towing PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 2003 Owners Manual

The 2003 Pontiac Bonneville Owner Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-7
Child Restraints
....................................... 1-27
Air Bag Systems
...................................... 1-47
Restraint System Check
............................ 1-56
Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
...................................... 2-10
Windows
................................................. 2-1 9
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................ 2-21
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
........... 2-25
Mirrors
.................................................... 2-38
OnStap
.................................................. 2-40
HomeLink@ Transmitter
............................. 2-42
Storage Areas
......................................... 2-46
SlJnroof
................................................. 2-47
Vehicle Personalization
............................. 2-48
Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
...................................... 3-25
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
......... 3-34
Systems Monitor
...................................... 3-55
Driver Information Center (DIC)
.................. 3-57 Secondary
Information Center (SIC)
............ 3-68
Audio System(s)
....................................... 3-71
Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
................................................... 4-32
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
............... 5-12
Headlamp Aiming
..................................... 5-52
Bulb Replacement
.................................... 5-56
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
......... 5-61
Tires
...................................................... 5-62
Appearance Care
..................................... 5-82
Vehicle Identification
................................. 5-90
Electrical System
...................................... 5-91
C8pa.citigs
and Specifications ......... 5-100
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts .... 5-101
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information .................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-8
index ................................................................ 1
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1
Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1

PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. It’s the
best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can’t move easily.
s dangerous to get out of your veh ? 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 have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddeniy.
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). See “Shifting Into Park (P)” in the
Index. If you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing a
Tr2?!!er” in the !ndPY=
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle
shift lock control system. You have to fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in
ON. If you cannot shift out
of PARK
(P), ease pressure on the shift lever - push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) and also release
the shift lever button on console shift models as
you maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into the gear you wish (press the shift lever button
before moving the shift lever on floor shift console
models). See
Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-35.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift
to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice
or sand without damaging your transaxle, see If
You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
paye 4-53.
2-29

NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already
moving, use NEUTRAL
(N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL
(N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Sh.- ..ng in{ ~ a driv ~ ~ ~ ~r while your engine is
“racing” (running at high speed) is dangerous.
Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit people or objects. Don’t shift into a drive gear while your engine
is racing.
Notice: Damage to your transaxle caused by
shifting into a drive gear with the engine racing isn’t
covered by your warranty. AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE
(a): This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you’re:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
THIRD
(3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(@).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@ ):
When driving on hilly, winding roads,
when towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
when going down a steep hill.
accelerator pedal about
halfway down.
accelerator all the way down.
between gears, or
2-30

If you try to drive with the parking brake on, the brake
light stays on and a chime sounds until you release the
parking brake.
Notice: Driving with the parking brake on can
cause your rear brakes to overheat. You may have
to replace them, and you could also damage
other parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see Towing a Trailer on page 4-36. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
Shiftinc '--lo Park (P)
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. If you have
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,
use the steps that follow.
If you're pulling a
trailer, see "Towing a Trailer"
in the Index.
Steering Column Shift Lever
1. If your vehicle has the steering column shift lever,
hold the brake pedal
down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
I I I
Pull the lever toward you.
2-32

On vehicles with a DIC, a CHECK CHARGE SYSTEM
message will be displayed and a warning chime will
sound
if there is a problem in the electrical system. Have
your vehicle serviced immediately. See
DIC Warnings
and Messages on page
3-60 for more information.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts.
If one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need
both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
iL
BRAKE
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
ON. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on
if your parking brake doesn’t release fully.
If you
try to drive off with the parking brake
set,
a chime will also come on until you release the
parking brake.
If the light stays on after your parking
brake is fully released, it means you have a brake
problem.
If you have the optional Driver Information Center (DIC),
a PARK BRAKE SET message will be displayed
while the parking brake is set.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the
floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. See
Towing
Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
Your brake system may not be working
properly
if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still
on after you’ve pulled
off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.
I
3-42

comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice: If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, your emission controls
may not work
as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may not be covered by your warranty.
N~tice: Msdifications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake or fuel system of your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modifications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs
mi covered by your warraiiiy. This zzy
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
lnspection/Maintenance test.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running.
if the iight cioesn’i corns on, LA. ,_ :I IIclVG I1
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
0 Light Flashing - A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center
diagnosis and service may be required.
Light On Steady
- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed.
Avoiding hard accelerations.
Avoiding steep uphill grades.
0 If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being irauied as suwh as it is p~~sibk.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light
Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when
it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle.
3-47

Driving Your Vehicle
Your Driving. the Road. and Your Vehicle .......... 4-2
Defensive Driving
........................................... 4.2
Control
of a Vehicle ........................................ 4-6
Traction Control System (TCS)
......................... 4-9
Steering
...................................................... 4-11
Off-Road Recovery
....................................... 4-13
Passing
....................................................... 4-13
Loss of Control ............................................. 4-14
Driving at Night
............................................ 4-16
Driving in Rain and
on Wet Roads .................. 4-17
Drunken Driving
............................................. 4.3
Eraking ......................................................... 4-6
City
Driving .................................................. 4.20
Freeway Driving
........................................... 4-21
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
....................... 4.22
Highway Hypnosis
........................................ 4.23
Hi!! and Mountain Roads ............................... -4-24
Winter Driving
.............................................. 4-26
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow ........ 4-30
Towing .......................................................... 4-32
Recreational Vehicle Towing
........................... 4-32
Loading Your Vehicle
.................................... 4-34
Towing
a Trailer ........................................... 4-36
Towing
Your Vehicle
..................................... 4-32
4-
1

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels.
If your vehicle
has traction control, you should turn the system
off.
See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9. Then
shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is
in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward
and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking
motion that may free your vehicle. If that doesn’t get
you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out.
if you do need to be towed out, see “Towing Your
Vehicle” following.
4-31

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-5.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle
- such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your
vehicle with
all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly
towing” (towing your vehicle with two wheels on
the ground and two wheels up on a device known
as a “dolly”). With
the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and ”Dolly Towing,” following.
Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you’ll
want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be
towed. See
Before Leaving on a Long Trip on
page 4-22.
4-32

Dinghy Towing
Nofice: Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground will damage drivetrain components.
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground.
If your vehicle must be towed,
you should use a dolly. See “Dolly Towing” that follows
for more information.
Dolly Towing
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow your
vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on the dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
5. Release the parking brake.
position.
4-33