1997 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE Owners Manual

Performance Shifting (Option) Computer Command Ride (Option)
Vehicles equipped with computer command ride provide
improved passenger ride comfort under a variety of road
and driving conditions.
For normal driving conditions, press the
TOURING
RIDE button to get a more refined comfortable ride.
When driving conditions require improved handling,
press the
PERFORM RIDE button to get a firm ride.
This mode minimizes how much the passenger
compartment leans in turns, and decreases the
up-and-down motion
of the front and rear of the vehicle
during acceleration
or braking.
Press
PERFORM SHIFT to allow the transaxle to
shift at higher engine speeds, increasing acceleration
performance.
An indicator light on the switch will glow
when performance shifting is in operation.
Downshifts will occur at a lower percentage of accelerator
application while you're
in the PERFORM SHIFT' mode,
Press NORMAL
SHIFT to have the transaxle shift at
lower engine speeds, increasing fuel economy. An
indicator light
on the switch will glow when normal
shifting
is in operation. Note
that even
in the TOURING RIDE mode, the
system will adjust to rapid cornering, acceleration
or
braking.
If the computer command ride detects a problem in the
system, the lights
on the TOURING RIDE and
PERFORM RIDE buttons will both come on. If this
happens, have
your vehicle serviced.
2-28
ProCarManuals.com

Parking Brake
Your Pontiac has a PUSH
TO RELEASE parking
brake.
To set the parking
brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your
right foot. Push down the
parking brake pedal with
your left foot. If the ignition
is on, the brake system
warning light will come
on and a single chime
will be heard.
If you start to drive away with the parking brake set, a
chime will sound after the vehicle has traveled
approximately
40 feet (12 m).
If you try to drive away 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” in the Index. That section
shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
To release the parking brake, use the PUSH TO
RELEASE parking brake pedal. Hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. This will unlock the
pedal.
When you lift your left foot, the parking brake
pedal will follow it to the release position.
2-29
ProCarManuals.com

Shifting Into PARK (P)
I-
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
“Tomwing
a Trailer” in the Index.
Steering Column Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
Pull the lever toward you.
2-30
ProCarManuals.com

0 Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
set the parking brake.
0 Hold in the button on the lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle
is in PARK (P).
2-31
ProCarManuals.com

Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
It can be ldangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could
move
sudldenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set, And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it ,could
overheat and even catch
fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have
to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be
sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve
moved the shift lever into the PARK (I?)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Them, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pulling it toward you (or, if you have the
console shift lever, without fist pushing the button).
If
you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked
into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle
may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of
PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, se’e “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
When you
are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle
push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the paking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK
(P).
ProCarManuals.com

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You
have to fully
apply your regular brake before you can
shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in the RUN
position. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift out of
PARK (P), try this:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Turn the ignition key to OFF. Open and close the
driver’s
door to turn off the Retained Accessory
Power feature.
Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
Have the vehicle fixed as
soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
L
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and
ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
2-33
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Exhaust
-
I A CAUTION:
- - -
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide
(CO), which you can’t see or
smell.
It can cause unco~~sciousness and death.
You might h’ave exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
Repairs weren’t done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had belen
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
Have your vehicle fixed immediately,
or dBerent.
modified improperly,
blow out any
CO; and
1
Running Your Engine While
You’re Parked
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
1 A CAUTION: -
Idling the engine with the clirn 3 control system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
((Engine Exhaust’)).
Also, idling
in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch
is at the highest setting, One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can
be a blizzard. (See
CLBlizzardS’ in the Index.)
2-34
ProCarManuals.com

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.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you’ve 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, always set your parking brake and
1 move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
Windows
Power Windows
Switches on the driver’s door panel control each of the
windows when the ignition is on or when Retained
Accessory Power is active. In addition, each passenger
door has a control switch far its
own window.
2-35
ProCarManuals.com