1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE stuck: in sand, mud

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2-25
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has a Brake
-Transaxle
Shift Interlock (BTSI). You have to fully apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in an on position. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
and also release the shift lever button on floor shift
console models as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever on floor
shift console models.) See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º
in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.

5-
First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-3 Other Warning Devices
5
-3 Jump Starting
5
-8 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-9 Engine Overheating5
-12 Cooling System
5
-20 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-20 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-31 Compact Spare Tire
5
-32 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-33
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin your
wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº can
help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle has
traction control, you should turn the system off.
(See ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index.) Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly
spinning your wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may free
your vehicle. If that doesn't get you out after a few tries,
you may need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed
out, see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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9-10
Service 6-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulletins, Ordering 8-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manuals, Ordering 8-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts Identification Label 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publications, Ordering 8-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Work, Doing Your Own 6-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service and Appearance Care 6-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service and Owner Publications 8-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Publications 8-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle 1-26 . . . . . . . . . . .
Sheet Metal Damage 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift Lever 2-30, 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting
Automatic Transaxle 2
-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Into PARK (P) 2-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Out of PARK (P) 2-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance 2-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster 1-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement 6-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signaling Turns 2-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Skidding 4-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sound Equipment, Adding 3-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spare Tire, Compact 5-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications and Capacities 6-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications, Engine 6-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speech Impaired, Customer Assistance 8-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speedometer 2-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS 1-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stains, Cleaning 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starter Switch Check 7-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Your Engine 2-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steam 5-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steering 4
-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Emergencies 4-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Magnasteer
4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel, Tilt 2-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Touch Controls 3-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage Compartments 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage, Vehicle 6-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow 5-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sun Visors 2-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunglasses Storage 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunroof 2-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supercharged Engine 6-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supercharger Oil 6-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) 1-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Symbols, Vehicle v. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Systems Monitor 2
-76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer 2-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taillamp Bulb Replacement 6-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tape Player Care 3-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature Control, Climate Control System 3-2, 3-3 . . . . .
Theater Dimming 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft-Deterrent Alarm System 2-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft-Deterrent Feature, CD Player 3-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THEFTLOCK3-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat 6-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tilt Steering Wheel 2-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time, Setting the 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .