ignition CADILLAC CATERA 2000 1.G User Guide

2-14
Remember, the theft-deterrent system won't activate if
you lock the doors with a key or use the manual door
lock. It activates only if you use a power door lock
switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter.
To avoid activating the alarm by accident:

The vehicle should be locked with the key after the
doors are closed if you don't want to activate the
theft
-deterrent system.

Always unlock a door with a key or use the remote
keyless entry transmitter. (Pressing the unlock button
on the remote keyless entry transmitter disables the
theft
-deterrent system.) Unlocking a door any other
way will activate the alarm. Cycling the ignition
without disarming the theft
-deterrent system will
also activate the alarm.
If you activate the alarm by accident, unlock the driver's
door with your key. You can also turn off the alarm by
using the remote keyless entry transmitter. The alarm
won't stop if you try to unlock a door in any other way.
Testing the Alarm
1. From inside the vehicle, roll down the window, then
get out of the vehicle, keeping the door open.
2. From outside the vehicle, with the door open, lock
the vehicle using the power door lock or the remote
keyless entry transmitter and close the door. Wait
30 seconds until the SECURITY light stops flashing.
3. Reach in and unlock the door using the manual
lock and open the door. The horn will sound and
the headlamps will flash.
If the alarm does not sound when it should, check to
see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown.
To replace the fuse, see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº
in the Index. If the fuse does not need to be replaced,
you may need to have your vehicle serviced.
To reduce the possibility of theft, always activate
the optional theft
-deterrent system when leaving
your vehicle.

2-16
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the
long run if you follow these guidelines:

Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
Keep in mind that you may have to turn the steering
wheel as you turn the key in order to turn the ignition
switch from LOCK to START
-- this is normal.
Using extra effort to remove the key from the ignition
switch, as compared to other GM vehicles that you may
have owned, is also normal.
If your key is stuck in the ignition switch and cannot
be turned back to LOCK, your vehicle will need to be
repaired. See your dealer for service.

2-17
With the key in the
ignition switch, you can
turn the switch to four
different positions.
LOCK (
): Before you put the key in, the ignition
will be in LOCK. This is the only position from which
you can remove the key. This position locks the
ignition, steering wheel and transmission. It's a
theft
-deterrent feature.
OFF (I): This position lets you turn off the engine
but still turn the steering wheel. It doesn't lock the
steering wheel like LOCK. Use OFF if you must
have your vehicle in motion while the engine is off
(for example, if your vehicle is being pushed).ON (II): The ignition is on in this position. ON is used
for driving your vehicle.
START (III): This position starts the engine.
To lock the steering column, remove the key while in
LOCK. Turn the steering wheel until you hear a click.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The radio and the optional cellular phone are the only
accessories on your vehicle that may be used for up to
10 minutes after the ignition is turned to OFF or until
a door is opened.
Power to the door locks is available at all times. Power
to the fuel door and trunk release will be available
for 15 minutes after the ignition is turned to OFF.
The power window controls and the sunroof (optional)
controls are active until a door is opened
-- there is
no time limit as long as the doors remain closed.

2-18
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's
a safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when
your vehicle is stopped.
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start right away, hold your key in
START for about three seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between each
try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging
your starter.

2-22
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply the regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever
-- push
the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
into the gear you wish. See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º
in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging the transmission, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): The engine doesn't connect with
the wheels when driving in NEUTRAL (N). Use
NEUTRAL (N) to restart your vehicle when you're
already moving or when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed)
is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to the transmission caused by shifting
out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the
engine racing isn't covered by your warranty.

2-25 Third-Gear Start
Press this button to provide
more traction when you are
starting on ice or other
slippery surfaces. It only
operates when the shift
lever is in DRIVE (D).
The button is located
next to the shift lever on
the console.
The transmission will be in THIRD (3) when the vehicle
begins to move. After starting in THIRD (3), the vehicle
will upshift normally.
This feature is for improved traction only when the road
surface is slippery and is not intended for continuous use
or when the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow or
gravel. Drive as usual for normal road conditions.This feature automatically turns off when any of the
following conditions occur:

When the ignition is turned off.

If the shift lever is placed in PARK (P), THIRD (3),
SECOND (2), or FIRST (1).

If you press and hold the accelerator pedal past its
resistance point for more than two seconds.

When speed falls below 25 mph (40 km/h).

Once the vehicle reaches 67 mph (108 km/h).
To turn this feature off, press the button again.
Whenever you start your vehicle, the transmission
is in the normal mode.

2-26
Parking Brake
The parking brake is located on the center console
between the front seats.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your foot and pull up on the parking brake
lever. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on.If you start to drive with the parking brake set, the
BRAKE warning light stays on. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº in the Index for more information.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
with your foot and pull the parking brake lever up until
you can press the end release button. Hold the release
button in as you move the brake lever all the way down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause the
rear brakes to overheat. You may have to replace
them, and you could also damage other parts of
your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. This section
shows what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

2-28
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the ignition key and take it with you.
If you can leave your vehicle with the key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without pressing the
button on the shift lever handle. If you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

2-29
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transmissionº in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift out of
PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF. Open and close the
driver's door to turn off the Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of step 8.
3. With both hands, squeeze the base of the shift lever
boot (covering) together as shown.
4. Pull the upper part of the base out first and then slide
out the lower part of the base.
5. Lift the shift lever boot (covering) up to move it out
of your way.

2-33
To raise the window, pull up the front of the control.
Pulling the control up for about one second and then
releasing it will express
-close the window.
When you stop your vehicle and turn the ignition
key to LOCK, you can still use the power windows.
The electrical power to operate the windows will not
shut off until a door is opened
-- there is no time
limit to this feature. As soon as a door is opened,
power window movement will stop immediately.
Programming the Power Windows
If the battery on your vehicle has been recharged,
disconnected or is not working, you will need to
reprogram each power window for the express
-open
and close features to work. Before reprogramming, you
will need to replace or recharge your vehicle's battery.
To program each window, follow these steps:
1. Close all doors.
2. Press and hold the power window control until the
window has fully opened.3. Pull the power window control up until the window
is fully closed.
4. Continue holding the control up for approximately
five seconds after the window is completely up.
The window is now programmed. Repeat the process for
each window.
Anti
-Pinch Feature
If a hand, an arm or another object is above the middle
of the window and is in the way of the power window
express
-closing, the window will stop at the obstruction
and express
-open to a preset factory position.
CAUTION:
Pressing and holding the power window control
button will turn off the anti
-pinch feature.
If this happens, a power window won't stop if
something gets in the way. You or others could
be injured, and your window could be damaged.
Be careful not to press and hold the power
window control button.