1994 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA service

Features & Con&olk
86
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill
up than the gage indicated. For
example, the gage may have indicated
the tank was half full, but it actually
took a little more or less than half the
tank's capacity to fill the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn
a corner or speed up.
The tank is not necessarily empty
when the last bar goes out. There is a
1 to 1.5 gallon (4 to 5.6 L) fuel
reserve.
For your fuel tank capacity, see
Service
Station Information on the last page of
this manual.
E
I
Oil Pressure Gage (ELECTRONIC
J 1
CLUSTER)
Your oil pressure gage shows the oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square
inch) when the engine is running. Oil
pressure may vary with engine speed,
outside temperature and oil viscosity.
If you have a problem with your oil, the
box around the oil pressure symbol may
begin to flash
after you start your
engine, or when
you are driving. This
indicates that oil is not going through
your engine quickly enough to keep it
cool. The engine could be low on oil, or
could have
some other oil problem.
Have it
fixed right away.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine fcom
neglected oil problems can be costly
and is not covered by your warranty.
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The oil light could also flash on in three
other situations:
. When the ignition is on (in the Run
position) but the engine is not
running, the light will come on as a
test to show you it is working, but the
light will
go out when you turn the
ignition to
Start. If it doesn't come on
with the ignition on, you may have a
problem with the fuse. Have it fixed
right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling
at a stop, the light may flash on and
off. This is normal.
If you make a hard stop, the light may
come on for a moment. This is normal.
0-
A \
Voltmeter (ELEcmoNIc CLUSTER)
Your charging system gage will show
the rate of charge when the engine is
running. When the engine
is not
running but the ignition is on (in the
Run position), the display measures the
voltage output
of your battery, and will
flash until you turn the ignition to
Start.
The reading will change as the rate of
charge changes (with engine speed,
etc.), but readings between the warning
zones indicate the normal operating
range. Readings in either warning zone
indicate a possible problem with your
charging system. Have your Oldsmobile
serviced immediately. You
also have a warning light.
A box
around the battery symbol will flash
when the charging system needs
service.
If it comes on while you are driving, you
may have a loose belt or other problem
with the electrical charging system.
Have it checked right away. Driving
while this light is on could drain your
battery.
If
you must drive a short distance with
the light on, be certain to turn off all
your accessories, such as the radio and
air conditioner.
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Features & Controk
88
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
pcmoNIc CLUSTER)
This gage has bars that show the engine
coolant temperature.
A box around the temperature symbol
will flash when your engine
is too hot.
It means that your engine coolant has
overheated. If you have been operating
your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull
off the road,
stop your vehicle and turn
off the
engine as soon as possible.
HOT COOLANT
CAN BURN YOU
BADLY!
In ProbZems on the Road, this manual
shows what to do. See the
Index under
Engine Overheating.
~
Brake System Warning Light
Your Oldsmobile’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts.
If one
part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts
working well.
If the warning light comes on, there
could be a brake problem. Have your
brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on as you start
the vehicle. If it doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you
if there’s a problem.
If the light comes on while you are
driving, pull off the road and stop
carefully.
You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to
stop.
If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See
Towing
Your Truck in the Index.)
The brake system warning light will also
come on when you set your parking
brake, and it will stay on
if your parking
brake doesn’t release fully. If it stays
on
after your parking brake is fully released,
it means you have a brake problem.
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With anti-lock, this light will go on
when you start your engine and may
stay on for several seconds. That’s
normal. If the light doesn’t come on,
have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you if there is
a problem.
If the light stays
on, or comes on when
you’re
driving, your Oldsmobile needs
service.
If the regular brake system
warning light isn’t
on, you still have
brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is
also on, you don’t have
anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem
with your regular brakes. See
Brake
System Warning Light earlier in this part
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
A computer monitors operation of your
fuel, ignition and emission control
systems. This light should come on
when the ignition
is on, but the engine
is not running, as a check to show you
it is working. If it does not come on at
all, have it fixed right away. If it stays
on, or it comes on while you are driving,
the computer is indicating that you
have a problem. You should take your
vehicle in for service soon.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle
with this light on, after a while the
emission controls won’t work as
well, your fuel economy won’t be
as good and your engine may not
run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
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Comfort Controls &Audio Systems
102
Care of Your Cassette Tape
Player
A tape player that is not cleaned
regularly is subject to reduced sound
quality, ruining the cassette, or
damaging the mechanism. Tape
cassettes that are not properly stored in
their plastic cases away from
contaminants, direct sunlight, and
extreme heat may not operate properly
and could cause premature failure of
the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned
monthly or with every
15 hours of use,
as regular maintenance. If you notice a
reduction in sound quality,
try a good
cassette to see if the tape or the tape
1
player is at fault. If the second cassette
results in no improvement in sound
quality, try cleaning the tape player.
