1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE cooling

Trunk Lid
I
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.
I
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.
2-15

Comfort Controls Temperature Knob
This section tells you how to make your air system work
for
you. Your comfort control system uses
ozone-friendly
R- 134a refrigerant.
With these systems, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation
in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has a
flow-through ventilation system described later
in
this section.
Standard Climate Control System
Fan Knob
The left knob is the fan knob and selects the force of air
you want. Turn the knob to the right to increase fan
speed and to the left to decrease fan speed. The fan will
always run unless the right control
knob is turned to
OFF. The fan must be on to run the air
conditioning compressor. The center control regulates the temperature
of the air
coming through the system.
Turn it toward the blue area
for cooler
air. Turn it toward the red area for wanner air.
Mode Knob
The right control has settings for air conditioning and
non-air conditioning modes. The mode control allows
you to choose the direction of
air delivery.
MAX: This setting provides maximum cooling with the
least amount
of work. MAX recirculates much of the air
inside your vehicle so it cools quickly. The air is
directed through the instrument panel outlets.
NC: This setting cools the air entering your vehicle
and directs it through the instrument panel outlets. The
air conditioning compressor operates in all air
conditioner positions.
1fl BI-LEVEL: This setting directs air into your
vehicle in two
ways. Cool air is directed to the upper
portion
of your body through the middle instrument
panel outlets
while warmed air is directed to the floor.
@ VENT: This setting directs airflow through the
middle instrument panel outlets. The air conditioning
compressor
is not working when VENT is selected.
A0
A*

To find your comfort zone, start with 75" 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 "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
anythmg 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
vehicle, near the radiator. The displayed temperature is
most accurate when the vehicle is moving. During stops,
or while idling, the display shows the previous driving
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.
Manual Operation
You may also manually adjust the air delivery mode or
fan speed.
'/J HEAR Manually selecting HEAT by cycling
through
the MODE settings will deliver air to the
floor outlets.
3 DEFOG: Manually selecting DEFOG by cycling
through the
MODE settings will deliver air to the floor
and windshield outlets.
a
Lo
BIDLEVEL: Manually selecting BI-LEVEL by
cycling through the MODE setting will deliver warm air
to the floor and cooler air to the middle instrument
panel outlets.
3-4

OFF: Press this button to turn the system off. Fresh air
will continue to flow through the vehicle, and the
system will
try to maintain the previously chosen
comfort setting. The outside temperature will show in
the display when the system is
off.
AIC: Press this button to turn the air conditioning on and
off. The system will cool and dehumiw the air inside the
vehicle.
In the AUTO mode, the display will show that
A/C
is active, but the air conditioning compressor only
operates when the system determines it is needed.
RECIRC: Press this button to limit the amount of fresh
air entering your vehicle. You may use this setting to
limit odors entering your vehicle. Press RECIRC to
change to a manual
MODE and air will recirculate until
the RECIRC button is pressed again. RECIRC will show
on
the display and then return to EXT TEMP display.
Operating the RECIRC mode
in cold temperatures or
under high humidity conditions may cause moisture
to
form on the inside of the windshield. If this condition
occurs, press the RECIRC button again.
DEFROST: Press this button to clear the windshield.
The system will automatically control the fan speed if
you select defrost from AUTO.
OF "C: Press this button to display the temperature in
degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
If you have the standard system, for quick cool-down on
very hot days, use
MAX with the temperature knob in
the blue area.
If this setting is used for long periods of
time, the air in your vehicle may become too cold and
dry. For normal cooling on hot days, use A/C with the
temperature knob in the blue area. This setting cools the
air entering your vehicle and directs
it through the
instrument panel outlets.
If you have the electronic system, press the A/C button
to turn the system on. The system will cool and
dehumidify the air inside the vehicle. Also while in
AUTO mode, the system will use RECIRC as necessary
to cool
the air.
On cool, but sunny days, with the standard system or
through manual operation of the electronic system, use
BI-LEVEL to deliver warm air to the floor and cooler
air to the middle instrument panel outlets.
To warm or
cool the air delivered, push the
TEMP button up
or down.
3-5

When the air conditioning system is in AUTO mode, the
A/C light will always be on. When the ambient
temperature outside the vehicle reaches
40°F (4"C), the
compressor will remain
on continuously.
Heating
If you have the standard system, on cold days use
HEAmR with the temperature
knob in the red area. If
you have the electronic system, press AUTO and adjust
the temperature by pressing the
TEMP up or down
button.
You may also adjust the electronic system
manually
by pressing the MODE button and selecting
HEAT. Again, adjust the temperature by pressing the
TEMP up or down button.
With each system, outside
air will be brought in and sent
through the floor outlets. The heater works best
if you
keep your windows closed while using it.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling
is needed, use VENT. (on the standard system)
to direct outside air through your vehicle. Air will
flow
through the middle instrument panel outlets.
Your vehicle's flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it's moving. When the
vehicle
is not moving, you can get outside air to flow
through by selecting any air choice (except the rear
window defogger) and
any fan speed.
3-6

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning
to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your
trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system
and transaxle. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift
to a lower gear when you go
down
a steep or long hill.
A CAUTION:
If you don’t shift down, your brakes could
get
so hot that they wouldn’t work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none going
down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let
your engine assist your brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
A CAUTION: 4-
I
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition
off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get so
hot that they wouldn’t work well. You would then
have poor
braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.
0 Know how to go uphill. Drive in the highest gear possible.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut
across the center
of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There
could be something in your lane, like a stalled car or
an accident.
You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of
special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or
no-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding
roads.
Be alert to these and take appropriate action.
4-24

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2.
Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer.
See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on
this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation
are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belt(s), cooling system and brake adjustment.
Each
of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these sections before
you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
Engine Cooling When Ier Towing
fight.
-
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
4-38

Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5-3
5-3
5-8
5- 15
Hazard Warning Flashers
Other Warning Devices
Jump Starting Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating 5-17 Cooling System
5-25 Changing a Flat Tire
5-37 Compact Spare Tire
5-25 If a Tire Goes Flat
5-38
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
5-1