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The 1998 Pontiac Bonneville Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts prop\
erly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort co\
ntrols and how to operate your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road\
and how to drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what \
fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Pontiac for assistance a\
nd how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information
on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8-10.
9-1 Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want
to read.
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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
Q
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BAllERY
CAUSE -~~-. .
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
I
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
n
POWER
WINDOW
oJ4
AIR BAG p
These symbols
have to do with your lamps:
SIGNALS e3
TURN
FOG LAMPS
# 0
These symbols are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
( rc?: A
These symbols are used on
warning
and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BAllERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(a)
R
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
n
HORN )b.
ENGINE OIL e,
PRESSURE
V
SPEAKER
b
FUEL

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional featur\
es on your vehicle, 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.
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2-28
2-29 2-32
2-33 2-33 Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry (Option)
TnXnk
Theft
Universal Theft-Deterrent (Option)
PASS-Key@
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New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting
Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped) Automatic Transaxle Operation
Computer Command Ride (Option)
Shifting Into PARK (P)
Shifting Out
of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust 2-34
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2-36
2-36
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2-46
2-48 2-5
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2-53
2-54
2-55
2-56 2-62
2-74
2-77
2-79 Running
Your Engine While You’re Parked
Windows Horn
Tilt Wheel
Turn SignaYMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Sun Visors
Air Inflator System (Option)
Sunroof (Option)
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators Head-Up Display (Option)
Driver Information Center (Option)
Electronic Compass (Option)
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The rear doors of your vehicle cannot be opened from
inside when
this feature is in use. If you want to open a
rear door when the security lock is on:
1. Unlock the door.
2. Then open the door from the outside.
If you don’t cancel the security lock feature, adults or
older children who ride in the rear won’t be able to open
the rear door
from the inside. You should let adults and
older children know how these security locks work, and
how to cancel
the locks.
To cancel the rear door lock:
1. Unlock the door and open the door from the outside.
2. Move the lever all the way down.
Anti-Lockout Feature
The power door locks will not work if the key is left in the
ignition with the driver’s door open. You can override this
feature by holding the power door lock switch for more
than three seconds, unless the engine is running.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from the inside. Then get out and
close the door. You may also use the lock button on the
remote keyless
entry transmitter after shutting the doors.
If your vehicle has a theft-deterrent system,
see
“Universal Theft-Deterrent” in the Index.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
The rear door locks will now work normally.
2-9

Trunk Lid
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It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the
seal between the body and the
trunk lid:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on ECON or VENT. That will force outside
air into your vehicle. See “Comfort
Controls”
in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them
all the way.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
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Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle 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
ignition 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.
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PASS-Key@ I1
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
11
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
II is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
It works when you insert
or remove the key from
the ignition.
PASS-Key
11 uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key
11 system senses that someone is
using
the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. For about three 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 still 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 starter 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 dealer
or a
locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key II.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work. The
SECURITY light will flash. But you don’t have to wait
three minutes before trying another ignition
key.

See your dealer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS-Key
I1 to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the SECURITY light comes
on and remains on, you will be able to restart your
engine if you turn it off. Your PASS-Key
I1 system,
however, is not working properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key I1 system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key I1 ignition key,
see your dealer
or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
11 to have a new key made. In an
emergency, call the Pontiac Roadside Assistance Center
at
1 -800-ROADSIDJ or 1-800-762-3743.
In Canada, call 1-800-268-6800.
New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the
long run
if you follow these guidelines:
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Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing
a Trailer’’ in the Index for
more information.
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Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions.
C
A E
ACCESSORY (A): In this position you can operate
your electrical power accessories. Press
in the ignition
switch as you turn the top of it toward you.
LOCK (B): The only position in which you can
remove the key.
This locks your steering wheel, ignition
and transaxle.
OFF' (C): Unlocks the steering wheel, ignition and
transaxle, but does not send electrical power to any
accessories. Use
this position if your vehicle must be
pushed or towed, but never
try to push-start your
vehicle.
A warning chime will sound if you open the
driver's door when the ignition is
OFF and the key is in
the ignition.
RUN @): This is the position the switch returns to after
you start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in
RUN when the engine is running. But even
when the engine is not running,
you can use RUN to
operate your electrical power accessories, and to display
some instrument panel warning lights.
START (E): Starts the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch will return to
RUN
for normal driving.
Note that even if
the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are on positions that allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio.
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