1998 PONTIAC FIREBIRD window

Heating Ventilation
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it.
1. Turn the air control knob to heater.
2. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
3. Turn the temperature control knob to a
comfortable setting.
During initial start-up only, if your vehicle
is equipped
with
an optional engine coolant heater, you can use it in
cold weather (around
2OoF/-8 “C or lower) to improve
heater performance
on start up. See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in the Index.
Bi-Level Heating
You may want to use bi-level heating on cool, but sunny
days. This setting directs cool air toward your body and
warmer air toward your feet.
1. Turn the air control knob to bi-level.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed. For mild outside temperatures when little heating
or
cooling is needed,
you can still direct outside air through
your vehicle.
1. Turn the air control knob to vent.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
Defogging and Defrosting
1. Turn the air control knob to defrost.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to the
desired setting.
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
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Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
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The rear window defogger
uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the
rear window.
Press the button to
turn on the defogger. An indicator
light
will come on to remind you that the defogger
is
on. The defogger will turn off automatically after
about
10 minutes of use. If you turn it on again, the
defogger will operate for about five minutes only.
You can turn the defogger off by pressing the
button again.
Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle license
or
a decal across the defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don’t use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut
or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
3-5

Ventilation System
Your vehicle’s flow-through ventilation system
supplies outside air into the vehicle when it is moving.
Outside air will
also enter the vehicle when the blower
fan is running.
Ventilation Tips
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan control
knob to the right for a few moments
before driving
off. This helps clear the intake ducts
of
snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of
fogging the inside of your windows.
objects. This helps
air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of

MonsoonTM AM-FM Stereo with Cassette RECALL: Display the time with the ignition off by
Tape Player and Equalizer (If Equipped) pressing this button. When the radio is playing, press
this knob to recall the station frequency.
Included
with the Monsoon AM-FM Stereo with
Cassette Tape Player and Equalizer are 10
high
performance speakers and a powerful 8 channel
amplifier.
This feature requires power windows and
door locks. Please see your dealer for details.
Playing the Radio
POWER-VOL:
Push this knob to turn the system on
and
off. To increase volume, turn the knob to the right.
Turn it to the left to decrease volume.
Finding a Station
AM-FM: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1
and
FM2. The display shows your selection.
TUNE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to
choose radio stations.
Push the knob back into its stored
position when you’re not using it.
SEEK: Press the up or down arrow to go to the next
higher
or lower station and stay there.
PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let
you return to your favorite stations.
You can set up to
18 stations (six
AM, six FM1 and six FM2). Just:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press AM-FM to select the band.
3. Tune in the desired station.
4. Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons until
SET appears on the display. Whenever you press that
numbered button, the station you set
will return.
5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

Monsoon AM-FM Stereo with Compact
Disc Player and Equalizer (If Equipped)
Included with the Monsoon AM-FM Stereo with
Compact Disc Player and Equalizer are
10 high
performance speakers and a powerful
8 channel
amplifier. This feature requires power windows and
door locks. Please see your dealer for details.
Playing the Radio
POWER-VOL:
Push this knob to turn the system on
and
off. To increase volume, turn the knob to the right.
Turn
it to the left to decrease volume.
RECALL: Press this button briefly to recall the station
being played or to display the clock.
If you press the
knob
when the ignition is off, the clock will show for a
few seconds.
Finding a Station
AM-FM: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1
and FM2. The display shows your selection.
TUNE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to
choose radio stations.
Push the knob back into its stored
position
when you're not using it.
SEEK: Press the up or down arrow to go to the next
higher
or lower station and stay there.
PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let
you return to your favorite stations. You
can set up to
18 stations (six AM, six FM1 and six FM2). Just:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press AM-FM to select the band.
3. Tune in the desired station.
4. Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons until
SET appears on the display. Whenever you press that
numbered button, the station you set will return.
5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
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Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When
you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed
is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to
your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to
think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that fiist part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily
drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long
trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready
to go. If it needs service, have
it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts
in
Pontiac dealerships all across North America. They’ll be
ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you
can check before a trip:
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Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free
trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires
all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time
to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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I A CAUTION:
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Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide)
gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you.
You can’t see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is
in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that
is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open
a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away
f’rom the wind. This will help
keep
CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly.
This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost
all the way
to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get
out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
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If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
0 Stop after high-speed driving.
0 Idle for long periods in traffic.
0 Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign
of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@)
or DRIVE (D) for automatic transmissions. If you
no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning doesn’t come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for two
or three minutes while you’re parked, to see if
the warning stops. But then,
if you still have the
warning,
turn ofthe engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle
until it cools down.
You may decide not to
lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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