2002 Oldsmobile Bravada ABS

1-44 Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
Your vehicle may have the LATCH system. If it does,
you'll find anchors (A) in the rear outside seat positions.
To assist you in locating the lower anchors for this child
restraint system, each seating position with the LATCH
system will have two metal tabs where the seat cushion
meets the seatback.
In order to use the system, you need either a
forward
-facing child restraint that has attaching
points (B) at its base and a top tether anchor (C), or a
rear
-facing child restraint that has attaching points (B),
as shown here.

2-51
CAUTION:
An improperly stored cargo cover could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision
or sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the cover, always store it
outside of the vehicle. When you put it back,
always be sure that it is securely reattached.
Cargo Tie Downs
There are five cargo tie
downs in the rear that allow
you to strap cargo in and
keep it from moving inside
the vehicle.
Rear Floor Stowage Lid
CAUTION:
If the rear floor stowage lid isn't secured properly,
it can move around in a collision or sudden stop.
People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to
secure the rear floor stowage lid properly.
Your vehicle has a rear floor stowage lid located in the
rear cargo area that allows you to put items underneath it.
To remove the rear floor stowage lid, do the following:
1. Press the latch release and lift up the latch handle.
2. Raise the lid slightly to unhook it.
3. Pull the lid rearward to release it from the forward
mounting tabs.
To reinstall the rear floor stowage lid, reverse the
previous steps. Make sure the lid is secure by applying
slight pressure to the latch until you hear it click.

2-54
Accessory Inflator
Your vehicle is equipped with an air inflator system.
You can inflate things like basketballs and bicycle tires.
Also, you can use it to bring your tire pressure up to the
proper pressure. It is not designed to inflate large objects
which will require more than five minutes to inflate,
such as an air mattress.
The air inflator is located
in the rear compartment
on the passenger's side
of the vehicle behind an
access cover.
To remove the cover, pull the two tabs on the cover and
pull it off.The air inflator kit is located in the glove compartment.
The kit includes a 22
-foot (6.7 m) hose with three
nozzle adapters.
To use the air inflator attach the appropriate nozzle
adapter to the end of the hose if required. Then attach
that end of the hose to the object you wish to inflate.
Attach the other end of the hose to the outlet.
Press and release the switch to turn the air inflator on.
The indicator light will remain on when the inflator
is running.
The system has an internal clock to prevent overheating.
The system will allow about five minutes of running
time, then the compressor will stop. The indicator light
will then begin to flash. When the indicator is off, the
inflator can be started again by pressing the switch.
If the compressor is still hot, it may only run for a
short time before shutting off again.

2-55
Press and release the switch to turn the inflator off.
Place the inflator kit tools in the pouch and store it
properly. Remove the inflator hose from the outlet
during loading and unloading. Load leveling will not
function with the inflator hose attached to the inflator
outlet. See ªElectronically Controlled Air Suspension
Systemº in the Index.
To reinstall the cover, line up the tabs at the back of
the cover, put it in place and latch the tabs.
A continuous flashing indicator light may also
indicate a malfunction in the air suspension system.
See ªElectronically Controlled Air Suspension Systemº
in the Index.
CAUTION:
Inflating something too much can make it explode,
and you or others could be injured. Be sure to read
the inflator instructions, and inflate any object
only to its recommended pressure.
Accessory Power Outlets
With the accessory power outlets, you can plug in
auxiliary electrical equipment such as a cellular
telephone or CB radio.
Your vehicle has three accessory power outlets.
The first outlet is located to the right of the cigarette
lighter on the instrument panel. The second outlet is
located on the rear of the center console, and the third
one is located in the rear of the vehicle near the liftgate.
Remove the cover from the outlet to use the outlet.
Be sure to put the cover back on when not using the
accessory power outlet.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result in
blown vehicle or adaptor fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information
on the accessory power outlets.

4-7
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts
-- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking
-- rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following
distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary
braking. That means better braking and longer
brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you're driving, brake
normally but don't pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your
engine stops, you will still have some power brake
assist. But you will use it when you brake. Once the
power assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is
an advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti
-lock brake system will check itself. You may
hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on. This is normal.
If there's a problem with
the anti
-lock brake system,
this warning light will stay
on. See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº in
the Index.

4-8
Here's how anti-lock works. Let's say the road is wet.
You're driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in
front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here's what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
front wheel and at both rear wheels.The anti
-lock system can change the brake
pressure faster than any driver could. The computer
is programmed to make the most of available tire and
road conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.

4-16
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety,
you'll want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on
slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be
longer and vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti
-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle (If Equipped) Off Paved Roads
Many of the same design features that help make your
vehicle responsive on paved roads during poor weather
conditions
-- features like the locking rear axle and
all
-wheel drive -- help make it much better suited for
off
-road use than a conventional passenger car. Its higher
ground clearance also helps your vehicle step over some
off
-road obstacles. But your vehicle doesn't have features
like special underbody shielding and a transfer case low
gear range, things that are usually thought necessary for
extended or severe off
-road service. This guide is for
operating your vehicle off paved roads.
Also, see ªAnti
-Lock Brakesº in the Index.
Off
-road driving can be great fun. But it does have
some definite hazards. The greatest of these is the
terrain itself.
ªOff
-roadingº means you've left the great North
American road system behind. Traffic lanes aren't
marked. Curves aren't banked. There are no road signs.
Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill.
In short, you've gone right back to nature.

4-55 Parking on Hills
CAUTION:
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
brake, and then shift into PARK (P).
5. Be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear
-- not
in NEUTRAL (N).
6. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

start your engine,

shift into a gear, and

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 system. 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.