🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Pontiac

Model:

Bonneville

Year:

1993

Sub Model:

SSEi

👋 Introduction

Segment:

Full-size Personal Luxury Sedan

Target Audience:

Consumers seeking comfortable, spacious, and well-equipped American sedans with a touch of performance and style.

Key Competitors:

Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Chrysler New Yorker, Buick LeSabre/Park Avenue, Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight/LSS

Styling:

Aerodynamic 'Greenhouse' design, distinctive Pontiac styling cues.

Interior:

Spacious cabin, premium materials (for its time), available leather seating, advanced electronic climate control.

Powertrain Options:

Supercharged V6 engine (SSEi) offered strong performance for the segment.

📋 Manual Details

Primary Coverage:

Vehicle operation, maintenance, and features for the 1993 Pontiac Bonneville

Secondary Coverage:

Driving controls, convenience items, dashboard indicators, basic troubleshooting

Estimated Page Count:

Approximately 200-250 pages (typical for this era and model)

Type:

Owner's Manual

Language:

English

Digital Format:

PDF

📖 Manual Coverage

Powertrain:

Engine operation basics, transmission operation basics

Chassis:

Braking system operation, steering system operation, suspension basics

Electrical:

Lighting operation, power accessories operation, dashboard indicators, fuse box locations (basic overview)

Comfort Convenience:

Climate control, audio system operation, power seats, door locks, windows, cruise control

Maintenance:

Fluid level checks (oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure checks, basic cleaning instructions

Operation:

Starting and stopping the engine, shifting gears, using headlights, operating wipers, fuel filling procedures

Safety:

Seat belt usage, child restraint system installation basics, airbag system overview

Troubleshooting:

Explanation of dashboard warning lights and indicators, basic advice for minor issues

Depth:

Owner-level operation and basic maintenance, not a comprehensive service or repair manual.

📊 Manual Specifications

File Type:

Portable Document Format (PDF)

Searchable:

Likely searchable if scanned and OCR'd properly, but not guaranteed.

Resolution:

Depends on the scan quality; aim for 300 DPI for good readability and printability.

Original Binding:

Perfect Bound or Saddle-stitched (for original print)

Digital Binding:

N/A (Digital file)

Original Paper Type:

Standard newsprint or coated paper for manuals of this era.

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Code:

L67 (Supercharged)

Configuration:

3.8L (3800 cc) V6

Aspiration:

Supercharged

Horsepower:

205 hp @ 4400 rpm

Torque:

275 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm

Fuel Delivery:

Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)

Fuel Type:

Unleaded Gasoline, 87 Octane (Minimum)

Standard Engine Optional:

3.8L (3800 cc) V6 naturally aspirated (L36) - typically 170 hp / 220 lb-ft

🔧 Transmission

Transmission Type:

4-speed Automatic

Transmission Model:

4T60-E

Transmission Type Optional:

None (4T60-E was standard across Bonneville models in '93)

Gear Selection:

Driver-selectable modes (e.g., Normal, Performance/Sport - depending on trim)

Fluid Type:

Dexron-III Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)

📐 Dimensions

Length:

Approx. 203.7 inches

Width:

Approx. 73.4 inches

Height:

Approx. 55.2 inches

Wheelbase:

Approx. 110.8 inches

Passenger Volume:

Approx. 105 cubic feet

Trunk Volume:

Approx. 17.7 cubic feet

Curb Weight:

Approx. 3500 - 3700 lbs (depending on trim and options)

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Side Impact Rating:

Not explicitly tested or rated for side impact in the same way as modern vehicles.

IIHS Crash Data:

Data from this era may be limited; focus on occupant protection features.

Braking System:

Front Disc, Rear Drum (standard), Optional Front and Rear Disc Brakes with ABS

Traction Control:

Available Traction Control System (TCS) on certain models, especially SSEi.

Airbags:

Driver-side airbag standard, passenger-side airbag optional or standard on higher trims.

Seat Belts:

Three-point inertia-reel front and rear seat belts.

💡 Technology Features

Audio System:

Factory AM/FM stereo with cassette player, optional CD player, and premium sound systems available.

Climate Control:

Automatic Climate Control (ACC) with digital display available on higher trims, offering precise temperature management.

Cruise Control:

Standard cruise control, often with steering wheel mounted controls.

Heads Up Display:

Available Heads-Up Display (HUD) projecting speed and other information onto the windshield on select models.

Communication:

No integrated Bluetooth or smartphone connectivity; basic antenna for radio reception.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change:

Every 3,000-5,000 miles or 3-6 months, depending on driving conditions.

Tire Rotation:

Every 5,000-7,500 miles.

Coolant Flush:

Refer to manual; typically every 30,000-60,000 miles or 2-4 years.

Spark Plugs:

Refer to manual; typically platinum or iridium plugs with longer intervals than conventional.

Engine Oil:

SAE 5W-30 (API SG or higher) - Consult manual for specific viscosity and API service category.

Coolant:

GM Type 1 (Orange) or Dex-Cool (Orange) coolant. Check for specific recommendation for the 3800 V6.

Brake Fluid:

DOT 3

Intake Manifold Gaskets:

Plastic intake manifold gaskets can become brittle and leak coolant, particularly on the 3800 V6 engines. Often requires replacement with updated designs.

Supercharger Coupler:

The original supercharger snout coupler on the L67 engine is known to degrade and fail, leading to a loss of supercharger function.

Window Regulators:

Power window regulators can become weak or fail over time.

Idler Pulley:

The idler pulley on the supercharged engine can develop bearing noise.

📚 Vehicle History

Pontiac Legacy:

Pontiac was known for performance-oriented, stylish, and often youth-appealing vehicles within GM.

Third Generation:

The 1993 Bonneville belongs to the third generation (1992-1999), which was a significant redesign featuring a more aerodynamic and rounded styling.

Ssei Introduction:

The SSEi, with its supercharged engine, represented the performance flagship of the Bonneville line, introduced in 1992.

Assembly Location:

Lake Orion, Michigan, USA

Production Years:

1992-1999 (third generation)

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Contemporaneous Awards:

While specific awards for the '93 model are hard to pinpoint, the 3800 V6 engine (including the supercharged version) was widely praised for its smoothness, power, and relative efficiency, often appearing on 'Ward's 10 Best Engines' lists in later iterations.