2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE engine

EXP
(Export ID) Warning Message
33 STARTING DISABLED — THEFT*
34 SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM
35 CHECK GAGES OIL PRESSURE*
36 OIL LEVEL LOW
37 BRAKE FLUID LOW*
40 ALARM OCCURRED
44 CHECK GAGES TEMPERATURE*
54 SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM
55 STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE
61 CHECK GAS CAP
81 ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOONEXP
(Export ID) Warning Message
83 SERVICE AIR BAG
102 CHECK CHARGE SYSTEM
140 DRIVER DOOR AJAR
141 FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AJAR
142 LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR
143 RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR
144 CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
147 PARK BRAKE SET*
The EXP codes are used to make translation from
English to other languages easier.
Pressing any of the DIC control buttons will remove
the above messages or warnings from the DIC
display, unless noted by an asterisk (*).
3-62

SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM – 54:If you ever see
the SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM message, it
means there may be a problem with your stability
enhancement system. If you see this message, try to
reset the system: stop, turn off the engine, then start the
engine again. If the SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM
message still comes on, it means there is a problem.
You should see your dealer for service. Reduce
your speed and drive accordingly.
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE – 55:You may see the
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message on the Driver
Information Center. It means that an advanced,
computer-controlled system has come on to help your
vehicle continue to go in the direction in which you are
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.
When the STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message is on,
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. If the STABILITY
SYSTEM ACTIVE message comes on, you will know that
something has caused your vehicle to start to spin, so
you should consider slowing down.Tire Pressure Status – 144:If you see the CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE message, you should stop as soon as
you can and check all your tires for damage. If a tire
is at, seeIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-79. Also check
the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as you can.
SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-67andCheck
Tire Pressure System on page 5-68.
Driver Identier DIC Display
This feature allows two different drivers to store and
recall their own preferred display mode. The
personalization settings displayed on the DIC are
determined by the transmitter used to enter the vehicle.
After the unlock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter (if equipped) is pressed and the ignition is in
ON, the DIC will display the identied driver. The
settings can also be changed by briey pressing one of
the MEMORY buttons located on the driver’s door.
The DIC is used to program information for DRIVER #1
and DRIVER #2. The DIC will identify a person as
UNKNOWN DRIVER if neither DRIVER #1 nor
DRIVER #2 is identied by the system.
3-63

Audio System(s)
Notice:Before you add any sound equipment to
your vehicle – like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio – be sure you can add
what you want. If you can, it’s very important to do it
properly. Added sound equipment may interfere with
the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio or other
systems, and even damage them. Your vehicle’s
systems may interfere with the operation of sound
equipment that has been added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and to give years of listening pleasure. You will get
the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with
it rst. Figure out which radio you have in your vehicle,
nd out what your audio system can do and how to
operate all of its controls to be sure you’re getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is turned off. See
“Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” underIgnition
Positions on page 2-26.
Setting the Time
Press and hold HR or MIN for two seconds. Then press
and hold HR until the correct hour appears on the
display. AM will appear for morning hours. Press and
hold MIN until the correct minute appears on the display.
The time may be set with the ignition on or off.
To synchronize the time with an FM station broadcasting
Radio Data System (RDS) information, press and
hold HR and MIN at the same time until UPDATED and
the clock symbol appear on the display. If the time is
not available from the station, NO UPDATE will appear
on the display.
RDS time is broadcast once a minute. Once you have
tuned to an RDS broadcast station, it may take a
few minutes for your time to update.
3-73

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will stay on. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light on page 3-44. United States
Canada
4-7

Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. See “Cruise Control” under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
4-9

This light should come on
briey when you start the
engine. If it stays on or
comes on while you
are driving, there is a
problem with your traction
control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-45. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes
on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off if you ever need to. You
should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck
in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is
required. See “Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out”
underIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-30.To turn the system off,
press the TRACTION
CONTROL button located
on the instrument panel
under the comfort controls.
The traction control system warning light in the
instrument cluster will come on and stay on. If the
system is limiting wheel spin when you press the button,
the warning light will come on — but the system will
not turn off right away. It will wait until there is no longer
a current need to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. The traction control system
warning light should go off.
The switch indicator light should go back on.
4-10

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering
Your vehicle may have this optional steering system
that continuously adjusts the effort you feel when
steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease when
parking, yet a rm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels.If there is no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going
in the same direction. If you have ever tried to steer
a vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you are in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Adding the
sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
If you have Stabilitrak®, you may see the STABILITY
SYSTEM ACTIVE message on the Driver Information
Center. See “Stability System Active Message”
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-61.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
4-11

While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a “mirrored surface” — and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
4-16