tires OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1994 User Guide

Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is
different from driving
in flat or rolling
terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country,
or
if you’re planning to visit there, here
are some tips that can make your trips
safer and more enjoyable. (See
Off-
Road Driving in the Index for
information about driving off-road.)
Keep your vehicle in good shape.
Check
all fluid levels and also the
brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work
hard on mountain roads.
how how to go down hills. The most
important thing to how is this: let
your engine do some
of the slowing down.
Shift to
a lower gear when you
go
down a steep or long hill.
Know how to go uphill. You may
want to shift
down to a lower gear.
The lower gears help cool your engine
and transmission, and you can climb
the hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on
two-lane roads in hills or mountains.
Don’t swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at speeds that
let you stay in your
own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be
alert. There could be something in
your lane, like a stalled car or an
accident.
You may see highway signs on
mountains that warn of special
problems. Examples are long grades,
passing or no-passing zones, a falling
rocks area, or winding roads. Be alert
to these and tale appropriate action.
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Your Driving and the Road
130
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your Oldsmobile in good shape
for winter. Be sure your engine
coolant mix is correct.
You may want to put winter
emergency supplies in your vehicle.
Include an ice scraper,
a small brush or
broom,
a supply of windshield washer
fluid,
a rag, some winter outer clothing,
a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth,
and a couple of reflective warning
triangles. And, if you will be driving
under severe conditions, include a small
bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a
couple
of burlap bags to help provide
traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where
your tires meet the road probably have
good traction.
However,
if there is snow or ice
between your tires and the road, you
can have a very slippery situation.
You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip”
and will need to be very careful.
What’s the worst time for this? “Wet
ice.” Very cold snow or ice can be slick
and hard to drive on. But wet ice can be
even more trouble because it may offer
the least traction of all. You can get
“wet ice” when it’s about freezing
(32°F; 0.C) and freezing rain begins to
fall. Try to avoid driving on wet ice until
salt and sand crews can get there. Whatever
the condition
- smooth ice,
packed, blowing or loose snow
- drive
with caution.
Accelerate gently. Try not to break the
fragile traction. If you accelerate too fast,
the drive wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
Your anti-lock brakes improve your ability to make a hard stop on
a slippery
road. Even though you have an anti-lock
braking system, you’ll want to begin
stopping sooner than you would on dry
pavement. See
Anti-Lock in the Index.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road
might be fine until you hit a spot
that’s covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches may
appear in shaded areas where the sun
can’t reach: around clumps of trees,
behind buildings, or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface of a curve or
an overpass may remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear.
If you see
a patch of ice ahead of you, brake
before you are on it. Try not to brake
while you’re actually on the ice, and
avoid sudden steering maneuvers.
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You can ask your dealer for our
trailering information or advice, or you
can write
us at:
Network
Oldsmobile
Customer Assistance
P.O. Box 30095
Lansing,
MI 48909
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center 1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an
important weight to measure because it
affects the total or gross weight of your
vehicle. The
gross vehicle weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it,
and the people who
will be riding in the
vehicle. And
if you will tow a trailer,
you must add the tongue load to the
GVW because your vehicle will be
carrying that weight, too. See
Loading
Your Vehicle in the Index for more
information about your vehicle’s
maximum load capacity.
If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch,
the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh
10% of the total loaded trailer weight
(B). If you have a “weight-distributing” hitch,
the trailer tongue
(A) should
weigh 12% of the total loaded trailer
weight
(B) .
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able
to get them right simply by moving
some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s
Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated
to the limit for cold tires. You’ll find
these numbers
on the Certification label
at the rear edge
of the driver’s door or
see
Tire Loading in the Index. Then be
sure you don’t go over the
GVW limit
for your vehicle.
C
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deal longer and not nearly so responsive
as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform, safety chains, electrical
connector, lights, tires and mirror
adjustment.
If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer
moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the brakes
are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to
be sure that the load is secure, and that
the lights and any trailer brakes are still
working.
following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help
you avoid situations that
require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up
ahead when you’re towing a trailer.
And, because you’re a good deal longer,
you’ll need to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before you can return
to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the
trailer to the left, just move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the right,
move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have
someone guide you.
Making Turns
When you’re turning with a trailer,
make wider turns than normal. Do this
so your trailer won’t strilte soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or
other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
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Problems on the Road
144
Towing Your Bravada
Try to have a GM dealer or a
professional towing service tow your
vehicle. The usual towing equipment is:
(A) Sling-type tow truck
(B) Wheel-lift tow truck
(C) Car carrier
If your vehicle has been changed or
modified since it was factory-new by
adding aftermarket items like aero
skirting or special tires and wheels,
these instructions may not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn on the
hazard warning flashers.
NOTICE:
Dollies must be used on ground
wheels or vehicle damage will occur.
