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1997 Oldsmobile Bravada Owner's Manual - Page 179

1997 Oldsmobile Bravada Manual

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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/Tire label on the driver's door edge, above the door latch or see "Tire Loading" in the Index. Then be sure you don't go over the GVW limit for your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue. Hitches A B If you're using a weight-carrying hitch,the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you're using a weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B). 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 i n the trailer. 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 2,000 Ibs. (900 kg), be sure to use a properly mounted, weight-distributing hitch and sway control of the proper size. This equipmentis 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 relnove the hitch. If you don't seal them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your vehicle (see "Carbon Monoxide" in the Index). Dirt and water can, too. 4-47

Section	Page
Table of Contents	3
Seats and Restraint Systems	9
Seats and Controls	10
Manual Passenger's Seat	10
Power Driver's Seat	10
Reclining Front Seatbacks	11
Rear Seats	13
Why Safety Belts Work	15
Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts	18
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	19
Questions and Answers About Air Bags	28
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	32
How to Use Child Restraints	42
Important Information for Buckling Children in Child Restraints	42
Child Restraint Top Straps	43
How to Obtain a Safety Belt Extender	52
Checking Your Restraint Systems	52
Replacing Parts After a Crash	53
Features and Controls	55
Important Information about Keys	56
Door Locks	58
Operation of Child Security Locks	59
Remote Keyless Entry	60
Battery Replacement for RKE	61
Preventing Theft of Your Vehicle	64
New Vehicle "Break-In"	65
Ignition Positions	66
Tips on Starting Your Engine	67
Using the Engine Coolant Heater	68
Automatic Transmission Operation	69
Parking Brake Guidelines	72
Important Information on Engine Exhaust	76
Operation of Your Windows	78
Adjusting the Tilt Steering Wheel	79
Functions of the Multifunction Lever	79
How to Use the High/Low Beam Headlamp Changer	80
Windshield Wipers and Fluid	81
Using Cruise Control	82
Exterior Lamps	85
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)	86
Interior Lamps	87
Rearview Mirrors	88
Storage Compartments	89
Instrument Panel Overview	102
All About Your Warning Lights and Gages	106
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	117
Comfort Controls	118
Air Conditioning	119
Heating	119
Ventilation System and Tips	120
Tips for Defogging and Defrosting	121
Rear Window Defogger	121
Setting the Clock	122
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Equalizer	122
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Automatic Tone Control	125
Theft-Deterrent Feature	129
Adding Sound Equipment to Your Vehicle	131
Understanding Radio Reception	131
Tips About Your Audio System	131
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	132
Care of Your Compact Discs	132
Antenna	132
Your Driving and the Road	133
Defensive Driving	134
Driving Drunk	135
Having Control of Your Vehicle	138
Your Braking System Information	138
Anti-Lock Brake Information	139
Braking in Emergencies	141
Steering Tips	141
Off-Road Recovery Tips	143
Passing Other Vehicles	144
Losing Control of Your Vehicle	146
Four-Wheel Off-Road Driving Guidelines	147
Night Driving	160
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	162
Tips Before Leaving on a Long Trip	167
Avoiding Highway Hypnosis	168
Driving on Hills and Mountains	168
Winter Driving	170
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard	172
Loading Your Vehicle	174
Recreational Vehicle Towing	176
Helpful Hints for Towing a Trailer	181
Problems on the Road	187
How to Use Warning Flashers	188
Other Types of Warning Devices	189
Step-by-Step Procedure for Jump Starting	189
Information You Should Know Before Towing	193
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front	196
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear	197
If Your Engine is Overheating	198
If Steam is Coming From Your Engine	198
Cooling System	200
How to Add Coolant	202
What to do if a Tire Goes Flat	207
How to Change a Flat Tire	207
Where to Store the Flat Tire and Tools	215
Information on the Compact Spare Tire	216
If You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud, Snow or on Ice	217
How to Rock Your Vehicle to Get Unstuck	218
Using Recovery Hooks	218
Service and Appearance Care	221
Doing Your Own Service Work	222
What Kind of Fuel to Use	223
Using Fuel in Foreign Countries	224
Where to Put the Fuel and Filling the Tank	225
Checking Things Under the Hood	226
Checking Your Engine Oil	229
Automatic Transmission Fluid	234
Engine Coolant	240
Where to Fill the Windshield Washer Fluid	244
Important Brake Information	245
Information on Your Vehicle’s Battery	249
Tips on Vehicle Storage	249
Bulb Replacement Procedures	250
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	254
How and When to Check Tire Inflation	257
When it is Time to Buy New Tires	259
Wheel Alignment	262
Cleaning the Inside of Your Oldsmobile	264
Care of the Safety Belts	267
Cleaning the Outside of Your Oldsmobile	268
How to Clean Aluminum Wheels	270
Underbody Maintenance	271
Recommended Appearance Care Materials	272
Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	273
The Electrical System	274
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	275
Replacement Bulb Types for Your Vehicle	279
Capacities and Specifications	280
Normal Replacement Parts	280
Air Conditioning Specifications	281
Maintenance Schedule	283
Introduction to Your Maintenance Schedule	284
Your Vehicle and the Environment	284
How this Section is Organized	285
Part A: Using Your Maintenance Schedule	286
Selecting the Right Schedule for Your Vehicle	286
Short Trip/City Definition	287
Short Trip/City Intervals	287
Long Trip/Highway Definition	288
Long Trip/Highway Intervals	288
Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule	289
Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule	310
Part B: Owner Checks at Each Fuel Fill-up	321
What to Check at Least Once a Month	321
What to Check at Least Twice a Year	322
What to Check at Least Once a Year	322
Periodic Maintenance Inspections	325
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	327
Tips for Keeping Track of Maintenance	329
A Place to Record Maintenance Procedure	329
Customer Assistance Information	331
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	332
Address for Writing to Oldsmobile	334
Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	334
Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance Program	335
Phone Number for Roadside Assistance	335
Oldsmobile Courtesy Transportation	336
BBB Autoline Information	337
Warranty Information	338
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States	338
Reporting Safety Defects to Canada	339
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	339
Ordering Service Publications in Canada	339
How to Order Service Publications	340
Order Form for Service Publications	341

Match case Limit results 1 per page

you’re using a

weight-carrying

hitch,

the trailer

tongue

(A)

should weigh

percent of

the

total loaded

trailer weight

(B).

you’re using

weight-distributing

hitch, the trailer tongue

(A)

should weigh

percent of

the

total loaded trailer weight

(B).

After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and

then the tongue, separately, to see

the weights are

proper.

they aren’t, you

may

be able

get them right

simply by moving some items around

i n

the trailer.

Total

Weight

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/Tire label

the driver’s door edge,

above

the door latch or

see “Tire Loading”

the Index. Then

be sure

you

don’t

go over the

GVW

limit for your

vehicle, including the weight

the trailer tongue.

Hitches

It’s important

have the correct hitch equipment.

Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are

few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are

some rules

follow:

you’ll be pulling

trailer that, when loaded,

will

weigh more than 2,000

Ibs.

(900 kg), be sure to use

properly mounted, weight-distributing

hitch

and

sway control of the proper size.

This

equipment

very important for proper vehicle loading and good

handling when you’re driving.

Will

you have to make any holes

the body

of your

vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?

you do, then

be sure

seal the holes later when

you relnove the hitch.

you don’t seal them, deadly

carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get

into your vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide”

the

Index). Dirt and water can, too.

4-47