2005 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE brake

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-31.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P)
when the ignition is in OFF. In addition, you have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition is in ON. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Operation on page 2-27.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you
have the console shift lever, press the button rst.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF. There is no shift interlock in
this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear
you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
2-33

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-34.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-24.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-31.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer (V8 Engine) on
page 4-36orTowing a Trailer (V6 Engine) on page 4-36.
2-35

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wiper Lever...................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-16
Twilight Sentinel
®..........................................3-16
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-17
Entry Lighting...............................................3-18
Delayed Entry Lighting...................................3-18
Theater Dimming..........................................3-18
Delayed Exit Lighting.....................................3-18
Perimeter Lighting.........................................3-18
Parade Dimming...........................................3-19
Front Reading Lamps....................................3-20Rear Reading Lamps....................................3-20
Battery Load Management.............................3-20
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.....................3-21
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-21
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-24
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-24
Climate Controls............................................3-25
Climate Control System.................................3-25
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-28
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-32
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-32
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-33
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-33
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-37
Trip Odometer..............................................3-37
Tachometer.................................................3-38
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-38
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-38
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-40
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-41
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-42
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light......3-43
Low Traction Active Light...............................3-44
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
(V6 Engine)..............................................3-45
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
The cruise control switch
is located on the lever on
the left side of the
steering column.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.
3-11

Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET button.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts
off the cruise control. But you do not need to reset it.
Once you are going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, you can move the cruise lever to R/A
(resume/accelerate) briey.You will go right back up to your chosen speed and stay
there. Remember that if you hold the lever at R/A, the
vehicle will keep going faster until you release the switch
or apply the brake. So unless you want to go faster,
do not hold the lever at R/A.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the SET button and then release it as
well as the accelerator pedal. You will now cruise
at the higher speed.
Move the cruise switch to R/A. Hold it there until
you get up to the speed you want, and then
release it. To increase your speed in very small
amounts, move the switch to R/A briey and then
release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you have set
the cruise control speed by pressing the SET button.
3-12

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Press and hold the SET button until you get to the
speed you want, and then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press and
release the SET button briey. Each time you
do this, you will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
drivers nd this to be too much trouble and do not
use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Move the cruise switch to OFF.
Pull the multifunction lever toward the driver.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-13

Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect your vehicle’s battery
against drainage from the interior lamps, trunk lamp
or glove box lamp. When the ignition is turned off, the
power to these features will automatically turn off
after 10 minutes. Power will be restored for an additional
10 minutes if any door is opened, the trunk is opened
or the courtesy lamps are turned on.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your eld of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it is dark
outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim
and placed low in your eld of view.
If you have the optional Head-Up Display (HUD), you
can see some of the driver information also available on
your instrument panel cluster. The information maybe displayed in English or metric units and appears as
an image focused out toward the front of your vehicle.
The HUD shows the following:
Speedometer Reading
Turn Signal Indicators
High-beam Indicator Symbol
CHECK GAGES Message (for low oil pressure,
high coolant temperature, low oil level, high/low
battery, brake, ABS and air bag)
Low Fuel Warning Symbol
Radio Frequency and Playback Mode (with the
exception of the XM™ radio)
3-21

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake does
not release fully. If you try to drive off with the parking
brake set, a chime will also come on until yourelease the parking brake. If the light stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means you have a
brake problem.
If you have the optional Driver Information Center (DIC),
a PARK BRAKE SET message will be displayed
while the parking brake is set.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for
service. United States
Canada
3-41