1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD steering

NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn
it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it 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
Automatic Transmission
Move your snm 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.
2-25

Windows
Manual Windows
Rotate the window crank handle to open and close each
door
window.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
With power windows, switches on the door control each
window when
the ignition is on or when RAP is present.
(See “Retained Accessory P’ower’’ in the Index.) You
can open the passenger’s window any amount by
pressing the switch and releasing it when the window
has lowered to the position
you want.
The switch for the driver’s window has an express-down
feature. Quickly press and release the switch for the
driver’s window and the window will lower completely.
You can also open the driver’s window any
amount by
pressing the switch again while the window is in the
express-down mode when
it has lowered to the position
you want.
Horn
To sound the horn, press either horn symbol on your
steering wheel.
If your horn sounds two or three chirps when unlocking
your vehicle with the transmitter (if you have that
option), the alarm was triggered while
you were away.
Check the vehicle before entering.
2-43

Tilt Steering Wheel Thrn SignaVMultifunction Lever
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before
you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when
you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to
a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:
0 Turn Signal and Lane Chaaage Indicator
0 Headlamp HighLow Beam Changer and
Passing Signal
Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
Cruise Control (Option)
2-44

A. Fog Lamp Switch (If Equipped)
B. Main Lamp Control
C. Air Vent
D. Instrument Cluster
E.
Horn
E Audio System
G. Glove Box
H. Comfort Controls
I. Cupholder
J. Parking Brake Lever
K.
Storage Console
L. Rear Window Defogger Switch
M. Convertible Top Switch (Automatic) (If Equipped)
N. Traction Control System Switch or Second Gear
0. Cigarette Lighter
P. Shift Lever
Q. Ashtray (Automatic Transmission)
R. Convertible Top Switch (Manual) (If Equipped)
S. Steering Wheel Controls
T. Remote Hatch Release
Start
Switch (If Equipped)

Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your Pontiac.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3-2
3-3
3-3
3-4
3-4
3-4
3
-4
3-5
3-5
3-6
3 -6
3-7
Comfort Controls
Air Conditioning
Cooling
Heating
Bi-Level Heating
Ventilation
Defogging and Defrosting
Rear Window Defogger
Ventilation System
Audio Systems Setting the Clock
for All Systems
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
3-10
3- 14
3-16
3-19
3-2
1
3-22
3-22
3-23
3-23
3-24 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette
Tape Player
and Equalizer
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
and Equalizer
Trunk Mounted
CD Changer
Theft-Deterrent Feature
Steering Wheel Controls
Understanding Radio Reception
Tips About Your Audio System
Care
of Your Cassette Tape Player
Care
of Your Compact Discs
Power Antenna Mast Care
3-1

Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio and compact disc functions using the buttons on
your steering wheel.
VOLUME: Press the up or down arrow to increase or
decrease volume.
PLAY: Press this button to play a cassette tape or
compact disc when the radio is playing.
MUTE: Press this button t'o silence the system. Press it
again to turn
on the sound.
SEEK: Press the up arrow to tune to the next radio
station and the down arrow to tune to the previous radio
station. If a cassette tape
or compact disc is playing, the
player will advance with the
up arrow and rewind with
the down arrow.
PRESET Press this button to hear the radio stations
that are set on your pushbuttons. Pressing this button
while playing
a tape will cause the tape to change sides.
If it is pressed while playing a CD, the CD random
feature can be turned
off and on. If this button is pressed
when using the optional 12-disc changer, the changer
will select the next
,disc available.
AM-FM: Press this button to select AM, FM1 or FM2.
If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, the tape or
disc will stop playing and
the radio will play. If this
button is pressed with a CD in the CD changer, the disc
will go to the next selection.
3-21

Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds\
of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4-2
4-2
4-5
4-6
4-10
4-12
4-13
4- 14
4-15
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss of Control
Driving at Night
4- 17 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4-20 City Driving
4-22 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4-25 Winter Driving
4-32 Towing a Trailer
4-2 1 Freeway Driving
4-23 Hill and Mountain Roads
4-30 Loading Your Vehicle
4-1

Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount
of alcohol. You can have a serious -- or even
fatal
-- collision if you drive after drinking.
Please don’t drink and drive or ride with
a driver
who has been drinking. Ride home in
a cab; or if
you’re with
a group, designate a driver who will
not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to
go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have
to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road. Sometimes,
as when you’re driving
on snow or ice, it’s
easy to ask more
of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means
you can lose control
of your vehicle.