1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA check oil

Have you recently changed brands of fuel‘?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel” in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not
to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on
acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will
be detected by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use.
It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your retailer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your retailer has
the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical
or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Engine Oil Pressure Gage
OIL 0-
The oil pressure gage shows
the engine 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, but readings above the
low pressure zone indicate the normal operating range.
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A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a
dangerously low oil level or other problems causing low
oil pressure.
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your
oil as soon as possible and have yo1
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
:::(-J 0.0
Check Gages Light
CHECK
GAGES
You may have t.his light on
the instrument panel.
It goes on whenever the
DRL are on, the ignition is
on, the headlamp switch is
off and the parking brake
is released.
The
CHECK GAGES light
will come on briefly when
you are starting the engine.
If the light comes on and
stays on while
you are
driving, check your coolant
temperature and engine oil
pressure gages to see
if they
are
in the warning zones.
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Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored
in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat. If they aren’t,
they may not operate
properly or may cause failure of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. If you notice a reduction in sound
quality, try
a known good cassette to see if it is the tape
or the tape player at fault.
If this other cassette has no
improvement in sound quality, clean the tape player.
Cleaning may be done with
a scrubbing action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette
with pads which scrub
the tape head
as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn. It
is normal for the cassette to eject while cleaning. Insert
the cassette at least three times to ensure thorough
cleaning.
A scrubbing action cleaning cassette is
available through your Oldsmobile retailer.
You may also choose
a non-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner which uses
a cassette with a fabric belt to clean
the tape head. This type of cleaning cassette
will not
eject and, it may not clean as thoroughly as the
scrubbing type cleaner. Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality
may
degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette tape is in
good condition before you have your tape player serviced.
Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store
them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust.
If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean
it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling
discs. Pick
up discs by grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged.
If the mast should ever become
slightly bent, you can straighten
it out by hand. If the
mast is badly bent,
as it might be by vandals, you should
rep1 ace
it .
Check every once in a while to be sure the mast is still
tightened
to the fender.
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Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, nwve to the proper
lane well
in advance. If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
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.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. lf 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 retailers 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:
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Wildshield Wnsher Fluid: Is the reservoir full'? Are
all windows clean inside and outside'?
Wiper
Blades: Are they in good shape'?
Frwl, EIlgirw Oil, Other Fluids: Have YOU checked
all levels'?
Lcrnzps: 4re 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
a11 inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Welrther
Forcmsts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid
a major storm system'?
A4ups: Do you have up-to-date maps'?
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When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
0 Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and 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, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your Oldsmobile. This section begins with service and fuel
information, and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information
about
your vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6-
2
6- 3
6-4
6-5
6-6
6-9
6- 14
6-20
6- 24
6-25
6-29
6-29
6-30
6-34
6-37 Doing
Your Own Service Work
What Kind of Fuel to Use
Using Fuel
in Foreign Countries
Where to Put the Fuel and Filling
the Tank
Checking Things Under the Hood
Checking Your Engine Oil
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Engine Coolant
Where to Fill
the Windshield Washer Fluid
Important Brake Information
Information
on Your Vehicle’s Battery
Tips
on Vehicle Storage
Bulb Replacement Procedures
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement How and When
to Check Tire Inflation 6-39
6-42
6-44
6-47
6-48
6-50
6-5
1
6-52
6-53
6-54
6-55 6-59
6-60
6-60
6-6
I
When it is Time to Buy New Tires
Wheel Alignment
Cleaning the Inside
of Your Oldsmobile
Care
of the Safety Belts
Cleaning the Outside
of Your Oldsmobile
How to Clean Aluminum Wheels
Underbody Maintenance
Recommended Appearance Care Materials
Your Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
The Electrical System
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Replacement Bulb Types for Your Vehicle
Capacities and Specifications
Normal Replacement Parts
Air Conditioning Specifications
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Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadlenyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT);
ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel
contains MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use of such gasolines.
If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel
may turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
Oldsmobile retailer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines
in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and
fuel
system, allowing your emission control system to
function properly. Therefore, you should not have to add
anything to the fuel.
In addition, gasolines containing
oxygenates, such
as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines may be available in your area
to
help clean the air. General Motors recommends that you
use these gasolines if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
~~
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the United
States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to find. Never
use leaded gasoline or any other
fuel not recommended in the
previous text
on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of
improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact
a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell
us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
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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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