1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA recommended oil

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'?
4-35
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How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at the
ADD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL TM
(silicate-free) antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank.
(See “Engine Coolant’’ in the Index for more
information.)
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL coolant.
I NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mix.
5-16 -
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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
6-1
- -~ -
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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
6-4
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

1
; What to Use
I Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
’ kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
i Lubricants” in the Index.
1 , I Engine Coolant
; The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
1 DEX-COOL” engine coolant. This coolant is designed
I to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
I (240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
~ DEX-COOL” extended life coolant.
I i The following explains your cooling system and how to
i
~
i
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
I
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
1 your Oldsmobile will:
’ 0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
~ 0 Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C). I
~ 0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only
DEX-COOL TM (silicate-free) coolant.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half DEX-COOL
TM coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts. Use GM Engine Coolant
Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any
complete coolant change.
If you use this mixture, you
don’t need to add anything else.
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Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your
Oldsmobile by hand may be necessary to remove
residue from the paint finish. You can get GM-approved
cleaning products from your retailer. (See “Appearance
Care and Materials”
in the Index.)
Your Oldsmobile has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish. The
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored basecoat.
Always use waxes and polishes that are non-abrasive and
made for
a basecoatklearcoat paint finish.
I NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoatlclearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish
if they remain on painted surfaces.
Wash the vehicle as soon
as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject
to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over
a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Oldsmobile garaged or covered
whenever possible.
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 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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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
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