warning light CADILLAC CATERA 1997 1.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Traction Engaged
When your traction control system is limiting wheel
spin, the traction control system warning light will flash.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this warning light
is flashing,
so adjust your driving accordingly.
Traction Control System Warning Light
This warning light should
come on briefly as you start
the engine. If the warning
light doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you if there’s
a problem. The warning
light will flash when
the system senses a
traction change.
If it stays on, or comes on and stays on steady when
you’re driving, there may be a problem with your
traction control system and
your vehicle may need
service. When this warning light is
on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. The
traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
If there’s a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn
off and the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period
of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light tells you that the
engine has overheated. You
should stop the
car and turn
the engine
off as soon as
possible.
A warning chime
should also sound if
this
light comes on.
As a check, the light should come on for a few seconds
when you
start the engine. In the section “Problems on
the Road,” this manual explains what to do. See “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
C &
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the
gage pointer moves into
the red area, the engine
is
too hot!
This reading means the same thing as the warning
light
-- the engine coolant has overheated. You should
stop the car and turn the engine off as soon as possible.
The section “Problems on the Road” in this manual
explains what to do. See “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
I 2-68

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Coolant Warning Light
This warning light should
come on while you are
starting
the engine. If the
light doesn’t come on, have
4
it repaired.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
Your Catera is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
CHECK
ENGINE
control systems.
Your Catera is equipped with a low coolant level sensor
(switch and float) that is designed
to detect when your
vehicle’s coolant level drops below the set limit. If the
low coolant level sensor (under the coolant surge tank)
detects that the level drops while the engine is running,
the low coolant indicator will light and remain lit until
the ignition switch is turned off. Check the coolant level and add coolant as needed. The light should turn
off as
soon as the coolant level
is at its proper operating range. This
system is called OBD
I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping
to produce a cleaner
environment. (In Canada,
OBD I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The CHECK
ENGINE light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system
is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
2-69

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light will come on
when
you turn on the
ignition and the windshield
washer fluid container is
less than one-third full.
Trunk Ajar Light
This light will come on if
your vehicle’s trunk is not
completely closed.
2-74

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuel Gage Low Fuel Light
The fuel
gage shows
approximately how much
fuel is in the tank. It works
only when the ignition is in
the
RUN position.
Rere
are a few concerns some owners have had about
the fuel gage. All of these situations are normal and do
not indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gage.
At the gas station the gas pump shuts off before the
The gage may change when you turn, stop or
gage reads
E
speed
up. If
the
fuel level is low
(approximately
two gallons
of fuel remain in the fuel
tank),
a light will come on
and stay on until you add
fuel. It will also come on for
a few seconds when you
first turn
on the ignition as a
check to show it’s working.
If it doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed.
--
--nsmission Warning Light
0
This light comes on briefly
when the ignition is turned
on. If the light remains on
or lights up while driving,
there may be a fault in the
automatic transmission.
Have your vehicle serviced.
2-75

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts
-- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking
-- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between
hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you
do a lot of heavy bralung. If you keep pace with the
traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot
of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake
normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But
you will
use it when you brake. Once the power assist is
used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You may
hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you may even notice that your brake
pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there’s a problem with the
anti-lock brake system, this
warning light will stay on.
See “Anti-Lock Brake
ABS
System Warning Light” in
the Index.
4-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
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.
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 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 “Traction Control System Warning Light” in the
Index. When this warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
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 “Rocking Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
0 Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into an
unknown part of the city just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most
large cities. You’ll save time and energy. (See the
next part, “Freeway Driving.”)
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light
is there because the corner is busy enough to need it.
When a light turns green, and just before you start to
move, check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running the
red light,
Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their
own special rules.
4-21

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing,
a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and a
couple
of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road,
you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll
have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be
very careful.
-- - ., ., .. . . . . . . . . . . .
i
-4
4-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Pressing this button on the
center console makes the
front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and
off. The
indicator light on the button
also flashes. Pressing the
button again turns the
flashers
off. The flashers
work regardless of the
key position.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, the turn
signals won’t work since they
are already flashing.
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and
off.
5-2