2005 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE Owners Manual

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

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
With the anti-lock brake system, the light(s) will come
on when your engine is started and may stay on
for several seconds. That is normal.If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. If the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you are driving, your vehicle
needs service. If the regular brake system warning light
is not on, you still have brakes, but you do not have
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you do not have anti-lock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-41.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briey when you turn the ignition key to ON. This is
normal. If the light does not come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem. United States
Canada
3-42

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
For vehicles equipped with the traction control system,
this warning light should come on briey when the
engine is started.
If the warning light does not come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on when you are driving, there
may be a problem with your traction control system
and your vehicle may need service. When this warning
light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly.The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the
TRACTION CONTROL button located on the center
console, the warning light will come on and stay
on. To turn the system back on, press the button
again. The warning light should go off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8for more
information.
If there is a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning light will come
on. If your brakes begin to overheat, the traction
control system will turn off and the warning light will
come on until your brakes cool down.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service. United States and V6 in
Canada
Canada (V8 Only)
3-43

Low Traction Active Light
Your Low Traction Active light may come on for one of
the following reasons:
An advanced computer-controlled system called
Stabilitrak®, if equipped, 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 youhit 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.
In these situations when the LOW TRAC light
is on and the system is engaged, 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.
The optional Traction Control System is active and
is limiting wheel spin. You may feel the system
working, but this is normal. Slippery road conditions
may exist, so adjust your driving accordingly.
If the LOW TRAC light comes on, slippery road
conditions may exist, so you should consider slowing
down and adjusting your driving accordingly. United States and V6 in
CanadaCanada (V8 Only)
3-44

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
(V6 Engine)
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.To prevent engine overheating, the air conditioning
compressor will turn off automatically just prior to the
gage pointer entering the shaded area. As the
engine cools down, the air conditioning compressor will
automatically turn back on. On vehicles equipped
with the Driver Information Center (DIC), the message
ENGINE HOT... A/C DISABLED will appear on the
DIC display and a warning chime will sound.
If the gage pointer moves into the shaded area, your
engine is too hot. On vehicles equipped 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 TEMPERATURE message will
be displayed and a warning chime will sound. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-62for more
information.
SeeEngine Overheating (3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-36
orEngine Overheating (4.6L V8 Engine) on page 5-38,
for information on what to do if your engine overheats. United States
Canada
3-45

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
(V8 Engine)
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
To prevent engine overheating, the air conditioning
compressor will turn off automatically just prior to
the gage pointer entering the shaded area. As the
engine cools down, the air conditioning compressor will
automatically turn back on. On vehicles equipped
with the Driver Information Center (DIC), the message
ENGINE HOT... A/C DISABLED will appear on the
DIC display and a warning chime will sound.If the gage pointer moves into the shaded area, your
engine is too hot. On vehicles equipped 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 TEMPERATURE message will
be displayed and a warning chime will sound. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-62for more
information.
On vehicles with a V8 engine, if the coolant temperature
is above normal operating range, the message
ENGINE HOT...IDLE ENGINE will appear. This means
that you should reduce the engine load and speed
to prevent the engine from overheating.
If an engine overheat condition exists, the message
ENGINE HOT...STOP ENGINE will appear. This means
that you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle,
and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating (3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-36
orEngine Overheating (4.6L V8 Engine) on page 5-38,
for information on what to do if your engine overheats.
Your vehicle is equipped with an Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode, which alternates ring
groups of cylinders to help prevent engine damage. See
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
underEngine Overheating (3.8L V6 Engine) on
page 5-36orEngine Overheating (4.6L V8 Engine) on
page 5-38for more information. United States
Canada
3-46

If your coolant level is low, the message LOW ENGINE
COOLANT will appear on the DIC. This means that
you should check your coolant level as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Coolant (3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-31
orEngine Coolant (4.6L V8 Engine) on page 5-34
for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
The check tire pressure system can alert you to a large
change in the pressure of one tire.
After the system has been
properly calibrated, the
TIRE PRESS light
will come on if a pressure
difference (low pressure)
is detected in one tire.
The light will stay on until you turn off the ignition or
reset (calibrate) the system. SeeCheck Tire Pressure
System on page 5-83.The TIRE PRESS light also comes on briey when you
turn your ignition key to START. If the light doesn’t
come on then, have it xed so it will be there to tell you
if the pressure in a tire is low.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light comes on,
the check tire pressure system may not be working
properly. See your dealer for service. Also, see
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on page 3-42.
On vehicles with the optional Driver Information
Center (DIC), a CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message will
appear when the system detects a pressure difference
(low pressure) in one tire. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-62for more information.
3-47

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light in the
United States or With V6 Engine in
Canada or Check Engine Light With
V8 Engine in Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The Service Engine Soon or Check Enginelight 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 awhile, 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:Modications 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.
Modications 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. United States and V6 in
Canada
Canada (V8 Only)
3-48