Pontiac 2002 Firebird Owner'S Manual Download Page 213

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5-1

Section 5

Problems on the Road

Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.

Hazard Warning Flashers

Other Warning Devices

Jump Starting

Towing Your Vehicle

Engine Overheating

Cooling System

If a Tire Goes Flat

Changing a Flat Tire

Compact Spare Tire

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

Summary of Contents for 2002 Firebird

Page 1: ......

Page 3: ...al Motors of Canada Limited 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...

Page 4: ...d a number of safety cautions in this book We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning CAUTION These mean there is something that c...

Page 5: ...You ll also see warning labels on your vehicle They use the same words CAUTION or NOTICE Vehicle Symbols Your vehicle may be equipped with components and labels that use symbols instead of text Symbo...

Page 6: ...v...

Page 7: ...hey re for Everyone 1 12 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts and the Answers 1 13 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly 1 14 Driver Position 1 20 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy 1 21 Ri...

Page 8: ...ver s seat while the vehicle is moving The sudden movement could startle and confuse you or make you push a pedal when you don t want to Adjust the driver s seat only when the vehicle is not moving Mo...

Page 9: ...ever on the right and lean forward or backward to adjust the angle of the seat cushion Release the lever to lock the seat into place Six Way Power Seat If Equipped If your vehicle has this option the...

Page 10: ...he switch down to inflate and up to deflate The rear switch adjusts the side bolster which gives lateral support Push the switch down to inflate and up to deflate Reclining Front Seatbacks To adjust t...

Page 11: ...this The shoulder belt can t do its job In a crash you could go into it receiving neck or other injuries The lap belt can t do its job either In a crash the belt could go up over your abdomen The bel...

Page 12: ...up or down so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your head This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash Front Seatback Latches The front seatbacks fold forward to l...

Page 13: ...sitting there Always press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is locked Folding Rear Seatback The rear seatback in your vehicle folds down to provide more storage space To fold the seatback down d...

Page 14: ...ou can hit things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it You can be seriously injured or killed In the same crash you might not be if you are buckled up Always fasten your safety belt and check that...

Page 15: ...shes are mild and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up a person wouldn t survive But most crashes are in between In many of them people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away...

Page 16: ...1 10 Put someone on it Get it up to speed Then stop the vehicle The rider doesn t stop...

Page 17: ...1 11 The person keeps going until stopped by something In a real vehicle it could be the windshield or the instrument panel...

Page 18: ...even if you re upside down And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident so you can unbuckle and get out is much greater if you are belted Q If my vehicle has air bags why should I...

Page 19: ...est number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph 65 km h Safety belts are for everyone How to Wear Safety Belts Properly Adults This part is only for people of adult size...

Page 20: ...lock the door 2 Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight To see how see Seats 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 s...

Page 21: ...oulder 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 t...

Page 22: ...is too loose It won t give nearly as much protection this way 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 inju...

Page 23: ...ou can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this In a crash the belt would go up over your abdomen The belt forces would be there not at the pelvic bones This could cau...

Page 24: ...be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm In a crash your body would move too far forward which would increase the chance of head and neck injury Also the belt would apply too...

Page 25: ...sted across the body CAUTION You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt In a crash you wouldn t have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces If a belt is twisted make it straight so it...

Page 26: ...n it you can damage both the belt and your vehicle Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone including pregnant women Like all occupants they are more likely to be seriously inju...

Page 27: ...ty belts effective is wearing them properly Right Front Passenger Position To learn how to wear the right front passenger s safety belt properly see Driver Position earlier in this section The right f...

Page 28: ...work with safety belts but don t replace them Air bags are designed to work only in moderate to severe crashes where the front of your vehicle hits something CAUTION Continued CAUTION Continued They...

Page 29: ...or them Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide Always secure children properly in your vehicle To read how see the part of this manual called Children...

Page 30: ...24 How the Air Bag System Works Where are the air bags The driver s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel The right front passenger s air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger s sid...

Page 31: ...hold level If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn t move or deform the threshold level is about 12 to 18 mph 19 to 29 km h The threshold level can vary however with specific vehicle desi...

Page 32: ...ded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions What will you see after an air bag inflates After an air bag inflates it q...

Page 33: ...sensing and diagnostic module which records information about the air bag system The module records information about the readiness of the system when the system commands air bag inflation and driver...

Page 34: ...d 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 t...

Page 35: ...the belt across you more slowly 2 Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it Pul...

Page 36: ...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...

Page 37: ...o 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 inju...

Page 38: ...ety 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 ti...

Page 39: ...by doesn t weigh much until a crash During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it For example in a crash at only 25 mph 40 km h a 12 lb 5 5 kg baby will suddenly become a 24...

Page 40: ...are available in four basic types Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child s weight height and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatibl...

Page 41: ...ants always should be secured in appropriate infant restraints CAUTION The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child for whom the safety belts are designed A youn...

Page 42: ...restrain or position a child on a continuous flat surface Make sure that the infant s head rests toward the center of the vehicle A rear facing infant seat B provides restraint with the seating surfac...

Page 43: ...urfaces such as T shaped or shelf like shields A booster seat F G is a child restraint designed to improve the fit of the vehicle s safety belt system Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positione...

Page 44: ...aps and a crotch strap A shield may take the place of hip straps A T shaped shield has shoulder straps that are attached to a flat pad which rests low against the child s body A shelf or armrest type...

Page 45: ...red or killed if the right front passenger s air bag inflates This is because the back of the rear facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating air bag Always secure a rear facing child...

Page 46: ...top strap be anchored don t use the restraint unless it is anchored properly If the child restraint does not have a top strap one can be obtained in kit form for many child restraints Ask the child r...

Page 47: ...justable head restraint route the top strap under it Once you have the top strap anchored you ll be ready to secure the child restraint itself Tighten the top strap when and as the child restraint man...

Page 48: ...int Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say 1 Put the restraint on the seat 2 Pick up the latch plate and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle s safety bel...

Page 49: ...If you re using a forward facing child restraint you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt 5 Push and pull the child restraint in different...

Page 50: ...d facing child restraint in the right front seat You ll be using the lap shoulder belt See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one Be sure to follow the instructions that c...

Page 51: ...r belt goes in front of the child s face or neck put it behind the child restraint 4 Buckle the belt Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly...

Page 52: ...push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt 6 Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure To remove the child restraint just unbuckle the vehicle s...

Page 53: ...elt should not cross the face or neck The lap belt should fit snugly below the hips just touching the top of the thighs It should never be worn over the abdomen which could cause severe or even fatal...

Page 54: ...A belt must be used by only one person at a time Q What if a child is wearing a lap shoulder belt but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child s face or neck A Move the...

