1999 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

2-
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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-6 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-11 Hatch
2
-12 Theft
2
-13 Content Theft-Deterrent System (Option)
2
-16 PASS-Key
II
2
-22 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-23 Ignition Positions
2
-25 Starting Your Engine
2
-28 Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
2
-29 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-32 Manual Transmission Operation
2
-36 Parking Brake
2
-37 Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission Only)
2
-39 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)2
-40 Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission)
2
-40 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-41 Engine Exhaust
2
-41 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-42 Windows
2
-43 Tilt Wheel
2
-44 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-49 Exterior Lamps
2
-52 Interior Lamps
2
-54 Mirrors
2
-55 Storage Compartments
2
-59 Twin Lift-Off Roof Panels (If Equipped)
2
-66 Convertible Top (If Equipped)
2
-74 The Instrument Panel--Your
Information System
2
-78 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

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Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

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This key is for
the ignition only.
This key is for the doors
and all other locks.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer removes the
bar
-coded plugs from the keys and gives them to the
first owner.The ignition keys don't have plugs. Instead, they have
bar
-coded key tags. These tags may be removed by
your dealer or even before the vehicle is delivered to
your dealer.
Each door key plug has a code on it that tells your dealer
or a qualified locksmith how to make extra door keys.
Keep the plugs in a safe place. If you lose your door
keys, you'll be able to have new ones made using
these plugs.
If you need a new ignition key, contact your dealer who
can obtain the correct key code. Remember to carry the
pre
-cut emergency key that Pontiac sends after delivery
(this service is not available in Canada). In an emergency,
call Pontiac Roadside Assistance at 1
-800-ROADSIDE or
1
-800-762-3743. (In Canada call 1-800-268-6800.)
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot
of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in. So be sure you
have extra keys.

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Door Locks
CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won't open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your door key. If your vehicle has
the Content Theft
-Deterrent System and it is armed,
unlocking and opening a door this way will set off the
alarm after seven seconds unless the ignition key is
inserted into the ignition. See ªContent Theft
-Deterrent
Systemº in the Index.
To lock the door from the inside, slide the lock control
on the door rearward.
To unlock the door, slide the lock control on the
door forward.

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2-5 Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
Press the power door lock
switch located on the
driver's door to lock or
unlock both doors at once.
Operating the power door locks may affect the Content
Theft
-Deterrent System (if you have this option). See
ªContent Theft
-Deterrent Systemº in the Index.
The lock switch works at all times, except when
Lockout Prevention (if equipped) is programmed. The
unlock switch only works when the ignition is in RUN,
ACC or Retained Accessory Power (RAP). (See
ªRetained Accessory Powerº in the Index.)
Last Door Closed Locking (If Equipped)
If you have power door locks, you can program your
vehicle to have a delayed locking of the doors. This lets
you and your passengers exit the vehicle after you've
pressed the power door lock switch. All of the doors will
lock once everyone has gotten out of the vehicle and
closed their doors.
When the power door lock switch is pressed, a chime
will sound three times, indicating that the Last Door
Closed Locking feature has been activated. Pressing the
LOCK switch again will lock the doors immediately.
Pressing the UNLOCK switch will cancel a previously
requested Last Door Closed Locking.
The vehicle is shipped from the factory with this feature
turned off. To turn this feature on, see ªFeature
Customizationº in the Index.

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2-6 Lockout Prevention (If Equipped)
To protect you from locking your keys in the vehicle,
this feature stops the power door locks from locking
when the keys are in the ignition and a door is open.
If the power lock switch is pressed when a door is open,
a chime will sound five times as a reminder to take the
keys out of the ignition before locking the door. The
vehicle is shipped from the factory with this feature
turned on. If you would like to turn this feature off, see
ªFeature Customizationº in the Index.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your trunk from about 3 feet (1 m)
up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry
transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
Your keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency
subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.

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This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This device complies with RSS
-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of
the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.This system has a range of about 3 feet (1 m) up to
30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a decrease in
range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry
system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have
to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to
work, try this:

Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions that follow.

Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.

Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.

If you're still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.

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2-8 Operation
The driver's door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed. If UNLOCK is pressed again
within five seconds, the passenger's door will also
unlock. All doors will lock when LOCK is pressed.
The hatch will unlock when the REAR 2X button is
pressed twice within five seconds, as long as the ignition
is turned to OFF. If the ignition is on, the REAR 2X
button will only work if the transmission is in PARK (P)
for an automatic transmission, or if the parking brake is
set on a manual transmission.
The system will turn on the interior lamps for about 40
seconds (or until the ignition is turned to RUN), when
you unlock the doors or hatch. The interior lamps will
go off when you lock the doors.
Operating the remote keyless entry transmitter may
interact with the Content Theft
-Deterrent System (if you
have this option). See ªContent Theft
-Deterrent Systemº
in the Index.Alarm/Panic Mode
If you are involved in a panic situation, press the horn
symbol button on your remote keyless entry transmitter
and your vehicle's horn will sound and the parking
lamps will flash. This will draw needed attention to you
and your vehicle. To turn this feature off, either push the
horn symbol button again or turn the ignition to ON.
This feature will not work if your ignition is on or if the
transmitter is 30 feet (9 m) or more away from
your vehicle.
Transmitter Verification (If Equipped)
This feature provides feedback to the holder of the
remote keyless entry transmitter that a command has
been received by the keyless entry receiver. The parking
lamps will flash on every lock and unlock command and
the horn will sound only if the LOCK button is pressed
twice within five seconds. This allows for silent
operation of locking and unlocking unless a confirming
horn chirp is desired. Other options may be selected for
this feature (see ªFeature Customizationº in the Index).