suspension PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1998 Owners Manual

A CAUTION:
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause a collision, serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut
by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted
in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key
turned to
OFF. The steering wheel should be clamped in
a straight-ahead position, with a clamping device
designed for towing service.
Do not use the vehicle’s
steering column lock for this. The transaxle should be
in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed
on the drive wheels,
unless you must.
If the vehicle must be towed on the
drive wheels, be sure to follow the speed and distance
restrictions later
in this section or your transaxle will be
damaged.
If these limits must be exceeded, then the
drive wheels have to be supported on a dolly.
5-9

Front Towing (SSE and SSEi Only)
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or
fascidfog lamp damage will occur. Use wheel-lift
or carcarrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for carcarrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle
to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift equipment.
To
help avoid damage, install a towing dolly and
raise vehicle until adequate clearance is obtained
between the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using carcarrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hmk slots.
5-10

Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule .
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services’’ and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that
all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the suspension and steering linkage,
transaxle shift linkage, parking brake cable guides and underbody contact points and linkage.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” in
Part C of this schedule.
++ If you drive in a highly corrosive environment, your
brake calipers may require additional inspection and service, at every other tire rotation. See
“CaliperKnuckle Maintenance Inspection” under
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections”
in Part C of
this schedule.
7-7

Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles
(240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
3- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item
will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the suspension and steering linkage,
transaxle shift linkage, parking brake cable guides and
underbody contact points and linkage.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections”
in Part C of this schedule.
++ If you drive in a highly corrosive environment, your
brake calipers may require additional inspection and
service,
at every other tire rotation. See
“Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection” under
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in
Part C of
this schedule.

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should be
performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring
and fall). You should let your dealer’s service department
or other qualified service center do these jobs. Make
sure
any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found
in a service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system
for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of wear or lack
of lubrication. Inspect the power steering lines and hoses
for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Clean and then inspect the drive axle boot seals for
damage, tears or leakage. Replace seals
if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or
out-of-position parts
as well as open seams, holes, loose
connections or other conditions which could cause a
heat
build-up in the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes intw
the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes, fittings
and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside of the
radiator and
air conditioning condenser. To help ensure
proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling system and
pressure cap is recommended at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing
parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and
cruise control cables.
7-35

1998 PONTIAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing \
of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing
it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.) \
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1998 PONTIAC
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1998 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated EO. Box 07130 0 Detroii, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance
Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes
a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL
PRICE: $15.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$10.00
CURRENT 4% PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model GM vehicles.
To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-78214356
Monday-Friday 800 AM - 6:OO PM Eastern lime
For Credit Cad Orders Only (VISA-MasterCard-Discover)

Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Canada
...................................... 6-4
Door Lock
................................... 6-6
Door Release
................................. 6-8
Filling a Portable Container
...................... 6-9
Filling
Your Tank .............................. 6-6
Gage ....................................... 2-73
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-59
Gages Boost
.................................... 2-74
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-68
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-71
Fuel
....................................... 2-73
Speedometer
................................. 2-6 1
Tachometer
.................................. 2-62
GAWR
....................................... 4-30
Gear Positions, Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-24
GloveBox
.................................... 2-51
Graphic Equalizer
......................... 3-15, 3-21
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-30
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-30
Guide en Franpis 11
GVWR ......... .................... 4-30
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-32 ...
Haadwarning Flashers .......................... 5-2
Head Restraints ................................. 1-5
Headlamps
.................................... 2-43
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-32
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-38 On Reminder
................................ 2-43
Wiring
..................................... 6-58
Head-Up Display
............................... 2-74
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-5
High-Beam Headlamps .......................... 2-38
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads ......................... 4-23
Hitches. Trailer ................................. 4-34
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-9
Release
..................................... 6-10
Hood Ajar Message
............................. 2-78
Horn
......................................... 2-35
HUD ......................................... 2-74
Hydroplaning
.... ..................... 4-19
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2-20
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................... 7-34
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-47
Inadvertent Load Protection
....................... 2-48
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-41
Inflator. Air
................................... 2-54
Inside Daymight Rearview
Mirror ................. 2-48
Brakesystem ................................ 7-36
Engine Cooling System
........................ 7-35
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-35
Front Drive Axle Boot
......................... 7-35
FrontDriveAxleSeal
......................... 7-35
Steering
.................................... 7-35
Suspension
.................................. 7-35
Heating
........................................ 3-6
Inspections
........................................
9-5