2003 Oldsmobile Bravada engine oil

Checking Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order
to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick
handle is a yellow ring located in the engine
compartment toward the passenger’s side
of
the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page
5- 12 for more
information on location. Turn
off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
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When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the L mark, then you’ll need to
add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the right
kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications on page 5-93.
Notice: Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the F
mark that shows the proper operating range, your
engine could be damaged.
SAE 5W-30
a
The engine oil fill cap is
located in the engine
compartment toward the
passenger’s side of
the vehicle. See
Engine
Compartment
Overview on
page 5-72 for more
LV
information on location.
Be sure to
fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push
the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
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What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute
(API). Do not use
any oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you choose to perform
the engine oil change
service yourself, be sure
the
oil you use has
the starburst symbol on the front of the oil
container. If you have your
oil changed for you, be
sure the oil put into
your engine is American
Petroleum Institute certified
for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the viscosity chart.
~ ~ -~ ~~ ~~
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITV GRADE ENGINE OILS
HOT
WEATHER 7
"F
c 100 -
+ 80 -
+60 -
t 40 -
c20 -
0-
C
7
"C
t 38
t 27
t 16
+4
7
- 18
LD
1-11
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 20W-50 OR ANY OTHER VISCOSITY GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
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As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is the
only viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle. You
should look for and use only oils which have the API
Starburst symbol and which are also identified as
SAE 5W-30.
If you cannot find such SAE 5W-30 oils,
you can use an SAE IOW-30 oil which has the API
Starburst symbol,
if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C)
or above. Do not use other viscosity grade oils, such as
SAE IOW-40 or SAE 20W-50 under any conditions.
Notice: Use only engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified 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 an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below -20°F (-29"C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic
oil or an SAE OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for
good performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets YO
when to change the engine oil-and filter. This is
IU know
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is
necessary. A CHANGE ENG OIL light in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will come on. Change your oil
as soon
as possible within the next two times you
stop for fuel. It is possible that,
if you are driving under
the best conditions, the oil life system may not
indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year.
However, your engine oil and filter must be changed
at least once a year and at this time the system must be
reset. It is also important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5
000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
5-1
7

How to Reset the CHANGE ENG OIL Light
The GM Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system
so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a
CHANGE ENG OIL light being turned on, reset the
system.
To reset the CHANGE ENG OIL light, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three
engine
off.
times within five seconds.
For vehicles with the Driver Information Center, see
Driver Information Center (DE) on page 3-43 to reset
the system.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don’t let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products. Used oil can be a threat
to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose
of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams
or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing
of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
Engine Air CleanedFilter
The engine air cleanedfilter
is located toward the front
of the engine compartment
on the passenger’s side
of the vehicle.
See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12 for
more information on engine air cleaner filter location.
5-1 8

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83
000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
9 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
regularly
reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (1 66 000 km).
service.
How to Check
Because this operation can
be a little difficult, you may
choose
to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice: Too much or too little fluid can damage
your transmission.
Too much can mean that some
of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
part or exhaust system parts, starting
a fire.
Too little fluid could cause the transmission to
overheat.
Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic-especially in hot weather
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F
to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
5-20

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission fluid
to use. See Part D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6- 17.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid while
it is hot.
(A cold check is used only as a reference.) If
the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid
to bring the level up
to the HOT area for a hot check.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than one
pint (0.5 L).
Don’t overfill.
Notice: We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@
-111, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON@
-111 is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How
to Check”.
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back
in all the way; then flip the handle
down
to lock the dipstick in place.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL@ engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add
only DEX-COOL@ extended life coolant. The following explains
your cooling system and how
to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on
page 5-24.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice: When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL@ 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.
Damage caused by the
use of coolant other
than DEX-COOL@
is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
5-22

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half
DEX-COOLB coolant which won’t damage
aluminum parts.
If you use this coolant mixture,
you don’t need
to add anything else.
Ac,,ng only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the
wrong mixture, 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 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
Notice: If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Nofice: If you use the proper coolant, you don’t
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
The engine coolant
recovery tank is
in the
engine compartment
on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on
page
5-72 for more
information on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be
at FULL
COLD, or a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be at the base of the filler neck or a little
higher.
5-23