2005 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE fuel cap

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-7
Child Restraints
.......................................1-28
Airbag System
.........................................1-47
Restraint System Check
............................1-56
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
.................................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-19
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-23
Mirrors
....................................................2-36
OnStar
®System
......................................2-39
HomeLink®Transmitter
.............................2-40
Storage Areas
.........................................2-44
Sunroof
..................................................2-45
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-46
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-25
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-33
Systems Monitor
......................................3-58
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-59Secondary Information Center (SIC)
............3-70
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-72
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-34
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-67
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-73
Tires
......................................................5-74
Appearance Care
...................................5-101
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-110
Electrical System
....................................5-111
Capacities and Specications
...................5-121
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
....5-122
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index.................................................................1
2005 Pontiac Bonneville Owner ManualM

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 misre condition has been
detected. A misre 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.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still
ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. SeeFilling Your Tank on page 5-8. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
3-49

Fuel Gage (V6 Engine)
When the ignition is on, your fuel gage tells you about
how much fuel you have in your tank.
When the gage reads in the colored band, a warning
chime will sound and the CHECK GAGES warning light
will come on. You still have a little fuel left, but you
need to get more fuel right away.On vehicles with a DIC, the CHECK GAGES LOW
FUEL message will be displayed when the fuel gage
reads in the yellow band. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-62for more information.
Here are some things that owners ask about. None of
these show a problem with your fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas pump shuts off
before the gage reads full.
It takes a little more, or less, fuel to ll up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more, or less, than half the tank’s capacity
to ll the tank.
United States
Canada
3-56

Fuel Gage (V8 Engine)
When the ignition is on, your fuel gage tells you about
how much fuel you have in your tank.
When the gage reads in the colored band, a warning
chime will sound and the CHECK GAGES warning light
will come on. You still have a little fuel left, but you
need to get more fuel right away.On vehicles with a DIC, the CHECK GAGES LOW
FUEL message will be displayed when the fuel gage
reads in the yellow band. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-62for more information.
Here are some things that owners ask about. None of
these show a problem with your fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas pump shuts off
before the gage reads full.
It takes a little more (or less) fuel to ll up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more (or less) than half the tank’s capacity
to ll the tank.
United States
Canada
3-57

Certication Label
A vehicle specic Certication label is attached to the rear
edge of the driver’s door. It tells you the gross weight
capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. Never exceed the
GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it
out. Do not carry more than 176 lbs (80 kg) in your trunk.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either
the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on your
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of your vehicle.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
4-33

Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
3.8L V6 engine and the proper trailer towing equipment.
To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity is for
your vehicle, you should read the information in “Weight
of the Trailer” that appears later in this section. But
trailering is different than just driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
That is the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag of the added weight. The engine
is required to operate at relatively higher speeds and
under greater loads, generating extra heat. Also,
the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you will be driving. A good source
for this information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Do not tow a trailer at all during the rst 1,000 miles
(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full throttle. This
helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle
wear in at the heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Do not drive faster than the maximum posted
speed for trailers, or no more than 55 mph
(90 km/h), to save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
4-37

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-16
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (3.8L V6 Engine).......5-22
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (4.6L V8 Engine).......5-23
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (3.8L V6 Engine).....5-25
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (4.6L V8 Engine).....5-28
Engine Coolant (3.8L V6 Engine)....................5-31
Engine Coolant (4.6L V8 Engine)....................5-34
Radiator Pressure Cap (3.8L V6 Engine)..........5-36
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
(4.6L V8 Engine).......................................5-36Engine Overheating (3.8L V6 Engine)...............5-36
Engine Overheating (4.6L V8 Engine)...............5-38
Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode (4.6L V8 Engine)..............................5-40
Cooling System (3.8L V6 Engine)....................5-40
Cooling System (4.6L V8 Engine)....................5-47
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-52
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-53
Brakes........................................................5-54
Battery........................................................5-57
Jump Starting (3.8L V6 Engine)......................5-59
Jump Starting (4.6L V8 Engine)......................5-63
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-67
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-67
Headlamps..................................................5-68
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-69
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-71
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-72
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-73
Tires..............................................................5-74
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-75
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-77
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-80
Check Tire Pressure System..........................5-83
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-85
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Filling Your Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow all the instructions
on the pump island. Turn off your engine when
you are refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Keep sparks,
ames and smoking materials away from fuel.
Do not leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle — this is against the law
in some places. Keep children away from the
fuel pump; never let children pump fuel.
The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel
door on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a spring in it; if the
cap is released too soon, it will spring back to the right.
While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap on the
hook on the inside of the fuel door.
5-8