transmission oil OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1997 Owners Manual

To Use the Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt AC outlet.
[ON:
-
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store
the cord as it was before to keep it away fi-om moving
engine
parts. If you don’t, it could be damaged. How
long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind
of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Oldsrnobile retailer in the area where you’ll be
parking your vehicle. The retailer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.
Automatic Transmission Operation
P
R
N
03
3
2
1
There are several different
positions for your
shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
2-15
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

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
- -~ -
ProCarManuals.com

When you lift the hood, you'll see these items:
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Automatic Transmission Dipstick G. Brake Master Cylinder
E. Engine Oil Fill H. Air Cleaner
F. Power Steering Reservoir
I. Windshield Washer Fluid
6-8
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

Capacities and Specifications
Engine Description ............ “VORTEC” 4300
Type
.................................... V6
VINCode ................................. W
Horsepower
................... 190 at 4,400 rpm
Thermostat Specification
........... 195 “F (9 1 “C)
Spark Plug
Gap .......... 0.045 inches (0.1 I4 cm)
Firing Order
...................... 1-6-5-4-3-2
Wheels and Tires
Wheel Nut Torque ............ 95 lb-ft (130 N-m)
Tire Pressure ...................... Look at the
Certificationnire label. See
“Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement part numbers listed in this section are
based
on the latest information available at the time of
printing, and are subject to change.
If a part listed in this
manual is not the same as the part used in your vehicle
when
it was built, or if you have any questions, please
contact your retailer.
Oil Filter.
.............................. PFS2
Air Cleaner Filter ...................... A1163C
PCV Valve
.......................... CV746C
Automatic Transmission Filter Kit
...... 24200796
Spark Plugs
.......................... ,41-932
Fuel Filter
............................. GF48 1
Windshield Wiper Blade . . Trico (20 inched50.8 cm)
Backglass Wiper Blade
... Trico (14 inched35.6 cm)
6-60
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
I Short TriplCity Definition I
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions
is true for your vehicle:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such
as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
off-road frequently.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One
of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down soonez
Short TripKity Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first). Chassis
Lubrication (or
3 months, whichever occurs first). Drive
Axle Service (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection. Fuel
Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Positive
Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Inspection.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only sunzmarize maintenance services.
Be sure
to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
RP / -3
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Long Tripmighway Definition - -
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the Short TripKity Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Do not use this schedule if the vehicle
is used for trailer towing, driven
in a dusty area or used
off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City schedule for
these conditions.
Driving
CI vehicle with c~~fidly cuarlned engine under
Iliglzwny conditions
causes engine oil to br-ecrk
down slovver:
vong Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication (or every
12 months, whichever
occurs first). Drive Axle Service. Tire Rotation.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Fuel Filter
Replacement. Air Cleaner Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection. Fuel Tank,
Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Positive
Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Inspection.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These interwls odv s~.mmar-ize nminteneu?ce services.
Be ,wre to~follorv the c.ompletr rmintenclnce .schd~tle OR
the*fi)llmving pages.
7-6
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

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
7-26
ProCarManuals.com