cooling Oldsmobile Bravada 1999 Owner's Manuals

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2-9
Liftgate/Liftglass
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate or
liftglass open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas
can come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the liftgate or liftglass
open or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal between
the body and the liftgate or liftglass:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on any airflow selection except
RECIRCULATION. That will force outside
air into your vehicle. See ªComfort
Controlsº in the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
Liftgate Release
You may use the keyless entry system or your power
door locks to release the liftgate or liftglass.
The liftglass can be opened
using the pushbutton on the
liftgate after the driver's
door has been opened using
either the power lock
system or the remote
keyless entry system.
To open the entire liftgate, unlock the doors using either
the power door lock system or the keyless entry system
and lift the handle located in the center of the liftgate.

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3-2
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle.
Electronic Climate Control
Fan Control
The knob on the left side of the electronic climate
control panel controls the fan speed. To manually
increase airflow, turn the knob clockwise. To manually
decrease airflow, turn it counterclockwise.
OFF: If the knob is in OFF, outside air will still enter
the vehicle, and will be directed based on the position of
the mode knob.AUTO: If the knob is in AUTO, the fan speed will vary
as the system maintains the selected temperature.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
desired air temperature in your vehicle. This knob will
allow you to adjust the interior air temperature
independently of the function knob setting. Turn the
knob clockwise toward 82 for warmer air. Turn the knob
counterclockwise toward 66 for cooler air.
Full Hot: If you turn the temperature knob past 82
F
(28
C), the system will go into the ªfull hotº mode. The
system will remain at that maximum heating setting and
the fan will blow at the speed the fan knob is set to. If
the fan is in AUTO, it will run at full speed.
Full Cold: If you turn the temperature knob past 66
F
(19
C), the system will go into the ªfull coldº mode.
The system will remain at that maximum cooling setting
and the fan will blow at the speed the fan knob is set to.
If the fan is in AUTO, it will run at full speed.
Choosing either maximum setting will not cause the
system to heat or cool any faster.

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3-5
Remember that in order for the automatic system
to perform well, it needs A/C to provide
cooling performance.
Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
For quick cool
-down on very hot days, the A/C button
should be enabled and the OUTSIDE AIR button should
not be active.
On cool but sunny days, use BI
-LEVEL A/C to deliver
warm air to the floor and cooler air to the instrument
panel outlets.
When the air conditioner is on, you may sometimes
notice slight changes in your vehicle's engine speed
and power. This is normal because the system is
designed to cycle the compressor on and off to keep
the desired temperature.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it. On cold days, use HEATER with the
temperature knob turned to the right. BLEND is useful
in cool weather when you have fog or ice on the
windshield or side windows.
If you use the optional engine coolant heater before
starting your engine, your heating system will produce
warmer air faster to heat the passenger compartment in
cold weather. See ªEngine Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use BLEND to keep the
windshield and side windows clear.
Use DEFROST to remove fog or ice from the
windshield quickly in extreme humid or cold conditions.
Turn the temperature knob to the right and turn the fan
control toward high.

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3-7 Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Airflow is through the instrument
panel outlets.
Your vehicle's ventilation system supplies outside air to
the inside of your vehicle when it is moving. When the
vehicle is not moving, you can get outside air to flow
through by selecting any mode and any fan speed.
You will find air outlets in the center and on the sides of
your instrument panel.You can direct the airflow side
-to-side by rotating the
thumbwheel located in the center of the vent. The vent
can be tilted up and down also. To control the amount of
airflow through the outlets, rotate the thumbwheel
below the vent.
Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan control to high for a few moments before driving
off. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow and
moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the
inside of your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.

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4-26
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.
CAUTION:
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 ªDriving Through Waterº 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.

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4-35
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable. (See ªOff
-Road
Drivingº in the Index for information about driving
off
-road.)
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let your engine
assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope.

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4-48 Driving with a Trailer
CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You can't see
or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. (See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.) To
maximize your safety when towing a trailer:

Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.

Keep the rear
-most windows closed.

If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use
MAX A/C because it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See ªComfort
Controlsº in the Index.)
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.

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4-50 Parking on Hills
CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People can
be injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here's
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don't shift into
PARK (P) yet. Then turn your wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

Start your engine;

Shift into a gear; and

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 system. 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.

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5-11
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Engine Fan
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at least up to the ADD
mark. If it isn't, you may have a leak in the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere
else in the cooling system.

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5-12
CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.
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.
If there seems to be no leak, start the engine again. See if
the engine cooling fan speed increases when idle speed is
doubled by pushing the accelerator pedal down. If it
doesn't, your vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.