1997 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE light

L
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BATTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,111,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:'
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
These symbols
have to
do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS e
TURN
FOG LAMPS # 0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
(
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BAllERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(a)
COOLANT
a
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
-4
ANTI-LOCK (@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
t
LIGHTER a
HORN )tr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3
V
ProCarManuals.com

FASTEN
BELTS
Your vehicle has a light
that comes on as a reminder
to buckle up. (See “Safety
Belt Reminder Light” in
the Index.)
In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says
to
wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t know
if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be
so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed,
After more than
25 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter
... a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat
on wheels.
1-6
ProCarManuals.com

A CAUTION:
Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the
blink of an eye.
If you’re too close to an inflating
air bag, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts
help keep you in position before and during
a
crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with air
bags. The driver should sit
as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of the vehicle.
A CAUTION:
An inflating air bag can seriously injure small
children. Always secure children properly in your
vehicle.
To read how, see the part of this manual
called “Children” and the caution label on the
right front passenger’s safety belt. There
is an air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel, which
shows AIR BAG.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
for more information.
1-19
ProCarManuals.com

Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should
use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you
go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and
use it
only for the seat it is made to fit.
To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep
a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash.
They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be
if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat
parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If your seat adjuster won’t work after a crash, the special
part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in
this section.
1-44
ProCarManuals.com

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Pontiac, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything
is
working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2
2-4
2-9
2- 14
2-16
* 2-16
2-18
2-19
2-20
2-2
1
2-23
2-24
2-28
2-29
2-30
2-33
2-33
2-34 Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry Trunk
Theft
Universal Theft-Deterrent
PASS-Key@
I1
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting
Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transaxle Operation Computer Command Ride
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Bum
Engine Exhaust 2-34
2-3
5
2-3 6
2-36
2-37
1 2-43
~ 2-46
2-48
2-50
2-55
2-56
2-56
2-57
2-5 8
2-64
2-77
2-80
2-82 Running
Your Engine While You’re Parked
Windows
Horn
Tilt Wheel
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Sun Visors
Air Inflator
System
Accessory Power Outlet
Sunroof
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
Head-Up Display
Driver Information Center
Electronic Compass
2-.l
ProCarManuals.com

Theft Parking Lots
Vehicle theft is big b’usiness, especially in some cities.
Although
your Pontiac has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put
on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for
joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it.
With the ignition
off and the driver’s door open, you’ll
hear
a tone reminding you to remove your key from the
igniti’on and take it with you. Always do this. Your
steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your ignition
and transaxle. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember
to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put
them in a storage area, or take them with you. If you
park in
a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what
if you have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove box.
0 Lock the glove box.
0 Turn the Valet Lockout switch on.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.
Universal Theft-Deterrent (Option)
If your Pontiac has this option, it has a theft-deterrent
alarm system. With this system, the SECURITY light
will flash as you open the door (if your ignition
is OFF).
This light reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent
system when leaving your vehicle.
2-16
ProCarManuals.com

Activating the system:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch while
the door is open, or use the Remote Keyless Entry
transmitter. The SECURITY light should come
on
and stay on.
3. Close all doors. The SECURITY light should go off after
about
30 seconds and the system will then be armed.
If the SECURITY light comes on for one minute and
then shuts
off while the ignition is on, the security
system has detected a problem with itself. See your
dealer for service.
If a door or the trunk is opened without the key or
Remote Keyless Entry transmitter, or
if the door key
cylinders
are damaged, the alarm will go off. It will also
go off if the trunk lock is damaged. Your vehicle’s lamps
will flash and the horn will sound
for three minutes, then
will go
off in order to save battery power.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system won’t activate
if you
lock the doors with a key or manual door lock. It activates
only
if you use a power door lock switch while the door is
open, or the Remote Keyless Entry transmitter.
Avoid setting
off the alarrn by accident. Always unlock
a door
with a key, or use the Remote
Keyless Entry system transmitter. Unlocking a door any
other way will set off the alarm.
Stopping the alarm: If you set
off the alarm by accident,
unlock any door with your key. You can also turn
off the
alarm
by pressing the UNLOCK button on the Remote
Keyless Entry system transmitter. The alarm won’t stop
if you try to unlock a door any other way.
Testing the alarm: Open the window, then follow the
directions for activating the system described earlier.
Once the alarm is set, reach through the window and
manually unlock the door from the inside or turn on the
ignition. The alarm should sound.
If the alarm does not sound when it should, check to
see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. To
replace the fuse, see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in
the Index.
To reduce the possibility of theft, always activate the
theft-deterrent system when leaving your vehicle.
2-17
ProCarManuals.com

PASS-K~~~ 11
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
11
(Person’alized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
11 is a passive
theft-deterrent system. It
works when
you insert
or remove the key from
the ignition.
PASS-Key
I1 uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder
in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key
I1 system senses that someone is
using
the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. For about thee minutes, the starter
won’t work and fuel won’t go to the engine.
If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key
during this time, the vehicle will not start. This
discourages someone
from randomly trying different
keys with different resistor pellets in
an attempt to
make a match. The
ignition key must be clean and
dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start.
If the
engine does not start and the SECURITY light is
on, the
key may be dirty or wet.
Turn the ignition off.
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. If the starter s’till won’t work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes
and try
another ignition key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the
Index);
If the staster won’t work with the other key, your
vehicle needs service.
If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty. See
your Pontiac dealer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS-Key 11.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work, and the
SECURITY light will flash. But you don’t have to wait
three minutes before trying another ignition key.
2-18
ProCarManuals.com