coolant PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 2000 Owners Manual

ix
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
SPEAKER
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-9 Remote Keyless Entry (If Equipped)
2
-14 Trunk
2
-15 Theft
2
-16 Universal Theft-Deterrent (Option)
2
-17 PASS-Key
III
2
-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-20 Ignition Positions
2
-21 Starting Your Engine
2
-22 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-23 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-26 Parking Brake
2
-27 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-30 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-31 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-31 Engine Exhaust2
-32 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-33 Windows
2
-33 Horn
2
-34 Tilt Wheel
2
-34 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-41 Exterior Lamps
2
-43 Interior Lamps
2
-47 Mirrors
2
-50 Storage Compartments
2
-51 Sun Visors
2
-52 Air Inflator System (Option)
2
-54 Express Sunroof (Option)
2
-58 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-64 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-79 Head-Up Display (Option)
2
-84 Driver Information Center (DIC) (Option)

2-22
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start right away, hold your key in
START for about three to five seconds at a time until
your engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try to help avoid draining your battery or
damaging your starter.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the normal
starting procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0
F (-18
C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.

2-23 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The engine coolant heater cord is located on the
passenger's side of the vehicle, above the
headlamp assembly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach,
use a heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord
rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don't, it could
be damaged.How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
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.

2-70

The optional Traction Control System is active and is
limiting wheel spin. You may feel the system
working, but this is normal. Slippery road conditions
may exist, so adjust your driving accordingly.
If the LOW TRAC light comes on, slippery road
conditions may exist, so you should consider slowing
down and adjusting your driving accordingly.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States Canada
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.To prevent engine overheating, the air conditioning
compressor will turn off automatically just prior to the
gage pointer entering the red area. As the engine cools
down, the air conditioning compressor will
automatically turn back on. On vehicles equipped with
the DIC, the message ENGINE HOT... A/C DISABLED
will appear in the DIC display and a warning chime
will sound.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine
is too hot. On vehicles equipped with the systems
monitor, the CHECK GAGES light will come on and a
warning chime will sound.
On vehicles with the optional DIC, a CHECK GAGES
TEMPERATURE message will be displayed and a
warning chime will sound. See ªDIC Warnings and
Messagesº in the Index for more information.
The section ªProblems on the Road,º in this manual
explains what to do if your engine overheats.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.

2-77 Check Gages Warning Light (If Equipped)
This light is part of the
systems monitor. It will
come on briefly as a bulb
check when your ignition is
turned to RUN.
If this light comes on and stays on while you are
driving, check your gages for fuel, coolant temperature,
oil pressure and voltage.
This light will stay on if the engine is not running and
the ignition is in RUN.
Door Ajar Light (If Equipped)
This light is part of the
systems monitor. It will
come on and a warning
chime will sound when the
driver's door or one of the
passenger's doors is not
completely closed.On vehicles with the optional DIC, the door that is ajar
will be shown as a icon next to the vehicle outline and a
message will appear on the display. See ªDIC Warnings
and Messagesº in the Index for more information.
Trunk Ajar Light (If Equipped)
This light is part of the
systems monitor. It will
come on and a warning
chime will sound when
the trunk is not
completely closed.
On vehicles with the optional DIC, the TRUNK AJAR
light is replaced by the TRUNK AJAR message.
See ªDIC Warnings and Messagesº in the Index for
more information.

2-79 Boost Gage (If Equipped)
Vehicles equipped with
the supercharged engine
have this boost gage that
indicates vacuum during
light to moderate
throttle and boost under
heavier throttle.
The gage displays the air pressure level going into the
engine's combustion chamber.
The gage is automatically centered at zero every time
the ignition key is turned to RUN. Actual vacuum or
boost is displayed from this zero point. Changes in
ambient pressure, such as driving in mountains and
changing weather, will slightly change the zero reading.
Head-Up Display (Option)
CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your field of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it's dark outside.
Be sure to keep the HUD image dim and placed
low in your field of view.
If you have the optional Head-Up Display (HUD), you
can see some of the driver information also available on
your instrument panel cluster. The information may be
displayed in English or metric units and appears as a
reflection on the windshield. The HUD shows:

Speedometer Reading

Turn Signal Indicators

High
-beam Indicator Symbol

CHECK GAGES Message (for low oil pressure,
high coolant temperature, low oil level, high/low
battery, brake, ABS and air bag.)

Low Fuel Warning Symbol

Radio Frequency and Playback Mode

3-6
Automatic Operation
When the system is set for AUTO, your climate control
system will control the air delivery mode, fan speed,
A/C and RECIRC operations. Air will come from
the floor, panel or windshield outlets. The fan speed
will vary as the system maintains the selected
temperature setting.
When AUTO is selected, the A/C operation and air inlet
will be automatically controlled. The air conditioning
compressor will run at outside temperatures over
approximately 40
F (4
C). The air inlet will normally
be set to outside air. If it's hot outside, the air inlet will
automatically switch to recirculated inside air to help
quickly cool down your vehicle.
To find your comfort zone, start with 75
F (24
C)
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes for the
system to regulate. Turn the TEMP knob up or down to
adjust the temperature setting if necessary. If you choose
the temperature setting of 60
F (15
C), the system will
remain at the maximum cooling setting and fan speed.
If you choose the temperature setting of 90
F (33
C),
the system will remain at the maximum heat setting and
fan speed. Choosing either maximum setting will not
cause the system to heat or cool any faster.Be careful not to cover the sensor located on the top of
the instrument panel near the windshield. This sensor
regulates temperature based on sun load.
The EXT (exterior) temperature sensor is located in the
front of the vehicle behind the grille. The displayed
temperature is most accurate after the vehicle has been
moving for a few minutes. If the vehicle is stopped and
then restarted within 2 1/2 hours, the sensor will be hot
from the engine heat. In this case, the temperature first
displayed will continue to be the previous temperature.
The display will update after the vehicle has been
moving for a few minutes and the sensor has a chance
to cool down to the actual temperature.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on engine coolant
temperature. Pushing the fan button will override this
delay and change the fan to a selected speed.

5-10
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage or a DIC
warning message about a hot engine on your vehicle's
instrument panel. See ªCoolant Temperature Gageº and
ªDIC Warnings and Messagesº in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.

5-11 If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:

Climb a long hill on a hot day.

Stop after high
-speed driving.

Idle for long periods in traffic.

Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while driving
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or THIRD (3).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn't come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.If there's still no sign of steam, idle the engine for three
minutes while you're parked. If you still have the
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fans