check engine OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1996 Owner's Manual

Checking Transmission Fluid Hot
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), drive the
vehicle in THIRD
(3) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for
10 minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the engine off and
is used
only
as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for
five minutes
if outside temperatures are 50°F (10°C)
or more. If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may have
to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold check, you must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give
you a more accurate
reading of
the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
0 Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK
(P).
0 With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever
in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
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Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and
wipe it with
a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be
in the COLD area for a
cold check or in the HOT area or cross-hatched area
for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the
way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
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Rear Axle What to Use
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level
to the bottom of the filler plug hole. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant
is designed to remain in your
vehicle for
S years or 100,000 miles (1 66 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
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”
in
the Index.
A SO/SO mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Oldsmobile
will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
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NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The repair
cost wouldn’t be covered by your warranty. Too
much water in the mix 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 retailer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
imnrove the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
ADD, or a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be
up to FULL HOT, or a little higher.
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Radiator Pressure Cap
I
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
to prevent coolant loss and possible engine
damage from overheating. Be sure the arrows on
the cap line up with the overflow tube on the
radiator filler neck.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator
until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
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you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and wipe
the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again
and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The
level should be between the ADD and FULL marks.
If necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up
to the proper range.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of fluid to
use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants’’
in the Index. Always use the proper fluid.
Failure to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid
that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid
until the tank is full.
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There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down
to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put
in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is
leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have
your brake system fixed, since a leak means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you
add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings.
You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done
on the brake hydraulic system.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn
if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work
is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”
in the Index.
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Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
I SAMPLE4UXTM072675
ENGINEA96 f ASSEMBLY
CODE MODEL YEAR
PLANT
This is the legal identifier for your Oldsmobile. It appears
on a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver’s side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The
VIN also
appears
on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code
will help you identify your engine,
specifications and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the driver’s door lock pillar. It’s
very helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
your VIN,
0 the model designation,
0 paint information, and
0 a list of all production options and
special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Oldsmobile
unless you check with your retailer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment.
can keep other components from working as
they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to add anything electrical to your Oldsmobile, see
“Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Oldsmobile”
in
the Index.
I
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I i
I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule 1,
,- 3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
17 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Lubricate chassis components; see
An Emission Control Service.
footnote # (or evexy 3 months, whichever
occurs first).
Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
**
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate chassis components; see
An ,Emission Control Service.
footnote # (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first).
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” in the Index
for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
DATE ACTUAL MULEAGE SERVICED BY::
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I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components; see
footnote
# (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).
Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking?
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate chassis components; see
footnote
## (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.**
An Emission Control Service.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
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