Page 55: ...in this way in a crash the child might slide under the belt The belt s force would then be applied right on the child s abdomen That could cause serious or fatal injuries Wherever the child sits the...

Page 56: ...might keep a safety belt system from doing its job have it repaired Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash They can rip apart under impact forces If a belt is torn or frayed get a...

Page 57: ...ur Engine 2 34 Engine Coolant Heater Canada Only 2 36 Automatic Transmission Operation 2 40 Manual Transmission Operation 2 43 Parking Brake 2 45 Shifting Into PARK P Automatic Transmission Only 2 47...

Page 58: ...cle with the windows closed is dangerous A child can be overcome by the extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke Never leave a child alone in a vehicle especially...

Page 59: ...er 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 h...

Page 60: ...le 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...

Page 61: ...ls 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 i...

Page 62: ...eath from heat stroke Always lock your vehicle whenever you leave it D Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked door when you slow down or stop your vehicle Locking your doors can help prevent t...

Page 63: ...ndex Last Door Closed Locking 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 t...

Page 64: ...ed on If you would like to turn this feature off see Feature Customization in the Index Leaving Your Vehicle If you are leaving the vehicle take your keys open your door and set the locks from inside...

Page 65: ...s 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 sys...

Page 66: ...t deterrent alarm system if equipped See Content Theft Deterrent Alarm System in the Index Alarm Panic Mode If you are involved in a panic situation press the horn symbol button on your remote keyless...

Page 67: ...ion key to RUN then to OFF This will disarm the content theft deterrent alarm system if equipped 2 Remove the RADIO fuse This fuse is located in the main fuse block which is located on the left side o...

Page 68: ...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...

Page 69: ...n If this does not happen you may need to replace the battery in your transmitter or match the transmitter to your vehicle See Matching Transmitter s to Your Vehicle in the Index Hatch CAUTION It can...

Page 70: ...c transmission the shift lever must be in PARK P or NEUTRAL N to use the remote hatch release If you have a manual transmission and the ignition is in RUN you must set the parking brake before you can...

Page 71: ...nt when securing items in the trunk Improper use of the trunk release handle could damage it There is a glow in the dark trunk release handle located on the inside wall of the trunk near the floor The...

Page 72: ...gnition If you take the key with you and you have an automatic transmission it will be locked And remember to lock the doors Parking at Night Park in a lighted spot close all windows and lock your veh...

Page 73: ...personal preference See Feature Customization in the Index Turning Off the Alarm If you started the alarm by pressing the panic button on the remote keyless entry transmitter you must either push that...

Page 74: ...esired If sensitivity is increased too much it may give false alarms caused by gusts of wind or other natural events that may shake the vehicle When your vehicle is new there will be a label covering...

Page 75: ...s you are inside the vehicle so it will not arm Locking the doors by using the manual door locks will not arm the system Passive Arming If the ignition was just turned off and a door was opened the sy...

Page 76: ...tems can be programmed with several different features The features you can program depend upon the options that came with your vehicle The following chart shows the features that can be programmed To...

Page 77: ...u will hear one or two chimes depending on the features your vehicle is equipped with Refer to the chart shown previously You can now program your choices To exit the programming mode follow the steps...

Page 78: ...Turn the courtesy lamps from on to off 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...

Page 79: ...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 com...

Page 80: ...election 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 Th...

Page 81: ...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 Theft Deter...

Page 82: ...is section or program the next feature available on your vehicle Driver s Door Alarm Delay and Shock Sensor Enable These features will allow you to change when the alarm system will sound and to turn...

Page 83: ...ther 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 i...

Page 84: ...ion key may be faulty See your dealer or a locksmith who can service the PASS Key II If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or missing resistor pellet the starter won t work The SECURITY lig...

Page 85: ...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...

Page 86: ...y if so is it all the way in If it is then turn the steering wheel left and right while you turn the key hard Turn the key only with your hand Using a tool to force it could break the key or the ignit...

Page 87: ...utes after the ignition key is turned to OFF Your convertible top power windows power mirrors and audio system will work when the ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY Once the key is turned from RUN to...

Page 88: ...vehicle won t start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down that s a safety feature Starting Your 3800 Series II V6 Engine 1 With your foot off the accelerator pedal turn your ignition key to STAR...

Page 89: ...rates Before adding electrical equipment check with your dealer If you don t your engine might not perform properly Starting Your 5 7L V8 Engine 1 With your foot off the accelerator pedal turn the ign...

Page 90: ...ps again do the same thing but this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds This clears the extra gasoline from the engine NOTICE Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your...

Page 91: ...y grounded three prong 110 volt AC outlet If the cord won t reach use a heavy duty three prong extension cord rated for at least 15 amps 4 Before starting the engine be sure to unplug and store the co...

Page 92: ...ift lever is not fully in PARK P with the parking brake firmly set Your vehicle can roll Don t leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to If you have left the engine running the...

Page 93: ...lever button on floor shift console models as you maintain brake application Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish Press the shift lever button before moving the shift lever on floor shift...

Page 94: ...out of PARK P or NEUTRAL N with the engine racing isn t covered by your warranty AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE D This position is for normal driving If you need more power for passing and you re D Going less th...

Page 95: ...ission Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE D or THIRD 3 as much as possible Don t shift into SECOND 2 unless you are going slower than 65 mph 105 km h or you can damage your engine FIRST 1 This position if equipp...

Page 96: ...SECOND 2 Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal THIRD 3 FOURTH 4 and FIFTH 5 Shift into THIRD 3 FOURTH 4 and FIFTH 5 the same way you do for SECOND 2 Slowly let up...

Page 97: ...6 gear the same way you do for SECOND 2 Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal To stop let up on the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal Just before the vehicle s...

Page 98: ...ly you should downshift to the next lower gear You may have to downshift two or more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or for good performance NOTICE If you skip more than one gear when you do...

Page 99: ...4th 15 mph 24 km h D 4th to 5th 25 mph 40 km h D 5th to 6th 49 mph 64 km h Each time you come to a stop the engine s Powertrain Control Module PCM determines when to activate the skip shift upshift s...

Page 100: ...ou move the brake lever all the way down NOTICE Driving with the parking brake on can cause your parking brakes to overheat You may have to replace them and you could also damage other parts of your v...

Page 101: ...ehicle won t move even when you re on fairly level ground use the steps that follow If you re pulling a trailer see Towing a Trailer in the Index 1 Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and s...

Page 102: ...lever away from PARK P without first pushing in the button If you can it means that the shift lever wasn t fully locked into PARK P Torque Lock Automatic Transmission If you are parking on a hill and...

Page 103: ...to the gear you wish If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can t shift out of PARK P try this 1 Turn the ignition key to OFF 2 Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4 3 Shift to NEU...

