The 2003 Pontiac Bonneville Owner Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-7
Child Restraints
....................................... 1-27
Air Bag Systems
...................................... 1-47
Restraint System Check
............................ 1-56
Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
...................................... 2-10
Windows
................................................. 2-1 9
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................ 2-21
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
........... 2-25
Mirrors
.................................................... 2-38
OnStap
.................................................. 2-40
HomeLink@ Transmitter
............................. 2-42
Storage Areas
......................................... 2-46
SlJnroof
................................................. 2-47
Vehicle Personalization
............................. 2-48
Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
...................................... 3-25
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
......... 3-34
Systems Monitor
...................................... 3-55
Driver Information Center (DIC)
.................. 3-57 Secondary
Information Center (SIC)
............ 3-68
Audio System(s)
....................................... 3-71
Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
................................................... 4-32
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
............... 5-12
Headlamp Aiming
..................................... 5-52
Bulb Replacement
.................................... 5-56
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
......... 5-61
Tires
...................................................... 5-62
Appearance Care
..................................... 5-82
Vehicle Identification
................................. 5-90
Electrical System
...................................... 5-91
C8pa.citigs
and Specifications ......... 5-100
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts .... 5-101
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information .................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-8
index ................................................................ 1
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1
Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1
Turn Signal/Nlultifunction 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
Cruise Cvrriroi
For information on the exterior lamps, see Exterior
Lamps
on page 3-13.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return
automatically.
- An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
I
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold
it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself
If the arrows flash very fast as you signal a turn or a
lane change, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accidmt. See &Ab ,%?pfaxment s,~ page 5-56 !? the
arrows don’t go on at all when you signal a turn, check
the fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-92.
\>!hen ;mL! rplpase it
3-7
On vehicles with a DIC, a CHECK GAGES OIL
PRESSURE message will be displayed and a warning
chime will sound. See
DIC Warnings and Messages
on Daue
3-60 for more information.
Don’t keep drivi
J if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become
so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice: Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
Check Oil Level Light
If your vehicle has the
systems monitor, the
comes on for five seconds CHECK
OIL LEVEL light
OIL LEVEL I as
a-bulb check each
time the ignition key
I is turned io ON.
If the engine oil is more than 1 .O quart (0.9 L) low and
the engine has been shut
off for at least eight minutes,
the CHECK OIL LEVEL light will come on and a
chime will sound the next time you
start your vehicle.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light comes on, the engine oil
level should be checked
at the dipstick then brought
up
to the proper level, if necessary. See Engine Oil on
page
5- 15.
On vehicles with a DIC, the CHECK OIL LEVEL light is
replaced by an OIL LEVEL
LOW message. See DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-60 for more
information.
3-50
Security Light Check Gages Warning Light
This light on the instrument If your vehicle has the
panel cluster reminds you systems
monitor, this light
to activate the
will come on briefly as
theft-deterrent system
a bulb check when
when leaving your vehicle.
your ignition is turned
to
ON.
See Universal Theft-Deterrent on page 2-21 for more
information.
If your vehicle has the
systems monitor, this light
will come on and a
when the washer fluid
container
is less than
one-third full. warning chime will sound
On vehicles with a DIC, the WASHER FLUID light is
replaced by the WASHER FLUID LOW message. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-60 for more
information.
If this light comes on and stays on while you are driving,
check your gages for fuel, coolant temperature, oil
pressure and voltage.
3-5 1
Service Vehicle Soon Light
SERVICE
VEHICLE
SOON
b If your vehicle has this
feature, this light will come
on briefly as a bulb
check when your ignition is
turned to
ON.
This light will come on and a warning chime will sound if
you have certain non-emissions related vehicle
problems. These problems may not be so obvious and
may not affect vehicle performance or durability.
Consult a qualified dealership for necessary repairs to
maintain top vehicle performance.
On vehicles with the supercharged engine and a
DIC,
the SERVICE VEHICLE SOON light is replaced by
the SERVICE VEHICLE
SOON message. See
UIL vvarnings ana iviessayes vri paye S-SC fzlr EGE
information.
-.- ...
Fuel Gage
United States Canada
When the ignition
is on, your fuel gage tells you about
how much fuel you have
in your tank.
When the gage reads
in the colored band, a warning
chime will sound and the CHECK GAGES warning light
will come on. You still have a little fuel left, but you
need to get more fuel right away.
3-53
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and,
if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice: Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. All of the electrical circuits required for
your trailer lighting system can be accessed at the
left rear lamp connector. This connector is located under
the carpet on the driver’s side in the rear corner of
your trunk compartment. The arrows on your instrument
panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even
if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a
trailer lighting system into your vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know
if
one of your lamps goes out. So, when you have a trailer
lighting system plugged in, be sure to check your
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be sure
they’re all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lamps, the bulb warning lights again can tell you
if one
of your vehicle lamps is out.
4-40
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
Service ........................................................ 5.3
Doing Your Own Service Work
......................... 5.3
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your
Vehicle
...................................................... 5.4
Fuel ................................................................ 5.5
Gasoline Octane
............................................ 5.5
Gasoline Specifications
.................................... 5.6
California Fuel
............................................... 5.6
Additives
....................................................... 5.6
Fuels in Foreign Countries
............................ 5.7
Filling Your Tank
........................... .......... 5.8
Filling
a Portable Fuel Container ..... .... 5.11
the Hood ............................. .... 5.12
Hood Release
.............................. ........ 5.13
Engine Compartment Overview ...................... -5-1 4
Checking Things Under
Engine Oil ................................................... 5.15
Supercharger Oil .......................................... 5.21
Engine Air Cleaner/t-llter
................................ 5-22
Automatic Transaxle Fluid .............................. 5.23
Engine Coolant
............................................. 5.26
Radiator Pressure Cap
.................................. 5.29
Engine Overheating
....................................... 5.29
Cooling System
............................................ 5.32
Power Steering Fluid
..................................... 5.40
Windshield Washer Fluid
................................ 5.40
Brakes
........................................................ 5.42
Battery
........................................................ 5-44
Jump Starting
............................................... 5-46
Headlamp Aiming .......................... ...... 5.52
Bulb Replacement .................................. -5-56
Halogen Bulbs
.............................................. 5.56
Headlamps
.................................................. 5.56
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
.............. 5-57
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps
......................................... 5-59
fiepiacement
Euibs 3.w - ^^ .......................................
5- I
Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulb to use, see Replacement Bulbs on
page
5-60.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
Headlamps
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside
and can burst
if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or others could be injured. Be sure
to read
and
follow the instructions on the bulb
package.
1. Reach behind the headlamp assembly, push in and
turn the bulb assembly counterclockwise to remove
the bulb assembly from the headlamp assembly.
5-56