1994 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA Owners Manual

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.
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The tire has a puncture, cut, or other
damage that can’t be repaired well
because of the size or location of the
damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires
you need, look at the Certificationnire
label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when
it was new had a Tire Performance
Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When
you get new tires, get ones with that
same TPC Spec number. That way, your
vehicle will continue to have tires that
are designed to give proper endurance,
handling, speed rating, traction, ride
and other things during normal service
on your vehicle.
If your tires have an all-
season tread design, the TPC number
will be followed by a
“MS” (for mud
and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those
not having a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size, load range,
speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias-belted or radial) as your
original tires.
Uniform Tire Qualify Grading
The following information relates to the
system developed by the United States
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature
performance. (This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States.)
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half (1 1/2)
times as well on the government course as
a tire graded
100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction - A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest are: A,
B, and C. They represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions
on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature - A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest),
B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
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temperature can cause the material of
the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
These grades are molded
on the
sidewalls of passenger car tires.
While the tires available as standard
or
optional equipment on General Motors
vehicles may vary with respect to these
grades,
all such tires meet General
Motors performance standards and have
been approved for use
on General Motors
vehicles.
All passenger type (P Metric)
tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements
in addition to these grades.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were
aligned and balanced carefully at the
factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have
your wheels aligned again. However, if
you notice unusual tire wear or your
vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset. If you
notice your vehicle vibrating when
driving
on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked
or badly rusted. If wheel nuts keep
coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel nuts should be replaced. If
the wheel leaks air, replace it (except
some aluminum wheels, which can
sometimes be repaired). See your
Oldsmobile dealer if any of these
conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel
you need. Each new
wheel should have the same
load carrying capacity, diameter, width,
offset, and be mounted the same way as
the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts,
replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way, you
will be sure to have the right wheel,
wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for your
Oldsmobile model.
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190
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer/odometer calibration, headlight aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire clearance to the body and
chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Don’t use tire chains; they can
damage your vehicle.
I Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be
hazardous. Some are toxic. Others can
burst into flame if you strike a match or
get them
on a hot part of the vehicle.
Some are dangerous
if you breathe their
fumes in a closed space. When
you use
anything from a container to clean your
Oldsmobile, be sure to follow the
manufacturer’s warnings and
instructions. And always open your
doors or windows when you’re cleaning
the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
- some
more than others
- and they can all
damage your vehicle, too.
NOTICE:
Don’t use any of these unless this
manual says you can. In many uses,
these will damage your vehicle:
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
I Cleaning the Inside of Your
Oldsmobile
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of
dust and loose dirt. Wipe vinyl or
leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Oldsmobile dealer has two
GM
cleaners, a solvent-type spot lifter and a
foam-type powdered cleaner. They will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
Do not use them
on vinyl or leather.
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Here are some cleaning tips:
Always read the instructions on the
cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can -
before they set.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and
change to a clean area often. A soft
brush may be used
if stains are
stubborn.
ventilated area only.
If you use them,
don’t saturate the stained area.
If a ring forms after spot cleaning,
clean the entire area immediately or it
will set.
Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on
Fabric
Vacuum and brush the area to remove
Always clean a whole trim panel or
any
loose dirt.
section. Mask surrounding trim along
stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner
following the directions on the
container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.
Don’t
saturate the material.
Don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section,
use a sponge to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet
sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly
damp paper towel or cloth.
Then dry it immediately with a blow
dryer or a heat lamp.
NOTICE:
Be careful with a hair dryer or heat
lamp.
You could scorch the fabric.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on
Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type
cleaner at all. Some spots and stains
will clean off better with just water and
mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a clean, dull knife or
scraper. Use very little cleaner, light
pressure and clean cloths (preferably
cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at
the outside of the stain, “feathering”
toward the center. Keep changing to a
clean section of the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric,
immediately dry the area with an air
hose, hair dryer, or heat lamp to help
prevent a cleaning ring. (See the
previous NOTICE.)
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Such as grease, oil, butter, margarine,
shoe polish, coffee with cream, chewing
gum, cosmetic creams, vegetable oils,
wax crayon, tar and asphalt.
Carefully scrape off excess stain.
Follow the solvent-type instructions
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and
described
earlier.
asphalt will stain
if left on a vehicle
seat fabric. They should be removed
as soon as possible. Be careful,
because the cleaner will dissolve them
and may cause them to spread.
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Service & Appearance Care
192
~.
Non-Greasy Stains
Such as catsup, coffee (black), egg,
fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, wine,
vomit, urine and blood.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
sponge the soiled area with cool water.
