2005 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE radiator cap

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

A. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block (3.8L V6 Engine) on
page 5-112orEngine Compartment Fuse Block
(4.6L V8 Engine) on page 5-114.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-53.
C. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underEngine Coolant (3.8L V6 Engine)
on page 5-31orEngine Coolant (4.6L V8 Engine)
on page 5-34.
D. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
(3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-36.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-52.F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
H. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
(3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-25orAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid (4.6L V8 Engine) on page 5-28.
I. Brake Master Cylinder. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-54.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter (3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-22or
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (4.6L V8 Engine) on
page 5-23.
5-13

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The transaxle uid cap is
located next to the radiator
hose and below the
engine air cleaner/lter
assembly on the driver’s
side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for more information
on location.
1. After removing the engine air cleaner/lter assembly
to reach the transaxle uid cap, turn the cap
counterclockwise to remove. Pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and
then pull it back out again.3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The uid level must be in the
cross-hatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way and turn the handle
clockwise. Reinstall the engine air cleaner/lter
assembly.
5-30

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixtureat the coolant recovery tank,but be
careful not to spill it.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System (3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-40
orCooling System (4.6L V8 Engine) on page 5-47.
5-33

If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use the proper coolant, you do not
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
The engine coolant surge tank is located toward the
rear of the engine compartment on the passenger’s side
of the vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more information on location.The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the FULL
COLD mark which is located on the side of the surge
tank that faces the engine.
If the LOW ENGINE COOLANT message comes on and
stays on, it means you are low on engine coolant.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-62for
more information.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixtureat the surge tank,but only when the
engine is cool.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
5-35

{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure the arrow
lines up with the tube.
Radiator Pressure Cap
(3.8L V6 Engine)
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap line
up with the overow tube on the radiator ller neck.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
(4.6L V8 Engine)
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may occur.
Be sure the cap is properly and tightly secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
Engine Overheating (3.8L V6 Engine)
You will nd a coolant temperature gage or a DIC
warning message about a hot engine on your vehicle’s
instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage (V6 Engine) on page 3-45orEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage (V8 Engine) on page 3-46and
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-62.
5-36

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode (4.6L V8 Engine)
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
message ENGINE HOT, STOP ENGINE is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. This operating mode allows your vehicle
to be driven to a safe place in an emergency. Driving
extended miles (km) in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-16.
Cooling System (3.8L V6 Engine)
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
5-40

{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark when the engine is cold. The coolant
level should be at the FULL HOT mark under normal
operating conditions. If it is not, you may have a leak
at the pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine re, and you could be burned.
Get any leak xed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they are not, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
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.
5-41