1994 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE Owners Manual

Service & Appearance Care
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled
by a thermostat
in the engine coolant
system. The thermostat stops the flow
of
coolant through the radiator until the
coolant reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
How To Check Power
Steering
Fluid
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick
with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten
it. Then remove the
cap again and look at the fluid level on
the dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot,
the level should be at the
“H” mark.
When the engine compartment is cool,
the level should be at the “C” mark.
What to Add
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind
of fluid to use. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in
the Index.
NOTICE:
When adding power steering fluid
or making a complete fluid change,
always
use the proper fluid. Failure
to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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Windshield Washer
Fluid
To Add
Open the cap labeled “WASHER FLUID
ONLY.” Add washer fluid
until the bottle
is full.
NOTICE:
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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
3/4 full when it’s very
cold. This allows for
expansion, which could
damage the tank
if it is
completely full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze
in your windshield washer. It
can damage your washer
system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Master Cylinder
Your brake master cylinder is here.
filled with DOT-3 brake fluid. It is
There are only two reasons why the brake
fluid level
in your master cylinder 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
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Service & Appearance Care
Brake Master Cylinder
(CONK)
work at all. So, it isn’t a good idea to “top
off’ 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.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level,
your brake warning light will come on. A
chime will sound
if you try to drive with
this warning light on. See “Brake System
Warning Light” in the Index.
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What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake fluid
-- such as Delco
Supreme 11
@ (GM Part No. 1052535).
Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake
fluid reservoir cap before removing
it.
NOTICE:
e Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid. 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.
Brake fluid can damage
paint,
so be careful not to
spill brake fluid on your
vehicle. If you do, wash it
off
immediately. See
“Appearance Care”
in the
Index.
Brake Wear
Your Pontiac has front disc brakes and
rear drum 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).
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NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result
in costly
brake repair.
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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.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear
indicators, but
if you ever hear a rear
brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake
linings inspected.
Also, the rear brake
drums should be removed and inspected
each time the tires are removed for
rotation or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete axle sets.
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
moderately, with or without the vehicle
moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System
Parts
The braking system on a modern 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.
Vehicles we design and test have
top-quality
GM brake parts in them, as
your Pontiac does when it is new. When you
replace parts of your braking system
-- for example, when your brake linings
wear down and you have to have new
mes put
in -- be sure you get new
genuine
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.
,!
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Service & Appearance Care
Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@
battery. You never have to add water to
one of these. When it’s time for a new
battery, we recommend a Delco
Freedom@ battery. Get one that has the
catalog number shown on the original
battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle
for
25 days or more, take off the black,
negative
(-) cable from the battery. This
will help keep your battery from running
down. Contact your dealer to learn
how to
prepare your vehicle for longer storage
periods.
Jump Starting
For jump starting instructions, see “Jump
Starting” in the Index
.
Halogen Bulbs
Headlight Bulb
Replacement
For the type of bulb, see “Replacement
Bulbs”
in the Index.
1. Remove the two fasteners from the
top of the headlight housing.
2. Lift the entire
tilt it forward. headlight housing and
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3. Twist the bulb assembly 1/6 turn and
pull out the bulb assembly.
4. Unclip the bulb assembly from the wiring harness and replace the bulb
assembly. Reverse
steps
1-3 to replace the bulb
assembly and headlight housing.
Make sure the tab
(“A”) is locked into
the slot
(“B”) in the radiator support
before tightening the screws.
Taillight Bulb
Replacement
For the type of bulb, see “Replacement
Bulbs”
in the Index.
1.
2.
In the trunk, remove the two plastic
nuts holding the carpeting in pjace.
Pull the carpet away from the rear
corner of the trunk.
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Service & Appearance Care
Taillight Bulb
Seplacement
(CONT.)
I. Rotate the bulb housing 1/8 turn and
1. To remove bulb, push in and rotate it
counterclockwise.
i. Replace the bulb.
i. Reverse the steps to reassemble the
remove
it.
taillight.
:og Light Bulb
qeplacement
F you have fog lights, don’t change your
lg light bulbs unless you have the proper
iming equipment. See your Pontiac
ealer if you have any further questions.
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Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Replacement blades come in different
types and are removed
in different ways.
Here’s how
to remove the type with a
release clip:
1.
2.
3.
Pull the windshield wiper arm away
from the windshield.
Lift the release clip with a screwdriver
and pull the blade assembly off the
wiper arm.
Push the new wiper blade securely on
the wiper arm.
Loading Your Vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight
it may properly carry. The
Tire-Loading Information label found on
the rear edge
of the driver’s door tells you
the proper size, speed rating and
recommended inflation pressures for the
tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important information about the number
of people that can be in your vehicle and
the total weight that
you can carry. This
weight is called the Vehicle Capacity
Weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
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The other label is the Certification label,
found on the rear edge of
the driver’s
door. It tells you the gross weight capacity
of your vehicle, called the
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR
includes the weight of the v,ehicle, all
occupants,
fuel and cargo. Never exceed
the
GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for ,either
the front or rear axle. And,
if you do have
a heavy load, you
should spread
it out. Don’t carry more
than 176 Ibs. (80 kg) in your trunk.
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