gas type OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1998 Owners Manual

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.
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Be sure the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane is
less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive.
If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But
don’t worry
if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up
a hill. That’s normal,
and
you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have a problem.
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood emission control
label), it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications.
If such fuels are not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
on your instrument
panel may turn on and/or your vehicle may fail a
smog-check test.
If this occurs, return to your authorized
GM retailer for diagnosis to determine the cause
of
failure. In the event it is determined that the cause of the
condition
is the type of fuels used, repairs may not be
covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for
low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
tnethylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT);
ask your service station operator whether or not
his fuel
contains MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use of such gasolines.
If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel
may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized
GM retailer for service.
6-4
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While refueling, hang the cap by the tether from the
hook
on the filler door.
To remove the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The cap has a spring
in it; if you let
L go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the right.
Y If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you
if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if‘ your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap
all the wav.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces
as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside
of Your Vehicle” in the Index. When
you put the
cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise)
until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you
filly install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the
Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your retailer can get one for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
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Vehicle Storage Halogen Bulbs
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, remove the black, negative
(-) cable from the
battery. This
will help keep your battery from
running down.
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index Halogen
bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst
if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Composite Headlamps
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt. 1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the black retainer clips by lifting up.
I I
3. Pull the headlamp assembly out.
Contact your retailer to learn how to prepare your
vehicle for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see ”Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index.
Bulb Replacement
Before you replace any bulbs, be sure that all the lamps
are off and the engine isn’t running. See ”Replacement
Bulbs”
in the index for the proper type of bulb to use.
4. Unplug the electrical connector.
5. Turn the bulb assembly to the left to remove it.
6. Put the new bulb assembly into the headlamp
assembly and turn
it to the right until it is tight.
1. P~LI~ in the electrical connector.
8. Put the headlamp lens assembly back into the
vehicle. Install the two retaining clips.
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