steering OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1998 Owners Manual

How the Air Bag System Works
Where are the air bags?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel. The
right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger’s side.
1-22
ProCarManuals.com

If something is between an occupant and an air
bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person. The path
of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t
put anything between an occupant and an air
bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other air
bag covering.
When should an air bag inflate?
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate
only if the impact speed is above the system‘s designed
“threshold level.’’ if your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn‘t move or deform, the threshold level is about
14 to 18 mph (23 to 29 km/h). The
threshold level
can vary, however,
with specific vehicle design, so that
it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your
vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such
as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The
air bag is not designed
to inflate in rollovers, side
impacts or rear impacts, because intlation would not
help the occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and
how quickly the vehicle slows down
in frontal or
near-frontal impacts.
The air bag system is designed to work properly under
a
wide range of conditions, including off-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain.
As always, wear your safety belt. See “Off-Road
Driving”
in the index for more tips on off-road driving.
1-23
ProCarManuals.com

What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the
right front passenger.
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags
would not help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts,
primarily because an occupant's motion is not toward
those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as
anything more than a supplement to safety belts,
and then only in moderate to severe frontal
or
near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module
-- the
steering wheel hub for the driver's air bag, or the
instrument panel for the right front passenger's
bag
-- will be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag
that come into contact with you may be warm, but not
too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming from vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation doesn't prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can't get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
ProCarManuals.com

0 Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you‘ll need some new parts for your air bag
system.
If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there to help protect you
in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
0 Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module,
which records information about the air bag system.
The module records information about the readiness
of the system, when the sensors
are activated and
driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
0 Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your air bag
system won’t work properly. See your retailer for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the
air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle 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
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 two 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 injured 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.
ProCarManuals.com

The liftgate and glass will automatically lock when shut.
To
lock the power lock system from the outside, insert
the key
in the lock button and turn it to the right. All
doors will lock.
Remote Liftgate Glass Release
This button on the
passenger’s side
of the
steering column allows you
to release the liftgate glass
from inside
the vehicle.
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 vehicle 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.
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.
Your shift lever must be
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
for the release to work.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle
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.
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.
2-10
ProCarManuals.com

New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it
will perform better in the
long run if you follow these guidelines:
a
0
a
0
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 knlhj or
less for the first
500 miles (805 kmj.
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.
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to five
different positions.
C
E
ACCESSORY (A): This position 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
yo~l inserted the key.
2-12
- . -~
ProCarManuals.com

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 position starts your engine.
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.
Retained Accessory Power
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow certain features
of your vehicle to continue to work up to 20 minutes
after the ignition
key is turned to OFF.
Your radio, power windows, sunroof and overhead
console
will work when the ignition key is in RUN or
ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from
RUN to
OFF, these ,features will continue to work for up to
20 minutes or until a door is opened.
ProCarManuals.com

Windows
Power Windows
The power windows controls are on each of the side
doors. With power windows, the switches control the
windows when the ignition is on or when Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is present. (See "Retained
Accessory Power"
in the Index.') The driver's door has
a switch for the passenger windows as well. There
are individual controls
on each of the side doors.
Press the side of the switch with the down arrow to
lower a window. Press the side of the switch with the up
arrow
to raise a window.
Express-Down Window
The driver's window switch has an express-down
feature
that allows you to lower it without holding the
window switch. Hold the driver's window switch down
,for more than half a second to activate the express-down
feature. Lightly tap the switch
to open the window
slightly. The express-dawn feature can be interrupted
at any time by pressing the up arrow end of the switch.
Lockout Switch
Your vehicle has a lockout feature to prevent passengers
fro111 operating the power windows. Press LOCK to
activate this feature. Press NORM and the windows
return
to norrnal operation.
Horn
To sound the horn. press the center pad on the
steering wheel.
2-25
ProCarManuals.com

Tilt Wheel
You should adjust the
steering wheel before
you drive.
You can raise it to the highest level to give your legs
more room when
you enter and exit the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever toward you. Move the steering wheel
to a
comfortable level, then release the lever to lock the
wheel
in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
0 Cruise Control
2-26
- -
ProCarManuals.com

Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds\
of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4-2
4-3
4-6 4- 6
4-9 4-1
1
4- 12
4- 14
4- 15 4-15
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss of Control
Driving Guidelines Operating Your Bravada
Off Paved Roads Driving at
Night
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
City Driving
Freeway Driving Before Leaving
on a Long Trip
Highway Hypnosis
Hill and Mountain Roads
Winter Driving Loading Your Vehicle
Towing
a Trailer
4-28 4-30
4-32
4-33 4-34 4-35
4-36
4-38 4-42
4-44
4-1
ProCarManuals.com