light PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1996 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 1996, Model line: BONNEVILLE, Model: PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1996Pages: 387, PDF Size: 18.71 MB
Page 6 of 387

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example, these symbols are used on
an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BURNS AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD
RAM€
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols are
important
for you and
your passengers whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
f-l DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
e?
AIR BAG p
These symbols
have to do with your lights:
SIGNALS e
TURN
PARKING
p$ LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
$0
These symbols are on some of
your controls:
WIPER Q
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
VENTILATING
FAN - )
These symbols are used on
warning
and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
- e-
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL e,
PRESSURE
ANTI~LOCK (@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you
may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
m
HORN )tr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3
v
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Page 12 of 387

Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly. It also tells you some things you should not do
with safety, belts.
And it explains the Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS), or air bag system
I-
Your vehicle has a light that
comes on as a reminder to
buckle up. (See “Safety Belt
Reminder Light” in the
Index.)
Don’t let anyone ride where he
or she can’t wear
a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse.
You 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 your passengers’ belts
are fastened properly too.
In most. states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why:
They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, .you don’t know if
it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are rnild, 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.
Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed.
After more than
25 years of safety belts in vehicles, the
facts are clear.
In most crashes buckling up does matter
... a lot!
1-5
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Page 24 of 387

Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the
blink of an eye.
If you’re too close to an inflating
air bag, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts
help keep you in position for an air bag inflation
in
a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even
with an
air bag. The driver should sit as far back
as possible while still maintaining control of the
vehicle.
I A CAUTIO,. :
An inflating air bag can seriously injure small
children. Always secure children properly in your
vehicle.
To read how, see the part of this manual
called “Children” and the caution label on the
right front passenger’s safety belt.
I
L
There is an air bag readiness
light on the instrument
panel, which shows
AIR
The system checks the air bag’s electrical systemfor
malfunctions. The light tells
you if there is an electric-al
problem. See
“Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
for more information.
.. ,.-
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Page 50 of 387

Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But
if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer
will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear,
so the
extender
will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat
in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit.
To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts.
If you see
anything that 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
tom or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened OF broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The
air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
i
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a
very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But
if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If b’elts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you
will need to have safety belt
or
seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time
of the collision.
If your seat adjuster won’t work after a crash, the special
part
of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need,to be replaced.
If
an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts, See the part
on the air bag system earlier in
this section.
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Page 64 of 387

Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Pontiac has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we
know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in, the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
With
the ignition OFF and the driver’s door open, you’ll
hear a tone reminding you to remove your key from the
ignition and take it with you. Always do this. Your
steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your ignition
and transaxle.
And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them
in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what
if you have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove box.
0 Lock the glove box.
0, Lock all @e doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key with you.
’1 12
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Page 65 of 387

Universal Theft-Deterrent (Option)
If your Pontiac has this option, it has a theft-deterrent
alm system. With this system, the SECURITY light
will flash as you open the door (if your ignition is OFF).
This light reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent
system when leaving
your vehicle.
Activating the
sys tern:
1.
2.
3.
Open the door.
Lock the door with
the power door lock switch or
Remote Keyless
Entry transmitter. The SEC-Y
light should come on and stay on.
Close
all doors. The SECUFUTY light should go afT after
about
30 seconds and the system will then be armed.
If the SECURITY light comes on for one minute and
then shuts
off while the ignition is on, the security
system has detected a problem with itself. See your
dealer for service.
If a door ‘or the trunk is opened without the key or
Remote Keyless Entry transmitter, the
alarm will go off.
It will also go off if the trunk lock is damaged. Your
vehicle’s lamps will flash and the horn will sound for
three minutes, then will
go off to save battery power.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system won’t activate if
you lock the doors with
a key or manual door lock. It
activates only if you use a power door lock
switch ox
Remote Keyless Entry transmitter.
Avoid setting
bff the alarm by accident.
Always unlock
a door with a key, or use the Remote
Keyless Entry transmitter. Unlocking a door any other
way will set
off the alarm.
Stopping the alarm: If you set off the alarm by accident,
unlock
any door with your key. You can also turn off the
alarm by pressing the
UNLOCK button on the Remote
Keyless
Entry transmitter. The alarm won’t stop if you
try to dock a door any other way.
Testing the alarm: Open the, window, then follow the
directions for activating the system described earlier.
Once the alarm is set, reach through the window and
manually uvlock the door
from the inside or turn on the
ignition.
The alarm should sound.
If the alarm does not sound when it should, check to see if
the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. To replace
the fuse, see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index.
To reduce the possibility of theft, always activate the
theft-deterrent
system when leaving your vehicle.
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Page 66 of 387

PASS-Key@ I1
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
II
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
II is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
It works when you insert
or remove the key from
the ignition.
PASS-Key
II uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder
in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key
11 system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts
down the vehicle’s starter and
fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter won’t
work and fuel won’t go to
the engine. Lf someone tries to
start your vehicle again or uses another key during
this
time, the vehicle will not start. This discourages someone
fiom randomly trying different keys with different resistor
pellets
in an attempt to make a match.
The ignition key, must be clean and dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition
or the engine may not start. If the
engine does not start and the SECURITY light
is on, the
key may be dirty or wet. Turn the ignition off.
Ciean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The SECURITY light may remain on during this
time. If the starter still won’t work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try
another ignition key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the
Index). If the starter won’t work with the other key, your
vehicle needs service. If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty.
See your Pontiac dealer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS-Key
Q.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work and the
SECURITY light will flash. But you don’t have to wait
three minutes before trying another ignition key.
! 2-15
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Page 67 of 387

See your Pontiac dealer or a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key
IT to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving- and the SECURITY light comes
on and remains on, you will be able.to restart your
engine
if you turn it off. Your PASS-Key 11 system,
however, is
not working properly and must be serviced
by your Pontiac dealer.
Your vehicle is not protected by
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key II ignition key, see
your Pontiac dealer
OT a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key 11 to have a new key made. In an emergency,
call the Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program
at
1-800-ROADSID3, or 1-800-762-3743.
. the PASS-Key II system.
New Vehicle (LBreak-In99
NOTICE:
P
Your modern Pontiac doesn’t need an elaborate
“break=in?’.But
it win perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
Dm’t drive at any one speed. -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
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 every
time youmget new brake linings.
See ‘cTowing
a flrailer” in the Index for
more information.
Avoid making hard. stops for the first
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
2-16
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Page 68 of 387

Ignition Switch
C
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions.
ACCESSORY (A): An on position in which you can
operate your electrical power accessories. Press in the
ignition switch
as you turn the top of it toward you.
LOCK (B): The only position in which you can
remove the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition
and transaxle.
OFF (C): Unlocks the steering wheel, ignition and
transaxle, but does not send electrical power to any
accessories.
Use this position if yoUr vehicle must be
pushed or towed, but never try to push-start your
vehicle.
A warning chime will sound if you open the,.
driver's door when the ignition is
OFF and the key is in
the ignition.
RUN (D): An on position to which the switch returns
after you start your engine and release the switch. The
switch stays
in the 'RUN position when the engine is
running. But even when the engine is not running, you
can use RUN to operate your electrical power
accessories,
and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
2-17
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Page 76 of 387

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.
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