When you call, tell the towing service:
That your vehicle has all-wheel drive
and cannot be towed with any wheels
in contact with the ground. Your
vehicle requires dollies with sling-type
or wheel-lift equipment, or a car
carrier.
The make, model, and year of your
vehicle.
Whether you can still move the shift
lever.
If there was an accident, what was
damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the
tow operator how that this manual
contains towing instructions. The
operator may want to see them.
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Engine Fan Noise
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.
I Ifa Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out”
while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to
leak out slowly. But if you should ever
have a “blowout,” here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
will
create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot
off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering
wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, then gently brake to a stop
well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve,
acts much like a skid and may require
the same correction you’d use in a skid.
In any rear blowout, remove your foot
from the accelerator pedal. Get the
vehicle under control by steering the
way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can
still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well
off the road if possible.
If a tire goes
flat, the next section shows
how to use your jacking equipment to
change a flat tire safely.
I Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and
wheel damage by driving slowly to a
level place. Turn
on your hazard
warning flashers.
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NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy
parts
of your vehicle as well as the
tires.
If you spin the wheels too fast
while shifting your transmission
back and forth, you can destroy
your transmission.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and
right. That will clear the area around
your front wheels. Then shift back and
forth between
R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as
little as possible. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on the accelerator pedal when the
transmission
is in gear. If that doesn’t
get you out after a few tries, you may
need
to be towed out. If you do need to
be towed out, see
Towing Your Truck
in the Index.
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Part 6
Sewice &Appearance Care
Service ........................................................................\
............................................. 162
Fuel
........................................................................\
.................................................. 163
Hood Release
........................................................................\
................................... 165
Engine Oil
........................................................................\
........................................ 168
Air Cleaner
........................................................................\
...................................... 171
Transmission Fluid ........................................................................\
.......................... 172
Axles/Transfer Case
........................................................................\
........................ 174
Engine Coolant
........................................................................\
................................ 174
Power Steering Fluid
........................................................................\
....................... 176
Windshield Washer Fluid ........................................................................\
................
177
Brakes ........................................................................\
.............................................. 178
Battery ........................................................................\
............................................. 180
Bulb Replacement
........................................................................\
........................... 181
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ................................................................... 182
..
Loading Your Vehicle ........................................................................\
..................... 183
Tires ........................................................................\
................................................. 185
Appearance Care ........................................................................\
............................. 190
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
.................................................................... 195
Add-on Electrical Equipment
........................................................................\
........ 196
Fuses
& Circuit Breakers ........................................................................\
................ 196
Capacities
& Specifications ........................................................................\
............ 199
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
............................................................... 200
Fluids & Lubricants ........................................................................\
........................ 201
Replacement Bulbs
........................................................................\
.......................... 202
.
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NOTICE:
DOT-5 silicone brake fluid can
Don’t let someone put in the
damage
your vehicle. Don’t use it.
wrong kind of fluid. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based
oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll
have to be replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint, so
be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. See Appearance
Care
in the Index.
Brake Wear
Your Oldsmobile has front disc brakes
and rear
drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The
sound may come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing
on the brake
pedal firmly).
I NOTICE:
I
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
may cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with your brakes.
Your rear
drum brakes don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear
brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake
linings inspected.
Also, the rear brake
drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When you
have the front brakes replaced,
have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return
to normal height, or if there
is a rapid increase in pedal travel.
This
could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your
disc brakes adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther
than normal, your rear drum brakes
may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the
brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle
is complex. Its many parts have to be of
top quality and work well together
if the
vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-
quality
GM brake parts in them, as your
Oldsmobile does when it is new. When
you replace parts
of your braking system
- for example, when your brake linings 179
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MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS COW XXlKx
c- GAWRFRT CAWRRR
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE US. FEDERAL
OF MANUPACTURE SwOwN ABOVE. MOTOR w1ICLE SAFEl’Y STANDARDS IN EPFECT ON TAE DATE
MODEL:
WAX
RR FRT
SPA LmG
SERIAL
NUMBER M.P.V.
SPEED PAYLOAD
TIRESIZE
RTC RIM PSVWA (COLD)
SEE
OWNER’S MANUAL POR ADDITIONAL INPORMATlON
Loading Your Vehicle
The Certificatioflire label is found on
the rear edge of the driver’s door. The
label shows the size of your original
tires and the inflation pressures needed
to obtain the
gross weight capacity of
your vehicle.
This is called the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The
GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The Certificationnire label also tells
you the maximum weights for the front
md rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the
3ctual loads on your front and rear
des, you need to go to a weigh station
md weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can
help
you with this. Be sure to spread out
your load equally on both sides of
the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your
vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
And,
if you do have a heavy load, you
should spread it out. Using heavier
suspension components
to get added durability might not
change your weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load your vehicle the
right way. NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts
or components that fail because of
overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle -
like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else
- they will go as fast as
the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or
turn quickly, or
if there is a crash,
they’ll keep going.
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