2003 Oldsmobile Bravada towing

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

Engine Fan Noise
6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower.
If the level is lower, add
more of the proper
DEX-COOL@ coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches
the base of the filler neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure
if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure
the pressure cap is hand-tight. This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling
fan. When
the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine. In most everyday driving
conditions the clutch is not engaged. This improves fuel
economy and reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing, and/or high outside temperatures,
the fan speed increases when the clutch engages.
So
you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is
normal and should not be mistaken as the transmission
slipping or making extra shifts.
It is merely the cooling
system functioning properly. The fan will slow down
when additional cooling is not required and the clutch
disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine.
It will go away as the fan clutch disengages.
5-32

The tools you'll be using include the wheel wrench (A),
tire blocks (B), extension (socket end) (C), handle
(jack end)
(D), and jack (E).
The following instructions explain how to remove the
spare tire mounted underneath your vehicle.
Notice: Never remove or restow a tire from/to a
storage position under the vehicle while the vehicle
is supported by a jack. Always tighten the tire
fully against the underside
of the vehicle when
restowing.
f
1. To remove the underbody-mounted spare, insert
the socket end of the extension on a
45" angle
downward into the hoist drive shaft hole. This will
be exposed when the rear gate is open and is
just above the rear bumper. Be sure the socket end
of the extension connects into the hoist shaft.
5-64

45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace filter
if necessary. An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote t.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
page 5-53 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km).
0 Change transfer case fluid.
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
page 5-53 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire lnspection and Rotation on
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
Ll Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
page 5-53 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
0 Replace fuel filter. An Emission Control Service. (See
U Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission
footnote
t.)
Control Service.
67,500 Miles
(1 12 500 km)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-53 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
6-7

100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service.
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if
the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more
of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transmission fluid, change
both the fluid and filter
U Change transfer case fluid.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
U Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs first).
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-22 for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect engine accessory drive belt. An Emission
Control Service.
6-9

M
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ............ 5-94
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill
......................................... 6-10
At Least Once a Month
................................ 6-10
At Least Once a Year
.................................. 6-12
At Least Twice a Year
.................................. 6-1 1
Brake System Inspection .............................. 6-16
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................. 6-15
Exhaust System Inspection
........................... 6-1 5
Fuel System Inspection ................................ 6-1 5
How This Section is Organized
....................... 6-3
Introduction
.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
............................. 6-2
Part A
- Scheduled Maintenance Services ......... 6-4
Part
B - Owner Checks and Services ............. 6-10
Part C
- Periodic Maintenance Inspections ...... 6-1 5
Part D
- Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
............................................... 6-1 7
Part
E - Maintenance Record ........................ 6-1 9
Scheduled Maintenance
................................. 6-5
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
.................. . 6-15
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive) Inspection
....................... 6-1 6
Using Your
................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment
............... 6-2 Maintenance When
Trailer Towing
.... ......... 4-52
Making Turns
............................................. 4-51
Malfunction Indicator Light
................................ 3-35
Matching Transmitter(s)
to Your Vehicle ............... 2-6
Message
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico
and U.S. Virgin Islands)
............................. 7-4
Memory Seat
................................................. 2-47
DIC Warnings and Messages
........................ 3-52
Mirror Operation
............................................. 2-30
Mirrors Automatic Dimming Rearview with Onstar@
and Compass
.......................................... 2-30
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with
Curb View Assist
...................................... 2-33
Outside Convex Mirror
................................. 2-33
Outside Heated Mirrors
................................ 2-33
Outside Manual Mirrors
................................ 2-32
Outside Power Mirror
................................... 2-32
MyGMLink.com
............................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In ...................................... 2-18
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
............ 5-94
9