Page 104: ...ciousness and death You might have exhaust coming in if D Your exhaust system sounds strange or different D Your vehicle gets rusty underneath D Your vehicle was damaged in a collision D Your vehicle...

Page 105: ...with the engine running Another closed in place can be a blizzard See Blizzard in the Index CAUTION It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK P with the pa...

Page 106: ...three chirps when unlocking your vehicle with the remote keyless entry transmitter if equipped the alarm was triggered while you were away Check the vehicle before entering Tilt Wheel A tilt wheel al...

Page 107: ...ver will return automatically An arrow on the instrument panel cluster will flash in the direction of the turn or lane change To signal a lane change just raise or lower the lever until the arrow star...

Page 108: ...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...

Page 109: ...he cruise control shuts off CAUTION D Cruise control can be dangerous where you can t drive safely at a steady speed So don t use your cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic D Cruise cont...

Page 110: ...off the cruise control But you don t need to reset it Once you re going about 25 mph 40 km h or more you can move the cruise control switch from ON to R A Resume Accelerate briefly You ll go right ba...

Page 111: ...How well your cruise control will work on hills depends upon your speed load and the steepness of the hills When going up steep hills you may have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your spe...

Page 112: ...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 D Sidemarker...

Page 113: ...lamps position The headlamp doors should be open when driving in icy or snowy conditions to prevent the doors from freezing closed and when washing the vehicle to help clean the headlamps To open the...

Page 114: ...ight 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 eit...

Page 115: ...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...

Page 116: ...the hatch Delayed Illumination With delayed illumination the courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for 25 seconds after you enter the vehicle and close the doors They will also stay on for five seco...

Page 117: ...her mirror move the selector switch to L left or to R right The center position is off Then use the arrows on the control pad to adjust the mirror in the direction you want it to go Convex Outside Mir...

Page 118: ...map pocket There may also be a map pocket on the back of the seats Compact Disc Storage You have a storage area for compact discs in your console Cargo Cover Using the Cargo Cover The cargo cover can...

Page 119: ...Then slide the cargo cover along the groove in the trim panel Reverse the steps to install the cover CAUTION An improperly stored cargo cover could be thrown about the vehicle during a collision or s...

Page 120: ...materials could set them on fire causing damage To use the lighter push it in all the way and let go When it s ready it will pop back out by itself NOTICE Don t hold a cigarette lighter in with your...

Page 121: ...d behind a closed cover in front of the parking brake on the console NOTICE When using the accessory power outlet D The maximum load of any electrical equipment should not exceed 3 amps D Be sure to t...

Page 122: ...echnician or your dealer for the proper installation of your equipment NOTICE Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs only Do not hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket from the plug I...

Page 123: ...he vehicle is moving could cause an accident The panel could fall into the vehicle and cause you to lose control or it could fly off and strike another vehicle You or others could be injured Remove th...

Page 124: ...rage Storing the T Top Roof Panels CAUTION If the T top panel is not stored properly it could be thrown about the vehicle in a crash or sudden maneuver People in the vehicle could be injured Whenever...

Page 125: ...or PASSENGER in the rear area of your vehicle Make sure the handle is open and facing you when you put it in the storage slot 3 Push the handle down to close and secure the panel in the slot To lock...

Page 126: ...derside of the panel Check now and then to be sure the roof panel is firmly in place 1 When installing the panels on the roof keep the outboard edge of the panel raised about 3 inches 8 cm above the r...

Page 127: ...center roof rail Doing so may cause the weatherstrips to be aligned improperly which may result in leaks and possible damage to the weatherstrips NOTICE High pressure car washes may cause water to ent...

Page 128: ...the glass and plastic trim making sure the edge marked DRIVER FRONT is pointing to the front of the vehicle 3 Open the latch and close the T top Check to see if there are any gaps showing Unlatch the...

Page 129: ...lock the T top Repeat the previous steps for the passenger s side sunshade You can store the sunshades two different ways D When the T tops are in use store the sunshades in their storage area in the...

Page 130: ...mended that you park on a level surface Set the parking brake firmly Shift an automatic transmission into PARK P or a manual transmission into REVERSE R 2 Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN 3 Lower...

Page 131: ...e area be sure there are no objects in the way of the folded stored top The weight of a stored top on items in the storage area will cause the convertible top back glass to break 4 Unlock the front of...

Page 132: ...rtible TOP switch The top will automatically lower into the storage area Installing the Boot Cover After lowering the convertible top you may want to install the boot cover The three piece boot cover...

Page 133: ...inserting the tab into the front seatbelt cover Lower the covers onto the vehicle 4 Install the middle section of the cover by sliding the tabs into the slots on the right side cover Lower the cover a...

Page 134: ...over 1 Open the hatch 2 Remove the middle piece of the cover by pushing in on the latch and lifting up on the cover 3 Remove the two side pieces of the boot cover by lifting the rear cover and sliding...

Page 135: ...surface and set the parking brake firmly If you have an automatic transmission shift into PARK P If you have a manual transmission shift into REVERSE R 2 Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN or RAP...

Page 136: ...tible TOP switch 5 Pull down on the latches and align the top so the pins are aligned with the holes in the windshield header Push forward on the larger part of the latch until it clicks Do not force...

Page 137: ...d battery you can still raise or lower the top manually by turning the valve in the driver s side of the trunk area 1 Open the hatch and find the tab located along the driver s side trim panel 2 Lift...

Page 138: ...2 82 The Instrument Panel Your Information System...

Page 139: ...o System G Glove Box H Remote Hatch Release I Audio Steering Wheel Controls If Equipped J Rear Window Defogger Button K Convertible Top Switch If Equipped L Traction Control System Switch Option M Ash...

Page 140: ...now 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 economi...

Page 141: ...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 tel...

Page 142: ...not be alarmed when this happens Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle s functions Often gages and warning lights work together to let you know when there s a p...

Page 143: ...stem 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 CAUTI...

Page 144: ...our battery may not be able to power certain electrical accessories like ABS If this happens the ABS INOP light will come on See Anti Lock Brake System Warning Light in the Index If you must drive a s...

Page 145: ...our parking brake is fully released it means you have a brake problem Anti Lock Brake System Warning Light United States Canada With the anti lock brake system the light will come on when your engine...

Page 146: ...on Control System 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 se...

Page 147: ...rating 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 Engine Overheating in the Index Malfunction Indicator...

Page 148: ...ICE If you keep driving your vehicle with this light on after a while your emission controls may not work as well your fuel economy may not be as good and your engine may not run as smoothly This coul...

Page 149: ...see If the Light Is On Steady 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...

Page 150: ...ualified service center check the vehicle Your dealer has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical problems that may have developed Emissions Inspection and M...

Page 151: ...such as long extended idles on hot days it could read as low as 6 psi 40 kPa and still be considered normal It may vary with engine speed outside temperature and oil viscosity but readings above the...

