2001 PONTIAC FIREBIRD ignition

1-27
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver's or the
right front passenger's air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger's air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don't want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have information about
servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. To
purchase a service manual, see ªService and Owner
Publicationsº in the Index.
CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the air bag system. Be sure to
follow proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is qualified
to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.

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

2-3 Power Windows (If Equipped)
Switches on the driver's door control each window
when the ignition is on or when RAP is active. See
ªRetained Accessory Power (RAP)º in the Index.The switch for the driver's window has an express
-down
feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. To lower the
driver's window completely, press the bottom of the
switch briefly and release it. To open the window
partially, activate the express
-down feature and press
the top of the switch when the window has lowered
to the position you want.
You can open the passenger's window any amount by
pressing the bottom of the switch for the passenger's
window and releasing it when the window has lowered
to the position you want.
To raise the window, press and hold the top of
the switch.

2-4
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 the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
Don't leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

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.

2-6
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.

2-8 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 has this feature, 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.