Power (cont.) Door Locks
.................................................. 2-9
Electrical System
......................................... 5-86
Lumbar Controls
........................................... 1-2
Reclining Seatbacks
...................................... 1-4
Reduced Engine Light
.................................. 3-40
Seat
............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid
............................................. 5-33
Windows
.................................................... 2-1 5
Power Steering ............................................... 4-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
.... ..... 2-10
Programmable Unlocking Feature
.................. 2-1 1
Programmable Locking Feature ..................... 2-1 0
Programming the HomeLink Transmitter ............. 2-37
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts 1-12
Radiator Pressure Cap
.................................... 5-24
Radios
.......................................................... 3-56
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
................ 3-90
Care
of Your CD and DVD Player .................. 3-91
Care
of Your CDs and DVDs ........................ 3-91
Radio Personalization
................................... 3-88
Radio with Cassette and CD
......................... 3-57
Radio with Six-Disc CD
................................ 3-66
Rear Seat Audio
.......................................... 3-87 Radios (cont.)
Setting the Time
...................................... 3-56
Theft-Deterrent
............................................ 3-88
Understanding Reception
.............................. 3-89
RainsenseTM Wipers
.......................................... 3-9
RDS Messages
...................................... 3-61, 3-71
Reading Lamps
.............................................. 3-18
REAR ACCESS OPEN
.................................... 3-53
Rear Axle
...................................................... 5-46
Lockina
...................................................... 4-10
Rear
Rear
Rear
Rear
Rear
Reat
Rear
Rear Reat
Rear
Rear Climate Control System 3-25
v
............................
Door Security Locks ................................ 2-12
Floor Storage Lid
.................................... 2-43
Seat Audio (RSA)
.................................... 3-87
Seat Entertainment System
....................... 3-76
Seat Operation
......................................... 1-6
Seat Passenger Positions
......................... 1-21
Seat Passengers, Safety Belts
.................. 1-21
Underseat Fuse Block
.............................. 5-90
Window Defogger
.................................... 3-24
Safety
Belt Comfort Guides
...................... 1-24
Rearview Mirror. Automatic Dimming with
Onstar@ and Compass
................................. 2-30
Reclining Seatbacks. Power
............................... 1-4
Recreational Vehicle Towing
............................. 4-41
Reduced Engine Power Light
............................ 3-40
Remote Control
.............................................. 3-81
Remote Keyless Entry System
............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation
............ 2-5
11

Tachometer ........... ....
Taillamps Turn Signal Lamps
.........
ThefbDeterrent. Radio ........
Theft-Deterrent Systems ......
Content Theft-Deterrent ...
Passlock@ .....................
Tilt Wheel ..........................
Testing the Alarm ...............
....... .. 3-30
........................... 5-47
........................... 2-17
........................... 3-88
........................... 2-16
........................... 2-16
........................... 2-17
............................. 3-6 ...
Tire Inflation Check ......................................... 6-10
Tires
..................................................... 5-52. 5-82
Buying New Tires
........................................ 5-56
Chains
....................................................... 5-60
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-62
If a Tire Goes Flat
....................................... 5-61
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-53
Inspection and Rotation
................................ 5-53
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
......................... 5-57
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
................. 5-58
Wheel Replacement
..................................... 5-58
When
It Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-55
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater .................... 2-21
Top
of the Instrument Panel ............................. 5-79
Top Strap
...................................................... 1-36
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................... 1-37 Torque Lock
................................................... 2-27
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
.................. 4-48
Towing Recreational Vehicle
..................................... 4-41
Towing a Trailer
.......................................... 4-45
Your Vehicle
............................................... 4-41
Traction Assist System (TAS)
...................................... 4-9
Trailer Brakes
................................................. 4-49
Trailer Wiring Harness
..................................... 4-53
Transfer Case
................................................ 5-44
Transmission Fluid, Automatic
........................................... 5-20
Transmission Operation, Automatic
.................... 2-22
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual
............................................ 7-10
Travel Note Recorder
...................................... 2-41
Traveling
to Remote Areas ............................... 4-17
Trip Information
.............................................. 3-44 .
Trip Odometer ................................................ 3-30
TRANS HOT IDLE
ENGINE
............................. 3-54
Transportation Options
...................................... 7-7
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.......................... 3-7
TURN SIGNAL
ON ......................................... 3-53
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
.................. 4-51
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
........................... 3-7
14