OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1997 Repair Manual
Page 61 of 358
Matching  Transmitter(s) To Your  Vehicle 
Each  key  chain  transmitter  is  coded  to  prevent  another 
transmitter  from  unlocking  your  vehicle. 
If a transmitter  is 
lost or  stolen,  a replacement  can  be  purchased  through 
your  retailer.  Remember  to  bring  any  remaining 
transmitters 
with you  when  you go to  your  retailer.  When 
the  retailer  matches  the  replacement  transmitter  to your 
vehicle,  any  remaining  transmitters  must  also  be  matched. 
Once  your  retailer  has  coded  the  new  transmitter,  the  lost 
transmitter  will  not  unlock  your  vehicle.  Each  vehicle  can 
have  only  two  tr'msmitters  matched  to it. 
Battery  Replacement 
Under normal  use, the battery in your  key chain 
transmitter  should last about  two  years. 
You  can tell the battery  is weak  if the  transmitter  won't 
work  at  the  normal  range in any  location. 
If you have to 
get close to your  vehicle  before  the transmitter  works, 
it's  probably time  to  change the battery. 
To replace the battery in the  Keyless Entry  transmitter: 
1. Insert a  dime  in  the slot between  the covers of the 
transmitter  housing near the  key ring hole.  Remove 
the bottom  by twisting  the dime. 
2.  Remove  and  replace  the  battery 
with a  three  volt 
NOTICE: 
CR2032 or equivalent  battery,  positive (+) side down. 
3. Align the covers  and snap  them together. 
When  replacing  the  battery,  use  care  not  to  touch  any 
of  the  circuitry.  Static  from  your  body  transferred  to 4. Check  the operation of the transmitter. 
these  surfaces  may  damage  the  transmitter. 
2-7 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 62 of 358
Resynchronization 
Resynchronization may  be necessary due  to the  security 
method  used by this  system.  The  transmitter does  not 
send the same signal twice  to the  receiver.  The receiver 
will  not respond  to  a signal 
it has been  sent previously. 
This  prevents anyone  from recording  and playing back 
the  signal  from the transmitter. 
To  resynchronize your transmitter, stand close to your 
vehicle  and simultaneously press  and hold  the 
LOCK 
and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter for  not more 
than  five seconds. The  door locks should cycle  to 
confirm  synchronization. 
If the locks do not  cycle,  see 
your retailer for service. 
Liftgate 
It  can  be  dangerous  to  drive  with  the  rear 
window  or liftgate  open  because  carbon 
monoxide 
(CO) gas  can  come  into  your  vehicle. 
You  can’t  see or smell  CO.  It  can  cause 
unconsciousness  and even  death. 
If you must  drive  with  the  rear  window or liftgate 
open  or  if electrical  wiring  or  other  cable 
connections  must  pass  through  the  seal  between 
the  body  and  the  rear  window or liftgate: 
0 Make  sure all windows  are  shut. 
0 Turn  the  fan  on  your  heating  or  cooling 
system  to  its  highest  speed  with  the  setting 
on 
VENT. That will force  outside  air  into 
your  vehicle.  See  “Comfort  Controls”  in 
the  Index. 
instrument  panel,  open  them 
all the  way. 
0 If you  have air outlets on or  under  the 
See  “Engine  Exhaust”  in  the  Index. 
2-8 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 63 of 358
Liftgate  Release 
There are several  ways to release  the liftgate.  However, 
the  liftgate will 
not release if the  vehicle  is  in gear. 
You  can use  you  key  to unlock the  liftgate from the 
outside.  Insert the  key into the  liftgate  lock button  and 
turn 
it counterclockwise. All doors  will unlock. 
You 
may also use  the  Keyless Entry  system 
described  earlier. 
The  liftgate  can be opened  without  a key 
if the  driver’s 
door  is unlocked. 
To open the liftgate glass 
only, unlock the liftgate 
and  press the button. 
To open the  entire liftgate, unlock the liftgate  and lift the 
handle located in the center  of the door. 
The  liftgate and glass  will automatically  lock  when shut. 
To lock the power  lock system  from  the outside, insert 
the 
key in the  lock  button and turn it clockwise. All 
doors will lock. 
2-9 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 64 of 358
Xemote Liftgate Glass Release 
This button  on the  driver’s 
side  of the steering column 
allows  you to release the 
liftgate glass from inside  the vehicle. 
four  shift lever  must  be 
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) 
or the release to work. 
Theft 
Vehicle  theft is  big  business, especially in some cities. 
Although your Oldsmobile has  a number  of 
theft-deterrent  features,  we know that nothing we put 
on 
it can make it impossible to steal. However, there are 
ways  you  can  help. 
Key  in  the  Ignition 
If you leave  your vehicle  with  the keys inside,  it’s  an 
easy  target  for  joy  riders or professional thieves 
-- so 
don’t  do  it. 
