2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE wiper blades

Windshield Wipers
The windshield wipers are controlled by the lever on the
right of your steering column.
If your windshield wipers are on for more than six
seconds while you are driving, the low-beam headlamps,
instrument panel cluster backlighting and the taillamps
will turn on. For more information see "Wiper-Activated
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OFF: Lower the lever to its original position to turn the
wipers
OFF. INT
(Intermittent): Push the lever
up to the INT
position and turn the INT ADJ band to adjust the delay
time. The further you turn the band, the shorter the
delay between wiping cycles.
LO (Low Speed): Push the lever up to LO for steady
wiping at a slow speed.
HI (High Speed): Push the lever up to HI for steady
wiping at a high speed.
MIST: For a single wiping cycle, push the lever down to
the
MIST position and let go. The wipers will stop
after one cycle.
If you want more cycles, hold the
lever down.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. Clear
away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Keep in mind that damaged wiper blades may prevent
you from seeing well enough
to drive safely. To
avoid damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the
wiper blades before using them.
If your blades do
become damageu,
gei new biacies 01 bia& ifiserts. See
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement on page 5-61.
3-9

The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy
rain can make it harder to see road signs and
traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge
of the roaa
and even people walking.
It’s wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment in
good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled
with washer fluid. Replace your windshield wiper
inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing
areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts. Driving too fast through large
water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems,
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down before
you hit them.
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t
work as well in a quick stop and may cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle
of water
or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly
until your brakes work normally.
4-1 8

Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance.
If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are. Of
course, you’ll find experienced and able service
experts in dealerships all across North America. They’ll
be ready and willing to help
if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
a
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
- such as after a day’s
work
- don’t plan to make too many miles that first
part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep
it serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it
needs service, have it done before starting out.
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservior full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated
to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-22

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See
Part B:
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-18 for more
information.
For the proper windshield wiper blade replacement
length and type, see
Normal Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page
5- 101.
To replace the wiper blade assembly:
the vertically-locked position.
1. Lift the wiper up from the windshield and set into
2. Press the tab that holds the wiper blade to the arm.
3. Slide the blade down and off the arm.
4. Slide in the new blade and snap into place.
5-6 1

Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the
paint finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. See
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials on page
5-88.
If your vehicle has a “basecoatklearcoat” paint finish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoatklearcoat paint
finish.
Notice: Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing
on a basecoatklearcoat paint finish may
dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage your vehicle’s finish
if they remain
on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as
possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that
are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove
foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their
toll over a
period of years. You can help to keep the paint finish
looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or
if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade or
windshield.
Clean the outside
of the windshield with a full-strength
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean
if beads do
not form when you rinse it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by
wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
Your vehicle may be equipped with either aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar
to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners,
5-86

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield.
Also see
“Windshield Wiper and Wiper Blades” under Cleaning
the Outside
of Your Vehicle on page 5-85.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth, During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page
6-24.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-23. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair if
needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part
D.
Lubricate all hinges and latches, including those for the
hood, rear compartment, glove box door, console
door and any folding seat hardware. Part D tells you
what to use. More frequent lubrication may be required
when exposed to a corrosive environment.
6-1 9

v
Vehicle Control
........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings
........................................... iv
Loading
...................................................... 4-34
Service
Soon Light ...................................... 3-53
Symbols
......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data
.................................................. 3-58
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
............................................. 5-90
Service Parts Identification Label
................... 5-90
DIC
........................................................... 3-62
Memory Seat and Mirrors
......................... 2-48
Vehicle Storage
.......................................... 5-46
Ventilation Adjustment
...................................... 3-32
Vinyl
............................................................. 5-84
Vehicle
Personalization
Visor Vanity Mirror
.......................................... 2-20
Visors 2-20
Voltmeter Gage
.............................................. 3-41
...........................................................
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ...... ~ .... 3-34
DIC Warnings and Messages
........................ 3-60
Hazard ?n.larning Flashers ............................... 3-5
Warnings
Other Warning Devices
.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols
......................................... III ...
Warnings (cont.) Vehicle Damage
.............................................. iv
Washer Fluid. Low Warning Light
...................... 3-51
Washing Your Vehicle
...................................... 5-85
Weight of the Trailer
........................................ 4-37
What Kind of Engine Oil
to Use ........................ 5-18
What to Do with Used
Oil ................................ 5-21
What
to Use .......................................... 5-27, 5-40
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance
.......................... 5-69
Weatherstrip Lubrication
................................... 6-19
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
............................. 4-38
What Kind of Oil to Use
.................................. 5-22
Replacement
............................................... 5-69
When to Add Engine Oil
.................................. 5-17
When to Change Engine Oil
(Vehicles With the GM Oil Life SystemTM)
....... 5-20
When to Change Engine Oil
(Vehicles Without the GM Oil Life SystemTM)
...... 5-20
When to Check
.............................................. 5-21
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
................ 5-40
vvrwrt ‘r’ou Are Fieauy LU ~eavc MILW
Parking on a Hill ......................................... 4-41
When
to Check and Change
............................ 5-23
.... -I ~ 1- I - _. ._ Afr- ..
Where to Put the Restraint ............................... 1-36
Why Safety Belts Work
..................................... 1-8
Window Lock Out
................................... 2-20, 3-65
Windows
....................................................... 2-19
Power
........................................................ 2-20
Windshield and Wiper Blades
........................... 5-86
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