2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE warning

2-37 Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver's door while leaving the
headlamps or parking lamps on and the key is in LOCK,
you will hear a warning chime.
Flash-To-Pass Feature
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you.
If your headlamps are off or on low beam, your
high
-beam headlamps will turn on. They'll stay on as
long as you hold the lever toward you and the high
-beam
indicator on the instrument panel cluster will come on.
Release the lever to turn the high
-beam headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wipers are controlled by the lever on the
right of your steering column.
If your windshield wipers are on for more than six
seconds while you are driving, the low
-beam
headlamps, instrument panel cluster backlighting and
the taillamps will turn on. For more information see
ªWiper
-Activated Headlampsº in the Index.
MIST: For a single wiping cycle, push the lever down to
the MIST position and let go. The wipers will stop after
one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the lever down.
LO or HI: Push the lever up to LO for steady wiping at
a slow speed. Push the lever up to HI for steady wiping
at a high speed.
INT: Push the lever up to the INT position and turn the
INT ADJ band to adjust the delay time. The further you
turn the band, the shorter the delay between wiping cycles.
OFF: Lower the lever to its original position to turn the
wipers OFF.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. Clear
away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Keep in mind that damaged wiper blades may prevent
you from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid
damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.

2-38
Windshield Washer
At the end of the wiper lever, there's a button. To spray
washer fluid on the windshield, push the button until
you have enough fluid to clean the windshield. The
wipers will clear the window and either stop or return to
your preset speed.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
A WASHER FLUID warning light will indicate if the
fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir is low. See
ªLow Washer Fluid Warning Lightº in the Index.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can
maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more
without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.

2-59
A. Air Outlets
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
C. Audio System Steering Wheel Controls
D. Windshield Wiper Lever
E. Steering Column Shift Lever
F. Driver Information Center (DIC) ControlsG. Audio System
H. Hazard Warning Flashers Control
I. Twilight Sentinel

and Fog Lamp Controls
J. Ignition Switch
K. Comfort Control System
L. Glove Box

2-60
Instrument Panel Clusters
The instrument panel clusters are designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how
fast you're going, how much fuel you're using, and many other things you'll need to drive safely and economically.
Your vehicle is equipped with one of these instrument panel clusters, which includes indicator warning lights and
gages that are explained on the following pages.
Standard Cluster (United States version shown, Canada similar)

2-64
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 Center
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
See ªDriver Information Centerº in the Index.
The volume of your vehicle's warning chimes can be
adjusted. For more information see ªChime Level
Adjustmentº in the Index.
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 either stay
on for about 20 seconds,
then flash for about
55 seconds, or stay on for
about 65 seconds.

2-65
If the driver's belt is already buckled, the light will
come on briefly, but the chime will not sound.
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 vehicle,
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
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
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.
On vehicles with the optional DIC, a SERVICE AIR
BAG message will be displayed when there is a problem
with the air bag system. See ªDIC Warnings and
Messagesº in the Index for more information.

2-66
Battery Warning 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 comfort control system.
Some instrument panel clusters with a voltmeter gage do
not have a battery warning light. They have a CHECK
GAGES warning to indicate a problem.
On vehicles with the optional DIC, a CHECK CHARGE
SYSTEM message will be displayed and a warning
chime will sound. See ªDIC Warnings and Messagesº in
the Index for more information.
Voltmeter (If Equipped)
You have a voltmeter
unless you have the
supercharged engine.
When the ignition is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. Readings between the
red warning zones indicate the normal operating range.
Readings in the red warning zones indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system.
On vehicles with the systems monitor, the CHECK
GAGES light will also come on, and a warning chime
will sound if there is a problem in the electrical system.
Have your vehicle serviced immediately.
On vehicles with the optional DIC, a CHECK CHARGE
SYSTEM message will be displayed and a warning chime
will sound if there is a problem in the electrical system. Have
your vehicle serviced immediately. See ªDIC Warnings and
Messagesº in the Index for more information.

2-67 Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn't come on then, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there's a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing Your Vehicleº
in the Index.)
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully. If you try to drive off with the parking brake set, a
chime will also come on until you release the parking
brake. If the light stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If you have the optional Driver Information Center, a
PARK BRAKE SET message will be displayed while
the park brake is set.