clock OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1997 User Guide

0 As you are backing down the hill, put your left hand
on the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position. This
way, you’ll be able to tell
if your wheels are straight
and maneuver as you back down. It’s best that you
back down
the hill with your wheels straight rather
than in the left or right direction. Turning the wheel
too far to the left or right will increase the possibility
of a rollover.
Here are
some things you mist not do if you stall,
or are about to stall, when going
up a hill.
0 Never attempt to prevent a stall by shifting into
NEUTRAL (N) to “rev-up” the engine and regain
forward momentum. This won’t work. Your vehicle
will roll backwards very quickly and you could go
out of control.
Instead, apply the regular brake to stop the vehicle.
Then apply the parking brake. Shift to REVERSE
(R),
release the parking brake, and slowly back straight down.
0 Never attempt to turn around if you are about to stall
when going up
a hill. If the hili is steep enough to
stall your vehicle, it’s steep enough to cause you to
roll over
if you turn around. If you can’t make it up
the
hill, you must back straight down the hill.
Q: Suppose, after stalling, I try to back down the
hill and decide
I just can’t do it. What should
I do?
A: Set the parking brake, put your transmission in
PARK (P) and turn off the engine. Leave the
vehicle and go get some help. Exit
on the uphill
side and stay clear of
the path the vehicle would
take
if it rolled downhill.
Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you downhill, you’ll want to
consider
a number of things:
0
0
0
0
How steep is the downhill? Will I be able to maintain
vehicle control?
What’s the surfice like? Smooth? Rough? Slippery?
Hard-pac ked dirt‘? Gravel?
Are there. hidden surface obstacles‘? Ruts?
Logs? Boulders?
What’s at the bottom
of the hill‘? Is there a hidden
creek bank
or even a river bottom with large rocks‘?
4-22
ProCarManuals.com

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
1. You can remove the pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is
no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise
until it first stops. (Don’t press
down while turning the pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there
is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as
you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
5-18
ProCarManuals.com

Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire. Keep turning the wheel wrench
until the spare
tire can be pulled out from under the vehicle.
When the tire has been completely lowered,
tilt the
retainer at the end
of the cable and pull it through the
wheel opening. Pull the tire out from under the vehicle.
I NOTICE:
To help avoid vehicle damage, do not drive the
vehicle before the cable is restored.
A
Put the spare tire near the flat tire.
The tools you'll be using include the jack (A), the wheel
wrench
(B) and the hub cap removal tool (C).
You will have to take off the hub cap to reach your
wheel nuts.
5-23
ProCarManuals.com

Position the hub cap removal tool in the notch and pull
straight away from the wheel to avoid potential damage
to the hub cap and wheel surface. Remove the hub cap.
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts.
Don’t remove them yet.
2. Turn the jack handle clockwise to raise the jack
lift head.
3. Fit the jack into the appropriate hole nearest the
flat tire.
5-24
ProCarManuals.com

4. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle clockwise.
Raise the vehicle
far enough off the ground so there is
enough
room for the spare tire to fit.
5. Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.
6. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
'
A CAUT 3%
I
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
you change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an
emergency, you can use a cloth or a paper towe
to do this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later,
if you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt
off.
!I
5-26
ProCarManuals.com

A CAUTION:
I - -
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If YOU
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing
a serious accident.
1
7. Place the spare on the wheel mounting surface.
8. Put the nuts on by
hand. Make sure the
cone-shaped end
is
toward the wheel.
Tighten each
nut by hand
until the wheel
is held
against the hub.
If a nut
can’t be turned by hand,
use the wheel wrench
and see your retailer
as
soon as possible.
I
9. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
5-27
-
ProCarManuals.com

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
' CAT' I ION:
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause in.jury. In a sudden stop
or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store
all these
in the proper place.
An aluminum wheel with a flat tire should always
be stored under the vehicle with the hoist.
However, storing it that way for an extended
period could damage the wheel.
To avoid this,
have the wheel repaired as soon as possible. Follow this diagram
to store the spare or flat tire.
BJ
A. Retainer
B. Valve
Stem
(Pointed Down)
C. Spare Tire
D. Spring
E. Wheel Wrench
F. Lower
G. Raise
H. Hoist
Arm
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle.
with the valve stem pointed down and to the rear.
2. P~dl the retainer through the wheel.
3. Put the chisel end of the wheel wrench. on an angle,
through the hole
in the rear bumper and into the hoist
shaft. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise
until the tire
is raised against the underside of the vehicle.
You will hear two "clicks" when the tire is secure,
but pull on the tire to make sure.
Return
the jack. wheel wrench and wheel blocks to the
proper location
in your vehicle's rear area. Secure the
items and replace the
jack cove]:
5-29
- _-
ProCarManuals.com

Filling Your Tank
The fuel cap is behind a
hinged door
on the driver’s
side
of your vehicle.
’
I A CAUTION: I
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke
if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
To take off the cap,
turn
it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The cap
has a spring in it; if you let
go of the cap too soon, it
will
spring back to the right.
I A CAUTION:
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap
all the way.
ProCarManuals.com

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
(clockwise) until
you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
I I
I NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your retailer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp’’ in
the Index.
Checking Things Under the Hood
To open the hood, first pull
the handle inside the vehicle
on the lower driver’s side
of
the instrument panel.
6-6
ProCarManuals.com

5. Turn the bulb
counterclockwise to
remove it.
6. Put the new bulb into the headlarnp lens assembly
and turn
it clockwise until it is tight.
7. Plug in the electrical connector.
8. Put the headlamp lens assembly back into the
vehicle. Install and tighten the screws.
Front Turn Signal Lamps
1. Remove the headlamp assembly.
2. Reach down and behind the turn signal
lamp assembly.
3. Turn the socket counterclockwise and pull it out.
4. Holding the base of the bulb, pull the bulb straight
out
of the socket.
5. Push the new bulb into the socket until it clicks.
6. Put the socket back into the turn signal lamp assembly
and
turn it clockwise until it locks into place.
6-31
ProCarManuals.com