check transmission fluid OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1997 Owners Manual

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
0 Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important
in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine
oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each of these
is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-52
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Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your Oldsmobile. This section begins with service and fuel
information, and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information
about
your vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6-
2
6- 3
6-4
6-5
6-6
6-9
6- 14
6-20
6- 24
6-25
6-29
6-29
6-30
6-34
6-37 Doing
Your Own Service Work
What Kind of Fuel to Use
Using Fuel
in Foreign Countries
Where to Put the Fuel and Filling
the Tank
Checking Things Under the Hood
Checking Your Engine Oil
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Engine Coolant
Where to Fill
the Windshield Washer Fluid
Important Brake Information
Information
on Your Vehicle’s Battery
Tips
on Vehicle Storage
Bulb Replacement Procedures
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement How and When
to Check Tire Inflation 6-39
6-42
6-44
6-47
6-48
6-50
6-5
1
6-52
6-53
6-54
6-55 6-59
6-60
6-60
6-6
I
When it is Time to Buy New Tires
Wheel Alignment
Cleaning the Inside
of Your Oldsmobile
Care
of the Safety Belts
Cleaning the Outside
of Your Oldsmobile
How to Clean Aluminum Wheels
Underbody Maintenance
Recommended Appearance Care Materials
Your Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
The Electrical System
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Replacement Bulb Types for Your Vehicle
Capacities and Specifications
Normal Replacement Parts
Air Conditioning Specifications
6-1
- -~ -
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Operating the enge with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame
if the engine
backfires. If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner
in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the
fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services“
in the Index.
6-14
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How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you ]nay
choose to have this done at your Oldsmobile retailer
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here.
or you could get a false reading on
the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting
a fire. Be
sure t.o get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level
if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to
200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Checking Transmission Fluid Hot
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 knl) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F
(lO"C), drive the
vehicle
in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for
IO minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
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Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more
with the engine off and is used
only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five
minutes if outside temperatures are 50°F
(10°C) or
more. If it's colder than
50°F (IO'C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be
low
during a cold check, you must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give
you a more accurate
reading
of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
0
0
0
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in
PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more. Then, without shutting
off the engine, follow these steps:
1. Flip
the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and
wipe
it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then
pull it back out again.
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3.
4.
Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the COLD area for a
cold check or in the
HOT area or cross-hatched area
for a hot check.
If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transmission fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid HOT.
(A COLD check is used only as a reference.) If
the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level up to the
HOT area for a hot
check.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than
one pint
(0.5 L). Don’t overfill. We recommend you use
only fluid labeled DEXRON@-111, because fluid with
that label is made especially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON-111 is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
0
0
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under
“How to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
6-17
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Capacities (Approximate)
Cooling System:’: ............. 1 1.7 quarts (1 1.1 L)
Crankcase with Filter’$ .......... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)
(Drain and ........... 5.0 quarts (4.7 L)
Differential Fluid (Rear) ......... 4.0 pints (1.9 Lj
Differential Fluid (Front) ......... 2.6 pints (1.2 L)
Fuel Tank ..................... 19 gallons (72 L)
Automatic Transmission
A/C Refrigerant . . 30 02. or 2 Ibs. (0.9 kg) of R- 13421
:I:After refill, the level must be checked.
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant
is used.
If you’re not sure, ask your Oldsmobile retailer.
Vehicle Dimensions*
Wheelbase .............. 107.0 inches (271.8 cm)
Length ................. 180.9 inches (459.5 cm)
Height
................... 63.2 inches (160.5 em)
Width
................... 67.6 inches (171.7 cm)
Front Tread
............... 57.3 inches ( 145.4 cm)
Rear Tread
............... 55.1 inches (1 39.9 cm)
’!‘Figures reflect base equipment only.
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I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
48,000 Miles (80 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity joints and
axle seals for leaking. (See footnote
**.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
(See footnote
+.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transmission fl~ Jid and
filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one
or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90” F
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do uot USP yo~dr vehicle msier snl>* qf thescr
cwnditior?s, tlle,fluicl andfiltc!I-do
not respire changing.
DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE I SERVICED BY I
~~ ~~~
7-16
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Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
(See footnote
**.)
100,000 Miles (1 66 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
Arz Emission Control Service.
[7 Replace spark plugs.
An Enaission Contrd Service.
c] Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
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45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity joints and
axle seals for leaking. (See footnote
'?)
0 Rotate tires. See "Tire Inspection and
Rotation"
in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
(See footnote
+.)
An Ernis,sion Corltt-ol Srr-~!ice.
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90" F
(32 "C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If'\,orr .. do /lot rt.w >.oltr- \!ohiclc> /trdc>r nrr~' of'tlwse
cmditiom, tl-rc)Jluicl cl/lc/~fjlfrr- do uot I-clyuirr cIImgir1g.
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