2005 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE overheating

To open a rear ashtray, lift the cover.
Notice:If you put papers or other ammable items
in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and possibly damage
your vehicle. Never put ammable items in the
ashtray.
The cigarette lighter is located next to the storage tray.
To use a lighter, just push the center in all the way
and let it go. When it is ready, the center will pop back
out by itself. Pull out the entire unit to use it.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating. Do not
use anything other than the cigarette lighter in the
heating element.Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
FAN:Turn the left knob clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the fan speed. Push this
knob to turn the fan on and off. The fan must be on in
order for the air conditioning compressor to run.
TEMP (Temperature Control):Turn the right knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to manually increase or
decrease the temperature inside your vehicle.
3-25

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

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.
4-42

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 overll), 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
(3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-36orEngine Overheating
(4.6L V8 Engine) on page 5-38.
4-43

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

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle uid to use. SeePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-24.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area
on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L).Do not overll.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the
H-Specication, may damage your vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by your warranty.
Always use automatic transaxle uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the H-Specication.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check,” earlier in
this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way and turn the
handle clockwise.
Engine Coolant (3.8L V6 Engine)
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating
(3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-36orEngine Overheating
(4.6L V8 Engine) on page 5-38.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-31

Engine Coolant (4.6L V8 Engine)
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating
(3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-36orEngine Overheating
(4.6L V8 Engine) on page 5-38.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Giving freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
5-34