2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE brake light

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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-13 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-18 Trunk
2
-20 Theft
2
-21 Universal Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2
-23 PASS-Key
III
2
-26 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-26 Ignition Positions
2
-28 Starting Your Engine
2
-29 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-30 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-33 Parking Brake
2
-34 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-37 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-38 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-38 Engine Exhaust2
-39 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-40 Tilt Wheel
2
-40 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-47 Exterior Lamps
2
-51 Interior Lamps
2
-55 Mirrors
2
-57 Storage Compartments
2
-59 Air Inflator System (Option)
2
-62 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-65 Express Sunroof (Option)
2
-66 HomeLink
Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-70 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-76 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-96 Driver Information Center (DIC)
(If Equipped)
2
-109 Head-Up Display (HUD) (Option)

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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).

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To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. This will release the
parking brake pedal. When you lift your left foot, the
parking brake pedal will follow it to the release position.
If you try to drive with the parking brake on, the brake
light stays on and a chime sounds until you release the
parking brake.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
Shifting Into PARK (P)
CAUTION:
It can be 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. 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, use the steps that
follow. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.

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Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Press and hold the SET button until you get to the
speed you want, and then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, press and
release the SET button briefly. Each time you do
this, you'll go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal,

move the cruise switch to OFF, or

pull the multifunction lever toward the driver.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

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On vehicles with a 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.
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 CanadaThis light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to ON. 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.

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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
(DIC), a PARK BRAKE SET message will be displayed
while the parking brake is set.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
United States CanadaWith the anti
-lock brake system, the light(s) will come
on when your engine is started and may stay on for
five seconds. That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you're driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you're driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn't
on, you still have brakes, but you don't have anti
-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a
problem with your regular brakes. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.

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Traction Control System Warning
Light (Option)
This warning light should
come on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the warning light doesn't come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there's a problem. If it
stays on, or comes on when you're driving, there may be
a problem with your traction control system and your
vehicle may need service. When this warning light is
on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by pressing the
TRACTION CONTROL button located on the
center console, the warning light will come on and
stay on. To turn the system back on, press the
button again. The warning light should go off.
See ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index for
more information.

If there's a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on. If
your brakes begin to overheat, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning light will come
on until your brakes cool down.

If the traction control system is affected by an
engine
-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.

2-83 Low Traction Active (LOW TRAC) Light
Your LOW TRAC (Low
Traction Active) light may
come on for one of the
following reasons:

An advanced computer
-controlled system called
Stabilitrak (if equipped) has come on to help your
vehicle continue to go in the direction in which
you're steering. This stability enhancement system
activates when the computer senses that your vehicle
is just starting to spin, as it might if you hit a patch
of ice or other slippery spot on the road. When the
system is on, you may hear a noise or feel a vibration
in the brake pedal. This is normal.In these situations when the LOW TRAC light is on
and the system is engaged, you should continue to
steer in the direction you want to go. The system is
designed to help you in bad weather or other difficult
driving situations by making the most of whatever
road conditions will permit.

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.