When  you  park  your  Oldsmobile and open  the driver’s 
door, you’ll  hear a tone reminding  you 
to remove your 
key  from 
the ignition and take it with  you. Always do 
this.  Your  steering  wheel  will  be  locked, and 
so will 
your  ignition  and transmission.  And remember to  lock 
the  doors. 
2-10 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 65 of 358
Parking at Night 
Park in a lighted  spot,  close  all windows and lock  your 
vehicle.  Remember  to keep  your valuables  out 
of sight. 
Put  them 
in a  storage  area,  or  take them with you. 
Parking Lots 
If you park in a lot where  someone  will be watching 
your vehicle,  it’s best to lock 
it up and take your keys. 
But 
what if you have  to  leave your  ignition  key? What  if 
you  have  to  leave  something  valuable 
in your vehicle? 
Put your  valuables in a  storage  area,  like your 
glove 
box. 
0 Lock all the  doors  except  the driver’s. 
New  Vehicle  “Break-In” 
- 
NOTICE: 
- 
Your  modern  Oldsmobile  doesn’t  need  an 
elaborate  “break-in.’’  But  it  will perform  better 
in  the  long  run  if you  follow  these  guidelines: 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Keep  your  speed  at 55 mph (88 kmk)  or 
less  for  the  first 
500 miles (805 km). 
Don’t  drive  at  any  one  speed 
-- fast  or 
slow 
-- for  the  first 500 miles (805 km). 
Don’t  make  full-throttle  starts.  Avoid  making  hard  stops  for  the  first 
200 miles (322 km)  or so. During  this  time 
your  new brake  linings  aren’t  yet broken 
in.  Hard  stops  with  new linings  can  mean 
premature  wear  and  earlier  replacement. 
Follow  this  breaking-in  guideline  every 
time  you get  new  brake linings. 
Don’t  tow  a  trailer  during  break-in.  See 
“Towing  a  Trailer”  in  the  Index  for 
more  information. 
2-11 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 66 of 358
Ignition  Positions 
Use the key to turn  the ignition switch to  five 
different positions. 
C 
A L E 
ACCESSORY  (A): ACCESSORY lets  you  use  things 
like the radio  and 
the windshield wipers  when the 
engine  is 
off. Push in the key  and  turn it toward you. 
Your steering  wheel  will  remain locked, just as it  was 
before  you inserted  the  key. 
I NOTICE: 
Don’t  operate  accessories  in the  ACCESSORY 
position  for  long  periods 
of time.  Prolonged 
operation  of  accessories  in  the ACCESSORY 
position  could  drain  your  battery  and  prevent 
you  from  starting  your  vehicle. 
LOCK 
(B): This  position  locks your ignition, steering 
wheel  and transmission.  It’s a theft-deterrent  feature. 
You will  only  be  able to remove  your key  when  the 
ignition 
is turned to LOCK. 
OFF (C): This  position lets  you turn off the engine  but 
still  turn  the steering wheel. Use 
OFF if  you  must have 
your vehicle 
in motion while the  engine is off (for 
example, 
if your vehicle  is being  towed). 
RUN (D): This is the position  for driving. 
START (E): This  starts  your engine. 
2-12 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 67 of 358
NOTICE: 
If your key seems  stuck  in LOCK and  you can’t 
turn  it,  be  sure  you are using  the  correct  key; 
if 
so, is  it  all  the way  in? If it is, then  turn  the 
steering  wheel  left  and  right while  you  turn  the 
key  hard.  But  turn  the  key only  with  your  hand. 
Using 
a tool to force  it  could  break  the  key or  the 
ignition  switch.  If  none 
of this  works,  then  your 
vehicle  needs  service. 
Starti 3 Your  Engine 
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). 
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a 
safety  feature. To restart when you’re  already moving, 
use NEUTRAL, (N j only. 
. 
NOTICE: 
Don’t try  to shift  to PARK (P) if your  Oldsmobile 
is moving. If you  do, you  could  damage  the 
transmission.  Shift  to 
PARK  (P) only  when  your 
vehicle  is  stopped. 
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your 
ignition  key 
to START. When  the  engine starts. let 
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your 
engine  gets 
warm. 
NOTICE: 
Holding  your  key  in START for  longer  than 
15 seconds at a  time  will cause  your  battery  to  be 
drained  much  sooner.  And  the  excessive heat  can 
damage  your  starter  motor. 
2-13 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 68 of 358
3. 
If it doesn’t start right  away, hold your key  in 
START. If it doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the 
accelerator pedal  all the  way  down  for  five  more 
seconds,  or until  it starts. 
If your  engine  still won’t start (or starts  but then 
stops), wait 
15 seconds  and start over. 
