2002 Oldsmobile Bravada engine coolant

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-10 Remote Keyless Entry System
2
-13 Liftgate/Liftglass
2
-14 Theft
2
-15 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2
-17 Passlock

2-18 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-18 Ignition Positions
2
-19 Starting Your Engine
2
-21 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-22 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-25 Parking Brake
2
-26 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-28 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-28 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-29 Engine Exhaust
2
-29 Running Your Engine While You're Parked2
-30 Locking Rear Axle
2
-30 All-Wheel Drive (Option)
2
-30 Horn
2
-31 Tilt Wheel
2
-31 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-39 Exterior Lamps
2
-42 Interior Lamps
2
-44 Mirrors
2
-48 Storage Compartments
2
-53 Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
2
-55 Accessory Power Outlets
2
-56 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-60 Sunroof (Option)
2
-60 HomeLink
Transmitter
2
-64 Instrument Panel -- Your Information System
2
-66 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-68 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-82 Driver Information Center (DIC)

2-21
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0
F (-18
C) or colder,
the engine coolant heater can help. You'll get easier
starting and better fuel economy during engine
warm
-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be
plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting
your vehicle. At temperatures above 32
F (0
C),
use of the coolant heater is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord is located on the driver's side of the
engine compartment, behind the battery.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach,
use a heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord
rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store
the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving
engine parts. If you don't, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in?
The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.

2-72 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will
come on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you're driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light isn't on, you still have brakes, but you
don't have anti
-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes
and there's a problem with your regular brakes. See
ªBrake System Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should
come on briefly when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the light doesn't come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States Canada
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the red area, the engine coolant
has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.

2-80 Check Gages Light
United States Canada
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.
Gate Ajar
United States Canada
If this light comes on, your liftgate or liftglass is ajar.
Try closing the liftgate or liftglass again. Never drive
with the liftgate or liftglass even partially open.

2-93 DIC Warnings and Messages
Warning messages are displayed on the DIC to notify
the driver that the status of the vehicle has changed and
that some action may be needed by the driver to correct
the condition. More than one message may appear at
one time, they will appear one behind the other. Some
messages may not require immediate action but you
should press the select button to acknowledge that
you received the message and clear it from the display.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the display
because they are more urgent. These message required
action before they can be removed from the DIC display.
The following are the possible messages that can be
displayed and some information about them,
ENGINE COOLANT HOT/IDLE ENGINE
If the cooling system temperature gets hot this
message will appear in the DIC and you will hear a
chime. Stop the vehicle and let the engine idle in
PARK (P) to allow the coolant to reach a safe
temperature. This message will clear when the coolant
temperature drops to a safe operating temperature.ENGINE OVERHEATED/STOP ENGINE
(If Equipped)
If the engine cooling system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation, this message will appear in
the DIC and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid severe
damage. This message will clear when the engine has
cooled to a safe operating temperature.
OIL PRESSURE LOW/STOP ENGINE
If low oil pressure levels occur this message will be
displayed on the DIC. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and do not operate it until the cause of the low
oil pressure has been corrected. Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your vehicle serviced.
BATTERY NOT CHARGING
If the battery is not charging during operation this
message will appear on the DIC. Driving with this
problem could drain your battery. Have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible. Pressing the select
button will acknowledge this message and clear it from
the DIC display.

3-4
Automatic Operation
Press the AUTO button to set the system to automatically
control the air delivery mode, fan speed, air temperature
and recirculation operations. Whenever you press
AUTO, the display will change to show the current
driver's set temperature, automatic air delivery mode
and fan speed. Press the AUTO button again within
five seconds and the display will show the passenger's
set temperature. After five seconds the display will
change to the EXT (external) temperature outside
the vehicle.
When AUTO is selected, the air conditioning operation
and air inlet will be automatically controlled. The air
conditioning compressor will run when outside
temperature is over approximately 40
F (4
C).
The air inlet will normally be set to outside air. If it's
hot outside, the air inlet will automatically switch to
recirculated inside air to help quickly cool down
your vehicle.
To find your comfort setting, start with a 74
F (23
C)
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes for the
system to regulate. Turn the driver's or passenger's
side temperature knob clockwise or counterclockwise
to adjust the temperature setting as necessary. If you
choose the temperature setting of 60
F (15
C),
the system will remain at the maximum cooling settingand fan speed. If you choose the temperature setting
of 90
F (32
C), the system will remain at the
maximum heat setting and fan speed. Choosing either
maximum setting will not cause the system to heat or
cool any faster.
Be careful not to cover the sensor located on the top of
the instrument panel near the windshield. This sensor
regulates air temperature based on sun load, and also
turns on your headlamps.
The EXT (exterior) temperature sensor is located in the
front of the vehicle behind the grille. The displayed
temperature is most accurate after the vehicle has been
moving for a few minutes. If the vehicle is stopped and
then restarted within 2 1/2 hours, the sensor will be hot
from the engine heat. In this case, the temperature first
displayed will continue to be the temperature that was
displayed before the vehicle was turned off. The display
will update after the vehicle has been moving for a few
minutes and the sensor has a chance to cool down to
the actual temperature.
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 engine coolant
temperature. Pressing the fan switch will override
this delay and change the fan to a selected speed.

4-54 Making Turns
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
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.
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.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or a lower gear, under heavy
loads or hilly conditions.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn
your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do
get the overheat warning, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.

5-9
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. See ªGagesº in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
CAUTION:
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.
NOTICE:
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.