.
Lockout Prevention (If Equipped)
To protect you from locking your keys in the vehicle,
this feature stops the power door locks from locking
wh’en the keys
are in the ignition and a door is open. If
the power lock switch is pressed when
a door is open, a
chime will sound five times as a reminder to take
the
keys out of the ignition before locking the door. This
feature is shipped from the factory in the
on position. If
you would like to turn this feature off, see “Feature
Customization” in the Index.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set
the locks from the inside. Then get out and
close the door.
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Page 55 of 410

Remote Keyless Entry System
I
3-Button Fob 4-Button Fob
If your vehicle bas this opti'on, you can lock; and
unlock
your doors or unlock your hatch up from about
3 feet (1 m) to about 30 feet (9 m) using the remote
keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle. Your
Remote Keyless Entry System operates on a
radio frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission
(FCC) Rules and with Industry and
Science Canada.
This device complies with Part
15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the foll'owing two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that
may cause
undesired operation.
This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry and
Science Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation
of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other
than an
authorized service facility could void authorization
to
use this equipment.
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Page 56 of 410

AlarmRanic Mode 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
LOCK is pressed.
The hatch will unlock when the button with the trunk
symbol is pressed twice within five seconds, as long as
the ignition is turned to the
OFF position. If the ignition
is on, the trunk symbol button will only work if the
transmission is in
PARK (P) for an automatic
transmission, or if the parking brake is set on a manual
transmission.
The system will turn on the interior lamps for about
40
seconds (or until the ignition switch is turned to the
RUN position), when you unlock the doors or hatch.
The interior lamps will go
off when you lock the doors.
Operating the key chain transmitter may interact with
the Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System
(if you
have this option). See “Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System” in the Index.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System, you will have a fourth button
on your key chain transmitter. This button
is the panic
button. If you are involved in a panic situation, press
this button and your vehicle’s horn will sound and the
parking lamps will flash. This will draw needed
attention to you and your vehicle. To turn this feature
off, either push the panic button again or turn the
ignition to on. Note: This feature will not work if your
ignition is on
or if the key fob is 30 feet (9 m) or more
away from your vehicle.
Transmitter Range
The range of your Remote Keyless Entry system should
be about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m). At times you
may notice a decrease in the range. This is normal for
any Remote Keyless Entry system. If the transmitter
does not work, or you have to stand closer to your
vehicle than normal for the transmitter to work:
0 You may have to replace the battery in
your transmitter. See
the instructions for
battery replacement.
You may be too far from your vehicle. Check your
distance,
You may have to stand closer to your
vehicle in rain or snow.
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