2005 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE engine overheat

Engine Coolant Heater
If your vehicle has this feature, in very cold weather,
0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can
help. You will get easier starting and better fuel economy
during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater
should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to
starting your vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C),
use of the coolant heater is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The engine coolant heater cord is located on
the passenger’s side of the vehicle, above the
headlamp assembly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you will be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
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Parking Brake
Your vehicle has a PUSH
TO RELEASE parking
brake. To set the parking
brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down
with your right foot. Push
down the parking brake
pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on and four chimes will be heard.
If you start to drive with the parking brake set, a chime
will sound after the vehicle has traveled approximately
40 feet (12 m).To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your
left foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it to the
release position.
If you try to drive with the parking brake on, the brake
light stays on and a chime sounds until you release the
parking brake.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer (V8 Engine) on page 4-36or
Towing a Trailer (V6 Engine) on page 4-36. That section
shows what to do rst to keep the trailer from moving.
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Console Shift Lever
If your vehicle has the console shift lever, hold the
brake pedal down with your right foot and set the parking
brake.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever while pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle
Hold in the button on the lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of the
vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pulling it
toward you. Or, if you have the console shift lever,
without rst pushing the button. If you can, it means that
the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
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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)
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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
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Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine
again and repeat this only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as
possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help
keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do
some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until
help comes.
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you do not want to
spin your wheels too fast. The method known as rocking
can help you get out when you are stuck, but you
must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they
can explode, and you or others could be
injured. And, the transaxle or other parts of the
vehicle can overheat. That could cause an
engine compartment re or other damage.
When you are stuck, spin the wheels as little
as possible. Do not spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transaxle back
and forth, you can destroy your transaxle. See
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-29.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
seeTire Chains on page 5-90.
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When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It
is important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a
trailer lighting system into your vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if
one of your lamps goes out. So, when you have a trailer
lighting system plugged in, be sure to check your
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be sure
they are all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lamps, the bulb warning lights again can tell you if one
of your vehicle lamps is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you do not shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down to THIRD (3) and
reduce your speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to
reduce the possibility of the engine and transaxle
overheating.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
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.
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