Page 152: ...he level once the engine is running Also the oil level check only works when the engine has been turned off long enough for the oil to drain back into the oil pan Oil Change Light This OIL CHANGE ligh...

Page 153: ...aintain 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...

Page 154: ...e 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 Check Gages Light in the Index Reduced Engine Power Light...

Page 155: ...3 3 Heating 3 4 Defogging and Defrosting 3 4 Rear Window Defogger 3 5 Ventilation System 3 6 Audio Systems 3 6 Setting the Clock 3 6 AM FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Equalizer 3 10 Trunk Mou...

Page 156: ...blue counterclockwise for cooler air Mode Knob OFF In this setting the system is off MAX Maximum This setting provides maximum cooling or quick cool down on very hot days It recirculates most of the a...

Page 157: ...normal cooling For faster cooling turn the knob to MAX 2 Turn the temperature knob to a comfortable setting 3 Turn the fan knob to the desired speed Heating The heater works best if you keep your wind...

Page 158: ...you that the defogger is on The defogger will turn off automatically after about 10 minutes of use If you turn it on again the defogger will operate for about five minutes only You can turn the defog...

Page 159: ...ure knob to a comfortable setting 3 Turn the fan knob to the desired speed Ventilation Tips D Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice snow or any other obstruction such as leaves The heater and...

Page 160: ...you can play your audio system even after the ignition is turned off See Retained Accessory Power RAP in the Index Setting the Clock Press and hold HR or MIN for two seconds Then press and hold HR unt...

Page 161: ...sition when you re not using it Y SEEK B 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 fav...

Page 162: ...ze compact discs and the smaller discs are loaded in the same manner If an error appears on the display see Compact Disc Messages later in this section 1 PREV Previous Press this pushbutton or the SEE...

Page 163: ...en it is playing or to remove a CD when it is not playing The EJECT button will work with the radio off Compact Disc Messages If an E and a number appears on the radio display or if the disc comes out...

Page 164: ...t they will not come into contact with the CD changer You must first load the magazine with discs before you can play a compact disc Each of the 12 trays holds one disc Press the button on the back of...

Page 165: ...is left partially open the changer will not operate and an error will occur When the door is closed the changer will begin checking for discs in the magazine This will continue for up to two minutes d...

Page 166: ...advance to the next track on the disc 3 RDM Random Press this pushbutton to play the compact discs in random rather than sequential order RDM will appear on the display If you press SEEK while in the...

Page 167: ...hanger Door Open D E35 CD Changer Cartridge Empty If an error occurs other than one listed previously while trying to play a CD in the compact disc player or changer the following conditions may have...

Page 168: ...ttons at the same time Hold them down until shows on the display Next you will use the secret code number which you have written down 5 Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display 6 Press MIN again t...

Page 169: ...en steps 1 Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN 2 Turn the radio off 3 Press the 1 and 4 pushbuttons at the same time Hold them down until SEC shows on the display 4 Press MIN and 000 will appear on...

Page 170: ...station Press this button again to stop scanning the preset stations If it is pressed while playing a CD in the radio head the CD random feature can be turned on or off If it is played while in the CD...

Page 171: ...and harmful to your hearing Take precautions by adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe sound level before your hearing adapts to it To help avoid hearing loss or damage do the following...

Page 172: ...ned from time to time To clean the antenna mast do the following 1 Turn on the ignition and radio to raise the antenna 2 Dampen a clean cloth with mineral spirits or equivalent solvent 3 Wipe the clot...

Page 173: ...riving 4 6 Control of a Vehicle 4 6 Braking 4 9 Traction Control System Option 4 11 Steering 4 13 Off Road Recovery 4 13 Passing 4 15 Loss of Control 4 16 Driving at Night 4 18 Driving in Rain and on...

Page 174: ...ventable of accidents Yet they are common Allow enough following distance It s the best defensive driving maneuver in both city and rural driving You never know when the vehicle in front of you is goi...

Page 175: ...imates nearly half the adult population choose never to drink alcohol so they never drive after drinking For persons under 21 it s against the law in every U S state to drink alcohol There are good me...

Page 176: ...inking will have a somewhat lower BAC level There is a gender difference too Women generally have a lower relative percentage of body water than men Since alcohol is carried in body water this means t...

Page 177: ...right answer What if there s an emergency a need to take sudden action as when a child darts into the street A person with even a moderate BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the co...

Page 178: ...have to bring up your foot and do it That s reaction time Average reaction time is about 3 4 of a second But that s only an average It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds...

Page 179: ...push down If your engine stops you will still have some power brake assist But you will use it when you brake Once the power assist is used up it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be h...

Page 180: ...he computer will separately work the brakes at each wheel with V8 engine or at each front wheel and at both rear wheels with V6 engine The anti lock system can change the brake pressure faster than an...

Page 181: ...e In many emergencies steering can help you more than even the very best braking Traction Control System Option Your vehicle may have a traction control system that limits wheel spin This is especiall...

Page 182: ...ons you should always leave the system on But you can turn the traction control system off if you ever need to You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand mud or snow and ro...

Page 183: ...he curve is banked and your speed While you re in a curve speed is the one factor you can control Suppose you re steering through a sharp curve Then you suddenly accelerate Both control systems steeri...

Page 184: ...apply your brakes See Braking in Emergencies earlier in this section It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision Then steer around the problem to the left or right depend...

Page 185: ...sing another vehicle on a two lane highway is a potentially dangerous move since the passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds A miscalculation an error in judgmen...

Page 186: ...rs are lined up to pass a slow vehicle wait your turn But take care that someone isn t trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the b...

Page 187: ...the acceleration skid If you do not have traction control or if the system is off then an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal If your vehicle starts to...

Page 188: ...Drive defensively D Don t drink and drive D Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps behind you D Since you can t see as well you may need to slow down and keep more spac...

Page 189: ...When you are faced with severe glare as from a driver who doesn t lower the high beams or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps slow down a little Avoid staring directly into the approaching headlamps Ke...

Page 190: ...suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement The heavier the rain the harder it is to see Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good shape a heavy rain can make it harder to...

Page 191: ...in a quick stop and may cause pulling to one side You could lose control of the vehicle After driving through a large puddle of water or a car wash apply your brake pedal lightly until your brakes wor...

Page 192: ...ter that is slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle If you can t avoid deep puddles or standing water drive through them very slowly Driving Through Flowing Water CAUTION Flowing or rushing...

Page 193: ...city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a cross country trip D Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities You ll save time and energy...

Page 194: ...into the gap at close to the prevailing speed Switch on your turn signal check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as necessary Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow Once you ar...

Page 195: ...e it done before starting out Of course you ll find experienced and able service experts in Pontiac dealerships all across North America They ll be ready and willing to help if you need it Here are so...

