1998 PONTIAC FIREBIRD ECU

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Befm setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving
is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets
you check your
electrical connection at the
same time.
During
your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure,
and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden
turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing
a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond
the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then,
to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to
the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
4-36

Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing
service tow your vehicle.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions may not be correct.
Before
you do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
When
you call, tell the towing service:
0
0
0
0
0
That your vehicle cannot be towed from the front or
rear with sling-type equipment.
That your vehicle has rear-wheel drive.
The make, model and year of your vehicle.
Whether
you can still move the shift lever.
If there was
an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing
instructions and illustrations. The operator may want
to see them.
-
To help avoid injury to you or others:
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
0 Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted
by the tow truck.
Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.
0 Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being
towed.
5-8

I A CAUTION:
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components. When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition
key turned to the
OFF position.
The steering wheel
should be clamped in a straight-ahead position, with
a clamping device designed for towing service.
Do not
use the vehicle’s steering column lock for this. The
transmission should be in NEUTRAL
(N) and the
parking brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the drive wheels
unless you must.
If the vehicle must be towed on the
drive wheels, be sure to follow the speed and distance
restrictions later in this section or your transmission will
be damaged.
If these limits must be exceeded, then the
drive wheels have to be supported on a dolly.

NOTICE: (Continued)
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions.
To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit, install
them on the rear tires.
If you have other tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use only
SAE Class
“S” type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the rear tires and tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast
or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them
on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous
if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be
sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
0 Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
6-53

Pontiac Cares
-/
With PONTIAC CARES, you are never more than
a phone call away from having your concern taken
care of.
The PONTIAC CARES philosophy and elements are
designed to make you realize that Pontiac recognizes
you as a valuable customer, appreciates
your purchase
decision, and is dedicated to taking care
of the most
important person ... YOU! PONTIAC CARES is: A
valuable feature that comes with every Pontiac, a feature
that offers
a multitude of benefits that can give you
safety, security, comfort
and convenience.
8-2

Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program
Security While You Travel
1-800-ROADSIEE (1-800-762-3743)
As the proud owner of a new Pontiac vehicle, you are
automatically enrolled
in the Pontiac Roadside Assistance
program. This value-added service is
intended to provide
you with peace of mind as you
drive
in the city or travel the open road.
Pontiac’s Roadside Assistance toll-free number is
staffed by a team
of technically trained advisors, who
are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We take anxiety out
of uncertain situations by providing
minor repair information over the phone or making
arrangements to tow your vehicle to the nearest
Pontiac dealer.
We will provide the following services for
3 years/36,000 miles (60 000 km), at no expense to you:
0 Fuel delivery
0 Keys locked in vehicle
0 Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service
Change a flat tire
0 Jumpstarts
0 Courtesy Transportation -- See Pontiac Courtesy
Transportation section for details

We have quick, easy access to telephone numbers of the
following additional services depending
on your needs:
Hotels
Glass replacement
Tire repair facilities
Rental vehicle or taxis
Airports or train stations
0 Police, fire department or hospitals
In many instances, mechanical failures
are covered
under Pontiac’s comprehensive warranty. However,
when other services
are utilized, our advisors will
explain any payment obligations you might incur.
For prompt and efficient assistance when calling, please
provide the following information to give the advisor:
Location of vehicle
0 Telephone number of your location
Vehicle model, year and color
0 Mileage of vehicle
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Vehicle license plate number Pontiac reserves the right
to limit services or
reimbursement to an owner or driver when in Pontiac’s
judgement the claims become excessive in frequency or
type of occurrence.
While we hope that you never have the occasion to
use
our service, it is added security while traveling for you
and your family. Remember, we’re only a phone call
away. Pontiac Roadside Assistance
-- 1-800-ROADSIDD
or 1-800-762-3743.
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the separate brochure provided
by the dealer or call
1-800-268-6800 for emergency services.
8-7

Battery ...................................... 6-37
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Keyless Entry
.................... 2-10
warnings ................................ 5-33-5
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-9
Before Leaving
on a Long Trip .................... 4-22
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-9
Blizzard
...................................... 4-28
Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-36
Fluid
....................................... 6-33
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-33
Parking
..................................... 2-44
PedalTravel
................................. 6-36
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-37
System Warning Light
......................... 2-82
Transmission Shift Interlock
.................... 2-3 1
Wear ....................................... 6-35
Trailer
...................................... 4-35
Brakes.Anti -Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking in Emergencies
.......................... 4-10
“Break-In”. New Vehicle
......................... 2-23
Brightness Control. Instrument Panel
............... 2-55
BTSI
......................................... 2-31
BTSI Check
................................... 7-34
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-38 Canadian
Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-7
Carbon Monoxide
............... 2-1 1.2.42.4.29. 4.35
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-32
CareofYo ur ................................. 3-21
Errors ....................................... 3-9
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature
................. 3-17
CertificationLabel
.............................. 4-30
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-35
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-52
Changing a Flat Tire ............................. 5-27
Check Gages Light
.............................. 2-90
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-60
Child Restraints
................................ 1-34
Securing in a Rear Seat Position
................. 1-40
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-42
TopStrap
................................... 1-39
TLpesof
.................................... 1-34
WheretoPut
................................ 1-38
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-60
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-63
Cleaner.
Air ................................... 6-18
Cleaning AluminumWheels
............................ 6-59
ConvertibleTop
.............................. 6-58
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-68
Cassette Tape Player
......................... 3.7. 3.8
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-40
Checking
Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-47
9-2