warning Oldsmobile Bravada 2003 s Owner's Guide

What to Add Notice:
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6- 17.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt )m en’
. the reservoir.
A I:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake
fluid.
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil,
in your
brake system can damage brake system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be replaced.
Don’t let someone put in the wrong kind of fluid
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint finish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake fluid on your vehicle. If
you
do, wash it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care’’ in the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing
on the
brake pedal firmly).
5-36

Brake Pedal Travel
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to an accident. When you hear the brake
wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result
in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary
to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence
to GM torque specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See
Brake System Inspection on page 6-16.
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have
to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your
vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality GM
brake parts. When you replace parts
of your braking
system
- for example, when your brake linings
wear down and you need new ones put in
- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts.
If
you don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are
wrong for your vehicle, the balance between your front
and rear brakes can change
- for the worse. The
braking performance you’ve come
to expect can change
in many other ways
if someone puts in the wrong
replacement brake parts.
5-37

Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco@ battery. When it’s time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco@
battery. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page
5-72 for battery location.
Warning: Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
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.
Batteries ~ -.-ve acid tha- -an burn , -u and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” next for
tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your
vehicle for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see
Theft-Deterrent
Feature on page
3-88.
5-38

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only
to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply
to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches
(25 to
30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect
to these
grades, they must also conform
to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half
(1 5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction - AA, A, 9, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned
to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-57

Temperature - A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory
to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are
not needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need
to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need
to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace
it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer
if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.
5-58

A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle
to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake
to a stop - well off the road if possible.
If
a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment
to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning flashers. Cha..,ing
a tire can ca-.-e an injc.
,. The
vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured. Find a level place to change your tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Put the wheel blocks at the front and rear
of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire on
the other side of the vehicle,
at the
opposite end.
5-62

Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flames
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.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
0 Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
- some more than
others
- and they can all damage your vehicle, too. Don’t use
any of these unless this manual says you
can. In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and
loose dirt. Wipe vinyl, leather, plastic and painted
surfaces with a clean, damp cloth.
FabriclCarpet
Your dealer has cleaners for the cleaning of fabric and
carpet. They will clean normal spots and stains very well.
You can get
GM - approved cleaning products from
your dealer. See
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials
on page 5-83.
5-77

A
Accessory Inflator ........................................... 5-60
Accessory Power Outlets
................................. 3-19
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment
......... 4-44
Adding Washer Fluid
....................................... 5-34
Additional Program Information
........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel
................................................. 5-6
Add-on Electrical Equipment
............................ 5-86
After Off-Road Driving
..................................... 4-26
Readiness Light
.......................................... 3-31
Air Bag Systems
............................................. 1-46
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)
...... 3-59, 3-68
Air Bag
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
.................... 1-52
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
......... 1-55
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?
.................... 1-52
What Will You See After an
Air Bag Inflates?
...................................... 1-53
When Should an Air Bag Inflate? ................... 1-51
Where Are the Air Bags?
.............................. 1-49
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine
................................. 5-1 8
All Overseas Locations
...................................... 7-4
All-Wheel Drive
............................................... 5-44
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
......................... 2-24
All-Wheel-Drive Service Light
............................ 3-41
Aluminum Wheels
........................................... 5-82
AM ............................................................... 3-89
Antenna, Fixed Mast
....................................... 3-91
Anti-lock Brake System
..................................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake. System Warning Light .............. 3-34
Appearance Care
............................................ 5-77
Care
of Safety Belts .................................... 5-80
Chemical Paint Spotting
............................... 5-83
Gleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
................ 5-77
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
.............. 5-80
Finish Damage
............................................ 5-82
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials .......... 5-83
Sheet Metal Damage
................................... 5-82
Underbody Maintenance
............................... 5-83
Weatherstrips
.............................................. 5-80
Approaching a Hill
.......................................... 4-19
Ashtrays
........................................................ 3-20
Audio Speakers
.............................................. 3-78
Audio System(s)
............................................. 3-56
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
...................... 3-89
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
................ 3-90
Care of Your CD and DVD Player
.................. 3-91
Care of Your CDs and DVDs
........................ 3-91
Chime Level Adjustment
............................... 3-91
Fixed Mast Antenna
..................................... 3-91
Radio Personalization
.......... .............. 3-88
Radio with Cassette and CD
......................... 3-57
Radio with Six-Disc CD
................................ 3-66
Audio Systems
Audio System(s)
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
................................ 3-87
Setting the Time
.......................................... 3-56
Theft-Deterrent Feature
................................ 3-88
Understanding Radio Reception
..................... 3-89
1

