1998 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

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The 1998 Pontiac Firebird Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts\
properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfo\
rt controls and how to operate your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road\
and how to drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving,\
such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
6-1 Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.
7-1
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Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and \
what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Pontiac for assistance and ho\
w to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects”
on page 8-10.
9-1 Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
i

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
PONTIAC, the PONTIAC Emblem and the name
F’IREBIRD are registered trademarks of General
Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the
product
after that time without further notice. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors
of Canada Limited” for Pontiac
Division whenever
it appears in this manual.
WE SUPPORT
VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION THROUGH
National Institute for AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be Aux propri6taires cmdiens: Vous pouvez vous
there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en fransais chez
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it
so the new votre concessionaire ou au:
owner can use it.
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1577 Meyerside Dr.
Mississauga, Ontario
L5T 1B9
Litho in U.S.A. ‘Copyright General Motors Corporation 1997
Part No. 10417104 A Second Edition
All Rights Reserved
ii
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. ~. ~~ ~~-~

How to Use this Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle.
If you
do this, it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together to explain
things quickly.
Index
A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
back
of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list of what’s in
the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.
Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a
box and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.
for othye. - 1
These mean there is something that could hurt
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then
we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions.
If you don’t, you or
others could be hurt.
You will also find
a circle
with a slash through it
in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,’’
“Don’t do this’’ or “Don’t
let this happen.”
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Vehicle Damage Warnings In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
I i But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
damage your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would
Also, in this book you will find these notices: not
be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
NOTICE:
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you
might see CAUTION
I
These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle. l
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in
different words.
I I You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
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Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BURNS
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD
FLAUE
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
e?
AIR BAG p
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS @ 9
TURN
PARKING
pf
LAMPS
RUNNING
' 0
DAYTIME * 0
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
$0
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WIPER 9
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
'*
FAN '-d
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT
TEMP
-
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(a)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
P
LIGHTER -
HORN )d.
SPEAKER
k
FUEL la
V

b NOTES
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Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems
Here you’ll find information about the seats in your Pontiac and how to use your safety belts proper\
ly. You can also
learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.
1-2 Seats and Seat Controls
1- 13 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About
1-14 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
1-8 Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
Safety
Belts -- and the Answers
1-14 Driver Position
1-21 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
1-22 Right Front Passenger Position
1-22
1-28
1-31
1-34
1-44 1-47
1-47 1-47
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Rear Seat Passengers
Children
Child Restraints
Larger Children
Safety Belt Extender
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Replacing Restraint System
Parts After
a Crash
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