When  the  engine  starts,  let 
go of  the key and the 
accelerator pedal. 
NOTICE: 
Your  engine  is  designed  to work  with the 
electronics  in your vehicle. 
If you add electrical 
parts 
or accessories,  you  could  change the way 
the  engine  operates.  Before  adding electrical 
equipment,  check  with your retailer. 
If you  don’t, 
your  engine  might  not perform  properly. 
If you ever  have  to have  your  vehicle  towed,  see 
the  part 
of this manual  that tells how  to do  it 
without damaging your  vehicle.  See  “Towing 
Your  Vehicle”  in the  Index. 
Engine  Coolant  Heater (Option) 
The  engine  coolant heater 
cord is secured  on  the 
driver’s side 
of the vehicle, 
by  the  brake controller. 
In  very cold weather, 
0°F (- 18 “C) or colder, the  engine 
coolant heater  can help.  You’ll  get easier  starting and 
better  fuel economy during  engine warm-up. Usually, 
the  coolant heater should be plugged  in a minimum  of 
four  hours prior  to starting your vehicle. 
.. . 
2-14 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 69 of 358
To Use the  Coolant  Heater 
1. Turn off the  engine. 
2. Open  the  hood  and  unwrap  the  electrical  cord. 
3. Plug it  into a normal,  grounded 1 10-volt AC outlet. 
[ON: 
- 
Plugging  the  cord into an ungrounded  outlet 
could  cause an electrical  shock. 
Also, the wrong 
kind 
of extension  cord could  overheat  and cause 
a  fire. 
You could  be  seriously  injured. Plug the 
cord  into  a properly  grounded  three-prong 
110-volt 
AC outlet. If the  cord  won’t reach,  use a 
heavy-duty  three-prong  extension cord  rated  for 
at  least 
15 amps. 
4. Before  starting  the  engine,  be sure  to unplug  and  store 
the cord  as  it  was  before  to keep it away fi-om moving 
engine 
parts. If you  don’t,  it  could  be  damaged.  How 
long should  you keep  the coolant  heater plugged 
in?  The  answer  depends  on  the outside temperature,  the 
kind 
of oil  you  have,  and  some  other things. Instead of 
trying  to list everything  here, we ask  that you contact 
your Oldsrnobile retailer in the area  where  you’ll  be 
parking  your vehicle.  The  retailer  can give you the best 
advice  for  that particular  area. 
Automatic Transmission  Operation 
P 
R 
N 
03 
3 
2 
1 
There  are  several  different 
positions for your 
shift lever. 
PARK (P): This  locks  your rear wheels. It’s  the best 
position  to  use when you start  your  engine  because your 
vehicle  can’t move easily. 
2-15 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 70 of 358
It is dangerous to get  out of your  vehicle  if the 
shift  lever  is not  fully  in 
PARK  (P) with the 
parking  brake  firmly  set.  Your  vehicle can roll. 
Don’t  leave  your  vehicle  when  the  engine 
is 
running  unless  you  have  to. If you have  left  the 
engine  running,  the  vehicle can  move  suddenly. 
You  or  others  could  be  injured. 
To be sure  your 
vehicle  won’t  move,  even  when  you’re  on  fairly 
level  ground,  always  set  your  parking  brake  and 
move  the  shift  lever  to 
PARK  (P). 
Your  vehicle  will be  free  to  roll -- even  if your 
shift  lever  is  in 
PARK (P) -- if  your  transfer  case 
is  in 
NEUTRAL (N). So, be  sure  the  transfer  case 
is  in  a  drive  gear 
-- not  in NEUTRAL (N). See 
“Shifting  Into 
PARK (P)” in  the  Index. If you’re 
pulling 
a trailer,  see  “Towing a Trailer”  in 
the  Index.  Ensure the shift lever 
is fully in 
PARK (P) range  before 
starting the engine. 
Your vehicle has a 
brake-transmission  shift interlock.  You have to fully 
apply your regular brakes before  you can 
shift from 
PARK  (P) when the ignition key is in  the RUN position. 
If  you  cannot shift 
out of  PARK (P), ease  pressure on 
the shift  lever 
-- press the button  on the shift lever  and 
push the shift lever all the way  into PARK  (P) as you 
maintain brake application. Then move the shift  lever 
into  the  gear you wish.  See “Shifting Out  of  PARK (P)” 
in  the  Index. 
REVERSE (R): Use this gear  to back up. 
NOTICE: 
Shifting  to REVERSE  (R) while  your vehicle  is 
moving  forward  could  damage  your 
transmission.  Shift  to 
REVERSE  (R) only  after 
your  vehicle  is  stopped. 
To  rock your vehicle back and forth to get out  of snow, 
ice  or  sand without damaging your transmission,  see 
“Stuck:  In 
Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the  Index. 
ProCarManuals.com