steering CADILLAC CATERA 2000 1.G User Guide

2-42
Headlamps.
Fog lamps.
Twilight Sentinel.
Turns the Twilight Sentinel system off.
Instrument panel brightness control.
Turn the lamp control dial clockwise (to the first
position) to turn on the parking lamps, front and rear
sidemarker lamps, taillamps, license plate lamps, ashtray
lamps, instrument panel lights and backlighting to the
center console controls. Turn the lamp control dial all
the way clockwise (to the second position) to turn on
the low
-beam headlamps.
Turn the lamp control dial counterclockwise to turn
the lamps off.
Headlamps
Turn the lamp control dial all the way to the right to turn
on the low
-beam headlamps.
To turn on the high
-beam headlamps, the low-beam
headlamps must already be on. Push the turn signal lever on
the left side of the steering wheel away from you to engage
the high
-beam headlamps. Pull the lever toward you to
return to the low
-beam headlamps. For more information,
see ªHeadlamp High/Low Beamº in the Index.
Turn the lamp control dial all the way to the left to turn
the headlamps off.
Please note that if the headlamps are activated while
driving and then you turn your vehicle's ignition off
while the lamp dial is still turned on, the headlamps will
turn off. If, however, you open the driver's door while
the lamp dial is still turned on, a warning chime will
sound reminding you to turn the lamp control dial to
OFF. This will stop the warning chime from sounding.
(If you want the headlamps to remain on, you must
manually turn the lamp control dial off and then back
on to the headlamp position. The headlamps will stay
on until manually turned off again.)

2-63
The instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how fast
you're going, how much fuel you're using and many of the other things you'll need to know to drive safely and
economically. The main components of the instrument panel are:
A. Air Outlets
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
C. Instrument Panel Cluster
D. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
E. Comfort Controls
F. Lamp Controls
G. Horn
H. Steering Wheel Touch Controls for Audio System
I. Hood ReleaseJ. Heated Front Seat Control (Option)
K. Hazard Warning Flasher Button
L. Fuel Door Release Button
M. Ashtray
N. Radio
O. Trunk Release Button
P. Rear Power Sunshade Button
Q. Traction Control On/Off Button
R. Glove Box

3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
- 2 Comfort Controls
3
- 2 Electronic Climate Control (ECC)
3
- 3 Automatic Operation
3
- 4 Manual Operation
3
- 6 Air Conditioning
3
- 6 Heating
3
- 6 Defrosting
3
- 7 Rear Window Defogger
3
- 7 Ventilation System
3
- 8 Audio Systems
3
- 8 Setting the Clock
3
- 9AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
3
- 13 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and
Compact Disc Player with Radio Data
Systems (RDS) (If Equipped)3
- 21 Radio Data Systems (RDS) Program
Type (PTY) Selections
3
- 22 CD Adapter Kits
3
- 22 Trunk-Mounted CD Changer (Option)
3
- 26 Theft-Deterrent Feature
3
- 27 Audio Steering Wheel Controls
3
- 27 Understanding Radio Reception
3
- 28 Tips About Your Audio System
3
- 29 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
- 30 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
- 30 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
- 31 Heated Backlite Antenna

3-27 Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Some audio controls can be adjusted at the steering
wheel. They include the following:

: Press this button to move forward through preset
radio stations or to the next selection on a tape or CD.
 : Press this button to move rearward through preset
radio stations or to the previous selection on a tape or CD.
(BAND): Press this button to change between AM,
FM1 or FM2 for the radio. This button also changes a
tape to the other side, restarts a CD if playing a single
CD or goes to the next available CD loaded in the
trunk
-mounted CD changer.
+: Pressing this button increases volume.
-: Pressing this button decreases volume.
o (SOURCE): To change to a tape or CD, press
this button.
Understanding Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to come and go.

4-
4-1
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We've also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4
- 2 Defensive Driving
4
- 3 Drunken Driving
4
- 6 Control of a Vehicle
4
- 6 Braking
4
- 10 Steering
4
- 13 Off-Road Recovery
4
- 13 Passing
4
- 14 Loss of Control
4
- 16 Driving at Night
4
- 18 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads4
- 21 City Driving
4
- 22 Freeway Driving
4
- 23 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
- 23 Highway Hypnosis
4
- 24 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
- 25 Winter Driving
4
- 29 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
- 30 Loading Your Vehicle
4
- 32 Towing a Trailer

4-6
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle. (Also see ªTraction Control Systemº
in the Index.)
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That's perception time. Then you have to bring up
your foot and do it. That's reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second.
But that's only an average. It might be less with one
driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle
moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it's pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of the
vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.

4-9
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may hear the
anti
-lock pump or motor operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits wheel
spin. This is especially useful in slippery road conditions.
The system operates only if it senses that one or both of
the rear wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, the system brakes the spinning wheel
and/or reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but
this is normal.
This warning light will
come on to let you know if
there's a problem with your
traction control system.
See ªTraction Control System Warning Lightº in the
Index. When this warning light comes on and stays
on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
When the system is limiting wheel spin, the Traction
Control System warning light will be blinking.

4-10
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off if you ever need to.
(You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow. See ªRocking Your
Vehicleº in the Index.)
To turn the system off, press
the TCS OFF button
located near the radio on
the center console.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Speed Sensitive Steering (SSS)
This system varies the amount of steering effort in relation
to your vehicle speed. Steering is easier at a lower speed
for maneuvering and parking ease. As your vehicle speed
increases, the steering effort also increases. At highway
speeds, the amount of steering effort is increased to
provide manual
-like steering for maximum control and
stability. If your vehicle seems harder to steer than normal
when parking or driving slow, something may be wrong
with the speed sensitive steering system. You will still
have power steering, however, steering will be stiffer than
normal at low speeds.

4-11 Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
-- steering and
acceleration
-- have to do their work where the tires meet
the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control. Refer to
ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index.What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it
to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you'll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can ªdriveº through
the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective than
braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a
truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out
from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked
cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these
problems by braking
-- if you can stop in time. But
sometimes you can't; there isn't room. That's the time
for evasive action
-- steering around the problem.

4-12
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes. (See ªBraking in
Emergenciesº earlier in this section.) It is better to
remove as much speed as you can from a possible
collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, you can
turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.