heater PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1999 Owners Manual

2-
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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-10 Remote Keyless Entry (Option)
2
-14 Trunk
2
-16 Theft
2
-17 Universal Theft-Deterrent (Option)
2
-18 PASS-Key
II
2
-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-20 Ignition Positions
2
-21 Starting Your Engine
2
-22 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-24 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-28 Computer Command Ride (Option)
2
-29 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-32 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-33 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-33 Engine Exhaust
2
-34 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-35 Windows2
-35 Horn
2
-36 Tilt Wheel
2
-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-43 Exterior Lamps
2
-46 Interior Lamps
2
-48 Mirrors
2
-51 Storage Compartments
2
-54 Ashtrays & Cigarette Lighter
2
-55 Sun Visors
2
-55 Air Inflator System (Option)
2
-56 Accessory Power Outlet
2
-57 Sunroof (Option)
2
-58 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-64 Tachometer
2
-64 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-77 Head-Up Display (Option)
2
-80 Driver Information Center (Option)
2
-82 Electronic Compass (Option)

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2-22
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. After
waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the normal
starting procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0
F (-18
C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.

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2-23 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
electrical cord is located on the passenger's side of
the engine compartment near the battery.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-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 cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don't, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.

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Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel/Brightness Control
You can brighten or dim your instrument cluster lights
by turning the headlamp knob. Turn the knob clockwise
to brighten the instrument cluster lights and displays.
Turn the knob clockwise all the way to turn on the
interior courtesy lamps. Turn the knob counterclockwise
to dim the instrument cluster lights and displays and to
turn off the courtesy lamps.
Illuminated Entry (Option)
When you press the UNLOCK button on the optional
remote keyless entry transmitter, the lamps inside your
vehicle will go on. These lamps will go off after about
25 seconds, or when you start your engine. Pressing the
LOCK button on your remote keyless entry transmitter
will turn the lights immediately off.
If a door is left ajar, your interior lamps will turn off
after 10 minutes to save your battery.
Delayed Illumination
When you open the door to enter your vehicle, the
interior lamps will come on. When you close the door
with the ignition off, the interior lamps will stay on for
25 seconds or until the ignition is turned on. Please note
that locking the doors with the power door lock switch
will override the delayed illumination feature and the
lamps will turn off right away.
Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to five-second fade out of
the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off.
Exit Lighting
With this feature, the interior lamps will come on for 25
seconds after you remove the key from the ignition. This
will give you time to find the door pull handle or lock
switches as you exit the vehicle.

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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3-3
A/C: This setting cools the air entering your vehicle and
directs it through the instrument panel outlets. The
air conditioning compressor operates in all air
conditioner positions.
BI-LEVEL: This setting directs air into your
vehicle in two ways. Cool air is directed to the upper
portion of your body through the middle instrument
panel outlets while warmed air is directed to the floor.
VENT: This setting directs airflow through the
middle instrument panel outlets. The air conditioning
compressor is not working when VENT is selected.
HEATER: This setting directs warmed air
through the floor outlets. Some warm air is diverted to
the windshield to minimize fogging.
DEFOG: This setting directs air to the HEATER
outlets and toward the windshield.
DEFROST: This setting directs most of the air
toward the windshield.
Electronic Climate Control System (Option)
H±23±0005±T
Temperature Button
The TEMP button changes the temperature of the air
coming through the system. Press the up arrow for
warmer air and the down arrow for cooler air.
Fan Button
The button with the fan symbol adjusts the fan speed.
Press the up arrow to increase fan speed and the down
arrow to decrease fan speed.

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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3-6 Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
If you have the standard system, for quick cool
-down on
very hot days, use MAX with the temperature knob in
the blue area. If this setting is used for long periods of
time, the air in your vehicle may become too cold and
dry. For normal cooling on hot days, use A/C with the
temperature knob in the blue area. This setting cools the
air entering your vehicle and directs it through the
instrument panel outlets.
If you have the electronic system, press the A/C button
to turn the system on. The system will cool and
dehumidify the air inside the vehicle. Also while in
AUTO mode, the system will use RECIRC as necessary
to cool the air.On cool, but sunny days, with the standard system or
through manual operation of the electronic system,
use BI
-LEVEL to deliver warm air to the floor and
cooler air to the middle instrument panel outlets. To
warm or cool the air delivered, push the TEMP button
up or down.
When the air conditioning system is in AUTO mode, the
A/C light will always be on. When the ambient
temperature outside the vehicle reaches 40
F (4
C), the
compressor will remain on continuously.
Heating
If you have the standard system, on cold days use
HEATER with the temperature knob in the red area. If
you have the electronic system, press AUTO and adjust
the temperature by pressing the TEMP up or down
button. You may also adjust the electronic system
manually by pressing the MODE button and selecting
HEAT. Again, adjust the temperature by pressing the
TEMP up or down button.
With each system, outside air will be brought in and sent
through the floor outlets. The heater works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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3-8
Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction such as leaves. The heater and
defroster will work better, reducing the chance of
fogging your windows.

When you enter a vehicle with the standard system
in cold weather, select HEATER to supply air
through the floor outlets. Then turn the fan on high
for a few moments before driving away. This will
blow moist air from the intake outlets toward the
floor, not the windshield. It reduces the chance of
fogging your windows. If you have the electronic
system, the AUTO setting will do this for you.
Manual operation of the electronic system in the
HEAT mode will also supply air through the
floor outlets.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.

When the engine idles for a long time, the exterior
temperature sensor may cause the system to blow air
that is too cool. Once the vehicle is moving again the
system will try to maintain the set temperature inside
your vehicle.
When you start your vehicle and the EXT TEMP
display flashes (electronic system only) for some
time, the system may need repair. See your dealer.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use DEFOG to keep the
windshield and side windows clear. Use DEFROST to
remove fog or ice from the windshield quickly in
extremely humid or cold conditions.
If you have the standard system, use DEFOG and adjust
the fan speed to your comfort level. Use DEFROST
with the temperature toward the red area and the fan
control toward high.
If you have the electronic system, press the DEFOG
button and adjust the fan speed by pressing the fan
button up or down to your comfort level. If you select
DEFROST from AUTO, the system will control the fan
speed. Adjust the temperature to your comfort level by
pressing the TEMP up or down button

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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4-28

Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that
you've been stopped by the snow.

Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.
If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body
insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor
mats
-- anything you can wrap around yourself or
tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
H±44±0008±V
You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can't 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 to time to be sure snow
doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well
-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-11 If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:

Climb a long hill on a hot day.

Stop after high
-speed driving.

Idle for long periods in traffic.

Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, 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
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
)
or DRIVE (D).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn't come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, idle the engine for three
minutes while you're parked. If you still have the
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-13
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If it isn't, you may have a leak in the
radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or
somewhere else in the cooling system.
CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only DEX
-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX
-COOL
is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if 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.