1994 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA Owners Manual

NOTICE:
DOT-5 silicone brake fluid can
Don’t let someone put in the
damage
your vehicle. Don’t use it.
wrong kind of fluid. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based
oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll
have to be replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint, so
be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. See Appearance
Care
in the Index.
Brake Wear
Your Oldsmobile has front disc brakes
and rear
drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The
sound may come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing
on the brake
pedal firmly).
I NOTICE:
I
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
may cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with your brakes.
Your rear
drum brakes don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear
brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake
linings inspected.
Also, the rear brake
drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When you
have the front brakes replaced,
have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return
to normal height, or if there
is a rapid increase in pedal travel.
This
could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your
disc brakes adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther
than normal, your rear drum brakes
may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the
brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle
is complex. Its many parts have to be of
top quality and work well together
if the
vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-
quality
GM brake parts in them, as your
Oldsmobile does when it is new. When
you replace parts
of your braking system
- for example, when your brake linings 179
ProCarManuals.com

Sewice & Appearance Care
180
wear down and you have to have new
ones put in
- be sure you get new
genuine GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work
properly. For example, if someone puts
in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front
and rear brakes can change, for the
worse. The braking performance you’ve
come to expect can change in many
other ways
if someone puts in the wrong
replacement brake parts. Battery
Every new Oldsmobile has a Delco
Freedom@ battery.
You never have to
add water to one
of these. When it’s
time for a new battery, we recommend a
Delco Freedom@ battery. Get one that
has the catalog number shown on the
original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle
for
25 days or more, take off the black,
negative
(-) cable from the battery. This
will help keep your battery from
running down. Contact
your dealer to learn how to
prepare your vehicle for longer storage
periods.
ProCarManuals.com

Halogen Bulbs
Headliuht Bulb Rerolacement
For the type of bulb, see the Index
under Replacement Bulbs.
1. Remove the four Phillips-head screws
from the headlight retainer. retainer.
3. Unplug
the headlight.
4. Plug in the new bulb and put it in
5. Install the retainer to the headlight.
6. Install the screws.
place.
181
ProCarManuals.com

182
Service & Appearance Care
Taillight Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulb, see the Index
under Replacement Bulbs.
1. Open the tailgate.
2. Remove the T15 Torxs-head screws
3. Pull the assembly away from the
from
the light assembly.
fender.
4. Turn the socket countercloclwise to
remove it. If the socket has a tab,
push the tab in while you turn the
socket.
5. Turn the bulb countercloclwise to
remove it.
6. Put the new bulb into the socket and
turn the bulb cloclwise.
7. Put the socket into the light assembly
and turn the socket cloclwise until it
loclts in place.
8. Install the light assembly and screws.
9. Close the tailgate.
Fog Light Bulb Replacement
Don’t change your fog light bulbs unless
you have the proper aiming equipment.
See your Oldsmobile dealer if you have
any further questions.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Replacement blades come in different
types and are removed in different
ways. Here’s how to remove the type
without a release clip:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away
2. With a screwdriver, pry the blade
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on
from the windshield.
assembly off the wiper arm.
the wiper arm.
ProCarManuals.com

I
1
1
1
1
1
i 1
i
i
i
1
MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS COW XXlKx
c- GAWRFRT CAWRRR
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE US. FEDERAL
OF MANUPACTURE SwOwN ABOVE. MOTOR w1ICLE SAFEl’Y STANDARDS IN EPFECT ON TAE DATE
MODEL:
WAX
RR FRT
SPA LmG
SERIAL
NUMBER M.P.V.
SPEED PAYLOAD
TIRESIZE
RTC RIM PSVWA (COLD)
SEE
OWNER’S MANUAL POR ADDITIONAL INPORMATlON
Loading Your Vehicle
The Certificatioflire label is found on
the rear edge of the driver’s door. The
label shows the size of your original
tires and the inflation pressures needed
to obtain the
gross weight capacity of
your vehicle.
This is called the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The
GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The Certificationnire label also tells
you the maximum weights for the front
md rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the
3ctual loads on your front and rear
des, you need to go to a weigh station
md weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can
help
you with this. Be sure to spread out
your load equally on both sides of
the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your
vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
And,
if you do have a heavy load, you
should spread it out. Using heavier
suspension components
to get added durability might not
change your weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load your vehicle the
right way. NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts
or components that fail because of
overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle -
like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else
- they will go as fast as
the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or
turn quickly, or
if there is a crash,
they’ll keep going.
183
ProCarManuals.com

Sewice & Appearance Care
Payload
The Payload Capacity is shown on the
Certificationflire label. This is the
maximum load capacity that your
vehicle can carry. Be sure to include the
weight of the people inside as part of
your load. If you added any accessories
or equipment after your vehicle left the
factory, remember to subtract the weight
of these things from the payload.
Your dealer can help you with this.
Trailering Package
If your vehicle comes with the trailering
package, there is also a load rating
which includes the weight of the vehicle
and the trailer it tows. This rating is
called the Gross Combination Weight
Rating (GCWR)
.
When you weigh your trailer, be sure to
include the weight of everything you put
in it. And, remember to figure the weight
of the people inside as part
of your load.
Your dealer can help you determine
your GCWR.
Add-on Equipment
When you carry removable items, you
may need to put a limit on how many
people you carry inside your vehicle. Be
sure to weigh your vehicle before you
buy and install the new equipment.
NOTICE:
Your warranty doesn’t cover parts
or components that fail because of
overloading.
I Single Belt Accessory Drive
Your new vehicle uses a serpentine belt
that is lighter, more durable and fuel
efficient than systems with several belts.
The belt runs over or around the pulleys
on the engine.
A tensioner is used to
keep the belt tight at all times. The
tensioner also makes replacing the belt
easier.
If you need to replace the belt, be
sure to get the correct replacement belt.
Your dealership or parts supplier can
help you with this. The Accessory Drive
Belt Routing label on your vehicle will
show you how to route the belt your
vehicle uses.
I Air Conditioning
Every now and then have your
dealership check your air conditioning
system to be sure it has not lost any
cooling ability. If you think the system
is not working properly, have your
dealership check it out as soon as
possible.
The air conditioning will not work when
the temperature is below
40°F (4°C).
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

Service & Appearance Care
186
Inflation-Tire Pressure
The Certification/Tire label which is
on the rear edge
of the driver’s door
shows the correct inflation pressures
for your tires, when they’re cold.
“Cold” means your vehicle has been
sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than
a mile. Also see
Capacities G Specifications in the
Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that
underinflation
or overinflation is all
right. It’s not. If your tires don’t
have enough air (underinflation)
you can get:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air
(overinflation)
) you can get:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road
hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Also, check the tire pressure
of the
spare tire.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to
check tire pressure. Simply looking at
the tires will not tell you the pressure,
especially if you have radial tires
-
which may look properly inflated even if
they’re underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to
put them back on. They help prevent
leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
ProCarManuals.com