stop start OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1994 Owners Manual

With safety belts, you slow down as the
vehicle does.
You get more time to stop.
You stop over more distance, and your
strongest bones take the forces. That’s
why safety belts make such good sense.
HereAre Questions Many
People
Ask About Safety
Belts
- and the Answers
Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle
after an accident if I’m wearing a
safety belt?
A: You could be - whether you’re
wearing a safety belt or not. But you
can easily unbuckle a safety belt,
even if you’re upside down. And
your chance of being conscious
during and after an accident,
so you
can unbuckle and get out, is much
greater if you are belted.
Q: Why don’t they just put in air bags
so people won’t have to wear safety
belts?
A: Air bags are in some vehicles today
and will be in more
of them in the
future. But they are supplemental
systems only
- so they work with
safety belts, not instead of them. Every
air bag system ever offered for
sale has required the use of safety
belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that
has air bags, you still have to buckle
up to get the most protection. That’s
true not
only in frontal collisions, but
especially
in side and other
collisions.
drive far from home, why should I
wear safety belts?
A You may be an excellent driver, but
if you’re in an accident - even one
that isn’t your fault
- you and your
passengers can be hurt. Being a good
driver doesn’t protect you from
things beyond your control, such as
bad drivers. Most accidents occur
within
25 miles (40 lun) of home.
And the greatest number
of serious
injuries and deaths occur at speeds
of less than
40 mph (65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to Run or Start,
a light will come on for about eight
seconds to remind people to fasten
their safety belts. Unless the driver’s
safety belt is already buckled, a tone
will also sound.
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Features & Controls
44
Here’s How to Move the Arm:
1. Squeeze the release handle to free the
carrier arm.
2. Swing the carrier arm away from the
tailgate. You may need to give it a
slight tug.
To latch the carrier arm, swing it hard
toward the tailgate. The latch has one
catch,
so push hard on the carrier arm
to make sure it has locked in place. If it
is not securely latched, the carrier will
swing freely.
Glove Box
Use the door key to lock and unlock the
glove box. To open, pinch the latch
release.
New Vehicle “BreakmIn”
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:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88
ltm/h) or less for the first 500
miles (804 ltm) .
Don’t drive at any one speed -
fast or slow - for the first 500
miles (804 ltm) . Don’t make full-
throttle starts.
Avoid malting hard stops for the
first
200 miles (322 lun) 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.
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U
Ignition Switch
With the ignition key in the ignition
switch, you can turn the switch to five
positions:
Accessory: An “on7’ position in which
you can operate your electrical power
xcessories. Press in the ignition switch
2s you turn the top of it toward you.
Lock: The only position in which you
:an remove the key. This locks your
steering wheel, ignition and
transmission.
Off: Unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition, and transmission, but does not
send electrical power to any accessories.
Use this position if your vehicle must be
pushed or towed, but never try to push-
start your vehicle. A warning chime will
sound if you open the driver’s door
when the ignition is off and the key is in
the ignition.
Run: An “on” position to which the
switch returns after you start your
engine and release the switch. The
switch stays in the
Run position when
the engine is running. But even when
the engine
is not running, you can use
Run to operate your electrical power
accessories, and to display some
instrument panel warning lights.
Start: Starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The
ignition switch will return to
Run for
normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not
running, the positions
Accessory and
Run are “on” positions that allow you
to operate your electrical accessories,
such as the radio.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in Lock
and you can’t turn it, be sure it is
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.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). Your engine won’t start in
any other position
- that’s a safety
feature. To restart when you’re already
moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to P (Park) if your
Oldsmobile is moving. If you do,
you could damage the transmission.
Shift to
P (Park) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
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Features & Controh
46
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. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your
key in
Start. If it doesn’t start in three
seconds, push the accelerator pedal
about one-quarter of the way down for
12 more seconds, or until it starts,
3. If your engine still won’t start (or
starts but then stops), it could be
flooded with too much gasoline. Try
this: Wait
15 seconds to let the
starter motor cool down. Then push
your accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor. Hold it there. Then,
hold
the key in Start for no more than ten
seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. If
the engine still doesn’t start, wait
another
15 seconds and do it all again.
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 fuel injection system
operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
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 Truck in
the
Index.
Driving llzrough Deep
Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through
deep puddles or standing water,
water can come in through your
engine’s air intake and badly damage
your engine. If you can’t avoid deep
puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
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Reverse
R (Reverse): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to R (Reverse) while your
vehicle is moving forward could
damage your transmission. Shift
to
R (Reverse) 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 the
Index under If You”re Stuck: In Sand,
Mud, Ice
or Snow.
Neutral
N (Neutral): In this position, your
engine doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use
N (Neutral) only.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission
caused
by shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your
1 warranty.
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If the green arrows don’t go on at all
when
you signal a turn, check the fuse
(see the
Index under Fuses G Circuit
Breakers) and for burned-out bulbs.
If you have a trailer towing option with
added wiring for the trailer lights, a
different turn signal flasher is used.
With this flasher installed, the signal
indicator will flash even if a turn signal
bulb is burned out. Check the front and
rear turn signal lights regularly to make
sure they are working.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by
turning the band marked WIPER.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band
to
MIST. Hold it there until the wipers
start, then let go. The wipers will stop
after one cycle. If you want more cycles,
hold the band on
MIST longer. You
can set the wiper speed for a long
or short delay between wipes. This can
be very useful in light rain or snow.
Turn the band to choose the delay time.
The closer to
LO, the shorter the delay.
For steady wiping at low speed, turn the
band away from you
to the LO position.
For high speed wiping, turn the band
further, to
HI. To stop the wipers, move
the band to
OFF.
