2000 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

2-93
Here are four things that some owners ask about. All
these things are normal and do not indicate that anything
is wrong with the fuel gage.

At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the
gage reads F (full).

It takes more (or less) fuel to fill up than the gage
reads. For example, the gage reads half full, but it
took more (or less) than half of the tank's capacity
to fill it.

The gage pointer may move while cornering, braking
or speeding up.

The gage may not indicate E (empty) when the
ignition is turned off.
Low Fuel Light
If your fuel is low, your vehicle's CHECK GAGES light
on your instrument panel cluster will come on.
Reduced Engine Power Light
(V6 Engine Only)
The REDUCED ENG PWR
warning light should come
on in your instrument panel
cluster for a three
-second
bulb check when you first
start your vehicle.
If the light doesn't come on, have it serviced.
If the REDUCED ENG PWR warning light comes on, a
noticeable reduction in the vehicle's performance may
occur. The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed
while the REDUCED ENG PWR light is on, but
acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime this
warning light stays on, the vehicle should be taken to an
authorized Pontiac dealer as soon as possible for
diagnosis and repair.

3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-3 Cooling
3
-3 Heating
3
-4 Defogging and Defrosting
3
-4 Rear Window Defogger
3
-5 Ventilation System
3
-6 Audio Systems
3
-6 Setting the Clock
3
-6 Monsoon
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette
Tape Player and Equalizer
3
-10 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
and Equalizer (If Equipped)3
-12 Trunk Mounted CD Changer (Option)
3
-17 Theft-Deterrent Feature
3
-19 Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
3
-20 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-20 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-21 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-22 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-22 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-23 Power Antenna Mast Care

3-2
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the heating, air
conditioning and ventilation in your vehicle.
Your vehicle also has the flow
-through ventilation
system described later in this section.
Fan Control Knob
Turn the fan knob to select the force of air
you want.Temperature Control Knob
Turn the center knob to change the temperature of the air
flowing from the system. Turn it toward the red (clockwise)
for warmer air and toward the blue (counterclockwise)
for cooler air.
Air Control Knob
OFF: The system is off.
MAX: This setting provides maximum cooling or quick
cool
-down on very hot days. This setting recirculates
most of the air inside your vehicle. If it is used for long
periods of time the air may become dry. This setting
directs air through the upper air vents.
A/C: Use A/C for normal cooling on hot days. This
setting cools outside air and directs it through the upper
air vents.
The air conditioner compressor operates in MAX, A/C,
bi
-level, blend and defrost when the outside temperature
is above freezing. When the air conditioner is on, you
may sometimes notice slight changes in your vehicle's
engine speed and power due to the operation of
the compressor.

3-3
BI-LEVEL: Air is directed through the upper air
vents and the heater ducts.
VENT: Air flows through the upper air vents.
HEATER: This setting directs most of the air
through the heater ducts and some of the air through the
windshield defroster vents.
BLEND: Air is directed through the windshield
defroster vents and the heater ducts.
DEFROST: This setting directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster vents and some of the
air through the heater ducts.
Cooling
The air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows
just long enough for the hot air to escape.
1. Turn the air control knob to A/C for normal cooling.
For faster cooling, turn the knob to MAX.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
Heating
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 +20
F/
-8
C or lower) to improve
heater performance on initial start up. See ªEngine
Coolant Heaterº 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.

3-4 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.
The side window defogging works equally as well in the
heater, blend and defrost modes.
Rear Window Defogger
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. The
indicator light will go off when the system is turned off.
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
Adjust the direction of airflow by moving the vents.
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.
For mild outside temperature 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.
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 clockwise 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.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.

3-6
Audio Systems
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the
most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it
first. Find out what your audio system can do and how
to operate all its controls, to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
If you have power door locks, your vehicle has a feature
called Retained Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP,
you can play your audio system even after the ignition is
off. See ªRetained Accessory Powerº in the Index.
Setting the Clock
Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears. Press
and hold MIN until the correct minute appears. There
will be a two
-second delay before the clock goes into
time
-set mode, and the colon on the display will blink
while in this mode.
Monsoon
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette
Tape Player and Equalizer
Included with the Monsoon
AM-FM Stereo with
Cassette Tape Player and Equalizer are 8 high
performance speakers if you have a convertible or
10 high performance speakers if you have a coupe and a
powerful 8 channel amplifier. Please see your dealer
for details.

3-7
Playing the Radio
POWER
-VOL: Push this knob to turn the system on
and off. To increase volume, turn the knob clockwise.
Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume.
RECALL: Display the time with the ignition off by
pressing this button. When the radio is playing, press
this knob to recall the station frequency.
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.
Setting the Tone
EQUALIZER: A seven
-band equalizer is part of your
audio system. Slide the levers up to boost or down to
reduce frequency range.
Adjusting the Speakers
BAL: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to
move the sound to the left or right speakers. The middle
position balances the sound between the speakers.
FADE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to
move the sound to the front or rear speakers. The middle
position balances the sound between the speakers.
Push these knobs back into their stored positions when
you're not using them.
Playing a Cassette Tape
Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are
up to 30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer
than that are so thin they may not work well in
this player.