1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA instrument panel

~ . le Knob - Automatic
Operation
I he right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery. When the system is
set
for automatic operation, sensors will control the air
delivery mode. Air will come primarily from the floor
or
instrument panel outlets, with some air directed to the
windshield to prevent fogging.
When the system is
in AUTO mode, the air conditioning
light will turn on, and
the recirculation and outside air
lights
turn off. With the system in full auto control
(both the fan and mode knobs
in AUTO), YOLI still
have the ability to override any function. However?
continually overriding the outside air or the A/C
compressor will
limit the ability of the system to cool
the vehicle quickly.
If you push a button for a function which is not
available, the light next to that button
will flash three
times to alert you that it's
not available.
To find your comfort zone, start with the
74°F (23°C)
setting and allow about 20 minutes for the system to
adjust the temperature
if necessary.
With the automatic setting, the air conditioning
compressor automatically cycles when needed to cool
the air.
In cold weather, when the system senses the need
for heat, the airflow will be directed out the floor outlets.
As the
interior temperature approaches a desired
setting,
the blower speed will decrease. To maintain
interior comfort, the airflow will adjust between the
instrument panel air outlets and
floor outlets. On bright
sunny days in cool weather, the airflow may come out
of
the air conditioning and floor outlets (bi-level mode) to
maintain comfort and prevent stuffiness.
To avoid blowing cold air
in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on the outside air
temperature, engine coolant temperature or the time
since the engine was last started.
As the coolant
warms
up, the blower fan speed will gradually increase
and air will flow from the heater outlets, with some
airflow to the windshield to prevent fogging under most
normal conditions.
If your vehicle is sitting out on a warm day and you
have the filn set on AUTO, the air
will first flow out of
the floor air outlets for
a few seconds. That is normal.
This is to expel hot air from the air outlets.
As the air is
cooled, the airflow
will move through the air
conditioning outlets.
Be careful
not to put anything over the solar sensor
located around the center of the instrument panel.
This sensor is used by the automatic system
to
regulate temperature.
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Mode Knob - Manual Operation
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery.
You can choose to set the climate control system
operations yourself, or let the system work for
you
by placing the system in AUTO mode. See “Mode
Knob
- Automatic Operation” earlier in this section.
/.I PANEL: This setting directs most of the air
through the instrument panel outlets and a small amount
through the
floor outlets.
’# BI-LEVEL: Air is delivered through the heater
floor outlets
as well as the instrument panel outlets.
+’ HEATER: This setting directs most of the
warmed air through the heater floor outlets and some air
through the windshield defroster outlets.
+e
+e
e
‘/.I BLEND: Airflow is divided equally between the
heater floor outlet and the windshield defroster outlets.
The air conditioning compressor may
run to dehumidify
the air to prevent window fogging.
DEFROST This setting directs most air through
the windshield defroster outlets and some through the
heater outlets. The air conditioning compressor may
run
to dehumidify the air to prevent window fogging.
a OUTSIDE AIR: Press this button to force the
system to use outside air. Press
it again to close off the
outside air.
Pressing the OUTSIDE AIR button
will cancel the
RECIRCULATION button.
RECIRCULATION: Press this button to limit
the amount of fresh air entering your vehicle. This is
helpful when you are trying to
limit odors e.ntering your
vehicle.
In the AUTO mode, the system will use
recirculation as necessary to cool the air. Pressing the
recirculation button
will change the operation to a
manual mode and the air
will recirculate non-stop. Press
this button again to turn off the recirculation feature.
RECIRCULATION may be selected
with the fan control
in OFF to limit odors, outside air and dust from entering
your vehicle.
Pressing the RECIRCULATION button will cancel the
OUTSIDE AIR button.
0 A/C: Press this button to turn the air conditioning
on and off. The system will cool and dehumidify the air
inside the vehicle.
Air conditioning
will be automatically disabled when
the outside temperature drops below
a level which air
conditioning is ineffective.
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Remember that in order for the automatic system
to perform
well, it needs A/C to provide
cooling performance.
Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This reduces the time
it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
For quick cool-down on very hot days, use
MAX A/C
with the temperature knob turned to the left. This setting
should be used to keep odors and/or dust from entering
the vehicle. For normal cooling on hot days, use A/C
with the temperature knob turned to the left.
On cool but sunny days, use BI-LEVEL A/C to deliver
warm air to the floor and cooler air to the instrument
panel outlets.
When the air conditioner is on, you may sometimes notice
slight changes
in your vehicle‘s engine speed and power.
This
is normal because the system is designed to cycle the
compressor on and off to keep the desired temperature.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using
it. On cold days, use HEATER with the
temperature knob turned
to the right. BLEND is useful
in cool weather when you have fog or ice on the
windshield or side windows.
If you use the optional engine coolant heater before
starting your engine, your heating system will produce
warmer air faster to heat the passenger compartment in
cold weather. See “Engine Coolant Heater”
in the Index.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling
is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Airflow is through the instrument
panel outlets.
Your vehicle’s ventilation system supplies outside air to
the inside of your vehicle when
it is moving. When the
vehicle is
not moving, you can get outside air to flow
through by selecting any mode and any fan speed.
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You will find air outlets in the center and on the sides of
your instrument panel.
You can direct the airflow side-to-side
by rotating the
thumbwheel located
in the center of the vent. The vent
can be tilted
up and down also. To control the amount of
airflow through the outlets, rot.ate the thumbwheel
below the vent.
Ventilation Tips
0
0
0
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster
will work fa better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter
a vehicle in cold weather, move the
fan control to high for a few moments before driving
off. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow
and
moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the
inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the
front seats clear of objects.
This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use BLEND to keep the
windshield and side windows clear.
Use DEFROST to remove fog or ice from the
windshield quickly
in extreme humid or cold conditions.
Turn the temperature knob to the right and move the fan
control toward high.
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Following Distance Making Turns
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that. require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing
a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need
to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left.
To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer
to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a heavy-duty turn signal flasher (included
in
the optional trailering package).
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal
a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop.
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When towing a trailer, the 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.
You should use THIRD
(3) when towing a trailer.
Operating your vehicle in THIRD
(3) when towing a
trailer will minimize heat buildup 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
PARK (P) yet. Then turn your wheels into the
curb
if facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
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
5. Release the regular brakes.
brake and shift into
PARK
(P).
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Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. See "Gages" in the Index.
1 [f Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it
cools down. Wait until
there is no sign
of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire.
You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is
cool.
I NOTICE: I
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered
by your warranty.
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Be sure the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane is
less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive.
If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But
don’t worry
if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up
a hill. That’s normal,
and
you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have a problem.
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood emission control
label), it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications.
If such fuels are not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
on your instrument
panel may turn on and/or your vehicle may fail a
smog-check test.
If this occurs, return to your authorized
GM retailer for diagnosis to determine the cause
of
failure. In the event it is determined that the cause of the
condition
is the type of fuels used, repairs may not be
covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for
low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
tnethylcyclopentadienyl 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
GM retailer for service.
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