1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE Owners Manual

NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
0 Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage yoqr washer fluid
tank and
other parts
of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
0 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.
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
0 Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There me only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir 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
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your brake system fixed, since a leak means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at
all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t gorrect 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.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is hot
enough.
You or others could be burned, and
your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid 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. 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.
XLUTION:
-
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes
may not work well, or they
may not even work
at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oi1,’in
your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
rep,laced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind
of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. 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 you vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
I A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well.
That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle
serviced.
I 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.
Free movement of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
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, 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 ones 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.
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 replacement number shown on the
original battery’s label. : 1
Vehicle Storage . ..
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take
off the black, negative (-) cable from
..I
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r.
I-
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
A CAUTION:
-
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See
“Jump Starting” in the’hclex
for tips on working around a battery without
getting brt.
:ontact
your deder to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer
storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index.
..
A CAUTION: I
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst
if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
If you go through a high pressure car wash, or it is very
humid, your headlamps may “fog up.” This is normal.
The lenses should clear by themselves in time.
Headlamps
or bulb type, s,ee “Replacement Bulbs” in the Idex.
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Driver's Side Replacement
1. Reach behind the headlamp assembly and turn the
bulb assembly counterclockwise to remove the
bulb assembly.
2. Remove the bulb from the assembly. -c
3. Replace the bulb and reverse the steps to install the
new bulb assembly.
Passenger's Side Replacement
1. Remove the two bolts with a 10 mm socket.
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2. Slide the headlamp assembly outward (to the left)
and lift it out. 3. Tip the assembly and turn the bulb assembly
counterclockwise
to remove it.
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4. Replace the bulb and reverse the steps to install the
new bulb assembly.
Sidemarker Lamps
1. Remove headlamp assembly on both sides of the
vehicle, using the passenger’s side headlamp
removal procedure as described previously
in this
section.
counterclockwise to remove.
2. Turn the sidemarker lamp bulb assembly
3. ‘Replace the bulb by turning clockwise.
4. Install the headlamp assemblies using the procedure
for the-passenger’s side headlamp installation as
described previously in this section.
Fog Lamps
1. Reach up under the front of the car to the fog
!. Unplug the connector and twist the bulb
lamp connector.
counterclockwise to remove.
Notice: There are adjustment screws near the fog lamp assembly. Take care not to touch these screws.
3. Twist the replacement bulb clockwise to install.
4. Plug in the connector.
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