PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 2000 Owners Manual

6-26 Adding Washer Fluid
The washer fluid warning light will come on when the
ignition switch is ON and the fluid container is less than
one
-third full. On vehicles with the optional Driver
Information Center (DIC), a WASHER FLUID LOW
message will be displayed and a chime will sound
letting you know to add windshield washer fluid to
your vehicle.
Open the cap labeled
WASHER FLUID. Add
washer fluid until the tank
is full.
NOTICE:

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 engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.

6-27
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is on the driver's
side of the engine compartment. 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 ªtop offº 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 work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
CAUTION:
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.

6-28
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. If your vehicle has the
Driver Information Center, the BRAKE FLUID LOW
message will also be displayed. A chime will sound if
you try to drive with this warning light on. See ªBrake
System Warning Lightº in the Index.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
Refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the
Maintenance Schedule.
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.
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:

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 ªAppearance Careº
in the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc 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 firmly).

6-29
CAUTION:
The 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.
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 ªCaliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspectionº in
Section 7 of this manual under Part C ªPeriodic
Maintenance Inspections.ºProperly 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.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7
of this manual under Part C ªPeriodic
Maintenance Inspections.º
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.

6-30 Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a 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
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco
battery. When it's time for a new battery,
get one that has the replacement number shown on
the original battery's label. We recommend an
ACDelco battery.The battery is located under the rear seat cushion.
To access the battery, see ªRemoving the Rear Seat
Cushionº in the Index. You don't need to access the
battery to jump start your vehicle. See ªJump Startingº
in the Index.
CAUTION:
A battery that isn't properly vented can let
sulfuric acid fumes into the area under the rear
seat cushion. These fumes can damage your rear
seat safety belt systems. You may not be able to
see this damage, and the safety belts might not
provide the protection needed in a crash. If a
replacement battery is ever needed, it must be
vented in the same manner as the original
battery. Always make sure that the vent hose
is properly reattached before reinstalling
the seat cushion.

6-31
To be sure the vent hose (A) is properly attached, the vent
hose connectors (B) must be securely reattached to the vent
outlets (C) on each side of the battery, and the vent assembly
grommet (D) must be secured to the floor pan (E).
Vehicle Storage
If you're not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, remove the black, negative (
-) cable from the battery.
This will help keep your battery from running down.
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren't careful. See ªJump Startingº 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 ªTheft
-Deterrent
Featureº in the Index.

6-32
Bulb Replacement
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer's service department.
Halogen Bulbs
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.
If you go through a high pressure car wash, or it is very
humid, your headlamps may ªfog up.º This is normal.
The lenses should clear by themselves in time.
Headlamps
For the proper bulb type, see ªReplacement Bulbsº in
the Index.
1. Reach behind the headlamp assembly, push in and
turn the bulb assembly counterclockwise to remove
the bulb assembly from the headlamp assembly.

6-33
2. Lift the tabs to remove the bulb from the assembly.
3. Replace the bulb. Push the bulb assembly in and turn
it clockwise to install the bulb assembly into the
headlamp assembly.Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming
system equipped with horizontal aim indicators. The
aim has been pre
-set at the factory and should need no
further adjustment. This is true even though your
horizontal aim indicators may not fall exactly on the ª0º
(zero) marks on their scales.

6-34
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the low beam
may be necessary if it is difficult to see lane markers
(for horizontal aim), or if oncoming drivers flash their
high beams at you (for vertical aim). If you believe your
headlamps need to be re
-aimed, we recommend that you
take your vehicle to your dealer for service. However, it
is possible for you to re
-aim your headlamps as
described in the following procedure.
NOTICE:
To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions before
beginning. Failure to follow these instructions
could cause damage to headlamp parts.
The vehicle should be properly prepared as follows:

The vehicle should be placed so the headlamps are
25 ft. (7.6 m) from a light colored wall or other
flat surface.
The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface which is level all the way to the wall or
other flat surface.

The vehicle should be placed so it is perpendicular to
the wall or other flat surface.

The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
attached to it.

The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp aiming is being done.

The vehicle should be normally loaded with a full
tank of fuel and one person or 160 lbs. (75 kg) on the
driver's seat.

Tires should be properly inflated.
Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle low beam
lamps. The high beam lamps will be correctly aimed if
the low beam lamps are aimed properly.
The headlamp aiming devices are under the hood near
the headlamps.

6-35
If you believe your headlamps need horizontal
(left/right) adjustment, follow the horizontal aiming
procedure. If you believe your headlamps need only
vertical (up/down) adjustment, follow only the vertical
aiming procedure.
Adjustment screws can be turned with an E8 Torx


socket or T15 Torx screwdriver.Headlamp Horizontal Aiming
Turn the horizontal aiming screw (A) until the
indicator (B) is lined up with zero.
Once the horizontal aim is adjusted, then adjust the
vertical aim.