Page 196: ...the road in less than a second and you could crash and be injured What can you do about highway hypnosis First be aware that it can happen Then here are some tips D Make sure your vehicle is well ven...

Page 197: ...or with the ignition off is dangerous Your brakes will have to do all the work of slowing down They could get so hot that they wouldn t work well You would then have poor braking or even none going d...

Page 198: ...r a small brush or broom a supply of windshield washer fluid a rag some winter outer clothing a small shovel a flashlight a red cloth and a couple of reflective warning triangles And if you will be dr...

Page 199: ...out freezing 32_F 0_C and freezing rain begins to fall Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there Whatever the condition smooth ice packed blowing or loose snow drive with...

Page 200: ...e the sun can t reach around clumps of trees behind buildings or under bridges Sometimes the surface of a curve or an overpass may remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear If you see a patch of...

Page 201: ...see it or smell it so you might not know it is in your vehicle Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle especially any that is blocking your exhaust pipe And check around again from time...

Page 202: ...r wheels on the ground and dolly towing towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a dolly Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with any of its wheel...

Page 203: ...your vehicle or the Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR for either the front or rear axle And if you do have a heavy load you should spread it out Don t carry more than 100 lbs 45 kg in your rear area CAUTI...

Page 204: ...the seats D Don t leave an unsecured child restraint in your vehicle D When you carry something inside the vehicle secure it whenever you can D Don t leave a seat folded down unless you need to Towing...

Page 205: ...higher speeds and under greater loads generating extra heat What s more the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance increasing the pulling requirements If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you...

Page 206: ...your dealer for our trailering information or advice or you can write us at Pontiac GMC Customer Assistance Center P O Box 33172 Detroit MI 48232 5172 In Canada write to General Motors of Canada Limit...

Page 207: ...e in the Index Then be sure you don t go over the GVW limit for your vehicle including the weight of the trailer tongue Hitches It s important to have the correct hitch equipment Crosswinds large truc...

Page 208: ...use you have anti lock brakes do not try to tap into your vehicle s brake system If you do both brake systems won t work well or at all Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amoun...

Page 209: ...bottom of the steering wheel with one hand Then to move the trailer to the left just move that hand to the left To move the trailer to the right move your hand to the right Always back up slowly and i...

Page 210: ...are still working Driving On Grades Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start down a long or steep downgrade If you don t shift down you might have to use your brakes so much that they w...

Page 211: ...ve to park your rig on a hill here s how to do it 1 Apply your regular brakes but don t shift into PARK P yet or into gear for a manual transmission 2 Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheel...

Page 212: ...trailer See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this Things that are especially important in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid don t overfill engine oil axle lubricant drive belts co...

Page 213: ...that can occur on the road 5 2 Hazard Warning Flashers 5 3 Other Warning Devices 5 3 Jump Starting 5 8 Towing Your Vehicle 5 9 Engine Overheating 5 12 Cooling System 5 22 If a Tire Goes Flat 5 22 Chan...

Page 214: ...nd off The hazard warning flasher button is located on the steering column Press the button in to make the front and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off Pull out on the collar to turn the flashers...

Page 215: ...t follow these steps exactly some or all of these things can hurt you NOTICE Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage to your vehicle that wouldn t be covered by your warranty The ACDelcoR b...

Page 216: ...TICE If you leave your radio on it could be badly damaged The repairs wouldn t be covered by your warranty 3 Turn off the ignition on both vehicles Unplug unnecessary accessories plugged into the ciga...

Page 217: ...with water and get medical help immediately CAUTION Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you badly Keep your hands away from moving parts once the engine is running 5 Check that the jumper cab...

Page 218: ...e a remote positive terminal if the vehicle has one 8 Now connect the black negative cable to the negative terminal of the good battery Use a remote negative terminal if the vehicle has one Don t let...

Page 219: ...s 10 Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a while 11 Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery If it won t start after a few tries it probably needs service NOTI...

Page 220: ...e vehicle that had the dead battery 2 Disconnect the black negative cable from the vehicle with the good battery 3 Disconnect the red positive cable from the vehicle with the good battery 4 Disconnect...

Page 221: ...helps prevent engine damage In this mode you will notice a significant loss in power and engine performance The low coolant light may come on and the temperature gage will indicate an overheat condit...

Page 222: ...it off and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down Wait until there is no sign of steam or coolant before you open the hood If you keep driving when your engine is overheated the liqui...

Page 223: ...turn it off 2 Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the window as necessary 3 If you re in a traffic jam shift to NEUTRAL N otherwise shift to the highest gear while drivi...

Page 224: ...under the hood can start up even when the engine is not running and can injure you Keep hands clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is...

Page 225: ...the electric engine cooling fans are running If the engine is overheating both fans should be running If they aren t your vehicle needs service NOTICE Engine damage from running your engine without c...

Page 226: ...ain water or some other liquid such as alcohol can boil before the proper coolant mixture will Your vehicle s coolant warning system is set for the proper coolant mixture With plain water or the wrong...

Page 227: ...You can add the proper coolant mixture directly to the radiator but be sure the cooling system is cool before you do it CAUTION Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling system can blow out and b...

Page 228: ...e the radiator pressure cap when the cooling system including the radiator pressure cap and upper radiator hose is no longer hot Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until it first stops Don...

Page 229: ...ols openthecoolantairbleedvalve There is one bleed valve It is located on the thermostat housing 4 Fill the radiator with the proper DEX COOLR coolant mixture up to the base of the filler neck See Eng...

Page 230: ...7 Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot Watch out for the engine cooling fans 8 By this time the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck may be...

Page 231: ...his How to Add Coolant to the Radiator V8 Engine Only 1 You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the cooling system including the radiator pressure cap and upper radiator hose is no longer hot Tu...

Page 232: ...ll coolant on a hot engine 3 Fill with the proper DEX COOLR coolant mixture 4 Continue to fill the radiator up to the base of the filler neck 5 Rinse or wipe the spilled coolant from the engine and co...

Page 233: ...5 21 7 Shut the engine off and replace the pressure cap Be sure the arrows on the cap line up like this 8 Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the proper level...

Page 234: ...want the vehicle to go It may be very bumpy and noisy but you can still steer Gently brake to a stop well off the road if possible If a tire goes flat the next part shows how to use your jacking equip...

Page 235: ...ocated in the rear area behind the trim panel on the passenger s side 1 First you must remove the cargo cover See Cargo Cover in the Index On convertible models you must also remove the trunk access p...

Page 236: ...point front and back to the unlock position Gently lift the trim panel s front forward edge and remove the panel If you have speakers in the trim panel you may have to disconnect the wire from the sp...

Page 237: ...adapter and pull out the compact spare tire If your vehicle is a convertible you will also need to remove the taillamp wing nut before removing the compact spare tire The tools you ll be using include...

