1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA maintenance

So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when
you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
a
-
I CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the
engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is
hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle
could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”
in the Index.
Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the windows
on the brake fluid reservoir.
The fluid levels should be above
MIN. If they aren’t,
have your brake system checked to see
if there is a leak.
After work
is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure
the levels are above MIN and below the top of
each window.
6-26
ProCarManuals.com

Brake Wear
Your Oldsmobile has four-wheel disc 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).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
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.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and
evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection”
in Section 7 of this manual
under
Part C “Periodic Maintenance Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your retailer 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.
6-28
ProCarManuals.com

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
See “Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts” in the
Index for the proper type of replacement blades.
NOTICE:
Use care when removing or installing a blade
assembly. Accidental bumping can cause the arm
to fall back and strike the windshield.
1. To remove the old wiper blades, lift the wiper arm
until it locks into a vertical position.
A. Blade Assembly
B. Arm Assembly
C. Locking Tab
D. Blade Pivot
E. Hook Slot
E Arm Hook
6-34
ProCarManuals.com

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
( 10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires
as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See “When It’s Time for New Tires” and
“Wheel Replacement” later
in this section for
more information.
The purpose of regular rotation
is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation
is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services”
in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals. When rotating your tires, always
use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
If your vehicle has a compact spare
tire, don’t include it
in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures
as shown on the
Certificationmire label. Make certain that all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See
“Wheel Nut Toraue” in
the Index.
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident. When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use a scraper or wire brush later,
if you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt off. (See
“Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index.)
6-38
ProCarManuals.com

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 retailer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your retailer’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,
accelemted 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 retailer
or an underbody car 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: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no de.fect
in the paint job causes this,
Oldsmobile
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the
surfaces
of new vehicles damaged by this fallout
condition
within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km)
of purchase, whichever occurs first.
6-51
-
ProCarManuals.com

Capacities and Specifications
Engine Description ............ “VORTEC” 4300
Type
.................................... V6
VINCode ................................. W
Horsepower
................... 190 at 4,400 rpm
Thermostat Specification
........... 195 “F (9 1 “C)
Spark Plug
Gap .......... 0.045 inches (0.1 I4 cm)
Firing Order
...................... 1-6-5-4-3-2
Wheels and Tires
Wheel Nut Torque ............ 95 lb-ft (130 N-m)
Tire Pressure ...................... Look at the
Certificationnire label. See
“Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement part numbers listed in this section are
based
on the latest information available at the time of
printing, and are subject to change.
If a part listed in this
manual is not the same as the part used in your vehicle
when
it was built, or if you have any questions, please
contact your retailer.
Oil Filter.
.............................. PFS2
Air Cleaner Filter ...................... A1163C
PCV Valve
.......................... CV746C
Automatic Transmission Filter Kit
...... 24200796
Spark Plugs
.......................... ,41-932
Fuel Filter
............................. GF48 1
Windshield Wiper Blade . . Trico (20 inched50.8 cm)
Backglass Wiper Blade
... Trico (14 inched35.6 cm)
6-60
ProCarManuals.com

a Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your Oldsmobile. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its
safety, dependability and emission control performance.
7-2
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-4
7-5
7-5
7-6
7-6
7-7 Introduction to
Your Maintenance Schedule
Your Vehicle and the Environment
How this Section
is Organized
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
Selecting
the Right Schedule for Your Vehicle
Short Trip/City Definition
Short Trip/City Intervals
Long Trip/Highway Definition
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 7-28
7-39
7-39
7-40
7 -40
7-43
7-4s
7-47
7-47 Long Trip/Highway Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks at Each Fuel Fill-up
What to Check at Least Once a Month
What to Check at Least Twice
a Year
What
to Check at Least Once a Year
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Tips
for Keeping Track of Maintenance
A Place to Record Maintenance Procedures
ProCarManuals.com

Introduction
IMPORTANT-
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE A!
RECOMMENDED
protection I
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle
in good working condition, but also helps the
environment.
All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality
of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
7-2
ProCarManuals.com