Proper tape player cleaning should be
done with a
wiping action nonabrasive
cleaner cassette.
To properly clean your
tape player,
you should follow the
directions on the cleaning cassette.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the
sound quality may degrade over time.
Always verify that the cassette tape is in
good condition before obtaining service
on your tape player.
Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in
their original cases or other protective
cases and away from direct sunlight and
dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled,
dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild,
neutral detergent solution and clean it,
wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the signal
surface when handling discs. Pick up
discs by grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge.
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Your Driving and the Road
110
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON ANT’- LOCK I
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has an advanced electronic
braking system that can help you keep
it under control. When you start your
vehicle and begin to drive away, you
may hear a momentary motor or
clicking noise. This is the ABS system
testing itself. Here’s how anti-lock works.
Let’s say
the road is wet. You’re driving safely.
Suddenly an animal jumps out in front
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what
happens with
ABS.
A computer senses that the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels is
about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each front
wheel and at the rear wheels. The anti-
lock system can change the brake
pressure faster than any driver could.
The computer is programmed to make
the most of available tire and road
conditions. You can steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
of
you.
As you brake, your computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed and
controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change
the time you need to get your foot up to
the brake pedal.
If you get too close to
the vehicle
in front of you, you won’t
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.
To Use Four-wheel Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the
brake pedal down and let anti-lock
work for you. You may feel the brakes
vibrate, or you may notice some noise,
but this is normal.
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Driving Guidelines
This multipurpose passknger vehicle is
defined as a utility vehicle in Consumer
Information Regulations issued by the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) of the United
States Department of Transportation.
Utility vehicles have higher ground
clearance and a narrower track to make
them capable of performing in a wide
variety of off-road applications. Specific
design characteristics give them a
higher center of gravity than ordinary
cars. An advantage of the higher ground
clearance is a better view of the road
allowing you to anticipate problems.
They are not designed for cornering at
the same speeds as conventional
2-
wheel drive vehicles any more than low-
slung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions.
If at all possible, avoid sharp
turns or abrupt maneuvers. As with
other vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may result
in loss of control or vehicle rollover.
3perating Your Bravada Off
Paved Roads
Many of the same design features that
help make Bravada responsive on paved
roads during poor weather conditions
-
features like the locking rear axle and all-
wheel drive - help make it much better
suited for off-road use than a
conventional passenger
car. Its higher
ground clearance also helps Bravada step
over some off-road obstacles. But
Bravada doesn’t have features like special
underbody shielding and a transfer case
low gear range, things that are usually
thought necessary for extended or severe
off-road service.
This guide is for
operating your Bravada off paved roads.
Also, see Anti-Lock Brakes in the Index.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it
does have some definite hazards. The
greatest of these is the terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means you’ve left the
great North American road system
behind. Traffic lanes aren’t marked.
Curves aren’t banked. There are no
road signs. Surfaces can be slippery,
rough, uphill or downhill. In short,
you’ve gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new
skills. And that’s why it’s very
important that
you read this guide.
You’ll find many driving tips and
suggestions. These will help malte your
off-road driving safer and more
enjoyable.
Before You Go Ofi-Roading
There are some things to do before you
go out. For example, be sure to have all
necessary maintenance and service
work done. Be sure you read all the
information about your all-wheel drive
vehicle in this manual.
Is there enough
fuel? Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are
the fluid levels up where they should
be? What are the local laws that apply
to off-roading where you’ll be driving?
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Driving In Water
Light rain causes no special off-road
driving problems. But heavy rain can
mean flash flooding, and flood waters
demand extreme caution.
Find
out how deep the water is before
you drive through it. If it’s deep enough
to cover your wheel hubs, axles, or
exhaust pipe, don’t
try it - you
probably won’t get through.
Also, water
that deep can damage your axle and
other vehicle parts.
If the water isn’t too deep, then drive
through it slowly. At fast speeds, water
splashes on your ignition system and
your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also
occur
if you get your tailpipe under
water.
And, as long as your tailpipe is
under water, you’ll never be able to
start your engine. When you go through
water, remember that when your brakes
get wet, it may take you longer to stop.
After OtY-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has
collected on the underbody, chassis or
under the hood. These accumulations
can be a fire hazard.
After operation
in mud or sand, have
the brake linings cleaned and checked.
These substances can cause glazing and
uneven braking. Check the body
structure, steering, suspension, wheels,
tires, and exhaust system for damage.
Also, check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
Your vehicle
will require more frequent
service due to off-road use. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule for additional
information.
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