PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 2001 Owners Manual

2-34
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transaxle into PARK (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 ªtorque lock.º 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 ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in
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 occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control
system. You have to fully apply your regular brake before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in ON.
See ªAutomatic Transaxleº 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 (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want (if you have
the console shift lever, press the button first). If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift out of
PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
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
you want.
5. Take your vehicle to an authorized service center as
soon as you can.

2-35
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
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.
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.

Repairs weren't done correctly.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

2-36
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.
CAUTION:
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 on 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 ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.

2-37
Horn
Press on the center area of the steering wheel to sound
the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows
you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever toward you. Move the steering wheel to a
comfortable level, then release the lever to lock the
wheel into place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:

Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicators

Headlamp Control

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer

Flash
-To-Pass Feature

Cruise Control

2-38
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicators
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up
or down. When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.If the arrows flash very fast as you signal a turn or a lane
change, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won't see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. See ªBulb Replacementº in the Index. If the
arrows don't go on at all when you signal a turn, check
the fuse. See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.

2-39 Headlamps
The headlamp control is located on the left steering
column lever.
Turn the control to this symbol to turn on
the following:

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Turn the headlamp control to this symbol to turn
on the following:

Headlamps

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Turn the headlamp control back to the off position to
turn all of the lamps and lights off.
Wiper
-Activated Headlamps
This feature turns on the low
-beam headlamps,
instrument panel cluster backlighting and taillamps
when the Twilight Sentinel
 is in day mode and after
the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately six seconds.
To operate the wiper
-activated headlamps, the Twilight
Sentinel must be on. If the wiper
-activated headlamps
are on and the ignition switch is turned to ON, the
wiper
-activated headlamps will continue. When you
turn the key to OFF, the wiper
-activated headlamps will
immediately turn off. The wiper
-activated headlamps
will also turn off if you turn off the Twilight Sentinel or
the windshield wipers.

2-40
Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver's door while leaving the
headlamps or parking lamps on and the key is in OFF,
you will hear a warning chime.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the lever forward. To change from high beam to
low beam, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
will also be on.
Flash-To-Pass Feature
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you.If your headlamps are off or on low beam, your
high
-beam headlamps will turn on. They'll stay on as
long as you hold the lever toward you and the
high
-beam indicator on the instrument panel cluster will
come on. Release the lever to turn the high
-beam
headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wipers are controlled by the lever on the
right of your steering column.
If your windshield wipers are on for more than six
seconds while you are driving, the low
-beam
headlamps, instrument panel cluster backlighting and
the taillamps will turn on. For more information see
ªWiper
-Activated Headlampsº in the Index.

2-41
MIST: For a single wiping cycle, push the lever down
to the MIST position and let go. The wipers will stop
after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the
lever down.
LO or HI: Push the lever up to LO for steady wiping at
a slow speed. Push the lever up to HI for steady wiping
at a high speed.
INT: Push the lever up to the INT position and turn the
INT ADJ band to adjust the delay time. The further you
turn the band, the shorter the delay between wiping cycles.
OFF: Lower the lever to its original position to turn the
wipers OFF.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Keep in mind that damaged wiper blades may prevent
you from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid
damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts. See ªWiper
Blade Replacementº in the Index.Windshield Washer
At the end of the wiper lever, there's a button. To spray
washer fluid on the windshield, push the button until
you have enough fluid to clean the windshield. The
wipers will clear the window and either stop or return to
your preset speed.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
A WASHER FLUID warning light will indicate if the
fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir is low.
See ªLow Washer Fluid Warning Lightº in the Index.

2-42
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can
maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more
without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed.
So, don't use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control.
Don't use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. See
ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.

2-43
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Push the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push the set button.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don't need to reset it.Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h)
or more, you can move the cruise lever up to
R/A (resume/accelerate) briefly.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay
there. Remember that if you hold the lever at R/A, the
vehicle will keep going faster until you release the
switch or apply the brake. So unless you want to go
faster, don't hold the lever at R/A.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Press the SET button and then release it as well
as the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at the
higher speed.

Push the cruise lever up to R/A. Hold it there until
you get up to the speed you want, and then release it.
To increase your speed in very small amounts, move
the switch to R/A briefly and then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you have set
the cruise control speed by pushing the SET button.