2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE wheel

2-30
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.
PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. It's
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.

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Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. 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.

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FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won't shift
into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels will not turn, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
Parking Brake
Your vehicle has a PUSH
TO RELEASE parking
brake. To set the parking
brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your
right foot. Push down the
parking brake pedal with
your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on and four chimes will be heard.
If you start to drive with the parking brake set, a
chime will sound after the vehicle has traveled
approximately 40 feet (12 m).

2-40
Horn
Press on the center area of the steering wheel to sound
the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can also raise it to the highest
level to give your legs more room when you exit and
enter the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to
tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of
the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever
toward you. Then move the steering wheel to a
comfortable level and release the lever to lock the wheel
in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:

Turn and Lane
-Change Signals

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer

Flash
-To-Pass Feature

Cruise Control
For information on the exterior lamps, see ªExterior
Lampsº later in this section.

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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.
The cruise control switch
is located on the lever
on the left side of the
steering column.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. See
ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.

2-49
When it's dark enough outside, your regular intensity
headlamps will come on at full brightness and the DRL
lighting will turn off. The parking lamps that normally
come on with your headlamps will also come on. When
it's bright enough outside, the regular intensity
headlamps and parking lamps will turn back off, and the
reduced brightness DRL lighting will turn back on.
To idle your vehicle during the day with the DRL off,
shift the transaxle into PARK (P). The DRL will stay off
until you shift out of PARK (P).
At night, you can turn off all exterior lamps when you
are in PARK (P) by turning the Twilight Sentinel knob
all the way to OFF.
If the knob was already in OFF, it must be cycled to ON
and back to OFF. Turn the knob clockwise to turn the
exterior lighting back on. The lamps will come back on
automatically when you put the transaxle in gear.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.Fog Lamps
The fog lamps button is located below the twilight knob,
to the left of the steering wheel on the instrument panel.
An indicator light in the button will glow when the fog
lamps are on. Your parking lamps will also come on
automatically while the fog lamps are active.
If your fog lamps are on when you use your high beams
or flash
-to-pass feature, the fog lamps will be disabled
while the feature is being used.

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Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
When it is dark outside, you can brighten or dim your
instrument panel cluster lights using the DIM knob,
located to the left of the steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
Turn the knob clockwise to brighten the instrument
panel cluster lights and displays. Turn the knob
clockwise all the way to turn on the interior courtesy
lamps. Turn the knob counterclockwise to dim the
instrument panel cluster lights and displays and to turn
off the courtesy lamps.
Courtesy Lamps
If it is dark enough outside, when any door is opened,
several lamps will come on. They make it easier for you
to enter and leave the vehicle. Turn the dimmer knob all
the way clockwise to turn the interior courtesy lamps on.
Illuminated Entry
If it is dark enough outside and you press the button
with the unlock symbol on the remote keyless entry
transmitter (if equipped), the interior courtesy lamps
will come on and stay on for approximately 25 seconds.
The lamps will turn off immediately by pressing the
button with the lock symbol on the remote keyless entry
transmitter, by turning the ignition key to ON or by
activating the power door locks.
If a door is left ajar, your interior lamps will turn off
after 10 minutes to save your battery.
Delayed Entry Lighting
When you open the door to enter your vehicle, the
interior lamps will come on if it is dark enough outside.
When you close the door with the ignition off, the
interior lamps will stay on for 25 seconds or until the
ignition is turned on. Locking the doors with the
power door lock switch, or with the lock button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter (if equipped), will
override the delayed entry lighting and the lamps will
turn off immediately.

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OnStar
System (If Equipped)
OnStar is a vehicle communications system that
offers a variety of services and provides a one
-touch
hands
-free communication link between you and the
OnStar Center. To receive OnStar services, a service
subscription agreement is required and an additional
fee may be required. Services are available 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. For more information,
call 1
-888-ONSTAR-7 (1-888-667-8277).
OnStar Services Button: Press this button once
to contact an advisor who will be able to assist you with
these services. If you are not quickly connected, the
system will automatically reset and redial. This ensures
connection to the center; there is no additional action
required. Press the Communication button to cancel the
automatic redial.
Emergency Button: In an emergency situation,
press the emergency service button. Upon receiving the
call, an advisor at the center will locate your vehicle and
assess the situation. If necessary, the advisor will alert
the nearest emergency service provider.
Communication Button: Press this button at
the end of a call. Also press this button to answer a
call from the center, or cancel a call if one of the other
buttons is accidentally pressed. This button is also
used to access OnStar Personal Calling and Virtual
Advisor services. See the OnStar owner package for
more information.
Volume Control: You can control the volume of the
OnStar System using either the volume control knob
on the radio or using the steering wheel volume control
(if equipped).
Telltale Light: This light will indicate the status of
the system. A solid green light will come on when you
start the vehicle to let you know that the system is on
and is ready to make or receive calls.
If the light blinks green it means that an incoming or
outgoing call is in progress. Press the Communication
button if you notice the light blinking and you are not
on a call.