ignition OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1997 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: OLDSMOBILE, Model Year: 1997, Model line: BRAVADA, Model: OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1997Pages: 358, PDF Size: 18.02 MB
Page 31 of 358

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Oldsmobile
The air bag affects how your Oldsmobile should be
serviced. There are parts
of the air bag system in several
places around your vehicle. You don't want the system
to inflate while someone
is working on your vehicle.
Your Oldsmobile retailer and the Bravada Service
Manual have information about servicing your vehicle
and the air bag system.
To purchase a service manual,
see "Service and Owner Publications"
in the Index.
For up to
10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be in,jured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape,
or yellow connectors. They are probably part
of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you
is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
Adding Equipment to Your Air
Bag-Equipped Oldsmobile
Q.' If I add a push bumper or a bicycle rack to the
front of my vehicle,
will it keep the air bag from
working properly?
A: As long as the push bumper or bicycle rack is
attached to your vehicle so that the vehicle's basic
structure isn't changed, it's not likely to keep the
air bag from working properly
in a crash.
Is there anything I might add to the front of the
vehicle that could keep the
air bag from
working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle's
frame, bumper system, front end sheet metal or height,
they lnay keep the air bag system from working
properly. Also, the air bag system may not work
properly
if you relocate any of the air- bag sensors. If
you have any question about this, you should contact
Customer Assistance before you modify your vehicle. (The phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are
in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure
in this manual. See "Customer
Satisfaction Procedure"
in the Index.)
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Page 55 of 358

a Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Oldsnwbile, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you
if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
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2-34 Important Information
About Keys
Door Locks
Operation of Child Security Locks
Remote Keyless Entry
Battery Replacement for RKE
Preventing
Theft of Your Vehicle
New Vehicle "Break-In"
Ignition Positions
Tips
on Starting Your Engine
Using the Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transmission Operation
Parking Brake Guidelines
Important Information
on Engine Exhaust
Operation of Your Windows 2-2s
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Adjusting the Tilt Steering Wheel
Functions
of the Multifunction Lever
How
to Use the HighLow Beam
Headlamp Changer
Windshield Wipers and Fluid
Using Cruise Control
Exterior Lamps Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Rearview Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Instrument Panel Overview
All About Your Warning Lights and Gages
Interior
Lamps
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Page 56 of 358

Keys
A CAUTION:
-
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key
is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or others could be badly injured or
even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.
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Page 57 of 358

This vehicle has one
double-sided key for the
ignition, liftgate and door
locks. It will fit with either
side up.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the retailer provides
the owner with a pair of identical keys and a key
code number.
The key code number tells your retailer or a qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep this number in
a safe place. If you lose your keys, you’ll be able to have
new ones made easily using this number. Your selling
dealer should also have this number.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your keys inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you have
extra keys.
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Page 64 of 358

Xemote Liftgate Glass Release
This button on the driver’s
side of the steering column
allows you to release the
liftgate glass from inside the vehicle.
four shift lever must be
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
or the release to work.
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.
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Page 65 of 358

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?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
glove
box.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
New Vehicle “Break-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:
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Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmk) or
less for the first
500 miles (805 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 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.
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Page 66 of 358

Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to five
different positions.
C
A L 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.
I 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.
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).
RUN (D): This is the position for driving.
START (E): This starts your engine.
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Page 67 of 358

NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if
so, is it 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.
Starti 3 Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL, (N j only.
.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Oldsmobile
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
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.
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Page 70 of 358

It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Your vehicle will be free to roll -- even if your
shift lever is in
PARK (P) -- if your transfer case
is in
NEUTRAL (N). So, be sure the transfer case
is in a drive gear
-- not in NEUTRAL (N). See
“Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index. If you’re
pulling
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index. Ensure the shift lever
is fully in
PARK (P) range before
starting the engine.
Your vehicle has a
brake-transmission shift interlock. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in the RUN position.
If you cannot shift
out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- press the button on the shift lever and
push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
into the gear you wish. See “Shifting Out of PARK (P)”
in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to
REVERSE (R) 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
“Stuck: In
Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
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You can also use SECOND (2) for starting your vehicle
from a stop on slippery road surfaces.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than
SECOND (2). You can
use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
selector lever is
put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission won’t shift into
FIRST
(1) until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand
or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This
could overheat and damage the
transmission. Use your brakes or shift into
PARK (P) to hold your vehicle in position
on a hill.
Locking Rear Axle
Your rear axle can give you additional traction on snow,
mud, ice,
sand or gravel. It works like a standard axle
most of the time, but when one of the rear wheels has no
traction and the other does, the locking feature will
allow the wheel
with traction to move the vehicle.
All-Wheel Drive
Your engine’s driving power is sent to all four wheels
for extra traction. All-wheel drive is like four-wheel
drive, but there
is no lever or switch to engage or
disengage the front axle. It is
fully automatic and adjusts
itself as needed
for road conditions.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake
pedal
with your left foot. If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light
will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal
down.
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