weight Oldsmobile Bravada 2003 s User Guide

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having
to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control
if your trailer will
weigh
4,000 Ibs. (1 816 kg) or less. You should
always use a sway control
if your trailer will weigh
more than
4,000 Ibs. (1 816 kg). You can ask a
hitch dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
50 mph (80 km/h)
and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in
at
the heavier loads.
With an automatic transmission, you can
tow in
DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the transmission
to
THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear
selection
if the transmission shifts too often e.g.
under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
Three important considerations have to
do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
@ and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
4-46

Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and
how
much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any special equipment that
you have on your vehicle.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at:
Oldsmobile Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33171
Detroit, MI 48232-51 71 In
Canada, write to:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre,
163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1 H 8P7
4-47

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight
to measure because it affects the total or gross weight
of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you
may carry in it, and the people who will be riding in
the vehicle. And
if you will tow a trailer, you must add
the tongue load
to the GVW because your vehicle will be
carrying that weight, too. See
Loading Your Vehicle
on page 4-41 for more information about your vehicle’s
maximum load capacity.
A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying or a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue weight (A) should be
10 percent
to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B).
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight
for your vehicle.
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then
the tongue, separately,
to see if the weights are proper. If
they aren’t, you may be able to get them right simply by
moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper limit
for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
Certification label at the rear edge of the driver’s door.
Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW limit for
your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.
4-48

Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here
are some rules to follow:
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than
4,000 Ibs. (1 816 kg), be sure to
use a properly mounted, weight-distributing
hitch and sway control of the proper size. This
equipment is very important for proper vehicle
loading and good handling when you’re driving.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of
your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?
If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when
you remove the hitch.
If you don’t seal them,
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust
can get into your vehicle. Dirt and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer to help prevent the tongue from contacting
the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the
hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper.
Always leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your
rig. Never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,500 Ibs. (680 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes
- and they must
be adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust
and maintain them properly.
Your trailer’s brake system can tap into the vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system only
if:
The trailer parts can withstand 3,000 psi
(20 650 kPa) of pressure.
0 The trailer’s brake system will use less than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicle’s
master cylinder. Otherwise, both braking systems
won’t work well. You could even lose your brakes.
If everything checks out this far, then make the brake
fluid tap at the port on the master cylinder that
sends fluid to the rear brakes. But don’t use copper
tubing for this.
If you do, it will bend and finally break off.
Use steel brake tubing.
4-49

Driving with a ‘railer
I..
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 “Engine
Exhaust” 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
the climate control setting for maximum air because
it only recirculates the air inside
your vehicle. See “Climate Controls”
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.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need
to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return
to your lane.
4-50

Tachometer ........... ....
Taillamps Turn Signal Lamps
.........
ThefbDeterrent. Radio ........
Theft-Deterrent Systems ......
Content Theft-Deterrent ...
Passlock@ .....................
Tilt Wheel ..........................
Testing the Alarm ...............
....... .. 3-30
........................... 5-47
........................... 2-17
........................... 3-88
........................... 2-16
........................... 2-16
........................... 2-17
............................. 3-6 ...
Tire Inflation Check ......................................... 6-10
Tires
..................................................... 5-52. 5-82
Buying New Tires
........................................ 5-56
Chains
....................................................... 5-60
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-62
If a Tire Goes Flat
....................................... 5-61
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-53
Inspection and Rotation
................................ 5-53
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
......................... 5-57
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
................. 5-58
Wheel Replacement
..................................... 5-58
When
It Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-55
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater .................... 2-21
Top
of the Instrument Panel ............................. 5-79
Top Strap
...................................................... 1-36
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................... 1-37 Torque Lock
................................................... 2-27
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
.................. 4-48
Towing Recreational Vehicle
..................................... 4-41
Towing a Trailer
.......................................... 4-45
Your Vehicle
............................................... 4-41
Traction Assist System (TAS)
...................................... 4-9
Trailer Brakes
................................................. 4-49
Trailer Wiring Harness
..................................... 4-53
Transfer Case
................................................ 5-44
Transmission Fluid, Automatic
........................................... 5-20
Transmission Operation, Automatic
.................... 2-22
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual
............................................ 7-10
Travel Note Recorder
...................................... 2-41
Traveling
to Remote Areas ............................... 4-17
Trip Information
.............................................. 3-44 .
Trip Odometer ................................................ 3-30
TRANS HOT IDLE
ENGINE
............................. 3-54
Transportation Options
...................................... 7-7
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.......................... 3-7
TURN SIGNAL
ON ......................................... 3-53
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
.................. 4-51
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
........................... 3-7
14

Underbody Flushing Service ..... ..... 6-14
Understanding Radio Reception
..................... 3-89
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
............................ 5-57
United States ................................................... 7-4
Using
Using
Using
Using Cleaner
on Fabric
.................................. 5-78
HomeLinka
........................................... 2-39
Song List Mode
..................................... 3-75
RDS ............................................ 3-60, 3-69
v
Vehicle
Control
........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings
........................................... iv
Loading
...................................................... 4-41
Symbols ..................................................... iv
Number (VIN)
............................................. 5-85
Service Parts Identification Label
................... 5-85
Vehicle Personalization
Memory Seat
.............................................. 2-47
Vehicle Storage
.............................................. 5-38
Video Screen ................................................. 3-78
Vinyl
............................................................. 5-79
Visor Vanity Mirror
.......................................... 2-15
Visors
........................................................... 2-1 5
Voltmeter Gage .............................................. 3-32
Vehicle
Identification
W
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ................ 3-28
Warnings DIC Warnings and Messages
........................ 3-52
Hazard Warning Flashers
............................... 3-5
Other Warning Devices
.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols
......................................... III
Vehicle Damage .............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle
......................... ...... 5-80
Weatherstrip Lubrication ............................... 6-11
Weight of the Trailer
........................................ 4-47
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
............................. 4-48
What Kind of Engine Oil
to Use ........................ 5-16
What to Add
.................................................. 5-36
What
to Do with Used Oil ................................ 5-18
What
to Use .................................. 5-23, 5-33, 5-46
Wheels
...
Alignment and Tire Balance .......................... 5-58
Replacement
............................................... 5-58
When to Add Engine Oil .................................. 5-15
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
................................... 5-17
When to Check .............................................. 5-53
When
to Check and Change ............................ 5-20
When
to Check Lubricant ................................. 5-46
When
to Check Power Steering Fluid ................ 5-33
When
You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
......................................... 4-52
Where
to Put the Restraint ............................... 1-35
15