2005 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE traction control

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wiper Lever...................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-16
Twilight Sentinel
®..........................................3-16
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-17
Entry Lighting...............................................3-18
Delayed Entry Lighting...................................3-18
Theater Dimming..........................................3-18
Delayed Exit Lighting.....................................3-18
Perimeter Lighting.........................................3-18
Parade Dimming...........................................3-19
Front Reading Lamps....................................3-20Rear Reading Lamps....................................3-20
Battery Load Management.............................3-20
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.....................3-21
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-21
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-24
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-24
Climate Controls............................................3-25
Climate Control System.................................3-25
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-28
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-32
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-32
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-33
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-33
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-37
Trip Odometer..............................................3-37
Tachometer.................................................3-38
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-38
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-38
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-40
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-41
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-42
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light......3-43
Low Traction Active Light...............................3-44
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
(V6 Engine)..............................................3-45
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. See “Air Outlets” underOutlet
Adjustment on page 3-32.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Audio System Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-99.
D. Windshield Wiper Lever. See “Windshield Wipers”
underWindshield Wiper Lever on page 3-9.
E. Steering Column Shift Lever (If Equipped). See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-27.
F. Driver Information Center (DIC) Controls (If
Equipped). SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on
page 3-59.
G. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-72.
H. Hazard Warning Flashers Control. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.I. Twilight Sentinel
®Controls and Fog Lamps Button.
SeeTwilight Sentinel®on page 3-16andFog
Lamps on page 3-16.
J. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-24.
K. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-25andAutomatic Climate Control
System on page 3-28.
L. Heated Seat Switches (If Equipped). SeeHeated
Seats on page 1-4.
M. Traction Control Button (If Equipped). SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8.
N. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-24.
O. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-44.
3-5

Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
The cruise control switch
is located on the lever on
the left side of the
steering column.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.
3-11

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

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-5
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-6
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-8
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-13
Driving at Night............................................4-15
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-16
City Driving..................................................4-19Freeway Driving...........................................4-20
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-21
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-22
Winter Driving..............................................4-24
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow........4-28
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-29
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-29
Towing..........................................................4-34
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-34
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-35
Towing a Trailer (V8 Engine)..........................4-36
Towing a Trailer (V6 Engine)..........................4-36
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Please do not drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering, and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it is
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control of
your vehicle. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-8.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it is pavement
or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of
the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.
4-5

Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-11.
4-8