PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 2000 Owners Manual

2-37 Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver's door while leaving the
headlamps or parking lamps on and the key is in LOCK,
you will hear a warning chime.
Flash-To-Pass Feature
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you.
If your headlamps are off or on low beam, your
high
-beam headlamps will turn on. They'll stay on as
long as you hold the lever toward you and the high
-beam
indicator on the instrument panel cluster will come on.
Release the lever to turn the high
-beam headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wipers are controlled by the lever on the
right of your steering column.
If your windshield wipers are on for more than six
seconds while you are driving, the low
-beam
headlamps, instrument panel cluster backlighting and
the taillamps will turn on. For more information see
ªWiper
-Activated Headlampsº in the Index.
MIST: For a single wiping cycle, push the lever down to
the MIST position and let go. The wipers will stop after
one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the lever down.
LO or HI: Push the lever up to LO for steady wiping at
a slow speed. Push the lever up to HI for steady wiping
at a high speed.
INT: Push the lever up to the INT position and turn the
INT ADJ band to adjust the delay time. The further you
turn the band, the shorter the delay between wiping cycles.
OFF: Lower the lever to its original position to turn the
wipers OFF.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. Clear
away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Keep in mind that damaged wiper blades may prevent
you from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid
damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.

2-38
Windshield Washer
At the end of the wiper lever, there's a button. To spray
washer fluid on the windshield, push the button until
you have enough fluid to clean the windshield. The
wipers will clear the window and either stop or return to
your preset speed.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
A WASHER FLUID warning light will indicate if the
fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir is low. See
ªLow Washer Fluid Warning Lightº in the Index.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can
maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more
without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.

2-39
CAUTION:

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.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control.
Don't use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
(See ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index.)
When road conditions allow you to safely use it again,
you may turn the cruise control back on.Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Push the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push the set button.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

2-40
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts 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 lever up to R/A
(resume/accelerate) briefly.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay
there. Remember that if you hold the lever at R/A,
the vehicle will keep going faster until you release the
switch or apply the brake. So unless you want to go
faster, don't hold the lever at R/A.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Press the SET button and then release it as well as
the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at the
higher speed.

Push the cruise lever up to R/A. Hold it there until
you get up to the speed you want, and then release it.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
move the switch to R/A briefly and then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.The accelerate feature will only work after you have set
the cruise control speed by pushing the SET button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Press the SET button.

To slow down in very small amounts, press and
release the SET button briefly. Each time you do
this, you'll go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
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 speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.

2-41
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal,

move the cruise switch to OFF, or

push the cruise lever toward the driver.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
Headlamps
See ªTurn Signal/Multifunction Leverº in the Index.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.A light sensor on top of the instrument panel monitors
the exterior light level for the operation of DRL and
Twilight Sentinel
, so be sure it isn't covered. The DRL
system will make your high
-beam headlamps come on
at a reduced brightness when:

The ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is off, and

the transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only your high
-beam headlamps
will be on at reduced intensity. The taillamps,
sidemarker and other lamps won't be on. Your
instrument panel won't be lit either.
When it's dark enough outside, your regular intensity
headlamps will come on at full brightness and the DRL
lighting will turn off. The park lamps that normally
come on with your headlamps will also come on.
When it's bright enough outside, the regular intensity
headlamps and park lamps will turn back off, and the
reduced brightness DRL lighting will turn back on.
To idle your vehicle during the day with the DRL off,
shift the transaxle into PARK (P). The DRL will stay
off until you shift out of PARK (P).
At night, you can turn off all exterior lamps when you
are in PARK (P) by turning the Twilight Sentinel knob
all the way to OFF.

2-42
If the knob was already in OFF, it must be cycled to ON
and back to OFF. Turn the knob clockwise to turn the
exterior lighting back on. The lamps will come back on
automatically when you put the transaxle in gear.
The Twilight Sentinel will keep your headlamps on for
up to three minutes, to light your way when you leave
your vehicle. The timer will start when you move your
ignition key from the RUN position.
See ªTwilight Sentinel

º in the Index to learn how to
operate this feature.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps
The fog lamps button is located below the twilight knob
to the left of the steering wheel.An indicator light in the button will glow when the fog
lamps are on. Your parking lamps will also come on
automatically while the fog lamps are active.
If your fog lamps are on when you use your high beams
or flash
-to-pass feature, the fog lamps will be disabled
while the feature is being used.
Twilight Sentinel

Twilight Sentinel
will keep your headlamps on for up
to three minutes, to light your way when you leave
your vehicle.
To operate Twilight Sentinel, turn the DELAY knob
located to the left of the steering column on the
instrument panel fully clockwise for the three
-minute
delay. Turn it counterclockwise to reduce the delay.
Turn the knob to OFF to turn Twilight Sentinel off.