Remember that damaged wiper blades
may prevent you from seeing well enough
to drive safely.
To avoid damage, be sure
to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them.
If they’re
frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen
or thaw them.
If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
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The oil light could also flash on in three
other situations:
. When the ignition is on (in the Run
position) but the engine is not
running, the light will come on as a
test to show you it is working, but the
light will
go out when you turn the
ignition to
Start. If it doesn't come on
with the ignition on, you may have a
problem with the fuse. Have it fixed
right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling
at a stop, the light may flash on and
off. This is normal.
If you make a hard stop, the light may
come on for a moment. This is normal.
0-
A \
Voltmeter (ELEcmoNIc CLUSTER)
Your charging system gage will show
the rate of charge when the engine is
running. When the engine
is not
running but the ignition is on (in the
Run position), the display measures the
voltage output
of your battery, and will
flash until you turn the ignition to
Start.
The reading will change as the rate of
charge changes (with engine speed,
etc.), but readings between the warning
zones indicate the normal operating
range. Readings in either warning zone
indicate a possible problem with your
charging system. Have your Oldsmobile
serviced immediately. You
also have a warning light.
A box
around the battery symbol will flash
when the charging system needs
service.
If it comes on while you are driving, you
may have a loose belt or other problem
with the electrical charging system.
Have it checked right away. Driving
while this light is on could drain your
battery.
If
you must drive a short distance with
the light on, be certain to turn off all
your accessories, such as the radio and
air conditioner.
U
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Features & Controk
88
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
pcmoNIc CLUSTER)
This gage has bars that show the engine
coolant temperature.
A box around the temperature symbol
will flash when your engine
is too hot.
It means that your engine coolant has
overheated. If you have been operating
your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull
off the road,
stop your vehicle and turn
off the
engine as soon as possible.
HOT COOLANT
CAN BURN YOU
BADLY!
In ProbZems on the Road, this manual
shows what to do. See the
Index under
Engine Overheating.
~
Brake System Warning Light
Your Oldsmobile’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts.
If one
part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts
working well.
If the warning light comes on, there
could be a brake problem. Have your
brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on as you start
the vehicle. If it doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you
if there’s a problem.
If the light comes on while you are
driving, pull off the road and stop
carefully.
You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to
stop.
If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See
Towing
Your Truck in the Index.)
The brake system warning light will also
come on when you set your parking
brake, and it will stay on
if your parking
brake doesn’t release fully. If it stays
on
after your parking brake is fully released,
it means you have a brake problem.
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Your Driving and the Road
110
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON ANT’- LOCK I
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has an advanced electronic
braking system that can help you keep
it under control. When you start your
vehicle and begin to drive away, you
may hear a momentary motor or
clicking noise. This is the ABS system
testing itself. Here’s how anti-lock works.
Let’s say
the road is wet. You’re driving safely.
Suddenly an animal jumps out in front
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what
happens with
ABS.
A computer senses that the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels is
about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each front
wheel and at the rear wheels. The anti-
lock system can change the brake
pressure faster than any driver could.
The computer is programmed to make
the most of available tire and road
conditions. You can steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
of
you.
As you brake, your computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed and
controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change
the time you need to get your foot up to
the brake pedal.
If you get too close to
the vehicle
in front of you, you won’t
have time to apply your brakes if that
vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to stop,
even though you have anti-lock brakes.
To Use Four-wheel Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the
brake pedal down and let anti-lock
work for you. You may feel the brakes
vibrate, or you may notice some noise,
but this is normal.
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Passing
The driver of a vehicle about to pass
another on a two-lane highway waits for
just the right moment, accelerates,
moves around the vehicle ahead, then
goes back into the right lane again.
A
simple maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle
on a two-lane highway is a potentially
dangerous move, since the passing
vehicle occupies the same lane as
oncoming traffic for several seconds.
A
miscalculation, an error in judgment, or
a brief surrender to frustration or anger
can suddenly put the passing driver face
to face with the worst of all traffic
accidents
- the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
“Drive ahead.” Look down the road,
to the sides, and to crossroads for
situations that might affect your
passing patterns. If you have any
doubt whatsoever about making a
successful pass, wait for a better time.
markings, and lines. If you can see a
sign up ahead that might indicate a
turn or an intersection, delay your
Watch for traffic signs, pavement pass.
A broken
center line usually
indicates it’s all right to pass
(providing the road ahead
is clear).
Never cross a solid line on your side
of the lane or a double solid line, even
if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you
want to pass while you’re awaiting an
opportunity. For one thing, following
too closely reduces your area of vision,
especially
if you’re following a larger
vehicle.
Also, you won’t have
adequate space
if the vehicle ahead
suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is
coming up, start to accelerate but stay
in the right lane and don’t get too close.
Time your move
so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to
move into the other lane. If the way is
clear to pass, you
will have a “running
start” that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping
back. And
if something happens to
cause you to cancel your pass, you need
only slow down and drop back again
and wait for another opportunity.
If other cars are lined up to pass a
slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take
care that.someone isn’t trying to pass
you as you pull out to pass the slow
vehicle. Remember to glance over your
shoulder and check the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and start your left lane
change signal before moving out of the
right lane to pass. When you are far
enough ahead of the passed vehicle to
see its front in your inside mirror,
activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane.
(Remember that your right outside
mirror is convex. The vehicle you just
passed may seem to be farther away
from
you than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle
at a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider
before passing the next vehicle.
Don’t overtake a slowly moving
vehicle
too rapidly. Even though the
brake lights are not flashing, it may be
slowing down or starting to turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy
for the following driver to get ahead of
you. Perhaps you can ease a little to
the right.
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