1994 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA engine oil

How to Use this Manual
These symbols are on some of your
controls: These symbols
are used on warning
and indicator lights: Here
are some other symbols you
may see:
Windshield Wipers
Engine Coolant
Temperature Fuse
w Windshield
Washer
Battery Charging
System Tailgate Window
Windshield Defroster Lighter
Fuel
Rear Window Defogger Horn
Speaker
Engine
Oil Pressure
Rear Window Wiper
Brake
Hood Release
Rear Window
WiperlWasher Anti-Lock Brakes
Ventilating Fan
Power Window
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Engine Coolant Heater (Engine
Block Heater)
(OPTION)
In very cold weather, 0°F (-18°C) or
colder, the engine coolant heater can
help.
You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine
warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater
should be plugged in a minimum of four
hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-
electrical cord.
volt outlet.
NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant
heater, be sure to store the cord as
it was before to keep it away from
moving engine parts. If you don’t, it
could be damaged. How long
should you keep the coolant
warmer plugged in? The answer
depends on the weather, the kind of oil
you have, and some other things.
Instead of trying to list everything here,
we ask that you contact an Oldsmobile
dealer
in the area where you’ll be
parking your vehicle. The dealer can
give you the best advice for that
particular area. I
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U
E/M sw&h (ELECTRONIC CLUSTER)
To change your electronic display from
English to metric units, or from metric
co English, press this switch down. The
gages affected are:
Speedometer
Odometer
Trip Odometer
Oil Pressure
Engine Coolant Temperature
mn-irrnrIII
The tachometer displays the engine
speed in revolutions per minute (rpm)
.
NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the
tachometer in the red area, or
engine
damage may occur.
4"' UNLEADED FUEL ONLY c
he/ Gage (STANDARD CLUSTER)
Your fuel gage tells you about how
much fuel you have left, when the
ignition is on. When the indicator nears
E (Empty), you will have a little fuel left
but should get more soon.
Here are four things that some owners
ask about. None of these show a
problem with your fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas pump
shuts off before the gage reads
F (Full) .
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Features & Conlroh
84
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 gage doesn’t go back to E when
you turn
off the ignition.
For your fuel tank capacity, see
Service
Station
Information on the last page of
this manual.
Oil Pressure Gage (STANDARD
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.
Driving your vehicle with low oil
pressure can cause extensive engine
damage. Have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine Gom
neglected
oil problems can be costly
and is not covered by your warranty.
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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.
U
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Your Driving und the Road
128
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes
quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your
speedometer, not to your sense of
motion. After driving for any distance at
higher speeds, you may tend to think you
are going slower than you actually are.
I Before Leaving on a Long
Tip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well
rested. If
you must start when you’re
not fresh
- such as after a day’s work
- don’t plan to make too many miles
that first part of the journey. Wear
comfortable clothing and shoes you can
easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If
you keep it serviced and maintained, it’s
ready to go.
If it needs service, have it
done before starting out.
Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service
experts in Oldsmobile dealerships all
across North America. They’ll be ready
and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check
before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid Is the
reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
shape?
you checked all levels?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have
Lights: Are they all working? Are the
lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a
safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long-distance
driving? Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the
weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as
“highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack
of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy
stretch of road with the same scenery, along
with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the
rush of the wind against the vehicle that
can make you sleepy. Don’t let it
happen
to you! If it does, your vehicle
can leave the road in
less than a
second, and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway
hypnosis? First, be aware that it can
happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well
ventilated, with a comfortably cool
interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road
ahead and to the sides. Check your
mirrors and your instruments
frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into
a rest, service, or parking area and
take a nap, get some exercise, or both.
For safety, treat drowsiness on the
highway as an emergency.
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Your Driving and the Road
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has
to have a different turn signal flasher
and extra wiring. The green arrows on
your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer
lights will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about to turn, change
lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows
on your instrument panel will flash for
turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your
signal when they are not, It’s important
to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you
might have to use your brakes
so much
that they would get hot and no longer
work well. On
a long uphill grade, shift down and
reduce your speed
to around 45 mph
(70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of
engine and transmission overheating.
If you are towing a trailer that weighs
more than
3,000 pounds (1 350 kg), it’s
best to drive in
D instead of Overdrive
(or, as you need to, a lower gear). This
will minimize heat build-up and extend
the life of your transmission.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill.
If
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on
a hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t
shift into
P (Park) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under
the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then
apply your parking brake and then
shift to
P (Park).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave
After Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold
the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear
4. Stop and have someone pick up and
of
the chocks.
store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more
often when you’re pulling a trailer. See
the Maintenance Schedule for more on
this. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are
automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt,
cooling system, and brake adjustment.
Each of these is covered in this manual,
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