parking brake PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1996 Owners Manual

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
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

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

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You
have to fully
apply your regular brake before you can
shift
from PARK (P) when the ignition is in the RUN
position. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (I?) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
‘If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of
PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key OFF. Open and close the driver’s door
to turn off the Retained Accessory Power feature, if
you have it.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
5. Have the vehicle fiied as soon as you can.
you want.
Parking Over Things That Burn
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can, burn.
2-30
ProCarManuals.com

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.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you’ve 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 an fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the
shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting
Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
Windows
Power Windows
Switches on the driver’s door panel control each of the
windows when the ignition is
on or when Retained
Accessory
Power is active. In addition, each passenger
door has a control switch for its own window.
ProCarManuals.com

Brake System Warning Light
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have
your brake system inspected right away.
,BRAKE (a)
This light should come on
when
you turn the ignition
key to START.
If it doesn’t
come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you
if there’s a problem.
If the light and chime come on while you are driving,
pull
off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal
is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing
You Vehicle” in the Index.)
A CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light
is still on after you’ve
pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brike doesn’t release
fully. If you try to drive off with the parking brake set,
a chime will also come on until you release the parking
brake.
If the light and chime stay on after your
parking brake is fully released,
it means you have a
brake problem.
ProCarManuals.com

LAMP MONITOR: Whenever YOU try to use one of
the following lamps, the LAMP MONITOR will tell you
if a bulb is out.
0
0
0
e
..
0
Headlamp (Low and High Beam)
tun^ Signal/Parking/Stop ,
Parking Lampsidemkker
Brake Lamp and Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
qE2ack-Up Lamp
Taillarnp/Turn/Sidemarker/license
If a bulb is out, you will see a message, such as 'PARK
LAMB, and you will also see where the problem is on
the vehicle outline. The message stays on until the
problem is fixed. See "Replacement Bulbs"
in the Index
for bulb details.
If a burned-out bulb is replaced, the warning light will
. stay on until the bulb is used. ,
i: ,
Message Bulbs Monitored
Hi-Beam Lamp ...... Both Headlamp High Beams
Head Lamp
........... Both Headlamp Low Beams
Turn Signal
............... 1 Front Left Turnpark
1 Front Right Turnpark
2 Rear Left Turdstop
2 Rear Right Turn/Stop
Back-up
.................... .2 Back-Up Lamps
Tail
.............................. 4TailOnly
2 License Plate
Right Rear Sidemarker Left Rear Sidemarker
Brake Lamp
............... 4 Rear Stop/Tail/Turn
1 Center High-Mounted Stop
Right Sidemarker Left Sidemarker
4 Stop/Tail/Turn
Park Lamp
....................... 2 Front Park
.- ' 8. I L.
ProCarManuals.com