
The 1995 Pontiac Bonneville Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems .......................................................... 1-1
Features and Controls ............................................................... 2-1
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems .................................................. 3-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts\
properly. It also explains the “SRS” system. This section explains how to start and operate your Pontiac.
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfo\
rt controls and how to operate your audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road\
and how to drive under different conditions.
This section tells
you what to dorif you have a problem while driving, such as a fl\
at tire or engine
overheating, etc.
Here the
rrmmal tells you how to keep your Pontiac running properly and loolun\
g good.
This section tells you when to perform’vehicle maintenance and wha\
t fluids and lubricants to use.
This section tells you how to contact Pontiac for assistance a\
nd how to get service publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects’\
’ on page
8-4.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every jsubject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
YourDrivingandtheRoad ........................................................... 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad ............................................................... 5-1
Service and Appearance Care ......................................................... ,6-1
Maintenanceschedule ............................................................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information ..................................................... 8-1
Index ........................................................................\
....... 9-1
1
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Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on
a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to
PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine
oil, belts, cooling system, and brake adjustment.
Each
of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good
idea
to review these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-36
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Engine Accessory Belt
A
C
The 3800 (L36) engine uses an engine accessory belt.
This diagram shows the features connected by the belt
routing. See “Maintenance Schedule” in the Index for
when to check the belt.
A. Power Steering
B . Alternator
C. Air Conditioning
D. Crank
E. Coolant Pump
E Tensioner
3800 Supercharged (L67) Engine
(Option)
Your Bonneville may have a 3800 Supercharged engine.
The Supercharger is
a device which is designed to pump
more air into the engine than it would normally
use.
This air mixed with fuel, creates increased engine
power. Since the Supercharger is a pump and is driven
from an engine accessory drive belt, increased pressure
is available at all driving conditions.
The powertrain control module
(PCM), works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required during specific driving conditions. When this
increased pressure or boost is not desired, such as during
idling
and light throttle cruising, the excess air that the
Supercharger is pumping is routed through a bypass.
All
of these controls, working together provide high
performance character
and fuel efficiency in the
3800 V6 Supercharged engine.
The power steering pump uses a remote reservoir
mounted on the throttle and cruise control cable bracket.
See “Maintenance Schedule”
in the Index for when you
should check the fluid.
6-11
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Engine Accessory Belt coolant pump and air conditioning compressor. Each
belt has its own tensioner and idler pulley.
1. Front Belt C. Crank
2. Back Belt D. Supercharger
A. Alternator
E. Coolant Pump
B. Power Steering E Air Conditioning
The Supercharged
38800 engine uses two accessory drive
belts. One belt drives the generator and the power
steering pump. The second belt drives the supercharger, See
“Maintenance Schedule” in
the Index for when to
check the accessory drive belts and Supercharger oil
level. Have your dealer check the oil level in the
Supercharger.
Engine Oil
CHECK OIL
LEVEL
If the CHECK QIL LEVEL light on the instrument
panel comes
on, it means you need to check your engine
oil level
right away. for more information, see “Check
Oil Level Light” in
the Index. You should check your
engine
oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
6-12
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What to Do with Used Oil
Did you how that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your
skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine
oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your
own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle
it by taking it to a place that co’llects lased oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or
a local recycling
center for help.
Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine &e. And, dirt can eady get
into your engine,
which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
6-16
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid level
is when the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to detemrrine when to change your
fluid. See "Scheduled Maintenance Services" in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose
to have this done at your Pontiac dealer Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the
dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall
on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
~~~
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level
if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90" F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180 "F to 200°F (82" C
to 93 "C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about €5 des (24 km)
when outside temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). If it's
colder
than 50°F (lO"C), you may have to drive longer.
To check the fluid level
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
6-20
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‘Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
L A
1.
2.
Pull out the
dipstick and wipe it
with a clean rag
or
paper towel.
Push it back in
all
the way, wait three
seconds and then
pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be
in the cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid
to bring
the level into the cross-hatched area on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level. It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally
less than a pint (13.52).
Don ’t overfill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled
DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that label
is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON@-111
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
described under
“How to Check.”
1 I dipstick back in all the way.
6-21
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Power Steering Fluid
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, 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.
The level should be at the FULL
COLD mark. Add
enough fluid to bring the level up to the mark.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired. The
power steering fluid reservoir on the
L67 engine is
to the right
of the supercharger and in front of the
transaxle dipstick.
The power steering fluid reservoir on the
L36 engine is
located below the alternator and behind the accessory
drive belt.
What to Add
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
I
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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