
Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-8
Child Restraints
.......................................1-29
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-51
Restraint System Check
............................1-60
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-19
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-21
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-25
Mirrors
....................................................2-39
OnStar
®System
......................................2-42
HomeLink®Transmitter
.............................2-44
Storage Areas
.........................................2-48
Sunroof
..................................................2-49
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-50
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-27
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-36
Systems Monitor
......................................3-57
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-58Secondary Information Center (SIC)
............3-70
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-73
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-31
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-57
Tires
......................................................5-58
Appearance Care
.....................................5-91
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-99
Electrical System
....................................5-100
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-109
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-110
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-11
Index................................................................ 1
2004 Pontiac Bonneville Owner ManualM

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag systems in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual
have information about servicing your vehicle and the air
bag systems. To purchase a service manual, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-12.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
air bag can still in ate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close to
an air bag when it in ates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the air
bag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is quali ed to do so.
The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, 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.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
1-60

The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modi cations made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake or fuel system of your
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modi cations to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light does not come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A mis re condition has been
detected. A mis re increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
3-49

If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer has
the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to x any
mechanical or electrical problems that may have
developed.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the SERVICE
ENGINE SOON light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if
you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and your vehicle
still does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD
system readiness, your GM dealer can prepare the
vehicle for inspection.
3-51

Oil Pressure Gage
Readings above the shaded warning zone indicate the
normal operating range. Oil pressure may vary with
engine speed, outside temperature and oil viscosity.
A reading in the shaded warning zone may be caused
by a low oil level or another problem causing low oil
pressure. On vehicles 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 OIL
PRESSURE message will be displayed and a warning
chime will sound. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-61for more information.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil. United States
Canada
3-52

Systems Monitor
If you have the systems
monitor, it gives you
important safety and
maintenance facts about
your vehicle.
When you turn the ignition on, the systems monitor and
warning lights will brie y light up. If a problem is detected,
the warning lights will turn on and a chime will sound.The following warning lights are displayed in the
systems monitor:CHECK OIL LEVEL:This message could mean
your oil level is low. If it comes on for more than
ve seconds, seeCheck Oil Level Light on
page 3-53.
WASHER FLUID:This message means your
washer uid tank is less than about 30 percent full.
If this light comes on, seeLow Washer Fluid
Warning Light on page 3-53.
DOOR AJAR:This message means that either the
driver’s door or one of the passenger’s doors is not
completely closed. If this light comes on, see
Door Ajar Light on page 3-54.
TIRE PRESS:This message means one or more of
your tires may be low. SeeCheck Tire Pressure
System on page 5-68.
CHECK GAGES:This means one or more of your
gages may be in their respective warning bands. If
this light comes on, seeCheck Gages Warning
Light on page 3-54.
TRUNK AJAR:This message means your trunk is
not completely closed.
3-57

Vehicle Data
Average Fuel Economy:Press the SELECT button
until the display shows AVG FUEL ECONOMY. Average
fuel economy is viewed as a long term approximation
of your overall driving conditions. To learn the average
fuel economy from a new starting point, press the
RESET button for ve seconds while the average fuel
economy is displayed on the DIC.
Instantaneous Fuel Economy:Press the SELECT
button until the display shows INST FUEL ECONOMY.
Instantaneous fuel economy varies with your driving
conditions, such as acceleration, braking and the grade
of the road being traveled. The RESET button does
not function in this mode.
Fuel Range:Press the SELECT button until the display
shows FUEL RANGE. The fuel range will calculate
the remaining distance you can drive without refueling.
This calculation is based on the average fuel economy
for the last 25 miles (40.25 km) driven, and the fuel
remaining in the fuel tank. If the fuel range drops below
40 miles (64.4 km), the display will show FUEL
RANGE LOW. The RESET button does not function in
this mode.Fuel Used:Press the SELECT button until the display
shows FUEL USED. The value indicates how much
fuel has been used since the last reset. Do not confuse
fuel used with the amount of fuel in your tank. To
learn how much fuel will be used from a speci c starting
point, press the RESET button for ve seconds while
the fuel used is displayed on the DIC.
GM Oil Life System:Press the SELECT button until
OIL LIFE appears in the display. The OIL LIFE NORMAL
display will show an estimate of the oil’s remaining
useful life. When the oil life index is less than 10%, an
ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON message will be
displayed and the oil life display will show OIL LIFE
CHANGE. When the ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON
message is displayed, it means that service is required
for your vehicle. SeePart A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services on page 6-4andEngine Oil on page 5-16
for more information.
When you have the oil changed according to the
maintenance schedule, you will have to reset the Oil
Life System. To reset the Oil Life System, see “When to
Change Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
3-60

But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here is
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you are
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle uid (do not over ll),
engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you nd them quickly. If you are trailering, it is a
good idea to review this information before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-29.
4-45