2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE coolant temperature

2-23 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The engine coolant heater cord is located on the
passenger's side of the vehicle, above the
headlamp assembly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach,
use a heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord
rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don't, it could
be damaged.How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle may have a shift lever
located on the console between the seats or on the
steering column.
There are several different
positions for your
shift lever.

2-70

The optional Traction Control System is active and is
limiting wheel spin. You may feel the system
working, but this is normal. Slippery road conditions
may exist, so adjust your driving accordingly.
If the LOW TRAC light comes on, slippery road
conditions may exist, so you should consider slowing
down and adjusting your driving accordingly.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States Canada
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.To prevent engine overheating, the air conditioning
compressor will turn off automatically just prior to the
gage pointer entering the red area. As the engine cools
down, the air conditioning compressor will
automatically turn back on. On vehicles equipped with
the DIC, the message ENGINE HOT... A/C DISABLED
will appear in the DIC display and a warning chime
will sound.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine
is too hot. On vehicles equipped with the systems
monitor, the CHECK GAGES light will come on and a
warning chime will sound.
On vehicles with the optional DIC, a CHECK GAGES
TEMPERATURE message will be displayed and a
warning chime will sound. See ªDIC Warnings and
Messagesº in the Index for more information.
The section ªProblems on the Road,º in this manual
explains what to do if your engine overheats.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.

2-77 Check Gages Warning Light (If Equipped)
This light is part of the
systems monitor. It will
come on briefly as a bulb
check when your ignition is
turned to RUN.
If this light comes on and stays on while you are
driving, check your gages for fuel, coolant temperature,
oil pressure and voltage.
This light will stay on if the engine is not running and
the ignition is in RUN.
Door Ajar Light (If Equipped)
This light is part of the
systems monitor. It will
come on and a warning
chime will sound when the
driver's door or one of the
passenger's doors is not
completely closed.On vehicles with the optional DIC, the door that is ajar
will be shown as a icon next to the vehicle outline and a
message will appear on the display. See ªDIC Warnings
and Messagesº in the Index for more information.
Trunk Ajar Light (If Equipped)
This light is part of the
systems monitor. It will
come on and a warning
chime will sound when
the trunk is not
completely closed.
On vehicles with the optional DIC, the TRUNK AJAR
light is replaced by the TRUNK AJAR message.
See ªDIC Warnings and Messagesº in the Index for
more information.

2-79 Boost Gage (If Equipped)
Vehicles equipped with
the supercharged engine
have this boost gage that
indicates vacuum during
light to moderate
throttle and boost under
heavier throttle.
The gage displays the air pressure level going into the
engine's combustion chamber.
The gage is automatically centered at zero every time
the ignition key is turned to RUN. Actual vacuum or
boost is displayed from this zero point. Changes in
ambient pressure, such as driving in mountains and
changing weather, will slightly change the zero reading.
Head-Up Display (Option)
CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your field of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it's dark outside.
Be sure to keep the HUD image dim and placed
low in your field of view.
If you have the optional Head-Up Display (HUD), you
can see some of the driver information also available on
your instrument panel cluster. The information may be
displayed in English or metric units and appears as a
reflection on the windshield. The HUD shows:

Speedometer Reading

Turn Signal Indicators

High
-beam Indicator Symbol

CHECK GAGES Message (for low oil pressure,
high coolant temperature, low oil level, high/low
battery, brake, ABS and air bag.)

Low Fuel Warning Symbol

Radio Frequency and Playback Mode

3-6
Automatic Operation
When the system is set for AUTO, your climate control
system will control the air delivery mode, fan speed,
A/C and RECIRC operations. Air will come from
the floor, panel or windshield outlets. The fan speed
will vary as the system maintains the selected
temperature setting.
When AUTO is selected, the A/C operation and air inlet
will be automatically controlled. The air conditioning
compressor will run at outside temperatures over
approximately 40
F (4
C). The air inlet will normally
be set to outside air. If it's hot outside, the air inlet will
automatically switch to recirculated inside air to help
quickly cool down your vehicle.
To find your comfort zone, start with 75
F (24
C)
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes for the
system to regulate. Turn the TEMP knob up or down to
adjust the temperature setting if necessary. If you choose
the temperature setting of 60
F (15
C), the system will
remain at the maximum cooling setting and fan speed.
If you choose the temperature setting of 90
F (33
C),
the system will remain at the maximum heat setting and
fan speed. Choosing either maximum setting will not
cause the system to heat or cool any faster.Be careful not to cover the sensor located on the top of
the instrument panel near the windshield. This sensor
regulates temperature based on sun load.
The EXT (exterior) temperature sensor is located in the
front of the vehicle behind the grille. The displayed
temperature is most accurate after the vehicle has been
moving for a few minutes. If the vehicle is stopped and
then restarted within 2 1/2 hours, the sensor will be hot
from the engine heat. In this case, the temperature first
displayed will continue to be the previous temperature.
The display will update after the vehicle has been
moving for a few minutes and the sensor has a chance
to cool down to the actual temperature.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on engine coolant
temperature. Pushing the fan button will override this
delay and change the fan to a selected speed.

5-10
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage or a DIC
warning message about a hot engine on your vehicle's
instrument panel. See ªCoolant Temperature Gageº and
ªDIC Warnings and Messagesº in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.

6-22
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL
engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-19

Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
90
F (32
C) or higher.
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± When doing frequent trailer towing.
± Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you haven't used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
previously and, therefore, haven't changed your automatic transaxle fluid,
change both the fluid and filter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE