window OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1996 User Guide

Rear Window WasherNiper
WASH
REAR WIPER
The rear window wiper operates with a constant five
second delay when the rear wiper switch
is in the ON
position. If the rear glass is opened, the wiper arm will
automatically park on the endgate. When the glass
is
completely closed, the wiper will resume the delay mode.
To wash the window, press and hold ON. The wipers
will continue
to work after you release the switch.
Press
OFF to turn the wiper off.
The rear window washer uses the same fluid bottle as
the windshield washer. However, the rear window
washer will run out
of fluid before the windshield
washer.
If you can wash your windshield but not your
rear window, check your fluid level.
This switch is located on the instrument panel.
2-27
ProCarManuals.com

1. Air Vents
2. Instrument Cluster
3. Comfort Controls
4. Glove Box
5. Ashtray
6. Cigarette Lighter/Power Auxiliary Outlets
7. Storage Compartment
8. Audio System
9. Fog Lamps
10. Lamp Controls
11. Rear Endgate Release
12. Brake Release
13. Rear Window WasherNiper
14. Rear Window Defogger
2-47
ProCarManuals.com

Air Conditioning Heating
On hot
days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
For quick cool-down
on very hot days, use MAX A/C
with the temperature knob turned counterclockwise.
This setting should be used to keep odors and/or dust
from entering the vehicle. For normal cooling on hot
days, use A/C with the temperature knob turned
counterclockwise.
On cool but sunny days, use
BI-LEVEL A/C to deliver
warm air to the floor and cooler air to the instrument
panel outlets.
When the air conditioner is on, you may sometimes
notice slight changes in your vehicle’s engine speed
and power.
This is normal because the system is
designed to cycle the compressor on and off to keep
the desired temperature. The
heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it. On cold days, use HEATER with the
temperature knob turned clockwise.
BLEND is useful in
cool weather when you have fog or ice on the
windshield or side windows.
If you use the optional engine coolant heater before
starting your engine, your heating system will produce
warmer air faster to heat the passenger compartment in
cold weather. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Airflow is through the instrument
panel outlets.
Your vehicle’s ventilation system supplies outside air to
the inside
of your vehicle when it is moving. When the
vehicle is not moving, you can get outside air to flow
through by selecting any mode and any fan speed.
3-3
ProCarManuals.com

Ventilation Tips
You will find air outlets in the center and on the sides of
your instrument panel.
You can move
the outlets to direct the flow of air, or
close the outlets altogether. When you close an outlet,
it
will increase the flow of air coming out of any outlets
that are open.
0
0
0 Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work
far better, reducing the
chance
of fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle
in cold weather, move the
blower control to
HI for a few moments before
driving off. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow
and moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the
inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air
to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid, days use BLEND to keep the
windshield and side windows clear.
Use
DEFROST to remove fog or ice from the
windshield quickly
in extreme humid or cold conditions.
Turn the temperature knob clockwise and move the fan
control toward
HI.
ProCarManuals.com

Rear Window Defogger
I
The rear window has lines that warm the glass. For best
results, clear the window of
as much snow or ice as
possible before using the rear window defogger.
To turn on the rear window defogger, find the switch
marked
REAR DEFOG on your instrument panel below
the headlamp switch. Press
ON until the light in the
switch comes on, then release
it. It will only work if the
ignition switch is turned
to RUN.
The rear window defogger will stay on for five to
seven minutes, then turn off. If you need additional
warming time, turn it
on again. You can turn the
defogger off at any time by pressing
OFF.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape or decals
across the defogger grid
on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don’t use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut
or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
3-5
ProCarManuals.com

The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according
to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds,
you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive
in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs
service, have
it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
Oldsmobile retailers all across North America. They’ll
be ready and willing to help
if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are
the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip
a short
time
to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
ProCarManuals.com

A CAUTIOh:
- -
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly
CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill
you.
You can’t see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base
of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open
a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s
away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out. Run
your engine
only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push
the accelerator slightly. This
uses less
fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later
on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again
and repeat this only when
you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it
as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and
do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
ProCarManuals.com

Driving with a Trailer
A CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull
a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. (See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.)
To
maximize your safety when towing a trailer:
a
a
a
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through
a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle.
Do not use
MAX A/C because.it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See “Comfort
Controls” in the Index.)
L
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yaurself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle
you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
’
lamps, 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 ,lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
4-48
ProCarManuals.com

If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
0 Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for
a minute or so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@) or
THIRD
(3).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning doesn’t come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, push the accelerator until
the engine speed is about twice as fast as normal idle
speed. Bring the engine speed back to normal idle speed
after two or three minutes. Now see
if the warning stops.
But then, if you still have the warning,
turn off the
engine
and get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down.
You may decide not to
lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-12
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Brake Fluid What
to Add
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at
the windows on the brake fluid reservoir.
The fluid levels should be above MIN. If they aren’t,
have your brake system checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the levels are above MIN and below the
top of
each window. When
you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing it.
A CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may nott work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
6-27
ProCarManuals.com