In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
0
0
e
Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag
system.
If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing
and diagnostic module, which records information
about the air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness
of the system, when
the sensors are activated
and driver’s safety belt
usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air
bag system. Improper service can mean that your
air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, the bag may not
work properly.
You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac
Air bags affect how your Pontiac should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle.
You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Pontiac dealer and the Bonneville Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system.
To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
1-23
ProCarManuals.com
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine
doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
I
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
Shifting
out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is
“racing” (running at high speed) is I
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly.
You could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don’t shift out
of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a): This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power fOr passing, and
you’re:
Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
0 Going about 35 mph (56 h/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or if it seems not
to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with
a transaxle system
sensor.
If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged.
So, if this happens, have
your vehi’cle serviced right away. Until then, you
can
use SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than
35 mph (56 kmh) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (0) for higher speeds.
DRIVE
(D): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@).
2-26
ProCarManuals.com
Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver’s door while leaving the
headlamps or
parking lamps switch! on and the key
is removed from the ignition, you will hear a
warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (Dm) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during
the day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel monitors
the exterior light level for the operation
of DRL and
twilight sentinel,
so be sure it isn’t covered. The DlU
system will make your low-beam headlamps come on at
a reduced brightness when:
The ignition is on,
The headlamp switch is OFF and
0 The transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only your low-beam headlamps
will be
on. The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps
won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’t be
lighted either.
When it’s dark enough outside, your low-beam
headlamps will change
to full brightness. The other
lamps that
come on with your headlamps will also come
on. When it’s bright enough outside, the regular lamps
will go
off, and your low-beam headlamps change to the
reduced brightness
of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, shift the
transaxle into
PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until
you shift out of
PARK (P).
2-44
ProCarManuals.com
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about
70 seconds. If the
driver’s belt is already
buckled, neither the chime
B E LTS nor the light will come on.
FASTEN
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR
BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you
if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules, the
wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, see “Air
Bag” in the Index.
This light will come on when you start your engine,
and
it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system
is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN.
If the
light doesn’t
come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
2-65
ProCarManuals.com
Tempmerature Button
The TEMP button changes the temperature of the air
coming
through the system. Press the up arrow for
warmer air-and the down arrow for cooler air.
Mode Button
Press this button to deliver air through the floor, middle
or windshiel'd outlets. The system will stay in the
selected mode until the
MODE or AUTO button is
pushed. Press the up arrow to cycle through the
available modes.
Automatic Operation
When the system is set for AUTO, sensors will control
the air delivery mode. Air will come from the floor,
middle and windshield outlets. The fan speed will vary
as the system maintains the selected temperature setting.
To find your comfort zone, start with 75 O F (24" C)
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes for the
system to regulate. Press the TEMP button up or down
to adjust the temperature setting if necessary. If you
choose the temperature setting of 60°F (15 O C), the
system
will remain at that maximum cooling setting
and will not regulate the fan speed.
If you choose the
temperature setting
of 90°F (33 "C), the system will remain at that maximum heating setting and will not
regulate the
fan speed. Choosing either maximum
setting will not cause the system to heat or cool
any faster.
Pressing the
AUTO button will display the requested
temperature, fan speed and
air delivery mode for five
seconds, then change to display the outside air
temperature. Be careful not
to put anything over the
sensor located in the middle of the instrument panel near
the windshield, or over the sensor in the grille above the
radio. These sensors are used by the automatic system to
regulate temperature.
The exterior temperature display sensor is in front
of the
car, near the radiator. This displayed temperature is most
accurate when the vehicle is moving. During
stops, or
while idling, the display shows the previous dsaving
temperature
for best system control.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air
is available.
The length
of delay depends on outside air temperature,
engine coolant temperature,
and time since the engine
was last started. Pushing the fan button will override this
delay and change the fan to a selected single speed.
If you leave your vehicle, the system will remember the
control setting the next time you start your engine.
3-4
ProCarManuals.com
Ventilation Tips
0
0
0
0
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction such as leaves. The heater and
defroster will work better, reducing the chance
of
fogging your windows.
When you enter a vehicle with the standard system
in
cold weather, select HEATER to supply air through
the floor outlets. Then turn the fan
on high for a few
moments before driving away. This will blow moist
air from the intake outlets toward the floor, not the
windshield. It reduces
the chance #of fogging your
windows. If you have the electronic system, the
AUTO
setting will do this for you. Manual operation
of the electronic system
in the HEAT mode will also
supply air though the floor outlets.
Keep the air path under the front 'seats clear of objects.
This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle.
When the engine idles for a long time, the exterior
temperature sensor may cause the system
to blow air
that is. too cool. Once the vehicle is moving again the
system will try to maintain the set temperature inside
your vehicle.
When you start your vehicle
and the EXT TEMP
display flashes (electronic system only) for some time,
the system may need repair. See your Pontiac dealer.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use DEFOG to keep the
windshield
and side windows clear. Use DEFROST to
remove fog or ice from the windshield quickly in
extremely humid or cold conditions.
If you have the standard system, use
DEFOG and adjust
the
fan speed to your comfort level. Use DEFROST
with the temperature toward'the red area and the fan
control toward high.
If you have the electronic system, press the
DEFOG
button and adjust the fan speed by pressing the fan
button up or down to your comfort level. Adjust
fan
speed by pressing the fan up or down mow. If you
select DEFROST from AUTO, the system will control
the fan speed. Adjust the temperature to your comfort
level by pressing the
TEMP up or down arrow.
3-8
ProCarManuals.com