2003 Oldsmobile Bravada suspension

Driving in Water
Heavy rain can mean flash flooding, and flood waters
demand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before you drive through
it.
If it’s deep enough to cover your wheel hubs, axles
or exhaust pipe, don’t try
it - you probably won’t
get through. Also, water that deep can damage your
axle and other vehicle parts.
If the water isn’t too deep, drive slowly through it. At
faster speeds, water splashes on your ignition system
and your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur
if you
get your tailpipe under water. And, as long as your
tailpipe
is under water, you’ll never be able to start your
engine. When you go through water, remember that
when your brakes get wet, it may take you longer
to stop.
Driving through rushing water can be
dangerous. Deep water can sweep your vehicle
downstream and you and your passengers
CAUTION: (Continued)
1
coula arowr r it’s y snallo‘ Mater, can
still wash away the ground from under your
tires, and you could lose traction and roll the
vehicle over. Don’t drive through rushing
water.
See Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads on page 4-28 for
more information on driving through water.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the
underbody, chassis or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. Theses substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires and exhaust
system for damage.
Also, check the fuel lines and
cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service due
to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
for additional information.
4-26

The CertificationDire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the actual loads
on your front and rear axles, you need to go to a
weigh station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can
help you with this. Be sure to spread out your load
equally on both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the GAWR
for either the front or rear axle.
If you do have
a heavy load, you should spread it out.
Similar appearing vehicles may have different GVWRs
and payloads. Please note your vehicle’s
CertificationDire label or consult your dealer for
additional details. Using heavier suspension
components to get added
durability might not change your vehicle’s weight ratings.
Ask your dealer to help you load your vehicle the
right way.
Notice: Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because
of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle-like suitcases, tools,
packages, or anything else-they will go as fast as the
vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or turn quickly, or
if there’s a crash, they’ll keep going.
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and
it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
1 ... ngs yV- p~. .nsi,, your vehicle can strike
and injure people in
a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
CAUTION: (Continued)
4-42

Don’t leave an unsecured child resL,int in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you
can.
Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
There’s also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual.
Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System
Your vehicle may be equipped with an electronically
controlled air suspension system that automatically
keeps your vehicle level as you load and unload. The
system includes a compressor, two height sensors
and two air springs supporting the rear axle. The system also has an internal clock to prevent
overheating.
If the system overheats, all leveling function
stops until the system cools down. During this time, the
indicator light on the air inflator system will be flashing.
The ignition has
to be on for the system to inflate, in
order
to raise the vehicle to the standard ride height after
loading. The system can lower the vehicle
to the
standard ride height after unloading with the ignition on
and also for up
to 30 minutes after the ignition has
been turned
off.
You may hear the compressor operating when you load
your vehicle, and periodically as the system adjusts
the vehicle
to the standard ride height.
Load leveling will not function normally with the inflator
hose attached
to the inflator outlet. Remove the
inflator hose from the outlet during loading and
unloading.
If the vehicle is parked for an extended period of time,
some bleed down of the suspension is normal. Upon
starting the vehicle, proper height will be achieved.
4-43

Overload Protection Indicator Light
The air suspension system is equipped with overload
protection. Overload protection is designed
to protect the
air suspension system, and
it is an indicator to the
driver that the vehicle
is overloaded. When the overload
protection mode is on,
it will not allow damage to the
air compressor. However, do not overload the vehicle.
See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-4 1.
If the suspension remains at a low height, the rear axle
load has exceeded GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating). When the overload protection mode is activated,
the compressor operates for about
30 seconds to one
minute without raising the vehicle depending on the
amount of overload. This will continue each time
the ignition
is turned on until the rear axle load is
reduced below GAWR. The indicator light
on the inflator switch in the rear
passenger compartment also serves as an indicator for
internal system error.
If the indicator light is flashing
without the load leveling function or the inflator being
active, turn
off the ignition. The next day turn on
the ignition and check the indicator light. The vehicle
can be driven with the light flashing, but
if it is you
should have the vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar
Equipment
Your vehicle was neither designed nor intended for a
snow plow.
Notice: Adding a snow plow or similar equipment
to your vehicle can damage it, and the repairs
wouldn’t be covered by warranty.
Do not install a
snow plow or similar equipment on your vehicle.
4-44

lire Chains
Accessory Inflator
I^
Do.. - use tire ch-..ls. There’s no- _.__ugh
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle without
the proper amount of clearance can cause
damage to the brakes, suspension or other
vehicle parts. The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause you to lose control of your
vehicle and you or others may be injured
in a
crash. Use another type of traction device only if
its manufacturer recommends it for use on
your vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s instructions.
To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the device
if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices
that will fit, install them on the rear tires. Your
vehicle may be 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.
To remove the cover, pull the two tabs on the cover and
pull
it off.
The air inflator kit may be located in the glove
compartment. The kit includes a
22 ft (6.7 m) hose with
three nozzle adapters.
5-60

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.
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 ”Electronically Controlled Air Suspension
System” 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
“Electronically Controlled Air Suspension System” in the
Index.
Inllarlllg something too m,.-h 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
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blowout” while you’re driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But
if you should ever have a “blowout”, here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
5-61

Fuses
10
11 12
13 14
15 16
17
18
19
20
21 22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Usage
Powertrain Control Module B
Fog Lamps
Stop Lamp
Cigarette Lighter
Ignition Coils
Air Suspension Ride
TBD-Ignition
1
Crank
Air Bag
Electric Brake
Cooling Fan
Horn Ignition
E
Electronic Throttle Control
Instrument Panel Cluster, Driver
Information Center
Automatic Shift Lock Control System
Engine 1
Back-up Powertrain Control Module 1
Oxygen Sensor
Air Conditioning
Truck Body Controller
Fuses
32
33
34
35
36
50
51
52
Relays
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46 47
Usage
Trailer
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Ignition A
Blower Motor Ignition B Passenger’s Side Trailer Turn
Driver’s Side Trailer Turn
Hazard Flashers
Usage
Blank Rear Window Washer
Fog Lamps
Horn Fuel Pump
Windshield WipersNasher
High-Beam Headlamp
Air Conditioning
Cooling Fan
Headlamp Driver Module
Starter
Miscellaneous Usage
48 Instrument Panel Battery
49 Fuse Puller
5-89

6 Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule ...................................... 6-2
Introduction
................................................... 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
.............................. 6-2
How This Section is Organized ......................... 6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
........... 6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
.................... 6-4
Scheduled Maintenance
................................... 6-5
Part
B: Owner Checks and Services ................ 6-10
At Each Fuel Fill
.......................................... 6-10
At Least Once a Month
................................. 6-10
At Least Twice a Year
................................... 6-11
Your
Vehicle and the Environment
.................... 6-2 At
Least Once a Year
................................... 6-12
Part
C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections ......... 6.15
Boot and Seal Inspection
............................ 6.15
Exhaust System Inspection
............................ 6.15
Fuel System Inspection
.................................. 6.15
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................... 6.15
Brake System Inspection
................................ 6-16
Part E: Maintenance Record
........................... 6.19
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive
Axle
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive) Inspection
........................ 6.16
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
.... 6-17
6- 1