2003 Oldsmobile Bravada Owner's Manuals

California Fuel
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (see the underhood emission control label), it
is designed
to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on (see
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-35 )
and your vehicle may fail a smog-check test. If this
occurs, return
to your authorized GM dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not
be covered
by your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required
to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system
to work
properly. You should not have
to add anything to your
fuel. Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be
available in your area
to contribute to clean air.
General Motors recommends
that you use these
gasolines, particularly
if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
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Notice: Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts.
That damage wouldn’t be covered under your
warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains
MMT. General Motors does
not recommend the use
of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and
the performance of the emission control system may
be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be
covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.

Filling Your Tank
II
Fuel vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries. Don’t smoke if you’re near fuel or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from fuel.
The fuel cap is located behind a hinged door on the
driver’s side
of your vehicle.
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.-
While refueling, hang the fuel cap by the tether using
the hook located on the inside of the filler door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has
a spring in it. If
you let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the
right. If you gel ,Jel on yoursel,.
,nd then some.,,,ng
ignites
it, you could be badly burned. Fuel can
spray out on you
if you open the fuel cap too
quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is
nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel
cap slowly and wait for any
“hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all
the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces
as soon as possible. See Cleaning the Outside
of Your Vehicle on page 5-80. When filling the tank
do not overfill by squeezing in much more fuel after the
pump shuts
off.
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When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See
Malfunction lndicator Lamp on
page 3-35.
Notice: If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not fit properly.
This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and emissions
system. See “Malfunction lndicator Lamp”
in the
Index.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
NeveL ,,I1 a portable f,,l container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if
this occurs. To help avoid injury to
you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle,
in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
I inside of the fill opening before operating
i the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
Don’t smoke while pumping gasoline.
until the filling
is complete.
5-9

Checking Things Under the Hood
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start
a fire. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that
will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, first
pull the handle located
inside the vehicle
on the lower driver’s side
of the instrument
panel.
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2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release.
3. Lift the hood; release the hood prop from its
retainer and put the hood prop into the slot in
the hood.
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Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood you’ll see the following:
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. .

A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Engine Air CleanedFilter
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
D. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Indicator (If Equipped)
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
G. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Radiator Pressure Cap
I. Engine Oil Fill Cap
J. Remote Negative (-) Terminal Marked “GND”
K. Brake Master Cylinder
L. Battery
M. Engine Compartment Fuse Block Before closing
the hood, be sure all filler caps are on
properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on
the hood prop. Remove the hood prop from its slot in
the hood and return the prop to its retainer. Then pull the
hood down firmly to close. It will latch when dropped
from
6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) without pressing on
the hood.
Engine Oil
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
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