1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE fuel cap

If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
0 Avoid liard accelerations.
~ .I.<.’.) . .e ,,- .I - ..
L:‘:’r’ j. , 0 Avoid steep uphill grades.
0 If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of wgo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “E
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash,, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P), Turn the
key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On
Steady” following. If the light is still flashing follow the
previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your dealer or
qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction b’y considering the following:
Did
you just put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the
cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap
has been left off or improperly installed. This will
allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips should turn the light off.
Rid you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
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Are you low on fuel?
As your engme starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as’ efficiently as designed since small- amounts
of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving ,trips
to turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel”
in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may
notice
this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration or
stumbling on acceleration. (These ’
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to
Imn on.
If you experience this condition, change the fuel brand
you use. It will require at least one full tank of the
proper fuel
to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment.
and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Engine Oil Pressure 1,ig.ht
If you have a problem with
your oil, this light may
stay
on after you start your
engine,
or come on when
you are driving.
This may indicate that oil is not going through your
engine quickly enough to keep it cool. the engine could
be low on oil, or could have some other oil problem.
If you are driving, carefully pull over to a safe location
and stop to check the oil level. See “Checking Engine
Oil” in the Index.
If the engine oil is low, add oil as required. See “Adding
Engine
Oil” in the Index.
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Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have
left, when the ignition is on. When the gage reads in the
yellow band, a warning chime will sound and the
CHECK GAGES warning light will go on, if you have
this option.
Here
are some things that some owners ask about. None
of these show a problem with your fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas pump shuts off before
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
the
gage reads
FULL (F).
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.
0 The gage moves a little when you turn a corner,
The gage doesn't go back to EMPTY (E) when you
If you have the large span (220") gage, the needle
speed up, or make a hard stop.
turn off the ignition.
moves more
for a given amount of fuel. This does not
indicate excessive
fuel consumption, and is normal.
Boost Gage (Option)
OST
Vehicles equipped with the supercharged engine have
this boost gage that indicates vacuum during light to.
moderate throttle and boost under heavier throttle. The
gage displays the air pressure level in psi going into the
engine's combustion chamber.
The gage
is automatically centered at zero psi every
time the engine is started. Actual vacuum or boost is
displayed from this zero point. Changes
in ambient
pressure, such as driving in mountains and changing
weather, will slightly change the zero reading.
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Loading Your Vehicle
'@I OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP. WT.
TIRE-LOADING IiNFORMATlON
FRT. CTR. RR. TOTAL LBS. KG
MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPAC,lTY WEIGHT XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG PSI/KPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT, ADD 4PS1/28KPa
SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Wo 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.
MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP
DATE GYWR GAWR FRT GAWR RR
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLI-
CABLE U.S.
FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE
SAFETY, BUMPER,
AND THEFT PREVENTION
STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF
MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
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
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. Never exceed the
GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the fi-ont or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it
out. Don't cq more than 176 lbs: (80 kg) in your h-unk.
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Towing a Trailer
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly,
you can lose control when you pull a
&der. For example, if the trder is too,heavy, the
brakes
may not work well -- or even at all. You and
your passengers could be’ seriously injured. Pull a
trailer only if you have followed all the steps in this
section. Ask your Pontiac dealer for advice and
information about towing
a trailer with your vehicle.
’ I NOTICE:
~
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your Pontiac
dealer- for important information about towing a
trailer
with your vehicle.
Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is equipped with the
SSE package.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
SE package and proper trailer towing equipment. To
identify what’the vehicle ‘trailering capacity is for your
vehicle, you should read the information i.i “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears
later in this section. But
trailehg is different
than just driving your vehicle by
itself. Trailering means changes
in handling;durability,
and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has
to be used properly.
That’s
the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers. So please read this section carefially
before
you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling_components
such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies
and tires are forced to work harder
against
the drag of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater
loads, generatkig extra heat, What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to
wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements, -
4-32 ‘
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Filling Your Tank
The cap is behind a hinged door on the driver’s side of
your vehicle.
A CAUTION: .
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries. Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline
or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames, and smoking
materials
away from gasoline.
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While refueling, hang the cap inside the he1 door. If you have the (L36)~ 3800 V6 engine, your fuel cap
will be tethered and yw cannot hang it on the inside fuel
door while refueling.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise),
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If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be
badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out
on you if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any
‘(hiss” noise to stop. Then un,screw
the cap
all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside
of Your Pontiac” in the Index.

When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you .hear at least three clicks. Make sure you
fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel
cap has been, left
off or improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
“Malfmction Indicator
Lamp” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit
or have proper
venting, and your’fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
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