Page 238: ...andard wheel nut A special wheel lock key removal tool and instructions are located in the glove box 2 Attach the wheel lock key to the socket of the wheel wrench 3 Remove the locking wheel nut by tur...

Page 239: ...ion the jack under the vehicle There is a notch in the vehicle s rocker flange on the coupe model Raise the jack head until it fits firmly into the notch nearest the flat tire On convertible models pl...

Page 240: ...vehicle slips off the jack you could be badly injured or killed Never get under a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack CAUTION Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly positioned can damag...

Page 241: ...wheel bolts mounting surfaces and spare wheel CAUTION Rust or dirt on the wheel or on the parts to which it is fastened can make the wheel nuts become loose after a time The wheel could come off and c...

Page 242: ...fall off causing a serious accident 6 Install the compact spare tire and put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel Tighten each nut by hand until the wheel is held...

Page 243: ...and have the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 100 lb ft 140 N m NOTICE Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to brake pulsation and rotor damage To avoid expensive brake repairs evenly tight...

Page 244: ...5 32 A Knob B Trunk Access Panel Convertible Only C Jack D Cover E Bolt F Trim Panel G Wing Nut H Adapter I Compact Spare Tire J Full Size Tire K Carpet Flap L Tire Storage Bolt...

Page 245: ...ou want Of course it s best to replace your spare with a full size tire as soon as you can Your spare will last longer and be in good shape in case you need it again NOTICE When the compact spare is i...

Page 246: ...ansmission back and forth you can destroy your transmission For information about using tire chains on your vehicle see Tire Chains in the Index Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out First turn your stee...

Page 247: ...Manual Transmission Fluid 6 26 Hydraulic Clutch 6 27 Rear Axle 6 28 Engine Coolant 6 31 Power Steering Fluid 6 33 Windshield Washer Fluid 6 34 Brakes 6 38 Battery 6 39 Bulb Replacement 6 46 Tires 6 55...

Page 248: ...ou want to do some of your own service work you ll want to use the proper service manual It tells you much more about how to service your vehicle than this manual can To order the proper service manua...

Page 249: ...er VIN shows the code letter or number that identifies your engine You will find the VIN at the top left of the instrument panel See Vehicle Identification Number in the Index Gasoline Octane If your...

Page 250: ...California specifications If this fuel is not available in states adopting California emissions standards your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications but emission...

Page 251: ...described earlier NOTICE Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that contains methanol Don t use fuel containing methanol It can corrode metal parts in your fuel system and also damage plastic and ru...

Page 252: ...e driver s side of your vehicle While refueling allow the fuel cap to hang by the tether To remove the fuel cap turn it slowly to the left counterclockwise The fuel cap has a spring in it if you let g...

Page 253: ...ide of Your Vehicle in the Index When you put the fuel cap back on turn it to the right clockwise until you hear a clicking sound Make sure you fully install the cap The diagnostic system can determin...

Page 254: ...the fill nozzle in contact with the inside of the fill opening before operating the nozzle Contact should be maintained until the filling is complete D Don t smoke while pumping gasoline Checking Thin...

Page 255: ...ood do the following 1 Pull the handle located inside the vehicle below the instrument panel on the driver s side 2 Go to the front of the vehicle and pull up on the hood release located at the center...

Page 256: ...Battery C Radiator Pressure Cap D Engine Oil Fill Cap E Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick If Equipped F Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir G Engine Cooling Fans H Engine Air Cleaner Filter I Power...

Page 257: ...l Fill Cap F Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir G Engine Cooling Fans H Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick If Equipped I Engine Air Cleaner Filter J Power Steering Fluid Reservoir K Brake Fluid Rese...

Page 258: ...order to get an accurate reading the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop located at the rear of the engine compartment The handl...

Page 259: ...gine oil crankcase capacity see Capacities and Specifications in the Index NOTICE Don t add too much oil If your engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the cross hatched area that shows...

Page 260: ...Do not use any oil which does not carry this starburst symbol If you change your own oil be sure you use oil that has the starburst symbol on the front of the oil container If you have your oil change...

Page 261: ...kness Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W 50 As shown in the following chart if you have the 3800 V6 engine SAE 10W 30 is best for your vehicle However you can use SAE 5W 30 if it s going...

Page 262: ...s based on engine revolutions and engine temperature and not on mileage Based on driving conditions the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can vary considerably For the oil life system t...

Page 263: ...light goes out What to Do with Used Oil Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer Don t let used oil stay on your skin for very long Cle...

Page 264: ...Operating the engine with the air cleaner filter off can cause you or others to be burned The air cleaner not only cleans the air it stops flame if the engine backfires If it isn t there and the engi...

Page 265: ...ne air cleaner filter do the following 1 Unlatch the two clamps located on the front of the filter 2 Lift the cover and remove the engine air cleaner filter 3 Replace the filter See Normal Maintenance...

Page 266: ...25 000 km if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions D In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90_F 32_C or higher D In hilly or mountainous te...

Page 267: ...or quite a while D In heavy traffic especially in hot weather D While pulling a trailer To get the right reading the fluid should be at normal operating temperature which is 180_F to 200_F 82_C to 93_...

Page 268: ...Then position the shift lever in PARK P D Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more Then without shutting off the engine follow these steps 3800 V6 Dipstick 5 7L V8 Dipstick The red transmi...

Page 269: ...checking the transmission fluid while it is hot A cold check is used only as a reference If the fluid level is low add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot c...

Page 270: ...the instructions here or you could get a false reading NOTICE Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission Too much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine...

Page 271: ...ully seated If the fluid level is low add more fluid as described in the next steps How to Add Fluid Here s how to add fluid Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of fluid to use Se...

Page 272: ...hat to Use The clutch master cylinder reservoir is located at the rear of the engine compartment on the driver s side of the vehicle See Engine Compartment Overview in the Index for more information o...

Page 273: ...ricant to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole What to Use Standard Differential Use SAE 75W 90 Synthetic Gear Lubricant GM Part No 12378261 or equivalent meeting GM Specification 998...

Page 274: ...inkable water and DEX COOLR coolant will D Give freezing protection down to 34_F 37_C D Give boiling protection up to 265_F 129_C D Protect against rust and corrosion D Help keep the proper engine tem...

Page 275: ...engine could get too hot but you wouldn t get the overheat warning Your engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned Use a 50 50 mixture of clean drinkable water and DEX COOLR coolant NO...

Page 276: ...is very low or empty also add coolant to the radiator See Engine Overheating in the Index for information CAUTION Turning the radiator pressure cap when the engine and radiator are hot can allow steam...

Page 277: ...ap is an 18 psi 124 kPa pressure type cap and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage from overheating Be sure the arrows on the cap line up with the overflow tube...

