steering OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1996 Owners Manual

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How the Air Bag System Works
Where is the air bag?
The ,driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
1 A CAUTION:
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pets or objects) between the driver and the
steering .wheel.
If something is between an
occupant and an’air bag, it could affect the
performance
of the air bag -- or worse, it could
cause injury.
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Don’t put anything on, or attach anything to, the
steering wheel. A1so;don’t put anytbing (such
as
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When should an air bag inflate?
The air bag is designed to inflate in moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crashes. The air bag will inflate
only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed
“threshold level.”
If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is
about
14 to 18 mph (23 to 29 km/h). The threshold level
can vary, however, with specific vehicle design,
so that
it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your
vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such
as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The
air bag is
not designed to inflate in rollovers, side
impacts or rear impacts, because inflation would not
help the occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to
a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of
the impact and
the vehicle’s deceleration. Vehicle damage is only one
indication of
this.
The air bag system is designed to work properly under a
wide range of conditions, including off-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds, especially
on rough terrain.
As always, wear your safety belt. See “Off-Road
Driving”
in the Index for more tips on off-road driving.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In a frontal or near-frontal impact of sufficient severity,
the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is
suddenly stopping as
a result of a crash. The sensing
system triggers
a chemical reaction of the sodium azide
sealed
in the inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen
gas, which inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and
related hardware are all part
of the air bag module
packed inside the steering wheel.
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel.
The air bag supplements the protection provided by
safety belts.
Air bags distribute the force of the impact
more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping
the occupant more gradually. But air bags would not
help you
in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion
is not toward the air bag.
Air bags should never be regarded as anything more
than
a supplement to safety belts, and then only in
moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
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What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates. This occurs
so quickly that some people may not even realize the air
bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module in
the steering wheel hub will be hot for a short time. The
part of
the bag that comes into contact with you may be
warm, but
it will never be too hot to touch. There will be
some smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated
air bag. Air bag inflation will not prevent the driver
from seeing or from being able to steer the vehicle, nor
will
it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
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When an air bag Iates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with
a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out
as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening
a window or door.
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The air bag is designed to inflate only once. After it
inflates, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag
system. If you don’t get them,
the air bag system
won’t be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include the air bag module and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module,
which records information about the air bag system.
The module records information about the readiness
of the system, when the sensors are activated and
driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
Let
only qualified technicians work on your air
bag system. Improper service can mean that your
air bag system won’t work properly. See your retailer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s air bag,
it may not work properly.
You may have to
replace the air bag module. Do not open or break
the air bag cover.
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Reach inside the endgate
to lift the handle and
open the endgate.
The endgate and glass will automatically lock
when shut.
To lock the power lock systern from the outside, insert
the key in the lock button and turn
it clockwise. All
doors will lock.
Remote Endgate Release
This button on the
driver’s side of the
steering column allows
you to release the endgate
from inside the vehicle.
Your shift lever must be in PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N)
for the release to work.
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Emergency Release for Opening Endgate
1. Peel back or slit the carpet locally to expose the
access hole in the trim panel.
2. Use a thin screwdriver
L‘
to reach through the
access holes in both the
trim
ane el and the 1
hardware cover.
3. Reattach the carpet securely. Pry the release
lever
toward the passenger’s
side
until the glass latch
pops open.
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.
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?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
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New Vehicle LLBreak-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:
a
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Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmh) or
less for the first
500 miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 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.
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to five
different positions.
C
D
A 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.
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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.
RUN (D): This is the position for driving.
START (E): This starts your engine.
I 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
1 works, then your vehicle needs service.
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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).
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Express-Down Window
The driver’s window switch has an express-uown
feature that allows you to lower it without holding the
window switch. Hold the driver’s window switch down
for more than
a 1/2 second to activate the express-down
feature. Lightly tap the switch to open
the window
slightly. The express-down feature can be interrupted at
any time by pressing the up arrow end of the switch.
Tilt Wheel
Lockout Switch
Your vehicle has a lockout feature to prevent passengers
from operating the power windows. Press
LOCK to
activate this feature. Press
NORM and the windows
return to normal operation.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the center ad on the
steerine wheel. You
should adjust the
steering wheel before
you drive.
You can raise it to the highest level to give your legs
more room when
you enter and exit the vehicle.
To
tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever toward
you. Move the steering wheel to a
comfortable level, then release the lever to lock the
wheel
in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
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Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up
or down. When the
turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
The lever on
the left side of the steering column
includes your:
0 Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
0 Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
Windshield Wipers
0 Windshield Washer
Cruise Control An
arrow on the instrument
panel will flash
in the
direction of the turn
or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete
your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
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Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it
to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and reaction tirne.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That’s
perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do
it. That’s reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But
that’s only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in
3/4 of a second, a vehicle
moving at
60 mph (1 00 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it’s pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; and the condition
of your brakes.
Sometimes, as
when you’re driving on snow or ice, it’s
easy
to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle.
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