2002 PONTIAC FIREBIRD ignition

2-90 Traction Control System Warning
Light (Option)
This warning light should
come on briefly as you start
the engine. If the warning
light doesn't come on then,
have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there's
a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on when you're driving, there
may be a problem with your traction control system and
your vehicle may need service. When this warning light
is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
The traction control system warning light will come on
if you turn the system off by pressing the TCS button
located in front of the console, the warning light will
come on and stay on. To turn the system back on,
press the button again. The warning light should go off.
See ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index for
more information.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Low Traction Light
When your anti-lock system
is adjusting brake pressure
to help avoid a braking skid,
this light will come on.
If you have the traction control system, this light will
also come on when the system is limiting wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. Slippery road conditions may exist if the
low traction light comes on, so adjust your driving
accordingly. The light will stay on for a few seconds
after the traction control system stops limiting
wheel spin.
The low traction light also comes on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light doesn't come
on then, have it fixed so it will be there to tell you when
the anti
-lock brake system or traction control system
is active.

2-91 Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States Canada
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area,
your engine is approaching an overheating condition.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light in the United
States or Check Engine Light in Canada)
United States Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.

2-93
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:

Light Flashing
-- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

Light On Steady
-- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady,
see ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº following.If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.

2-97 Service Vehicle Light
This 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.
This light will stay on steady if you have certain
non
-emission related vehicle problems. These problems
may not be obvious and may affect vehicle performance
or durability. Consult a qualified dealer for necessary
repairs to maintain top vehicle performance.
Check Gages Light
This warning light will
come on briefly when
you start the engine.
If the light comes on and stays on while you are driving,
check your gages to see if they are in the warning areas.
Hatch Ajar Light
This 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.
This light will stay on steady if your hatch is open or
ajar and the ignition key is in RUN.
Fuel Gage
United States Canada
Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have
left when the ignition is on.

2-98
When the indicator nears empty, you still have a little
fuel left, but you should get more soon.
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 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 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.
See ªCheck Gages Lightº in the Index.
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.

3-6
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 of its controls to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is turned off. See
ªRetained Accessory Power (RAP)º in the Index.
Setting the Clock
Press and hold HR or MIN for two seconds. Then press
and hold HR until the correct hour appears. AM or PM
will appear on the display. Press and hold MIN until the
correct minute appears. The clock may be set with the
ignition on or off.
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
and Equalizer
Standard radio --- Monsoon not shown
If your vehicle is equipped with the Monsoon audio
system (not shown), included are 8 (convertibles only)
or 10 speakers and an eight channel amplifier. See your
dealer for details.

3-7
Playing the Radio
POWER: Push this knob to turn the system on and off.
VOL (Volume): Turn the knob clockwise to increase
volume. Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume.
RECALL: Press this button to display the station being
played or to display the clock. Pressing this button with
the ignition off will display the clock.
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. Press 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 or previous station and stay there.Setting Preset Stations
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) by performing the
following steps:
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 pushbuttons
until SET appears on the display. Whenever you
press that numbered pushbutton, the station you
set will return.
5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)
Equalizer: A seven
-band equalizer is part of your audio
system. Slide the levers up to boost or down to reduce
frequency range.

3-8
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
BAL (Balance): 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.
Press these knobs back into their stored positions when
you're not using them.
Playing a Compact Disc
Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up.
The player will pull it in. The compact disc symbol will
appear on the display. If the ignition and the radio are
on, the disc will begin playing. CD will appear on the
display next to the compact disc symbol. If you want
to insert a disc when the ignition is off, first press the
EJECT button.
The integral CD player can play the smaller 8 cm single
discs. Full
-size compact discs and the smaller discs are
loaded in the same manner.
If an error appears on the display, see ªCompact Disc
Messagesº later in this section.1 PREV (Previous): Press this pushbutton or the
SEEK down arrow to go to the start of the current track
if more than eight seconds have played. If you hold the
pushbutton or press it more than once, the player will
continue moving back through the disc.
2 NEXT: Press this pushbutton or the SEEK up arrow
to go to the start of the next track. If you hold the
pushbutton or press it more than once, the player will
continue moving forward through the disc.
3 RDM (Random): Press this pushbutton to hear the
tracks in random, rather than sequential, order. The
display will show RDM. Press RDM again to turn off
random play.
5 REV (Reverse): Press and hold this pushbutton to
quickly reverse within a track. You will hear sound at a
reduced volume. The display will show elapsed time.
6 FWD (Forward): Press and hold this pushbutton to
quickly advance forward within a track. You will hear
sound at a reduced volume. The display will show
elapsed time.