1998 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

Performance Mode Switch
This switch lets you change from a normal driving mode
to
a performance mode. When you start the engine, the
switch will be
in normal mode. For general driving
conditions, use the normal mode. It will
remain in
normal unless you select the PERFORM feature.
For a firmer shift and increased performance, you may
choose the
PERFORM mode. The light in the center of
the switch will light up when selected. The switch will
then remain
in performance mode until the engine is
shut
off, when it will go back to normal mode.
Second-Gear Start (V6 Auto:
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle is equipped
with a second-gear start
feature. Press the
2ND gear
start button on the console
to provide more traction
when you are starting on ice
or other slippery surfaces.
The light on the button will turn on. The transmission
will be
in SECOND (2) gear when the vehicle begins to
move. After starting
in SECOND (2) gear, the vehicle
will upshift normally.
This feature is only for improved traction only when the
road surface is slippery and is not intended for continuous
use
or when the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow or
gravel. Always use
NORMAL for normal road conditions.
You
may press 2ND GEAR START again to turn off this
feature. Whenever you start your vehicle, the transmission
is
in the NORMAL mode.
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Manual Transmission Operation
5-Speed
This is your shift pattern.
Here’s how to operate
your transmission:
3 5
FIRST (1): Press the clutch and shift into FIRST (1).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST
(1) when you’re going less
than
20 mph (32 km/h). If you’ve come to a complete
stop and it’s hard to shift into FIRST
(l), put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL
(N) and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST
(1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal to the floor
as you let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND
(2). Then, slowly let up on
the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5): Shift into
THIRD
(3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you
do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch as
you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and brake pedal, and shift into
NEUTRAL (N).
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press the clutch pedal and
shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal
slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
I NOTICE:
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your transmission.
Also use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake,
for parking your vehicle.
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6-Speed
This is your shift pattern.
FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST
(1). Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST
(1) when you’re going less
than
20 mph (32 km/h). If you’ve come to a complete
stop and it’s hard to shift into FIRST (l), put the shift
lever in
NEUTRAL (N) and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal down. Then shift into FIRST
(1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,
slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD(3),FOURTH(4),FIFTH(5)and
SIXTH (6): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4),
FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6) gear the same way you do for
SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL
(N).
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press the clutch pedal and
shift
into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal
slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal. If you shift
from SIXTH
(6), into REVERSE (R), the shift lever
must be first placed in NEUTRAL
(N) position centered
between SECOND
(2) and THIRD (3) prior to shifting
into REVERSE (R).
Your six-speed manual transmission has a feature that
allows
you to safely shift into REVERSE (R) while the
vehicle is rolling (at less than
5 mph (8 km/h)).
If you have turned your ignition off and want to park your
vehicle
in REVERSE (R), you will have to move the shift
lever quickly to the right, then forward into gear.
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Shift Speeds
A CAUTION:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle.
And you could injure yourself or others. Don’t
shift from
SIXTH (6) to THIRD (3), or FIFTH (5)
to SECOND (2) or FOURTH (4) to FIRST (1).
MANUAL TRANSMISSION RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS, IN MPH (kmlh)
Acceleration Shlft Speed Engine 1 to2
(Code K) 45-47 32-37 21 -28 13-16 NIA (72-75)
(51-59)
(34-35)
(21-25) 3800 L36
5 to 6 4 to 5
3t04
2 to 3
This chart shows when to shift to the next higher gear
for best fuel economy.
If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the
engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear. You may have to downshift two or
more gears to keep the engine running smoothly
or for
good perforrnance.
NOTICE:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift,
or if you race the engine when you
downshift, you can damage the clutch
or transmission.
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Skip Shift Light (5.7L Engine)
When this light comes on,
you can only shift from
I SKIP SHIFT 1
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4)
instead of
F'IRST (1) to
I I
This helps you get the best possible fuel economy.
The light will come on under these conditions:
The engine coolant temperature is greater than
you are going 15 to 20 mph (24 to 32 km/h) and
170°F
(77"C),
you are at 35 throttle or less.
When the
skip shift light is on, the gearshift lever will
let you
shift from FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) only. Once
you are in FOURTH (4),
you can press the clutch again
and shift into another gear.
Follow the shift speeds listed below when the SKIP
SHIFT light is on.
Computer Aided Manual 'Jkansmission Shift Speeds
1st to 4th @ 15 mph (24 km/h)
4th to 5th @ 25 mph (40 M)*
5th to 6th @ 49 mph (64 km/h)**
Each time you come to a stop, the engine's Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) determines when
to activate the
SKIP SHIFT upshift system. Use SECOND (2) gear
only when you accelerate very quickly from a stop. You
can follow the full gear shift pattern.
*30 mph (48 km/h) when accelerating to
highway speeds.
**45 mph
(72 km/h) when accelerating to
highway speeds.
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Shifting Into PARK (P)
:Automatic Transmission Only)
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when
you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps that
follow. If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a
Trailer” in the Index.
0 Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the
parking brake.
0 Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the lever and pushing the lever all the way
toward the front of your vehicle.
0 Move the ignition key to LOCK.
0 Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave the vehicle with the ignition key in your hand,
your vehicle
is in PARK (P).
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Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission
Only)
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even
catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into
PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find
it difficult to pull the
shift lever out
of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
When you are ready
to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-40

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission) Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Your
vehicle has a Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
(BTSI). You have to fully apply your regular brake transmission in REVERSE \
(R) and firmly apply the
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is parking brake.
in RUN. See “Automatic Transmission” in the Index.
If
you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on a Trailer” in the Index.
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish. If
your vehicle
is equipped to tow a trailer, see “Towing
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
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