PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1997 Owners Manual

Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak
in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again
and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only
enough fluid to bring the level up to
the
mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Flui’ds and Lubricants” in the Index.
Always use
the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks
and damage hoses and seals.
6-28
ProCarManuals.com

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that
has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:
0
0
0
0
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage
your washer fluid tank and
other parts
of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean
as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows
for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
windshield washer.
It can damage your
washer system and paint.
6-29
ProCarManuals.com

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There
are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When
new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes
back up. The other reason is that fluid is
leaking out of the brake system.
If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed,
since a leak means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all,
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when
you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when w’ork is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and
your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system,
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come
on. A chime will sound if you
try to drive with this warning light on. See “Brake
System
Wming Light” in the Index.
6-30
ProCarManuals.com

What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme ll@ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the
cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
- - - -
A CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause
a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:
0
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine
oil, in
your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

Brake Wear
Your Pontiac has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn
and new pads are needed. The
sound may come and go or
be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal fiiy).
Le brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have
your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could
result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong
with your brakes.
See “Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection” in
Section
7 of this manual under Part C “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections.”
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear
and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected.
Also, the rear brake drums should
be removed
and inspected each time the tires are removed
for rotation or changing. When you have the front brakes
replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings
should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection”
in Section 7 of this manual
under Part
C 44Periodic Maintenance Inspections”.
6-32
ProCarManuals.com

Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there
is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a mo’dern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve come
to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one
of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend
a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more,
take
off the black, negative (-) cable from the battery. This
will help keep your battery from running down.
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if
you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index.
6-33
ProCarManuals.com

Bulb Replacement
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this section,
contact your Pontiac dealer’s service department.
Halogen Bulbs
‘ A CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst
if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could
be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
For bulb type, see “Replacement Bulbs” in the Index.
Driver’s Side Replacement
If you go through a high pressure car wash, or it is very
humid,
your headlamps may “fog up.” This is normal.
The lenses should clear
by themselves in time.
1. Reach behind the headlamp assembly and turn the bulb
assembly counterclockwise to
remove the bulb assembly.
2. Remave the bulb from the assembly.
3. Replace the bulb and reverse the steps to install the
new bulb assembly.
6-34
ProCarManuals.com

Passenger’s Side Replacement
1. Remove the two bolts with a 10 mm socket.
2. Slide the headlamp assembly outward (to the left)
and lift it out.
6-35
ProCarManuals.com

3. Tip the assembly and turn the bulb assembly
counterclockwise to remove
it.
4. Replace the bulb and reverse the steps to install the
new
bulb assembly.
6-36
ProCarManuals.com

Rear Quarter Tail/Stop/lhrn
Signal/Sidemarker Lamps
For bulb type, see “Replacement Bulbs” in the Index.
1. Remove the plastic nut holding the carpeting in place.
2. Pull the carpeting away from the rear corner of the trunk.
3. nrn the bulb socket assembly counterclockwise to
remove it from the lamp assembly.
Turn the bulb one-quarter turn counterclockwise to
remove
it from the socket.
6-37
ProCarManuals.com