1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE engine

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2-32 Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the
transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever
out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver's seat. To
find out how, see ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
CAUTION:
Before shifting out of PARK (P) you must fully
apply your regular brakes. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running the vehicle
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªPulling
a Trailerº in the Index.
Your vehicle has a Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock
(BTSI). You have to fully apply your regular brake
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is
in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transaxleº in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift out of
PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to the OFF ignition position. Open and
close the driver's door to turn off the Retained
Accessory Power feature.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Take your vehicle to an authorized service center as
soon as you can.

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2-33
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over
road debris.

Repairs weren't done correctly.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

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2-34
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaustº).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
(See ªBlizzardº in the Index.)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.

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2-46
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel/Brightness Control
You can brighten or dim your instrument cluster lights
by turning the headlamp knob. Turn the knob clockwise
to brighten the instrument cluster lights and displays.
Turn the knob clockwise all the way to turn on the
interior courtesy lamps. Turn the knob counterclockwise
to dim the instrument cluster lights and displays and to
turn off the courtesy lamps.
Illuminated Entry (Option)
When you press the UNLOCK button on the optional
remote keyless entry transmitter, the lamps inside your
vehicle will go on. These lamps will go off after about
25 seconds, or when you start your engine. Pressing the
LOCK button on your remote keyless entry transmitter
will turn the lights immediately off.
If a door is left ajar, your interior lamps will turn off
after 10 minutes to save your battery.
Delayed Illumination
When you open the door to enter your vehicle, the
interior lamps will come on. When you close the door
with the ignition off, the interior lamps will stay on for
25 seconds or until the ignition is turned on. Please note
that locking the doors with the power door lock switch
will override the delayed illumination feature and the
lamps will turn off right away.
Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to five-second fade out of
the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off.
Exit Lighting
With this feature, the interior lamps will come on for 25
seconds after you remove the key from the ignition. This
will give you time to find the door pull handle or lock
switches as you exit the vehicle.

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2-64
Tachometer
The tachometer shows your
engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm). Do not
run your engine at speeds in
the red area.
Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly -- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a driver information system
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
See ªDriver Information Systemº in the Index.

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2-65 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
nor the light will come on.
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 ªAir
Bagº 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.

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2-66 Battery Light (If Equipped)
This light will come on
briefly when you start the
vehicle, as a check to show
you it is working; then it
should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a generator problem or
another electrical system problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving while this light is on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and climate control system.
Some clusters with gages do not have a battery warning
light. They have a CHECK GAGES warning to indicate
a problem.
Voltmeter
You have a voltmeter
unless you have the
supercharged engine.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. Readings outside the
red warning zone indicate the normal operating range.
Readings in the red warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system. On vehicles with the
optional DIC, the CHECK GAGES light will also come
on, and a warning chime will sound. Have your vehicle
serviced immediately.

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2-68 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you're driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you're driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn't
on, you still have brakes, but you don't have anti
-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a
problem with your regular brakes. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly 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.
Traction Control System Warning
Light (Option)
This warning light should come on briefly as you start
the engine. If the warning light doesn't come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there's a
problem. If it stays on, or comes on when you're
driving, there may be a problem with your traction
control system and your vehicle may need service.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.