If a stain remains, follow the foam-
type instructions described earlier.
If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit
or urine, treat the area with a
waterhaking soda solution:
1
teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1
cup (250 ml) of lukewarm water.
If needed, clean lightly with solvent-
type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Such as candy, ice cream, mayonnaise,
chili sauce and unknown stains.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
If a stain remains, clean it with
clean
with cool water and allow to
dry.
solvent-type cleaner.
weaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to
remove dirt. You may have to do it
more than once.
polish will stain if you don’t get them
off quickly. Use a clean cloth and a
solvent-type vinyl cleaner.
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water
and a mild soap or saddle soap.
For stubborn stains, use a mild
solution
of 10% isopropyl alcohol
(rubbing alcohol) and
90% water.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-
based or abrasive cleaners, furniture
polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled leather should be cleaned
immediately.
If dirt is allowed to work
into finish, it can harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the
Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean
the top surfaces
of the instrument
panel. Sprays containing silicones or waxes
may cause annoying reflections
in the windshield and even make it
difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
4 Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM
Glass Cleaner (GM Part No. 1050427)
or a liquid household glass cleaner will
remove normal tobacco smoke and
dust films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass,
because they may cause scratches.
Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be
scraped off later. If abrasive cleaners are
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used on the inside of the rear window,
an electric defogger element may be
damaged. Any temporary license should
not be attached across the defogger grid.
Cleaning the Outside ofthe
Windshield, Backgluss-and
Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using
the windshield washer, or
if the wiper
blade chatters when running, wax or
other material may be on the blade or
windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield
with GM Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami
Powders (GM Part
No. 1050011). The
windshield is clean if beads do not form
when you rinse it with water.
Clean the blade by wiping vigorously
with
a cloth soaked in full strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse
the blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked on a
regular basis and replaced when worn,
Cleaning the Outside of Your
Oldsmobile
The paint finish on your vehicle
provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss
retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s
finish
is to keep it clean by washing it
often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct
rays
of the sun. Don’t use strong soaps
or chemical detergents. Use liquid hand,
dish or car washing (mild detergent)
soaps. Don’t use cleaning agents that
contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning
agents should be flushed promptly and
not allowed to dry on the surface, or
they could stain. Dry the finish with a
soft, clean chamois or a 100% cotton
towel to avoid surface scratches and
water spotting.
High pressure truck washes may cause
water to enter your vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of
your Oldsmobile may be necessary to
remove residue from the paint finish.
You can get GM approved cleaning
products from your dealer.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal
Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned
regularly to keep their luster. Washing
with water is all that is usually needed.
However, you may use
GM Chrome
Polish on chrome or stainless steel trim,
if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim.
To avoid damaging protective trim,
never use auto or chrome polish, steam
or caustic soap to clean aluminum.
A
coating of wax, rubbed to high polish, is
recommended for all bright metal parts.
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194
Aluminum Wheels
Your aluminum wheels have a
protective coating similar to the painted
surface of your truck. Don’t use strong
soaps, chemicals, chrome polish,
abrasive cleaners or abrasive cleaning
brushes on them because you could
damage this coating. After rinsing
thoroughly, a wax may be applied.
NOTICE:
Don’t use an automatic vehicle
wash that has hard silicon carbide
cleaning brushes. These brushes
can take off the protective coating.
1 Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will
make them last longer, seal better, and
not stick or squeak. Apply silicone
grease with
a clean cloth at least every
six months. During very cold, damp
weather more frequent application may
be required. (See
Recommended Fluids
G Lubricants in the Index.)
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires
sheet metal repair or replacement,
make sure the body repair shop applies
anti-corrosion material to the parts
repaired or replaced to restore
corrosion protection.
Foreign Material
Calcium chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap,
bird droppings, chemicals
from
industrial chimneys, and other foreign
matter can damage your vehicle’s finish
if they remain on painted surfaces. Use
cleaners that are marked safe for painted
surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep
scratches in the finish should be
repaired right away. Bare metal will
corrode quickly and may develop into a
major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be
repaired with touch-up materials available from your dealer or
other
service outlets. Larger areas of finish
damage can be corrected in your
dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow
removal and dust control can collect on
the underbody.
If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust)
can occur on the underbody parts such
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and
exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these
materials from the underbody with plain
water. Clean any areas where mud and
other debris can collect. Dirt packed in
closed areas of the frame should be
loosened before being flushed. Your
dealer or an underbody vehicle washing
system can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric
conditions can create a chemical fallout.
Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle.
This damage can take two forms:
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