suspension OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1998 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 start your engine.
When you go through water, remember that when your
brakes get wet, it may take you longer to stop.
A CAUTION: 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
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires and exhaust system
for damage. Also, check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information.
ProCarManuals.com

Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can break,
or it can change the
way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control.
Also,
overloading can shorten the life of your vehicle.
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.
NOTICE:
hour 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.
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in
a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
0 Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
0 Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
Try to spread the weight evenly.
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops
of the seats.
0 Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
0 When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
0 Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
I
There’s also important loading information for off-road driving in this manual. See “Loading Your Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving” in the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

/i CAJTION:
To help avoid injury to you or others:
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
Never get under your vehicle after it has
Always use separate safety chains on each
Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being
towed.
fully secured.
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.
5-9
ProCarManuals.com

Front Towing
Tow Limits -- 35 mph (55 k&), 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.
5-11
ProCarManuals.com

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.
5-12
ProCarManuals.com

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(1 66 000 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).
See ”Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections‘‘ following.
Footnotes
-i- 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.
4:‘i: Drive axle service (see “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index for proper lubricant to use):
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.
7-7
ProCarManuals.com

I Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule I
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).
See “Owner Checks and Services’’ and ”Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
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 Inspections“
in Part C of this schedule.
“:*Drive axle service (see “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index for proper lubricant to use):
Drain and refill at first oil change. At subsequent oil
changes, check fluid level and add fluid
as needed.
ProCarManuals.com

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 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 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.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace
as needed. Clean the outside
of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help
ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap is recommended at least once
a year.
ProCarManuals.com

1998 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, lncorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1998 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
1998 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 FOLLOWtNG
PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, lncorporated 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 - 6:00 PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-Mastercard-Discover)
ProCarManuals.com

Ignition Positions
.................................... 2-12
Transmission Lock Check
...................... 7-42
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-34
Inflation. Tire
............................. 6.38. 7.39
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-35
Inspections
Brakesystem
................................ 7-44
Drive Axle
.................................. 7-44
Engine Cooling System
........................ 7-43
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-43
Front Drive Axle Boot
......................... 7-43
Steering
.................................... 7-43
Throttle System
.............................. 7-44
Transfer Case
................................ 7-44
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-50
Cleaning
.................................... 6-47
Cluster
..................................... 2-51
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-34
Suspension
.................................. 7-43
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-55
Jacking Equipment
............................. 5-23
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Keyless Entry System
Operation
.................................... 2-7
Remote Panic Alarm
........................... 2-7
Resynchronization
............................. 2-8
Keys
.......................................... 2-2 Labels
Certification/Tire
............................. 4-42
Fuse
.................................. 6.55. 6.57
Safety Belt
.................................. 1-51
Service Parts Identification ..................... 6-53
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-53
Lamps
........................................ 2-32
Dome
...................................... 2-34
Front Reading
........................... 2-34, 2-37
Interior
..................................... 2-34
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-6
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-21
Liftgate OnReminder
................................ 2-33
ManualRelease
............................... 2-9
Lighter
....................................... 2-44
Remote Release
.............................. 2-10
Lights Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-57, 4-7
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-56
Charging System
............................. 2-54
Gate Ajar
................................... 2-62
LowFuel
................................... 2-63
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-8, 2-53
Security Warning
............................. 2-61
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-58
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-42
Locking Rear Axle
.............................. 2-24
Lockout Prevention
.............................. 2-5
CheckGages
................................ 2-62
Service4WD
................................ 2-61
LockoutSwitch
................................ 2-25
9-5
ProCarManuals.com