1994 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA maintenance

I Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to replace the air filter
and the crankcase ventilation filter.
See
Scheduled Maintenance Services in
the
Index.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire
can cause a damaging engine fire.
And, dirt can easily get into your
engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner in place
when you’re driving.
To Check or Replace the Air Cleaner
Filter:
1. Loosen the two wing screws.
2. Lift the air cleaner filter housing.
3. Unsnap the two clips on the housing
cover and remove the cover.
171
L
ProCarManuals.com

Service &Appearance Care
4. Remove the air cleaner filter from the
5. Install a new air cleaner filter and
housing.
reverse steps
1-3.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
4 good time to check your automatic
transmission fluid level is when the
:ngine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to change your fluid. See
Scheduled Maintenance Services in
the
Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at an Oldsmobile dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow
all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can
damage your transmission.
Too
much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot
engine parts or exhaust system,
starting a fire. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least
30 minutes before
checking the transmission fluid level if
you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are abovc
At high speed for quite a while.
90°F (32°C).
In
heavy traffic - especially in hot
weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid
should be at normal operating
temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
To Check Transmission Fluid Hot:
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside
temperatures are above
50°F (10°C). If
it's colder than
50°F ( 10°C), drive the
vehicle in
D (3rd Gear) until the engine
temperature gage moves and then
remains steady for ten minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
To Check Transmission Fluid Cold:
A cold check is made after the vehicle
has been sitting for eight hours or more
with the engine off and is used only as a
reference. Let the engine run at idle for
five minutes if outside temperatures are
50°F (10°C) or more. If it's colder than
50°F (lO"C), you may have to idle the
engine longer. Should the fluid level be
low during a cold check, you
must
perform a hot check before adding fluid.
This will give you a more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
ProCarManuals.com

To Check the Fluid Hot or Cold:
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place
With your foot on the brake pedal,
the
shift lever in
P (Park).
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three
seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in
P (Park).
minutes or more.
Let the engine run at idle for three Then, Without Shutting off the
Engine, Follow These Steps:
1. Flip the handle up and then 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 fluid level
must be in the
COLD area for a cold
check or in the
HOT area or cross-
hatched area for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable
range, push the dipstick back in all
the way; then flip the handle down to
lock the dipstick in place.
How to Add FIuid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind
of transmission
fluid to use. See
Recommended Fluids
G Lubricants in the index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper fluid to bring the level up
to the COLD area for a cold check or
the HOT area for a hot check. It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than a
pint
(OSL) . Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRONB-I11 or DEXRONB-IIE,
because fluids with that label are made
especially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused by fluid
other than DEXRONB-I11 or
DEXRONB-IIE is not covered by your
new vehicle warranty.
I 73
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
I
1 74
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under
How to
Check.
obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way.
When the correct fluid level is
I Rear Axle
When to Check and Change
Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change it. See
Scheduled Maintenance Services in
the
Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to
raise the level to the bottom of the filler
plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
See
Recommended Fluids E. Lubricants
in the Index.
I All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check the
lubricant. See
Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to
raise the level to the bottom of the filler
plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
See
Recommended Fluids G Lubricants
in the Index.
Front Axle
When to Check and Change
Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change it. See
Scheduled Maintenance Services in the
Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise
the level to the bottom of the filler plug
hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
See
Recommended Fluids G Lubricants
in the Index.
I Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant when it
is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see
Engine
Overheating
in the Index.
The proper coolant for your Oldsmobile
will:
Give freezing protection down to
Give boiling protection up to 258°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
-34°F (-37°C).
(125°C).
temperature.
I
ProCarManuals.com

What to Add
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of fluid to use. See
Recommended Fluids G Lubricants in
the
Index.
NOTICE:
When adding power steering fluid
or malting a complete fluid change,
always use the proper fluid. Failure
to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
To Add
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID
ONLY. Add washer fluid until the bottle
is full.
NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer
fluid, follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-
use washer fluid. Water can cause
the solution to freeze and damage
your washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as
washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only %
full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in
your windshield washer. It can
damage your washer system and
paint.
n
I77
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
1 78
~-
Brakes
Brake Master Cylinder
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is
filled with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in your master cylinder
might go down. The first is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear.
When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back
up. The other reason is
that fluid is leaking
out of the brake
system.
If it is, you should have your
brake system fixed, since a leak means
that sooner or later your brakes won’t
work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it
isn’t a good idea to “top
off’ your brake
fluid. Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid when your linings
are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings.
You should add (or remove) brake
fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to check your brake
fluid. See
Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
in the Index.
To Check Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without
taking
off the cap. Just look at the
windows on the brake fluid reservoir.
The fluid levels should be above
MIN. If
they aren’t, have your brake system
checked to see
if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the levels
are above
MIN and below the top of
each window.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake fluid
- such as Delco
Supreme
11s (GM Part No.1052535).
Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the
brake fluid reservoir cap before
removing it.
ProCarManuals.com

Accelerator Control System
Your Maintenance Schedule will tell
you how often the accelerator linkage
pivot points must be lubricated and
what type of lubricant to use.
Accelerator cables and cruise control
cables should not be lubricated. Any
cables that are worn or are hard to pull
should be replaced.
Hood Latches and Hood
Hinge
Your Maintenance Schedule will tell
you how to lubricate the hood latch and
hood hinge assembly.
Lock Cylinders
To be sure your locks operate properly,
they must be lubricated. Your
Maintenance Schedule will tell you how
often to lubricate them and what type of
lubricant to use.
You should not use penetrating oils
because they could wash out the factory
installed lubricant and cause the lock to
bind. De-icers which contain alcohol could
also wash away the lubricant,
so
be sure to lubricate the lock after using
a de-icer of this type.
Tailgate-Mounted Spare Tire
Carrier
The spare tire carrier must be lubricated
to keep it operating smoothly. Your
Maintenance Schedule
will tell you
what type of lubricant to use.
Tires
We don’t make tires. Your new vehicle
comes with high quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer. These tires
are warranted by the tire manufacturers
and their warranties are delivered with
every new Oldsmobile. If your spare tire
is a different brand than your road tires,
you will have a tire warranty folder from
each of these manufacturers.
185
ProCarManuals.com

rire Inspection and Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have
:hem inspected and rotated at the
nileages recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule.
See Scheduled
Maintenance Services
in the Index.
Use this rotation pattern.
[f your vehicle has front tires with
iifferent load ratings or tread designs
(such as all season vs.
on/off road) than
the rear tires, don’t rotate your tires
kont to rear.
Mer the tires have been rotated, adjust
;he front and rear inflation pressure as
shown on the Certificatioflire label.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are
?roperly tightened. See
Wheel Nut
l’orque in the Index.
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
When It’s Time for New Tires
3ne way to tell when it’s time for new
:ires is to check the treadwear
.ndicators, which will appear when your
tires have only
2/32 inch (1.6 mm) or
less
of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if
You can see the indicators at three or
more places around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing
through the tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut
or snagged deep enough to show cord
or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
I87
ProCarManuals.com