1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA Owners Manual

Filling Your Tank
The fuel cap is behind a
hinged door
on the driver’s
side
of your vehicle.
’
I A CAUTION: I
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke
if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
To take off the cap,
turn
it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The cap
has a spring in it; if you let
go of the cap too soon, it
will
spring back to the right.
I A CAUTION:
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap
all the way.
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Be careful not to spill gasoline, Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon
as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside
of Your Oldsmobile” in the Index.
When you put
the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until
you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
I I
I NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your retailer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp’’ in
the Index.
Checking Things Under the Hood
To open the hood, first pull
the handle inside the vehicle
on the lower driver’s side
of
the instrument panel.
6-6
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Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary
hood release.
Lift the hood, release the hood prop from its retainer and
put the hood prop into the slot
in the hood. You may
have a lamp that cornes on when you lift the hood.
A CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic
or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
I
6-7
-
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When you lift the hood, you'll see these items:
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Automatic Transmission Dipstick G. Brake Master Cylinder
E. Engine Oil Fill H. Air Cleaner
F. Power Steering Reservoir
I. Windshield Washer Fluid
6-8
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*--
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on Checking Engine Oil
properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop.
Remove the hood prop from the slot
in the hood and keeping the tip down, and check the level.
return the prop to its retainer. Pull
out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
’ , . . cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
--
Then just pull the hood down firmly to close. It will
latch when dropped from
10 to12 inches (25 to 30 cm)
without pressing on the hood.
Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The oil dipstick is a
yellow ring.
Turn off the engine and give
the
oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan.
If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the
actual level.
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When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need
to add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This
part explains what kind
of oil to use. For crankcase
capacity,
see “Capacities and Specifications” in
the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back
in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recom~nended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking
for the ”Starburst” symbol. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute
(API). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil, be sure you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol on the front of the oil container.
If
you have your oil changed for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is American Petroleum Institute
certified for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle,
as shown in the following chart:
6-10
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I 1
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
~- - -. ~ -. . ~ .- . ~ .~ ~.. ~- ..
HOT
WEATHER , . . . .. .-
"F -I x
LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
-30
00 NOT USE SAE 2DW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart. SAE SW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 1OW-30 if it's going
to be
0" F (- 1 8 " C) or above. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not LIS(;:
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-SO.
I NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certif'ied For Gasoline Engines
"Starburst" symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered
by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in a11 area where the temperature fills below
-20°F (-29°C). consider using either an SAE SW-30
synthetic oil or an SAE OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for engine
at extremely
low temperatures.
6-11
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Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Oldsrnobile retailer
is ready to advise
if you think something should
be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance schedule:
a
a
a
a
a
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This
is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such
as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
off-road frequently.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application. Driving under these conditions causes
engine
oil to
break down sooner.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need
to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (1 2 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a
fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
Remote Oil Filter
The access door for the remote oil filter is in the steering
linkage shield assembly located under the radiator
support. Twist the screw to unlock
or lock the door.
Make sure
if you open the door, it is securely closed
when
you are finished.
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