2-43
At night, you can turn off all exterior lamps when you
are in PARK (P) by turning the Twilight Sentinel knob
all the way to OFF. If the knob was already in OFF, it
must be cycled to ON then back to OFF, to turn the
exterior lighting off. The lamps will come back on when
you turn the knob clockwise.
If the Twilight Sentinel lighting is active, it can be
disabled by turning on the manual parking lamps. This
lighting will be disabled until the key is turned from
RUN or until the manual park lamps are turned OFF.
Also, it's possible that your headlamps may go out if
you drive from a dark area into a bright area like a
lighted parking lot. If this happens, turn on your
headlamps with the regular headlamp switch.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the manual lamp control has been left on, the exterior
lamps will turn off approximately 10 minutes after the
ignition is turned to OFF and any door has been opened.
This protects against draining the battery in case you
have accidentally left the headlamps or parking lamps
on. If you need to leave the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, use the manual control to turn the lamps
back on after turning the ignition to OFF and opening
any door. To delay the lamps from turning off,
see ªTwilight Sentinel

º in the Index.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel/Brightness Control
When it is dark outside, you can brighten or dim your
instrument panel cluster lights by turning the DIM knob in
the light control. Turn the knob clockwise to brighten the
instrument panel 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 panel
cluster lights and displays and to turn off the courtesy lamps.
Courtesy Lamps
If it is dark enough outside, when any door is opened,
several lamps will come on. They make it easier for you
to enter and leave the vehicle. Turn the dimmer knob all
the way clockwise to turn the interior courtesy lamps on.
Illuminated Entry
If it is dark enough outside and you press the button with
the unlock symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter,
the interior courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for
approximately 40 seconds. The lamps will turn off
immediately by pressing the button with the lock symbol
on the remote keyless entry transmitter, turning the ignition
key to RUN or activating the power door locks.
If a door is left ajar, your interior lamps will turn off
after 10 minutes to save your battery.

2-44
Delayed Entry Lighting
When you open the door to enter your vehicle, the
interior lamps will come on if it is dark outside. 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, or with the lock button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter, will override the
delayed entry lighting and the lamps will turn
off immediately.
Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to five-second fade out of
the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off after
you remove the key from the ignition.
Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature will turn on the interior lamps for
25 seconds after you remove the key from the ignition
while the doors are closed and it is night. This will give
you time to find the door handle or lock switches as
you exit the vehicle.
This lighting will only be deactivated if the key is
reinserted into the ignition switch or the power door
locks are activated.
Parade Dimming
To activate the instrument panel backlighting during the
day, turn the headlamp switch to the parking lamp or
headlamp position. Dimming of the instrument panel
display is not possible during daylight hours. The
instrument panel display can only be adjusted when the
parking lamps or headlamps are on and it is dark outside.
Perimeter Lighting
When the button with the unlock symbol on the remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the DRL headlamps,
parking lamps and back
-up lamps will turn on if it is
dark enough outside.
Personalization Programming
This feature can be programmed in the on or off mode for
each transmitter. Vehicles are delivered with this feature on.
To turn the feature off:
1. Keep all doors closed, vehicle in PARK (P) and the
ignition on throughout this procedure.
2. Press and hold LOCK on the power door lock switch
throughout this procedure. All the doors will lock.
3. Press the instant alarm on the transmitter. Perimeter
lighting remains on at this time and the horn will
chirp twice.

2-45
4. Press the instant alarm on the transmitter again. Perimeter
lighting is disabled and the horn will chirp once.
5. Release the door lock switch. The perimeter lighting
feature is now off.
To turn the feature on:
1. Keep all doors closed, vehicle in PARK (P) and the
ignition on throughout this procedure.
2. Press and hold LOCK on the power door lock switch
throughout this procedure. All the doors will lock.
3. Press the instant alarm on the transmitter. Perimeter
lighting remains off at this time and the horn will
chirp once.
4. Press the instant alarm on the transmitter again.
Perimeter lighting is now enabled and the horn will
chirp twice.
5. Release the door lock switch. The perimeter lighting
feature is now on.
This procedure only changes the mode for the
transmitter used to change this setting. The procedure
will need to be repeated for the second transmitter.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you must program this feature through the
DIC. See ªDriver Information Center Personalization
Programmingº in the Index.Front Reading Lamps
The front reading lamps will come on as courtesy lamps
when you open any of the doors while it is dark outside.
They will also come on as part of the interior lighting
features listed previously.
To turn on a reading lamp when the doors are closed,
press either switch. Press it again to turn the lamp off.
To avoid draining your vehicle's battery, be sure to turn
off the reading lamps when leaving your vehicle. See
ªInadvertent Power Battery Saverº later in this section
for more information.

2-46
Rear Reading Lamps
The rear reading lamps will come on as courtesy lamps
when you open any of the doors while it is dark outside.
They will also come on as part of the interior lighting
features listed previously.
To turn on a reading lamp when the doors are closed,
press either switch. Press it again to turn the lamp off.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect your vehicle's battery
against drainage from the interior lamps, trunk lamp,
glove box lamp or cigarette lighters. When the ignition
is turned off, the power to these features will
automatically turn off after 10 minutes. Power will be
restored for an additional 10 minutes if any door is
opened, the trunk is opened or the courtesy lamp switch
is turned on. To restore power back to the cigarette
lighters the ignition must be turned back to RUN.
Battery Load Management
The battery load management feature is designed to
monitor the vehicle's electrical load and determine when
the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During
times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle at
higher revolutions per minute (rpm) than normal to
make sure the battery charges. High electrical loads may
occur when several of the following are on: headlamps,
high beams, fog lamps, rear window defogger, high
blower fan, heated seats and engine cooling fans.