Page 278: ...ap and the top of the reservoir clean then unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag Replace the cap and completely tighten it Then remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the...

Page 279: ...washer fluid until the tank is full NOTICE D When using concentrated washer fluid follow the manufacturer s instructions for adding water D Don t mix water with ready to use washer fluid Water can ca...

Page 280: ...wear When new linings are put in the fluid level goes back up The other reason is that fluid is leaking out of the brake system If it is you should have your brake system fixed since a leak means tha...

Page 281: ...ur brake fluid falls to a low level your brake warning light will come on See Brake System Warning Light in the Index Checking Brake Fluid You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap Just...

Page 282: ...work well or they may not even work at all This could cause a crash Always use the proper brake fluid NOTICE D Using the wrong fluid can badly damage brake system parts For example just a few drops o...

Page 283: ...t could lead to an accident When you hear the brake wear warning sound have your vehicle serviced NOTICE Continuing to drive with worn out brake pads could result in costly brake repair Some driving c...

Page 284: ...really good braking Your vehicle was designed and tested with top quality GM brake parts When you replace parts of your braking system for example when your brake linings wear down and you need new on...

Page 285: ...battery without getting hurt Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle for longer storage periods Also for your audio system see Theft Deterrent Feature in the Index Bulb Replacement F...

Page 286: ...adlamp bulb you need to use before you begin to replace the headlamp bulb You must replace a headlamp bulb with one that is exactly the same To replace a headlamp do the following 1 Open the headlamp...

Page 287: ...he headlamp plate that holds the bulb to the housing by removing the two screws above and the two screws below the bulb 4 Pull out the bulb and disconnect the electrical connector 5 Reverse the steps...

Page 288: ...r High Mounted Stoplamp 1 Remove the two screws in the stoplamp lens 2 Gently pull the assembly out turn the bulb counterclockwise and remove it from the back of the assembly 3 Reverse the steps with...

Page 289: ...you are replacing the bulb 2 Pull the carpet back 3 Remove the wing nuts 4 Pull the assembly out from the outside of the vehicle 5 To remove a socket with a tab press the tab and turn the socket count...

Page 290: ...nformation Replacement blades come in different types and are removed in different ways For the proper type and length see Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts in the Index 1 Pull the windshield wiper...

Page 291: ...per blade assembly notched end of blade element last slide the blade element into the blade claw sets The plastic retainer caps will be forced off as the element is fully inserted Make sure that all t...

Page 292: ...Index CAUTION Continued CAUTION Continued D Underinflated tires pose the same danger as overloaded tires The resulting accident could cause serious injury Check all tires frequently to maintain the re...

Page 293: ...d inflation pressure shown on the Tire Loading Information label Example You ll find maximum load and inflation pressure molded on the tire s sidewall in small letters near the rim flange It will read...

Page 294: ...otation Tires should be rotated every 6 000 to 8 000 miles 10 000 to 13 000 km Any time you notice unusual wear rotate your tires as soon as possible and check wheel alignment Also check for damaged t...

Page 295: ...es have been rotated adjust the front and rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire Loading Information label Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened See Wheel Nut Torque in the In...

Page 296: ...ocation of the damage Buying New Tires To find out what kind and size of tires you need look at the Tire Loading Information label The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had a Tire Perfor...

Page 297: ...ere applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width For example Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A The following information relates to the system developed by th...

Page 298: ...to this tire is based on straight ahead braking traction tests and does not include acceleration cornering hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics Temperature A B C The temperature grades are A...

Page 299: ...lace it except some aluminum wheels which can sometimes be repaired See your dealer if any of these conditions exist Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need Each new wheel should have the sam...

Page 300: ...hicle has P235 55R16 P245 50ZR16 or P275 40ZR17 size tires don t use tire chains there s not enough clearance Tire chains used on a vehicle without the proper amount of clearance can cause damage to t...

Page 301: ...spinning the wheels with chains on will damage your vehicle Appearance Care Remember cleaning products can be hazardous Some are toxic Others can burst into flame if you strike a match or get them on...

Page 302: ...ructions on the cleaner label D Clean up stains as soon as you can before they set D Carefully scrape off any excess stain D Use a clean cloth or sponge and change to a clean area often A soft brush m...

Page 303: ...allow to dry completely 3 If a stain remains follow the cleaner instructions described earlier Cleaning Vinyl Use warm water and a clean cloth D Rub with a clean damp cloth to remove dirt You may hav...

Page 304: ...lts If you do it may severely weaken them In a crash they might not be able to provide adequate protection Clean safety belts only with mild soap and lukewarm water Cleaning Glass Surfaces Glass shoul...

Page 305: ...vent Then rinse the blade with water Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary replace blades that look worn Weatherstrips Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last longer seal bet...

Page 306: ...ey could stain Dry the finish with a soft clean chamois or an all cotton towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your vehicle Cleaning Ext...

Page 307: ...re car washes may cause water to enter your vehicle When you hand wash the top do it in partial shade Use a mild soap lukewarm water and a soft sponge A chamois or cloth may leave lint on the top and...

Page 308: ...f off immediately after application Don t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes These brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels Clean...

Page 309: ...y have corrosion protection At least every spring flush these materials from the underbody with plain water Clean any areas where mud and other debris can collect Dirt packed in closed areas of the fr...

Page 310: ...6 64 GM Vehicle Care Appearance Materials...

Page 311: ...rtificates of title and registration Engine Identification The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code This code will help you identify your engine specifications and replacement parts Service Pa...

Page 312: ...ing is protected by a circuit breaker An electrical overload will cause the lamps to go on and off or in some cases to remain off If this happens have your headlamp wiring checked right away Windshiel...

Page 313: ...s side of the vehicle The other two are located in the engine compartment on the driver s side of the vehicle Open the cover on the boxes to expose the fuses Look at the silver colored band inside the...

Page 314: ...ACCY Delco Monsoon Radio Amplifier Power Antenna Remote CD Player Hatch TAIL LPS Daytime Running Lamps DRL Module Headlamp Switch HVAC HVAC Selector Switch Rear Defogger Switch Timer PWR ACCY Parking...

Page 315: ...Switch BATT Aftermarket Use Only WINDOWS Power Windows Switch Right Hand Left Hand Express Down Module Convertible Top Switch Fuse Usage IP DIMMER Door Illumination Lamp Right Hand Left Hand Headlamp...

Page 316: ...uel Pump Fuse Usage AIR PUMP A I R Pump Relay and Bleed Valve LH HDLP DR Left Headlamp Door Module RH HDLP DR Right Headlamp Door Module HORN Horn Relay ABS BAT 1 Anti Lock Brake System Module H L DR...

