suspension OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1997 Owners Manual

If the water isn’t too deep, then drive through it slowly. At
fast speeds, water splashes on your ignition system and
your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur
if you get
your tailpipe under water. And, as long
as your tailpipe is
under water, you‘ll never be able to stzt your engine.
When you go through water. remember that when your
brakes get wet,
it may take you longer to stop.
I
Driving through rushing water can be dangerous.
Deep water can sweep your vehicle downstream and you and your passengers could drown. If it’s
only shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and you could lose
traction and roll the vehicle over. Don’t drive
through rushing water.
See “Driving Through Water‘. in the Index for more
information
on driving through water.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the
underbody, chassis or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation
in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can cause
steering, suspension, wheels, tires and exhaust system
for damage. Also, check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
2 (.lazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
Your vehicle will require more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information.
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Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings.
Ask
your retailer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
I NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
tools, packages or anything else
-- they will go as fast as
the vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or turn quickly, or
if there is a crash, they’ll keep going.
There’s
also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See “Loading Your Vehicle’’ in
the Index.
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn,
or in a crash.
0
0
0
0
0
Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
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To help avoid injury to you or others:
0 Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
0 Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not fully secured.
0 Never get under your vehicle after it has
0 Always use separate safety chains on each
0 Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
been lifted
by the tow truck.
side when towing a vehicle.
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains
or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
When your vehicle is being towed, have
the ignition key
turned
to the OFF position. The steering wheel should
be clamped
in a straight-ahead position with a clamping
device designed for
towing service. Do not use the
vehicle’s steering column lock for this.
The transmission
should
be in NEUTRAL (N). The parking brake should
be released.
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Front Towing
Tow Limits -- 35 mph (56 kd), 50 miles (80 km)
You must use a towing dolly under the rear wheels when
towing
from the front.
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or
fascidfog lamp damage will occur. Use wheel-lift
or car-carrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for car-carrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing
a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage
a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle
to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift equipment. To
help avoid damage, install
a towing dolly and raise
the vehicle until adequate clearance is obtained
between the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or
J-hooks to
suspension components when using car-carrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
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Rear Towing
Tow Limits -- 35 mph (56 km/h), 50 miles (80 km)
YOU must use a towing dolly under the front wheels when
towing from the reax
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or rear
bumper valance damage will occur. Use wheel-lift
or car-carrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for car-carrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle
to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift equipment.
To
help avoid damage, install a towing dolly and raise
the vehicle until adequate clearance is obtained
between the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using car-carrier
equipment. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
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Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
( 166 000 kmj should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 kmj at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km).
Footnotes
7 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will
not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
## Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage, parking brake cable guides, propshaft splines,
universal joints and brake pedal springs.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspection’’ in Part
C of this schedule.
‘b‘k Drive axle service (see “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index for proper lubricant to usej:
Drain and refill at first oil change. At subsequent oil
changes, check fluid level and add fluid
as needed. If
driving in dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid
and refill every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
off-paved-road use.
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Long; Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles
(240 000 km).
Footnotes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage, parking brake cable guides, propshaft splines,
universal joints and brake pedal springs.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection’’ under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” in Part C of this schedule.
**Drive axle service (see “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index for proper lubricant to use):
0 Drain and refill at first oil change. At subsequent oil
changes, check fluid level and add fluid as needed.
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice
a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your GM retailer‘s
service department or other qualified service center
do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found
in a GM service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications”
in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack
of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals
if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near
the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause
a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust” in
the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
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1997 OLDSMOBILE SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book
and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1997 OLDSMOBILE
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1997 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended
to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance
Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $1
5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $1
0.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model
GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-Mastercard-Discover)
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GloveBox .................................... 2-35
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-42
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-42
GVWR
....................................... 4-42
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-30
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlarnps .................................... 2-31
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-30
Highkow Beam Changer
...................... 2-26
On Reminder
................................ 2-32
Wiring
..................................... 6-54
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3-3
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-36
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-36
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-47
Horn ......................................... 2-24
Hydroplaning
................................ 4-32
Hood
.......................................... 6-6
Ignition
Positions .............................. 2- I 2
Inflation. Tire
............................. 6-37. 7-39
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
................. 2-34
Inspections Brake System
.................... ......... 7-44 Drive Axle
.................................. 7-44
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-43
Front Drive Axle Boot
......................... 7-43
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-43
Steering
.................................... 7-43
Suspension
.................................. 7-43
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-44
Transfer Case
................................ 7-44
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-48
Cleaning .................................... 6-47
Cluster
..................................... 2-50
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-55
Interior Lamps ................................. 2-33
Jacking Equipment
............................. 5-22
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Keyless Entry System
........................... 2-6
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification/Tire
............................. 4-42
Fuse ....................................... 6-56
Safety Belt
.................................. 1-45
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-53
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-53
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