1998 PONTIAC FIREBIRD button

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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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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Limited-Slip Rear Axle
If you have this feature, your limited-slip rear axle can
give you additional traction on snow, mud, ice,
sand or
gravel. It works like a standard axle most
of the time,
but when one of the rear wheels has
no traction and the
other does,
this feature will allow the wheel with
traction to move the vehicle.
Parking Brake
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up until you can push in the
release button. Hold the release button
in as you move
the brake lever all the way
down.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and
pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is on,
the brake system warning light
will come on.
NOTICE: I
~~ ~
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat.
You may have to
replace them, and
you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
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When you apply your brakes or push the clutch pedal
(manual transmission), the cruise control shuts off.
Setting Cruise Control
A CAUTION:
- -
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can’t drive safely at
a steady speed. So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or
in heavy traffic.
slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. (See
“Traction Control System”
in the Index.) When road
conditions allow
you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you’re not using cruise, you might hit
a button
and
go into cruise when you don’t want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use it.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push in the SET button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
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Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then apply the brake or clutch pedal. This, of course,
shuts off the cruise control. But you don’t need to
reset it.
Once you’re going about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch from
ON to
R/A (Resume/Accelerate) for about half a second.
You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are three ways to go to a higher speed:
0
0
0
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push the button at the end of the lever, then release
the button and the accelerator pedal. You’ll now
cruise at
the higher speed.
To increase your speed in very small amounts, move
the switch to
R/A for less than half a second and then
release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go
about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Move the cruise switch from
ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want, and
then release the switch.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Push in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
0 To slow down in very small amounts, push the
button for less than half a second. Each time you do
this, you’ll
go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise
control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon
your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When
going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down.
Of course, applying the brake
takes
you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.
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Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This switch controls the brightness of your
instrument panel lights. Turn the switch to brighten or
dim the lights.
If you turn the switch all the way up,
your courtesy lamps will come on.
Courtesy Lamps
When either door is opened, several interior lamps go
on. These lamps are courtesy lamps. They make it easier
for you to enter and leave your vehicle.
Courtesy lamps include the dome lamp and other lamps
throughout
the interior of your vehicle.
To prevent battery rundown, your interior lamps will be
disabled about
10 minutes after the ignition is turned to
OFF. The 10-minute timer will be restarted if you do
any of the following:
1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Open either door.
3. Press any button on your remote keyless entry
transmitter.
4. Turn the interior lamp switch from off to on.
5. Open the hatch.
Delayed Illumination
With delayed illumination, the courtesy lamps will stay
on for
25 seconds after you close the doors when
entering the vehicle. They will stay on for five seconds
after you close the doors when exiting the vehicle. The
times will be shortened if the ignition is turned
to RUN
or if the power locks are activated. To turn this feature
on or off, see “Feature Customization”
in the Index.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition to help you see
while exiting the vehicle. To turn this feature on or
off,
see “Feature Customization” in the Index.
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T-Top Sunshades
1. Start with the panel marked DRIVER FRONT.
Unlatch the driver’s side T-top, raise it halfway and
close the latch handle.
2. 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. 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.
stick the VelcroB 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.
4. Once the sunshade is installed properly, you can
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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:
0 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 position.
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