2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE engine coolant

2-
2-1
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)

2-29
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0
F (-18
C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually, the
coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of four
hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures above
32
F (0
C), use of the coolant heater is not required.
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.

2-84
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 shaded 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 shaded 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 a 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.

3-7
Be sure not to cover the sensor located on the top of the
instrument panel near the windshield. This sensor
regulates interior temperatures based on sun load.
To avoid blowing cold air through the system in cold
weather, the automatic system will delay turning on the
fan until warm air is available. The length of delay
depends on engine coolant temperature. Pressing the fan
button will override this delay and cancel the automatic
mode, returning the system to manual mode.
The EXT (exterior) temperature sensor is located in the
front of the vehicle behind the grill. The EXT temperature
displayed may not be accurate for a few minutes if you
have restarted the engine after it was already warmed.
Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
air inside the vehicle 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 instrument panel
outlets, press RECIRC and A/C with the temperature knob in
the blue area. If this maximum 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
recirculation 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 recirculation
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 temperature knobs.
Heating
If you have the standard system, on cold days use the
floor ducts with the temperature knob in the red area. If
you have the electronic system, press AUTO and adjust
the temperature by turning the temperature 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
temperature knobs.
With either system, outside air will be heated and sent
through the floor ducts. The heater works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.

5-9
To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles,
do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from the
vehicle that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
other vehicle.
5. Return the positive (+) remote terminal cover to its
original position.
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
ªRoadside Assistanceº in the Index. If you want to tow
your vehicle behind another vehicle for recreational
purposes (such as behind a motorhome), see
ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº in the Index.
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.

5-10 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.

5-12
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
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index
for more information
on location.

5-13
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark (if the engine is hot, the coolant level
should be at FULL HOT). If it isn't, you may have a
leak at the pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they aren't, your vehicle needs service.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.
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.