2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE air condition

3-8
When the weather is cool or damp, operating in
RECIRC for extended periods of time may cause
fogging of the vehicle's windows. To clear the fog, press
the OUTSIDE AIR button and select either DEFOG or
FRONT defrost. Be sure A/C OFF is not selected to
allow the air conditioning compressor to run
automatically and help dehumidify the air.
OUTSIDE AIR: Press this button to allow fresh
air to enter your vehicle if you currently have RECIRC
selected. You may also override the system's automatic
use of RECIRC by selecting OUTSIDE AIR.
FRONT: Press this button to clear the windshield.
The system will automatically control the fan speed if
you select defrost from AUTO. If the outside
temperature is 38
F (3
C) or warmer, your air
conditioning compressor will automatically run to help
dehumidify the air and dry the windshield.
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 the airflow from the PANEL outlets,
press RECIRC and A/C with the temperature knob in
the blue area. If this max A/C 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 without RECIRC with the temperature knob in the
blue area.
If you have the electronic system, in AUTO mode
the system will cool and dehumidify the air inside the
vehicle. Also while in AUTO mode, the system
will maximize its performance by using RECIRC
as necessary.
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 instrument panel outlets. To warm or cool the
air delivered, turn the TEMP knob up or down.

3-9 Heating
If you have the standard system, on cold days use
FLOOR with the temperature knob in the red area. If
you have the electronic system, press AUTO and adjust
the temperature by turning the TEMP knob up or down.
You may also adjust the electronic system manually by
pressing the MODE button and selecting FLOOR.
Again, adjust the temperature by turning the TEMP
knob up or down.
With either system, outside air will be heated and sent
through the floor outlets. The heater works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use DEFOG to keep the
windshield and side windows clear. Use FRONT defrost
to remove fog or ice from the windshield quickly in
extremely humid or cold conditions.
If you have the standard system, select DEFOG and
adjust the fan speed to your comfort level. Turn the A/C
on to help dehumidify the air. Use FRONT defrost with
the temperature toward the red area and the fan control
toward high.
If you have the electronic system and select FRONT
defrost or DEFOG from AUTO, the system will control
the fan speed. Adjust the temperature and fan speed to
your comfort level. After the windshield is clear, adjust
the temperature to your normal setting and select the
AUTO button and return to AUTO mode and
fan control.
For maximum FRONT defrost performance under
extreme icing or frosting conditions, increase the
temperature setting to 90
F (33
C) and increase the
fan speed to high.

5-11 If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:

Climb a long hill on a hot day.

Stop after high
-speed driving.

Idle for long periods in traffic.

Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while driving
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or THIRD (3).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn't come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.If there's still no sign of steam, idle the engine for three
minutes while you're parked. If you still have the
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fans

6-4
It is recommended that the gasoline meet specifications
which have been developed by the American Automobile
Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and endorsed by the
Canadian Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association for
better vehicle performance and engine protection.
Gasolines meeting the AAMA specification could
provide improved driveability and emission control
system performance compared to other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane for premium is at least 91
(at least 87 for regular). If the octane is less than 87,
you may get a heavy knocking noise when you drive.
If it's bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood emission control
label), it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. If such fuels are not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on your
instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle may
fail a smog
-check test. (See ªMalfunction Indicator
Lampº in the Index.) If this occurs, return to your
authorized Pontiac dealer for diagnosis to determine the
cause of failure. In the event it is determined that the
cause of the condition is the type of fuels used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane
-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask your service station operator whether or
not the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does not
recommend the use of such gasolines. If fuels containing
MMT are used, spark plug life may be reduced and your
emission control system performance may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn on. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Pontiac dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system, allowing your emission control system to
function properly. Therefore, you should not have to add
anything to the fuel. In addition, gasolines containing
oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to
contribute to clean air. General Motors recommends that
you use these gasolines, particularly if they comply with
the specifications described earlier.

6-11
Supercharged Engine (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a 3800 V6 (L67) Supercharged
engine. The supercharger is a device designed to pump
more air into the engine than it would normally use.
This air, mixed with fuel, creates increased engine
power. Since the supercharger is a pump and is driven
from an engine accessory drive belt, increased pressure
is available at all driving conditions.
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure required
during specific driving conditions. When this increased
pressure or boost is not desired, such as during idling and
light throttle cruising, the excess air that the supercharger is
pumping is routed through a bypass. All of these controls,
working together, provide high performance character and
fuel efficiency in the 3800 V6 Supercharged engine.
Engine Oil
If the OIL LEVEL LOW
message appears on the DIC,
or the CHECK OIL LEVEL
light appears on the
instrument panel, it means
you need to check your
engine oil level right away.For more information, see ªCheck Oil Level Lightº or
ªDIC Warnings and Messagesº in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick is
located behind the engine
fans and in front of the
engine oil fill cap. The top
of the dipstick is a round
yellow loop.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.

6-29
CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won't work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
See ªCaliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspectionº in
Section 7 of this manual under Part C ªPeriodic
Maintenance Inspections.ºProperly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7
of this manual under Part C ªPeriodic
Maintenance Inspections.º
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.

6-49
Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load
-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.

6-58
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch
-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer's body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan
and exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do
this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet
-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Pontiac
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.