Automatic Headlamp System ............................ 3-1 5
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-20
Operation
................................................... 2-22
Automatic Transmission Check
.......................... 6-1 1
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check
....................................... ... 6-13
Backglass Wiper Blade Replacement
................. 5-51
Battery
.......................................................... 5-38
Battery Replacement
......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection
............................ 3-1 9
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
......................... 4-33
Before You Drive
............................................ 3-76
Before You Go Off-Roading
.............................. 4-16
Body Lubrication Service
.................................. 6-12
Brake
Parking
...................................................... 2-25
System Inspection
....................................... 6-1 6
System Warning Light
.................................. 3-33
Brake Adjustment
............................................ 5-37
Brake Fluid
.................................................... 5-34
Brake Pedal Travel
..................................... 5-37
Brake Wear
............................................... 5-36
Brakes
.......................................................... 5-34
Braking
........................................................... 4-6
Backing
Up
.................................................... 4-51
BATTERY NOT CHARGING
............................. 3-53 Braking
in Emergencies
..................................... 4-8
Break.ln. New Vehicle
..................................... 2-18
Bulb Replacement
........................................... 5-47
Replacement Bulbs
...................................... 5-48
Buying New Tires
........................................... 5-56
Taillamps
and Turn Signal Lamps
.................. 5-47
C
California Fuel .................................................. 5-6
Canada
........................................................... 7-4
Canadian Owners
................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance ........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specifications
............................ 5-93
Care of
Carbon Monoxide
................... 4-36,
4-45, 2-13, 2-28
Safety Belts
................................................ 5-80
Your Cassette Tape Player
............................ 3-90
Your CD and DVD Player
............................. 3-91
Your CDs and DVDs
.................................... 3-91
Cargo Cover
.................................................. 2-44
Cargo Tie Downs
............................................ 2-45
Cassette Tape Messages
................................. 3-64
Cassette Tape Player Service
........................... 6-10
Center Seat Position, Child Restraints
................ 1-45
Chains, Tires
.............................................. 5-60
Charging System Light
................................ 3-32
Check
Engine Light
........................................... 3-35
Gages Warning Light
................................... 3-41
2

Customer Assistance Information (cont.) Reporting Safety Defects
to General Motors ...... /-9
Reporting Safety Defects
to the
Canadian Government
................................ 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects
to the
United States Government
.......................... 7-9
Roadside Assistance Program
......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information
........ 7-1 0
D
Daytime Running Lamps ............ ........... 3-16
Defensive Driving
............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting
................................. 3-23
Delayed Locking
............................................... 2-9
Doing Your Own Service Work
........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp Override
...................................... 3-17
Dome Lamps
................................................. 3-18
Door Delayed Locking
........................................... 2-9
Power Door Locks
......................................... 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............. 2-1 0
Rear Door Security Locks ......................... 2-1 2
Position, Safety Belt ..................................... 1-13
Driver Information Center (DIC)
......................... 3-43
Locks
.......................................................... 2-8
Driver DRIVER
DOOR AJAR ..................................... 3-54 Driver Information
Center (DIC) (cont.)
DIC Operation and Displays
.......................... 3-43
DIC Warnings and Messages
........................ 3-52
At Night
..................................................... 4-27
Defensive
.... ......................................... 4-2
Drunken
....................................................... 4-2
Hill and Mountain Roads .............................. 4-34
In Rain and on Wet Roads
........................... 4-28
Winter
........................................................ 4-36
Driving Across an Incline
.................................. 4-23
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice
.................... 4-25
Driving in Water
.............................................. 4-26
Driving On Grades
....................................... 4-51
Driving on Off-Road Hills
.............................. 4-19
Driving on Snow or Ice
.................................... 4-36
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
............... 4-30
Driving Through Flowing Water
......................... 4-30
Driving Uphill
.................................................. 4-20
Driving with a Trailer
....................................... 4-50
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
............. 3-21
DVD Cleaning the Video Screen
........................... 3-91
Distortion
.................................................... 3-89
Rear Seat Entertainment System
................... 3-76
DVD Player
.................................................... 3-79
Driving
City
....................................................... 4-31
Freeway
..................................................... 4-32
Driving Downhill
.............................................. 4-22
4