2002 PONTIAC FIREBIRD instrument panel

2-56
Exterior Lamps
The control located on the instrument panel to the left
of the steering column operates the exterior lamps.The exterior lamp control has three positions:
OFF: Turning the control to this position turns off all
lamps, except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
(Parking Lamps): Turning the control to this
position turns on the parking lamps, together with
the following:

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
(Headlamps): Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.

2-58 Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during
the day. DRL can be helpful in many different
driving conditions, but they can be especially helpful
in the short periods after dawn and before sunset.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required
on all vehicles first sold in Canada.
For Canadian vehicles, a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel automatically turns the headlamps on,
so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system will not activate if the parking brake
is engaged prior to turning the ignition on.
The DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when the following conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the exterior lamp control is off,

the parking brake is released, and

it is bright enough outside (on Canadian vehicles).When the DRL are on, only your front turn signal lamps
will be on. The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps
won't be on. Your instrument panel won't be lit up
either. When you use your turn signals, the front turn
signal and the taillamp on the desired side will flash.
For Canadian vehicles, when it's dark enough outside,
your front turn signal lamps will go out and your
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that come
on with your headlamps will also come on. When it's
bright enough outside, the regular lamps will go off,
and your front turn signal lamps will come on.
On a non
-Canadian vehicle, the headlamps have to be
turned on manually when you need them. On Canadian
and non
-Canadian vehicles, when the headlamps are
turned on, the front turn signal lamps will go out.
When you use your turn signals, the front turn signal
lamp and the taillamp on the desired side will flash.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

2-59 Fog Lamps
Use your fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty
conditions. Your parking lamps must be on or your
fog lamps won't work.
Your fog lamp switch is
located on your instrument
panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
To turn the fog lamps on, push the right side of the
fog lamp switch and a light on the switch will come on
indicating that the fog lamps are on. Push the left side
of the fog lamp switch to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will go off whenever your high
-beam
headlamps come on. When the high
-beam headlamps
go off, the fog lamps will come on again.
If your vehicle is equipped with the content
theft
-deterrent/alarm system and your fog lamp switch
is on, the fog lamps may flash to indicate operation of the
content theft
-deterrent/alarm system. See ªContent
Theft
-Deterrent/Alarm Systemº in the Index.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature is located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering column.
Move the thumbwheel up or down to brighten or dim
the lights. If you move the thumbwheel all the way up,
your courtesy lamps will come on.

2-82
The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System

2-83
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Fog Lamp Switch
B. Exterior Lamp Control
C. Air Vents
D. Instrument Panel Cluster
E. Horn
F. Audio System
G. Glove Box
H. Remote Hatch Release
I. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
J. Rear Window Defogger ButtonK. Convertible Top Switch (If Equipped)
L. Traction Control System Switch (Option)
M. Ashtray
N. Shift Lever (Automatic Transmission Shown)
O. Cupholders
P. Front Console
Q. Parking Brake Lever
R. Cigarette Lighter
S. Accessory Power Outlet
T. Comfort Controls

2-84 Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how
fast you're going, your engine's rpms, about how much fuel you have left and many other things you'll need to know
to drive safely and economically.
5.7L V8 Engine shown, 3800 V6 Engine similar (United States shown, Canada similar)

2-85 Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has been
driven, in either miles (used in the United States) or
kilometers (used in Canada).
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If possible, the new one has to
be set to the same reading the old one had. If it can't be,
then it's set at zero, and a label on the driver's door must
show the old reading and when the new one was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has
been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero.
To set the trip odometer to zero, press the TRIP
OIL/RESET knob on the instrument panel cluster.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in thousands
of revolutions per minute (rpm).
NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer
in the red area, or engine damage may occur.

2-87 Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG or the air bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag's electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the air bag
modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the
air bag system, see ªAir Bagº in the Index.
United States Canada
This light will come on when you start your vehicle, and
it will flash for a few seconds. Then the light should go
out. This means the system is ready.If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN.
If the light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.