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2-37 Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.If the arrows just stay on as you signal a turn or a lane
change, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won't see your turn signal. If you have the
Driver Information Center, it will tell you if you have a
burned out bulb. See ªDriver Information Centerº in
the Index.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse and for burned-out bulbs.
See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.
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2-70 Low Coolant Warning Light (If Equipped)
If you have this light and it
comes on, your system may
be low on coolant and the
engine may overheat.
Check to see if the level is low at the recovery tank, and
add coolant if necessary. If the level is not low, have
your low coolant warning system serviced. See ªEngine
Coolantº in the Index.
The LOW COOLANT warning light will also come on
for two to four seconds when you turn the ignition to
RUN, as a bulb check to show you it is working. If it
doesn't come on then, have it fixed right away.
After the bulb check, the light will go out for about
20 seconds. If the light comes back on after 20 seconds,
the system may be low on coolant. See ªEngine
Coolantº in the Index.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On
-Board
Diagnostics
-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The CHECK ENGINE light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
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2-74 Check Oil Level Warning Light
The CHECK OIL LEVEL
light turns on for three
seconds as a bulb check
each time the ignition key is
turned to RUN. If the light
doesn't turn on, have your
vehicle serviced.
If the engine oil is more than one quart (0.95 L) low and
the engine has been shut off for at least eight minutes,
the CHECK OIL LEVEL light will turn on for about
one minute and will then remain off until the next time
you start the vehicle.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light turns on, the engine oil
level should be checked at the dipstick then brought up
to the proper level, if necessary. See ªEngine Oilº in
the Index.
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light will come on
when your windshield
washers are working and the
fluid container is less than
one
-third full.
Check Gages Warning Light (Option)
This light will come on
briefly when you are
starting the engine.
If the light comes on and stays on while you are driving,
check your gages for fuel, coolant temperature, oil
pressure or voltage. This light will stay on if your engine
is not running with the ignition on.
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2-81
FUNCTION MONITOR: This lets you know if
you are low on fluids or have a problem with a
vehicle function:
CHECK OIL LEVEL: This message could mean
your oil level is low. If it comes on for more than
three seconds, see ªCheck Oil Level Warning Lightº
in the Index.
WASHER FLUID: This message means your
washer fluid tank is less than about 30 percent full.
The windshield portion of the vehicle outline will
also glow. If these come on, see ªWindshield Washer
Fluidº in the Index.
LOW COOLANT: This message means your
coolant level has fallen to about half full. If it comes
on, see ªEngine Coolantº in the Index.
CHECK GAGES: If this light comes on and stays
on while you are driving, check your gages for fuel,
coolant temperature, oil pressure or battery voltage.
SECURITY MONITOR: The vehicle outline will
illuminate to let you know the following information:
DOOR AJAR: This message means a door is not
fully closed. The vehicle outline will show you
which door it is.TRUNK AJAR: This message appears if the trunk is
not fully closed. The vehicle outline will illuminate.
HOOD AJAR: This message appears if the hood is
not fully closed. The vehicle outline will illuminate
if the hood is not latched properly.
LAMP MONITOR: Whenever you try to use one of
the following lamps, the LAMP MONITOR will tell you
if a bulb is out.
Headlamp (Low and High Beam)
Parking Lamp/Sidemarker
Turn Signal/Parking/Stop
Back
-Up Lamp
Taillamp/Turn/Sidemarker/License
Brake Lamp and Center High
-Mounted Stoplamp
If a bulb is out, you will see a message, such as PARK
LAMP, and you will also see where the problem is on
the vehicle outline. The message stays on until the
problem is fixed. See ªReplacement Bulbsº in the Index
for bulb details.
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2-82
If a burned-out bulb is replaced, the warning light will
stay on until the bulb is used.
Message Bulbs Monitored
Hi Beam Lamp Both Headlamp High Beams
Head Lamp Both Headlamp Low Beams
Park Lamp 2 Front Park
Right Sidemarker
Left Sidemarker
Turn Signal 1 Front Left Turn/Park
1 Front Right Turn/Park
1 Rear Left Turn
1 Rear Right Turn
Back Up 2 Back
-Up Lamps
Tail 4 Tail Only
4 Stop/Tail
2 License Plate
1 Right Rear Sidemarker
1 Left Rear Sidemarker
Brake Lamp 4 Rear Stop/Tail/Turn
1 Center High
-Mounted Stop
Electronic Compass (Option)
Some vehicles are equipped with an electronic compass.
As with all compasses, this unit senses the earth's
magnetic field to show the direction the car is pointing.
First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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4-37
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument panel
will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash,
telling other drivers you're about to turn, change lanes
or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a
trailer lighting system into your vehicle's lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if
one of your lamps goes out. So, when you have a trailer lighting system plugged in,
be sure to check your vehicle and trailer lamps from
time to time to be sure they're all working. Once you
disconnect the trailer lamps, the bulb warning lights
again can tell you if one of your vehicle lamps is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
Parking on Hills
CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People can
be injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
6-
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6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-9 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-9 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-13 Engine Oil
6
-17 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-20 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-23 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-24 Engine Coolant
6
-27 Power Steering Fluid
6
-28 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-29 Brakes
6
-32 Battery
6
-33 Bulb Replacement6
-43 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-44 Tires
6
-52 Appearance Care
6
-52 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-57 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-57 Sheet Metal Damage
6
-59 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-60 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-61 Electrical System
6
-68 Replacement Bulbs
6
-69 Capacities and Specifications
6
-70 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-70 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
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6-33
Bulb Replacement
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer's service department.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
If you go through a high pressure car wash, or it is very
humid, your headlamps may ªfog up.º This is normal.
The lenses should clear by themselves in time.
Headlamps
For the proper bulb type, see ªReplacement Bulbsº in
the Index.Driver's Side Replacement
1. Reach behind the headlamp assembly and turn
the bulb assembly counterclockwise to remove the
bulb assembly.
2. Remove the bulb from the assembly.
3. Replace the bulb and reverse the steps to install the
new bulb assembly.