2001 PONTIAC FIREBIRD change time

vi
GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
PONTIAC, the PONTIAC Emblem and the name
FIREBIRD are registered trademarks of General
Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time
it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, substitute the name ªGeneral Motors of
Canada Limitedº for Pontiac Division whenever it
appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be
there if you ever need it when you're on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new
owner can use it.
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propri‡taires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en fran†ais chez
votre concessionaire ou au:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207

1-31
To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.
Children
Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes
infants and all other children. Neither the distance
traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the
need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the
law in every state in the United States and in every
Canadian province says children up to some age must be
restrained while in a vehicle.
Infants and Young Children
Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles,
they should have the protection provided by the
appropriate restraint. Young children should not use the
vehicle's safety belts, unless there is no other choice.

2-9
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.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 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.

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

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

2-12 Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won't
work at the normal range in any location. If you have to
get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it's probably time to change the battery.NOTICE:
When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your
body transferred to these surfaces may damage
the transmitter.
To replace the battery in the remote keyless entry
transmitter, do the following:
1. Carefully pry off the cover by inserting a coin
(or similar object) in the slot between the covers
and twist.
2. Lift off the back cover.
3. Remove and replace the battery. Use one battery,
type CR2032, or a similar type. Put the new battery
in printed side down.
4. Put the back cover on. Make sure the cover is on
tight so water won't get in.
5. Check the transmitter operation. If the transmitter
does not work after battery replacement, it may need
to be resynchronized or matched to your vehicle.
See ªResynchronizationº following.

2-25
When your vehicle was shipped from the factory, it was
programmed in Mode 2. The mode to which the vehicle
has been programmed may have been changed since it
left the factory. To determine the mode to which your
vehicle is programmed or to program your vehicle to a
different mode, do the following:
1. Press the power door lock switch on the door.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set
for. (If you do not wish to change the current mode,
you can either exit the programming mode by
following the instructions later in this section or
program the next feature available on your vehicle.)
3. Press the power door lock switch again on the door
until you hear the number of chimes that corresponds
to the mode selection you want.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.Remote Keyless Entry Verification
This feature provides feedback when the vehicle
receives a command from the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Programmable Modes
Mode 1: All Off (The headlamps will not flash and
the horn will not sound to provide you feedback that a
lock/unlock command has been received by the remote
keyless entry transmitter.)
Mode 2: Horn and Lamps/Lamps (Your horn will sound
briefly and your parking lamps will flash when you press
LOCK on the remote keyless entry transmitter. Only your
parking lamps will flash when you press UNLOCK.)
Mode 3: Horn and Lamps (Your horn will sound briefly
and your parking lamps will flash every time you push
LOCK or UNLOCK.)
Mode 4: Lamps (Your parking lamps will flash every
time you press LOCK or UNLOCK.)
Mode 5: Lamps/Horn and Lamps/Lamps (Your lamps will
flash upon the first press on LOCK, your lamps will flash
and your horn will sound upon the second press on LOCK
and your lamps will flash upon any press on UNLOCK.)

2-29
When your vehicle was shipped from the factory, it was
programmed in Mode 4. The mode to which the vehicle
has been programmed may have been changed since it
left the factory. To determine the mode to which your
vehicle is programmed or to program your vehicle to a
different mode, do the following:
1. Turn the parking lamps on and off.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set
for. (If you do not wish to change the current mode,
you can either exit the programming mode by
following the instructions later in this section or
program the next feature available on your vehicle.)
3. Turn the parking lamps on and off, again, until you
hear the number of chimes that corresponds to the
mode selection you want.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
next in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
Exiting Programming Mode
When programming is complete, turn the ignition to
OFF and reinstall the RADIO fuse.
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).

Don't drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.

2-33 Starting Your 3800 Series II V6 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, hold your key
in START for about 10 seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as you hold the key
in START for about three seconds. If the vehicle
starts briefly but then stops again, do the same
thing. This time keep the pedal down for five or
six seconds to clear the extra gasoline from the
engine. After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat
the normal starting procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.

2-52 Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
When the high beams are
on, this light located on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on.
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or
from high beam to low, pull the turn signal lever all the
way toward you. Then release it.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the
band with the wiper symbol on it, located on the turn
signal/multifunction lever.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the
band on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain
or snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time.
The closer to LO, the shorter the delay.For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away
from you to the LO position. For high
-speed wiping,
turn the band further, to HI. To stop the wipers, turn
the band to OFF.
Damaged wiper blades may prevent you from seeing
well enough to drive safely. To avoid damage, be sure to
clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using
them. If they're frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers. A circuit
breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away
snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Windshield Washer
There is a paddle with the word PUSH on it at the top
of the turn signal/multifunction lever. To spray washer
fluid on the windshield, push the paddle briefly. The
washer will continue to spray until you release the
paddle. The wipers will clear the window and wipe a
few more times before stopping or returning to the
previous setting. See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº
in the Index.