1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE service

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
yellowblue
i
The 1999 Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual
1-1 Seats and Restraint SystemsThis section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the ªSRSº system.
2-1 Features and ControlsThis section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
3-1 Comfort Controls and Audio SystemsThis section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.
4-1 Your Driving and the RoadHere you'll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
5-1 Problems on the RoadThis section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
6-1 Service and Appearance CareHere the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.
7-1 Maintenance ScheduleThis section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
8-1 Customer Assistance InformationThis section tells you how to contact Pontiac for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on ªReporting Safety Defectsº on page 8-12.
9-1 IndexHere's an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
yellowblue
ii
GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
PONTIAC, the PONTIAC Emblem and the name
BONNEVILLE are registered trademarks of General
Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
ªGeneral Motors of Canada Limitedº for Pontiac
Division whenever it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be
there if you ever need it when you're on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new
owner can use it.
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propri‡taires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en fran†ais chez
votre concessionaire ou au:
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1577 Meyerside Dr.
Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1B9
Litho in U.S.A.

Copyright General Motors Corporation 1998
Part No. 10409492 A First Edition All Rights Reserved

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
yellowblue
1-25
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.

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.
If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
-- or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and then
you start your vehicle, the damage could make the air
bags inflate, even if there's no crash. You would have to
replace the air bags as well as the sensors and related
parts. If your vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it's exposed
to water that soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless
repair costs by turning off the vehicle immediately and
disconnecting the battery cables. Don't let anyone start
the vehicle under any circumstances. See your dealer
for service.

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
yellowblue
1-26 Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle 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 dealer and the Bonneville Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system. To purchase a service manual, see ªService and
Owner Publicationsº in the Index.
CAUTION:
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the air bag system. Be sure to
follow proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is qualified
to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
Center Passenger Position
X±01±0104±T

yellowblue
2-3
The ignition key is for the
ignition only.
The door keys are for the
doors and all other locks.When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer removes the
plugs from the keys, and gives them to the first owner.
However, the ignition key may not have a plug. If the
ignition key doesn't have a plug, it will have a
bar
-coded key tag.
Each plug or tag has a code on it that tells your dealer or
a qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
plugs or the tags in a safe place. If you lose your keys,
you'll be able to have new ones made easily using these
plugs or the tag.
If you need a new key, contact your dealer who can obtain
the correct key code. Remember to carry the pre
-cut
emergency key which Pontiac sends after delivery. This
service is unavailable in Canada. In an emergency, call
Pontiac Roadside Assistance at 1
-800-ROADSIDE or
1
-800-762-3743. In Canada, call 1-800-268-6800.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of features that can help
prevent theft. But you can have a lot of trouble
getting into your vehicle if you ever lock your keys
inside. You may even have to damage your vehicle to
get in. So be sure you have extra keys.

yellowblue
2-10
Remote Keyless Entry (Option)
If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your trunk from about 3 feet (1 m)
up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry
transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
Your Remote Keyless Entry System operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.This device complies with RSS
-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of
the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
This system has a range of about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet
(9 m). At times you may notice a decrease in range. This
is normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to
your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
1. Check to determine if battery replacement or
resynchronization is necessary. See the instructions
that follow.
2. Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.
3. Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.
4. If you're still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.

yellowblue
2-17
Universal Theft-Deterrent (Option)
If your vehicle has this option, it has a theft-deterrent
alarm system. With this system, the SECURITY light
will flash as you open the door (if your ignition is OFF).
This light reminds you to
activate the theft
-deterrent
system when leaving
your vehicle.
Activating the system:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch while
the door is open, or use the remote keyless entry
transmitter. The SECURITY light should come on
and stay on.
3. Close all doors. The SECURITY light should go off after
about 30 seconds and the system will then be armed.
If the SECURITY light comes on for one minute and
then shuts off while the ignition is on, the security
system has detected a problem with itself. See your
dealer for service.If a door or the trunk is opened without the key or
remote keyless entry transmitter, or if the door key
cylinders are damaged, the alarm will go off. It will also
go off if the trunk lock is damaged. Your vehicle's lamps
will flash and the horn will sound for one minute, then
will go off in order to save battery power.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system won't activate if
you lock the doors with a key or manual door lock. It
activates only if you use a power door lock switch while
the door is open, or the remote keyless entry transmitter.
Avoid setting off the alarm by accident.
Always unlock a door with a key, or use the remote
keyless entry system transmitter. Unlocking a door any
other way will set off the alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door
with your key. You can also turn off the alarm by
pressing UNLOCK on the remote keyless entry
transmitter. The alarm won't stop if you try to unlock a
door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
1. From inside the vehicle, roll down the window.
2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the
power door lock switch while the door is open, or
with the remote keyless entry transmitter.

yellowblue
2-18
3. Get out of the car, close the door and wait for the
SECURITY light to go out.
4. Then, reach in through the window, unlock the door
with the manual door lock and open the door. This
should set off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when it should, check to
see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. To
replace the fuse, see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in
the Index.
If the alarm does not sound, or the vehicle's lamps do
not flash, the vehicle should be serviced by an
authorized service center.
PASS-Key
II
Your vehicle is equipped with the PASS-Key II
(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 II uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.When the PASS
-Key II 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 ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº 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.