1999 PONTIAC FIREBIRD brake

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NOTICE:
When using the accessory plug:

The maximum load of any electrical
equipment should not exceed 3 amps.

Be sure to turn off any electrical equipment
when not in use. Leaving electrical
equipment on for extended periods can
drain your battery.
We recommend that you see a qualified technician or
your dealer for the proper installation of your equipment.
Floor Mats
Your vehicle's floor mats are custom-fitted to the floor
wells. Be sure the driver's floor mat is in place. If it
isn't, it could interfere with the accelerator pedal, brake
pedal or with the clutch pedal on manual transmissions.
Twin Lift-Off Roof Panels
(If Equipped)
Removing the Twin-Lift Off Roof Panels
CAUTION:
Don't try to remove the T-top panels while the
vehicle is moving. Trying to remove the T
-top
panel while the vehicle is moving could cause an
accident. The panel could fall into the vehicle and
cause you to lose control, or it could fly off and
strike another vehicle. You or others could be
injured. Remove the T
-top panel only when the
vehicle is parked.

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You can store the sunshades two different ways:

When the T
-tops are in use, store the sunshades in
their storage area in the rear of the vehicle, and make
sure the cargo cover 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.
Convertible Top (If Equipped)
The following procedures explain the proper operation
of your convertible top.
Lowering Your Convertible Top
NOTICE:
Don't leave your convertible out with the top
down for any long periods of time. The sun and
the rain can damage your seat material and other
things inside your vehicle.
1. It is recommended that you park on a level surface.
Set the parking brake firmly. Shift an automatic
transmission into PARK (P) or a manual
transmission into REVERSE (R). The ignition must
be in ACC or RUN. Lower both sun visors.

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3. Store each piece of the cover in its separate
compartment per graphic printed inside of the storage
bag. Store the bag in the hatch and close the hatch.
4. Disengage the two convertible top latches.
Raising Your Convertible Top
1. It is recommended that you park on a level surface.
Set the parking brake firmly. If you have an
automatic transmission, shift into PARK (P).
If you have a manual transmission, shift into
REVERSE (R). The ignition must be in ACC,
RUN or RAP must be on. Lower both sun visors
and lower both windows at least three inches (8 cm).
If the boot cover is in place, it must be removed first.
NOTICE:
It is not recommended that you raise or lower the
top while the vehicle is moving.
2. Push and hold the up
arrow (

) on the
convertible TOP switch.

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A. Fog Lamp Switch
B. Main Lamp Control
C. Air Vents
D. Instrument Panel Cluster
E. Horn
F. Audio System
G. Glove Box
H. Comfort Controls
I. Cupholders
J. Parking Brake LeverK. Storage Console
L. Rear Window Defogger Button
M. Convertible Top Switch (If Equipped)
N. Traction Control System Switch
O. Cigarette Lighter
P. Shift Lever
Q. Ashtray (Automatic Transmission)
R. Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
S. Remote Hatch Release
T. Accessory Power Outlet

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2-79 Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag's electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, see ªAir
Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Voltmeter
You can read battery
voltage on your voltmeter.
If it reads less than 11 volts
or more than 16 volts while
your engine is running, and
it stays there, you may have
a problem with the
electrical charging system.
Have it checked right away. Driving with the voltmeter
reading in a warning zone could drain your battery.
If you idle your engine for a while, the voltmeter
reading might move into the yellow zone. If the reading
stays in the yellow zone while you are driving, you may
have a problem with the electrical charging system.
Have it checked. While the voltmeter reads in the yellow
zone, your battery may not be able to power certain
electrical accessories, like ABS. (If this happens, your
ABS INOP light will come on. See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº in the Index.)
If you must drive a short distance with the voltmeter
reading in a warning zone, turn off all your accessories,
including your air conditioning and audio system.

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2-80 Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it
doesn't come on then, have
it fixed so it will be ready
to warn you if there's
a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing Your Vehicleº
in the Index.)
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.

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2-81 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and it will stay
on for three seconds.
That's normal.
If the anti
-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you've started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you're driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you're driving, your vehicle needs service. If the
light is on and the regular brake system warning light
isn't on, you still have brakes, but you don't have
anti
-lock brakes. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System Warning Light
(Option)
This warning light should
come on briefly as you start
the engine. If the warning
light doesn't come on then,
have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there's
a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on when you're driving, there
may be a problem with your traction control system and
your vehicle may need service. When this warning light
is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
The traction control system warning light will come on
if you turn the system off by pressing the TCS button
located in front of the console, the warning light will
come on and stay on. To turn the system back on, press
the button again. The warning light should go off.
(See ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index for
more information.)
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.

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2-82 Low Traction Light
When your anti-lock system
is adjusting brake pressure
to help avoid a braking skid,
this light will come on.
If you have the traction control system, this light will also
come on when the system is limiting wheel spin. You
may feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
Slippery road conditions may exist if the low traction
light comes on, so adjust your driving accordingly. The
light will stay on for a few seconds after the traction
control system stops limiting wheel spin.
The low traction light also comes on briefly when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If the light doesn't come on
then, have it fixed so it will be there to tell you when the
anti
-lock brake system or traction control system is active.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into
the red area, your engine
is approaching an
overheating condition.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.