PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1996 Manual PDF

Engine CoolantKeater (Option)
In very cold weather, 0" F (- 18 O 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 you vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
'' 1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt AC outlet.
A. 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
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. After you've used the coolant heater? be sure to store
the cord as it was before to keep it away fiom moving
engine parts.
If you don't, it could be damaged.
How long should YQU 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 Pontkc dealer
in the area where you'll be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for
that particular mea.
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle may have a shift lever
located on the console between the seats or on the
steering column.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle
can’t move easily. It
is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift 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 vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re
on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the
shift lever to PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
2-21
ProCarManuals.com

Ensure the shft lever is fully in PARK (P) range before
starting the engine.
Your Pontiac has a brake-transaxle
shift interlock. You have to fully
apply your regular
brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition key is in the on position.
If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever -- push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) and also release the
shift 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 console models.) See
“Shifting Out of PARK (P)” later in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE
(R) only after your vehicle
is stopped. To
rock your vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
“Stuck:
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with
the wheels. To restart when you’re
already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
A CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is “racing” (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly
on the
brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very
rapidly.
You could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don’t shift out of
PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
2-22
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting 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:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
- Going about 35 mph (56 h/h) or more, push the
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
accelerator
all the way down.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly, or
if it seems not to shift gears as you
go faster,
something may be wrong with
a transaxle system
sensor.
If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged.
So, if this happens, have
your, vehicle serviced right away. Until then,
you
can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than
35 mph (56 kdh) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE
(0) for higher speeds.
DRIVE (D): This position
is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power
and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (@).
Here are some times you might choose DRIVE (D)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@):
- When driving on hilly, winding roads
- When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears
- When going down a steep hill
ProCarManuals.com

SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy.
You can use SECOND (2)-on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want
to use
your brakes off and on.
~~ ~~
NOTICE:
Don't drive in SEC.OND (2) for more than
5 miles (8 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(88 kdh), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0) or
DRIVE (D) as much as possible.
Don't shift into
SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), dr you can
damage your engine.
%IRST (1): This position gives you even more power (but
lower he1 economy) than
SECOND (2). You can use it on
very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the selector
lever
is put in FIRST (l)? the transaxle won't shift into
first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
~~~~ ~~ ~
NOTICE:
~~ ~ ~~~
If your front wheels can't rotate, don't- try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also,
if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. .This could overheat
and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
2-24
ProCarManuals.com

Performance Shifting (Option) Computer Command Ride (Option)
Press PERFORM SHIFT to allow the transaxle to shift
at higher engine speeds, increasing acceleration
performance.
An indicator light on the switch will glow
when performance shifting is in operation.
Vehicles equipped with computer command ride provide
improved passenger ride
comfort under a variety of road
and driving conditions.
Downshifts will occur at a lower percentage of accelerator
application while you're
in the PERFORM SHIFI' mode.
Press NORMAL SHIFT to have the transaxle shift at
lower engine speeds, increasing fuel economy.
An I
indicator light on the switch will glow when normal
shifting is in operation. For normal driving conditions, press the
TOURING
RIDE button to get a more refined comfortable ride.
When driving conditions require improved handling,
press the PERFORM
RIDE button to get a firm ride.
This mode minimizes how much the passenger compartment leans in
turns, and decreases the
up-and-down motion
of the front and rear of the vehicle
during acceleration or braking.
Note that even
in the TOURING RIDE mode, the
system
will adjust to rapid cornering, acceleration
or braking.
If the computer command ride detects a problem in the
system, the lights on the TOURING
RIDE and
PERFORM RIDE buttons will both come on. If this
happens, have your vehicle serviced.
2-25
ProCarManuals.com

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake,
hold the regular brake pedal down- with
your right foot.
Push down the
parking
brake pedal with your left .
foot. If the ignition is on,
the brake system warning
light will come on
and a
single
chime will be heard.
If you start to drive away with the parking brake set, a
chime will sound after the vehicle has traveled 46 feet
(14
m).
To release the parking brake, use the PUSH TO
RELEASE parking brake pedal. Hold the regular brake pedal down with
your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. This will unlock the
pedal. When you lift your left foot, the parking brake
pedal will
follow it to the release position.
If you try to drive away with the parlung brake on, the
brake light stays
on and a chime sounds until you release
the parking brake or recycle^ the ignition.
I
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat.
You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what
to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
2-26
ProCarManuals.com

Shifting Into PARK (P)
I
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully
in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly.
You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle 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.
Steering Column Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position like this:
Pdl the lever toward you.
ProCarManuals.com

I
0 Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave'your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle
is in PARK (P).
Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position like this:
set the
parking brake.
Hold in the button on the lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave
you vehicle with the ignition key in your hand, your
vehicle is in PARK (P).
2-28 . .
ProCarManuals.com

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
c- 1
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle
with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless
you have to.
I I
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle
is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake
is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the PARK
(P)
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into BARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in I
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of
PARK (P) before you release’ the parking brake.
If torque lock does dccur, you may need to have another
vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the transaxle, so you can pull the shift
lever out of
PARK (P).
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see
if you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pulling it toward you (or, if you have the
console
shift lever, without first pushing the button). If
you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked
into PARK (P).
;. -i . . . . . .. . , , , , , .?..?e,: ,a ”g; .- -_- , ,.i._.. , .. . .-. -. .-:e ?, ’ . ’ .I . ’ !- , ,/ . ,, ,
., .. ,. . :.. *. -1. . ,, .. -r. -(. .. , ‘ _. *, I$ ’ I , ’. . .,. , -;-:;: i ,-.2 : < ’.* . .. , . . ,. .. , . 1 - ,.x- -.. I, ’
~ 2-29
ProCarManuals.com