OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1994 Owners Manual

Filling Your Tank
Fuel Capacity: 20 U.S. Gallons (76 L)
Use unleaded fuel only.
The cap is behind a hinged door on the
left side
of your vehicle.
To take
off the cap, turn it slowly to the
left (counterclockwise). Be
careful not to spill gasoline. Clean
gasoline from painted surfaces as soon
as possible. See
Cleaning the Outside
of Your Oldsmobile in the Index.
When you put the cap back on, turn it to
the right until you hear a clicking noise.
NOTICE:
If you need a new 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
or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and
emissions system might be damaged.
rn I IP I
I Checking fiings Under the
Hood
The following sections tell you how to
check fluids, lubricants and important
parts under the hood.
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull the HOOD
RELEASE handle inside the vehicle.
165
ProCarManuals.com

Service &Appearance Care
Then go to the front of the vehicle and
pull up on the underhood release.
Lift the hood. The
prop rod may be hot due to
increased engine temperatures under
the hood. Use the prop rod sleeve when
handling the prop rod.
Press down on the prop rod to release it
from its storage clip. Then put the end
of the prop rod into the slot in the
underside of the hood. Before closing
the
hood, be sure all the
filler caps are on properly. Then lift the
hood to relieve pressure on the prop
rod. Remove the prop rod from the slot
in the hood and return the prop to its
retainer. Then just let the hood down
and close it firmly.
Underhood Light
Your underhood light will come on
whenever
you open the hood.
ProCarManuals.com

4.3L V6 Engine (CODE w)
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
1. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
2. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6. Air Cleaner
7. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
8. Engine Oil Dipstick
9. Radiator Pressure Cap
IO. Battery
a
167
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
168
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.
Turn off the engine and give the oil a
few minutes to drain back into the oil
pan.
If you don’t, the oil dipstick might
not show the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil
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 lower.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line,
then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This
section explains what kind of oil to use.
For crankcase capacity, see
Capacities
G. Specifications in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your
engine has
so much oil that the oil
level gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper operating
range, your engine could be damaged.
~~
Just 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.
ProCarManuals.com

What Kind of Oil to Use
Beginning midyear 1993, oils of the
proper quality for your vehicle will be
identified with this new “starburst”
symbol. The “starburst” symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified
by the American Petroleum Institute
(API), and is preferred for use in your
gasoline engine.
You should look for this on the front of
the oil container, and use only oils that
display this new symbol.
You should also use the proper viscositJ
oil for your vehicle, as shown in the
following chart:
I RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING,
SELECT THE LOWEST SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
Y
HOT
WE
-
“F
k100
+so
+SO
+40
+20
0
ATHER __
COLD
-
“C
t38
t 21
t16
t4
-7
-18

LOOK FOR
ONE OF THESE
LABELS
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30 GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES WEATHER ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES c).
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED.
Is shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is
lest for your vehicle. However, you can
Ise
SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F
:-lS.C)
or above. These numbers on an
)il container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not
use other viscosity oils,
such as SAE
IOW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
If you cannot find oils with the new
“starburst” symbol on the front of the
container, you should look for and use
oils containing the following three things:
SH or SG
“SH”
or “SG” must be on the oil
container, either by itself or combined
with other quality designations, such as “SH/CD,” “SH,SG,CD,” “SG/CD,” etc.
These letters show American Petroleum Institute (API) levels of quality.
SAE 5W-30
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the
container will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included
in a doughnut shaped logo (symbol) on
most containers.
If you cannot find oils
with the “starburst” symbol, you should
look for oils with the doughnut shaped
symbol, containing the three things
noted above.
169
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
1 70
NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have
either the “starburst” symbol or an
API SH or SG designation, you can
cause engine damage not covered
by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM
Engine Oil) meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your
Oldsmobile dealer is ready to advise
if
you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6
It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles (16 km) .
The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as in door-to-door delivery, or in
stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
The vehicle is frequently operated off-
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
oil and filter every 3,000 miles (5 000
ltm) or 3 months - whichever comes
first.
lm) .
road.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater)
An engine coolant heater can be a big
help if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see Engine
Coolant Heater
in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you laow that 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
throw away 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 real threat to the
environment.
If you change your own
oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t
ever 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.
ProCarManuals.com

I Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to replace the air filter
and the crankcase ventilation filter.
See
Scheduled Maintenance Services in
the
Index.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire
can cause a damaging engine fire.
And, dirt can easily get into your
engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner in place
when you’re driving.
To Check or Replace the Air Cleaner
Filter:
1. Loosen the two wing screws.
2. Lift the air cleaner filter housing.
3. Unsnap the two clips on the housing
cover and remove the cover.
171
L
ProCarManuals.com

Service &Appearance Care
4. Remove the air cleaner filter from the
5. Install a new air cleaner filter and
housing.
reverse steps
1-3.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
4 good time to check your automatic
transmission fluid level is when the
:ngine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to change your fluid. See
Scheduled Maintenance Services in
the
Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at an Oldsmobile 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 parts or exhaust system,
starting a fire. 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 abovc
At high speed for quite a while.
90°F (32°C).
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).
To Check 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 ( 10°C), drive the
vehicle in
D (3rd Gear) until the engine
temperature gage moves and then
remains steady for ten minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
To Check 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.
ProCarManuals.com

To Check the Fluid Hot or Cold:
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place
With your foot on the brake pedal,
the
shift lever in
P (Park).
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three
seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in
P (Park).
minutes or more.
Let the engine run at idle for three 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.
How to Add FIuid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind
of transmission
fluid to use. See
Recommended Fluids
G Lubricants in the index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper fluid to bring the level up
to the COLD area for a cold check or
the HOT area for a hot check. It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than a
pint
(OSL) . Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRONB-I11 or DEXRONB-IIE,
because fluids with that label are made
especially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused by fluid
other than DEXRONB-I11 or
DEXRONB-IIE is not covered by your
new vehicle warranty.
I 73
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
I
1 74
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under
How to
Check.
obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way.
When the correct fluid level is
I Rear Axle
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.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
See
Recommended Fluids E. Lubricants
in the Index.
I All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check the
lubricant. See
Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
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.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
See
Recommended Fluids G Lubricants
in the Index.
Front Axle
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.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
See
Recommended Fluids G Lubricants
in the Index.
I Engine 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
in the Index.
The proper coolant for your Oldsmobile
will:
Give freezing protection down to
Give boiling protection up to 258°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
-34°F (-37°C).
(125°C).
temperature.
I
ProCarManuals.com