cooling OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1998 User Guide

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
I
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap
and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the
pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
until it first
stops. (Don't press down while turning the
pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still
some pressure left.
p :. I
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down
as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
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6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting
hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the I-' d' lator
filler neck rnay be lower.
If the level is lower, add
more
of the proper DEX-COOL@ coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches the
base of the filler neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure
if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure
cap. Be sure the
arrows
on thti pressure cap line up like this.
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Rear Axle What to Use
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler pl~~g hole. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain
in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL@ extended life coolant.
J
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating”
in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
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NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL
is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL@
is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half OIPLUZ rt:afer (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won't damage aluminum parts.
If you use this mixture,
you don't need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned. Use
a 50/50 mixture of' clean water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
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NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your retailer check your cooling system.
I NOTICE: I
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
ADD, or a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level
should be up to FULL HOT, or a little higher.
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NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire
clearance to the body and chassis.
See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for
more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
/1 MI CP ““‘3N:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
hotv
far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
______
Don’t use tire chains. They can damage your
vehicle because there’s not enough clearance.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device
if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame
if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
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Capacities (Approximat-e)
Cooling System'" ............. 1 1.7 quarts (1 I, I L)
Crankcase with Filter'" .......... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)
Automatic Transmission
(Drain and Refill):':
........... 5.0 quarts (4.7 L)
Differential Fluid (Rear) ......... 4.0 pints ( I .9 L)
Differential Fluid (Front) ......... 2.6 pints ( 1.2 L)
Fuel Tank ..................... 18 gallons (68 L)
A/C Refrigerant . . 30 oz. or 2 Ibs. (0.9 kg) of R- 13421
'"After refill, the level
m~st be checked.
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant. be
SLIE the proper refrigerant is sed.
I1 you're not sure. ask your retailer.
Vehicle Dimensions*
Wheelbase .............. 107.0 inches (27 1.8 cm)
Length ................. 180.9 inches (459.5 cm)
Height
................... 63.2 inches ( 160.5 cm)
Width ................... 67.6 inches ( 17 1.7 an)
Front Tread
............... 57.3 inches ( 145.4 cm)
Rear Tread ............... 55.1 inches ( 139.9 cm)
'"Figures reflect base equipment only.
6-61
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Maintenance Schedule
I Short TripKity Intervals I
Every 150,000 nliles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
1 Long Tripmighway Definition
Follow this maintenance schedule orll\. if none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Do not use this scl1edule 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.
Long Tripmighway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
I2 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication (or every
12 months, whichever
occurs first). Drive Axle Service. Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Fuel Filter
Replacement.
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions).
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).
Tlrosc) iuter.\uls o,rl\* .\'lttlllllcrri:o l1lui/1~cn~rnco wr\.ic-e.s.
Br strw to,fi)llon* tho cw11plett-' nlcrintencrm-e schdule on
tl1e~fi~llol-t:iug pcrgc~s.
7-6
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I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every
whichever occurs first). See “Engine Coolant” r 60 months since last service,
in the Index for what to use.
Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
cooling system and pressure cap.
AH Emission Control Service.
DATE I
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100,000 Miles (1 66 000 k1r1) (Contirzrred)
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
previously and, therefore, haven’t changed your automatic transmission fluid,
change both the fluid and filter.
AH Emissio~l Colltwl .Sc)r1?ic.c..
0 Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
150,000 Miles (240 000 kin)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service.
whichever c~ccurs first). See “Engine Coolant**
in the Index for what to use.
Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap rund neck. Press111.e
test the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emissiol7 Control Servic.c>.
DATE I
I ILII1,EAGE ACTUAL I SERVICEDBY: I
.I
‘ 7-38
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