2001 PONTIAC FIREBIRD lock

1-13
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
Adults
This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about
safety belts and children. And there are different
rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will
be riding in your vehicle, see the part of this manual
called ªChildren.º Follow those rules for
everyone's protection.
First, you'll want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.
We'll start with the driver position.
Driver Position
This part describes the driver's restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here's how to wear
it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see
how, see ªSeatsº in the Index.
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don't let it get twisted.
On convertible models, the shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this
happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it.
Then pull the belt across you more slowly.

1-14
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt isn't long enough, see ªSafety Belt
Extenderº at the end of this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle
end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt.
The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you'd be less likely
to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt
would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go
over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the
body are best able to take belt restraining forces.
The safety belt locks if there's a sudden stop or crash.
On convertible models, the safety belt also locks if you
pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.

1-28
Rear Seat Passengers
It's very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up!
Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear
seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who aren't safety belted can be thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The rear seats have lap
-shoulder belts. Here's how to
wear one properly.
1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don't let it get twisted.
On convertible models, the shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this
happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it.
Then pull the belt across you more slowly.
2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

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The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you'd be less
likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the
belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could
cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt
should go over the shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best able to take belt
restraining forces.
The safety belt locks if there's a sudden stop or a crash.
On convertible models, the safety belt also locks if you
pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.
CAUTION:
You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward
too much, which could increase injury. The
shoulder belt should fit against your body.

2-
2-1
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 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-8 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-13 Hatch
2
-16 Theft
2
-17 Content Theft-Deterrent/Alarm System
(If Equipped)
2
-20 PASS-Key
II
2
-29 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-30 Ignition Positions
2
-32 Starting Your Engine
2
-35 Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
2
-37 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-40 Manual Transmission Operation
2
-44 Parking Brake
2
-45 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)2
-47 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-47 Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission
Models Only)
2
-48 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-48 Engine Exhaust
2
-49 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-50 Limited-Slip Rear Axle
2
-50 Tilt Wheel
2
-51 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-56 Exterior Lamps
2
-59 Interior Lamps
2
-60 Mirrors
2
-62 Storage Compartments
2
-65 T-Top Roof Panels (If Equipped)
2
-72 Convertible Top (If Equipped)
2
-80 The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System
2
-84 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-5
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 door keys and gives them to
the first owner.However, 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. See ºRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index for more information.
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 of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked,
the handle won't open it. You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in
a crash if the doors aren't locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.

Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.

Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors
can help prevent this from happening.
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/alarm system and it is armed,
unlocking and opening a door this way will set off the
alarm after eight seconds unless the ignition key is inserted
into the ignition. See ªContent Theft
-Deterrent/Alarm
Systemº in the Index.
To lock the door from the inside, slide the lever located
on the door rearward.
To unlock the door, slide the lever located on the
door forward.

2-7 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.
The power door 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 when Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
is active. See ªRetained Accessory Power (RAP)º in
the Index.
Operating the power door locks may affect the content
theft
-deterrent/alarm system (if equipped). See ªContent
Theft
-Deterrent/Alarm Systemº in the Index.
Last Door Closed Locking (If Equipped)
If you have power door locks, you can program your
vehicle to delay the 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 the doors are closed.
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 power door 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.