Page 317: ...ly Reverse Lockout Solenoid Brake Switch STRTR Powertrain Control Module PCM Clutch Pedal Switch ABS IGN Anti Lock Brake System Module PCM IGN Powertrain Control Module PCM ETC Electronic Throttle Con...

Page 318: ...oplamp 921 Front Parking and Turn Signal 4157NAK Headlamp High Beam 4701 Low Beam 4703 Taillamp Only 194 Tail Stop Turn Lamps 3057 For any bulb not listed here contact your dealer Capacities and Speci...

Page 319: ...e VIN Engine Code K 3800 V6 VIN Engine Code G 5 7L V8 Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity If you do your own service work you ll need the proper service manual See Doing Your Own Service Work in the...

Page 320: ...e needs these services to retain its safety dependability and emission control performance 7 2 Introduction 7 4 Part A Scheduled Maintenance Services 7 17 Part B Owner Checks and Services 7 21 Part C...

Page 321: ...t Improper vehicle maintenance can even affect the quality of the air we breathe Improper fluid levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level of emissions from your vehicle To help protect...

Page 322: ...do the work If you want to get the service information see Service and Owner Publications in the Index Part B Owner Checks and Services tells you what should be checked and when It also explains what...

Page 323: ...s on how to keep your vehicle in good condition see your dealer This part tells you the maintenance services you should have done and when you should schedule them If you go to your dealer for your se...

Page 324: ...aintenance Inspections following Footnotes The U S Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nulli...

Page 325: ...s been diminished it will indicate that an oil change is necessary A OIL CHANGE light will come on Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two times you stop for fuel It is possible that i...

Page 326: ...Scheduled Maintenance 7 7...

Page 327: ...Scheduled Maintenance 7 8...

Page 328: ...if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90_F 32_C or higher In hilly or mountainous terrain When do...

Page 329: ...outside temperature regularly reaches 90_F 32_C or higher In hilly or mountainous terrain When doing frequent trailer towing Uses such as found in taxi police or delivery service If you do not use you...

Page 330: ...r if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90_F 32_C or higher In hilly or mountainous terrain When d...

Page 331: ...nal information See footnote 60 000 Miles 100 000 km j Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions In heavy city traffic where...

Page 332: ...and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote 75 000 Miles 125 000 km j Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions Replace...

Page 333: ...hicle under any of these conditions change the fluid and filter every 50 000 miles 83 000 km j Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional inf...

Page 334: ...police or delivery service If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions change the fluid and filter every 50 000 miles 83 000 km j Replace engine air cleaner filter An Emission Control...

Page 335: ...atic transmission fluid change both the fluid and filter Manual transmission fluid doesn t require change 150 000 Miles 240 000 km j Drain flush and refill cooling system or every 60 months since last...

Page 336: ...ssary See Engine Coolant in the Index for further details Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if necessar...

Page 337: ...inspected and repaired if needed Automatic Transmission Check Check the transmission fluid level add if needed See Automatic Transmission Fluid in the Index A fluid loss may indicate a problem Check...

Page 338: ...alfway and try to start the engine The starter should work only when the clutch is pushed down all the way to the floor If the starter works when the clutch isn t pushed all the way down your vehicle...

Page 339: ...om in front of your vehicle in case it begins to roll Be ready to apply the regular brake at once should the vehicle begin to move Park on a fairly steep hill with the vehicle facing downhill Keeping...

Page 340: ...sion Inspection Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system for damaged loose or missing parts signs of wear or lack of lubrication Inspect the power steering lines and hoses for proper...

Page 341: ...as needed Replace any components that have high effort or excessive wear Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise control cables Rear Axle Service Check the gear lubricant level in the rear axle and ad...

Page 342: ...water and use only GM GoodwrenchR DEX COOLR or HavolineR DEX COOLR Coolant See Engine Coolant in the Index USAGE FLUID LUBRICANT Hydraulic Brake System Delco Supreme 11R Brake Fluid GM Part No 1237796...

Page 343: ...meeting GM Specification 9986115 USAGE FLUID LUBRICANT Rear Axle Limited Slip Differential SAE 75W 90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant GM Part No 12378261 or equivalent meeting GM Specification 9986115 With a...

Page 344: ...vided after the maintenance interval Any additional information from Owner Checks and Services or Periodic Maintenance can be added on the following record pages Also you should retain all maintenance...

Page 345: ...7 26 Maintenance Record DATE ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED...

Page 346: ...7 27 Maintenance Record DATE ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED...

Page 347: ...7 28 Maintenance Record DATE ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED...

Page 348: ...3 Customer Satisfaction Procedure 8 5 Customer Assistance for Text Telephone TTY Users 8 5 Customer Assistance Offices 8 6 GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities 8 6 Pontiac Roadside Assis...

Page 349: ...s that can give you safety security comfort and convenience What Makes Up Pontiac Cares D A 3 year 36 000 mile 60 000 km Bumper to Bumper Warranty D Customer Assistance D Roadside Assistance D Courtes...

Page 350: ...hould be taken STEP ONE Discuss your concern with a member of dealership management Normally concerns can be quickly resolved at that level If the matter has already been reviewed with the sales servi...

Page 351: ...ur Warranty and Owner Assistance Information booklet for information on the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan CAMVAP The BBB Auto Line Program is an out of court program administered by the Coun...

Page 352: ...172 1 800 762 2737 or 1 800 833 7668 For Text Telephone devices TTYs Roadside Assistance 1 800 ROADSIDE 762 3743 From Puerto Rico 1 800 496 9992 English 1 800 496 9993 Spanish U S Virgin Islands 1 800...

Page 353: ...of vehicle purchase lease See your dealer for more details or call the GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1 800 323 9935 Text telephone TTY users call 1 800 833 9935 GM of Canada also has a Mobility Pr...

Page 354: ...Jump starts We have quick easy access to telephone numbers of the following additional services depending on your needs D Hotels D Glass replacement D Tire repair facilities D Rental vehicle or taxis...

Page 355: ...ehicles To enhance your ownership experience we and our participating dealers are proud to offer Courtesy Transportation a customer support program for new vehicles The Courtesy Transportation program...

Page 356: ...uel expenses up to 10 per day five day maximum may be available Claim amounts should reflect actual costs and be supported by original receipts Courtesy Rental Vehicle When your vehicle is unavailable...

Page 357: ...ibed herein at its sole discretion Warranty Information Your vehicle comes with a separate warranty booklet that contains detailed warranty information REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE UNITED STATES GO...

Page 358: ...Ottawa Ontario K1A 0N5 REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS In addition to notifying NHTSA or Transport Canada in a situation like this we certainly hope you ll notify us Please call us at 1 80...

Page 359: ...ks Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle Owner s Information Owner publications are written specifically for owners and intended to provide basic o...

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Pontiac 2002 Firebird, Owner'S Manual

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