light CADILLAC CATERA 1998 1.G Repair Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hazard Warning Flashers
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.
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.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up
at the side
of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
5-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1 unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter.
Turn off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
as the radios. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries.
In addition, it could save the radio!
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
I 4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. You’ll also
need
to open the power distribution fuse block cover
to access the positive (+) terminal on the battery
(see arrow).
CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
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4 CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight
if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water.
You don’t
need to add water to the ACDelco Freedom@
battery installed in every new
GM vehicle. But
if a battery has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there.
If it is low, add water to
take care
of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas
could be present.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Attach a separate safety chain around the bumper energy
absorbing shockhnit on the left side of the vehicle and
another safety chain on the right side tow hook.
Engine Overheating
You will find the warning light about a hot engine on the
instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
5-12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
don’t
do anything else until it cools down.
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The coolant level should be at or slightly above the
KALTKOLD line (seam). If
it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater
hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run
the engine,
it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I NOTICE: I
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine cooling
fans are running. If the
engine
is overheating, both fans should be running. If
they aren’t, your vehicle needs service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. You should
turn your traction control system
off. (See “Traction
Control System” in the Index.) Then shift back and forth
between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning
the
wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. If that doesn’t
get you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed
out.
If you do need to be towed out, see “Towing Your
Vehicle’’ in the Index.
5-32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites
it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you
if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Vehicle” in the Index. When
YOU put
the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
YOU fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type,
it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
6-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil
If the low oil level light on
the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see “Low Oil
Level Light”
in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be
warm and the vehicle must be on level ground. The engine
oil dipstick is
located behind the radiator
hose on the driver’s side
of
the engine. The yellow
looped handle helps to
identify it.
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Maintenance Schedule booklet.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant.
This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 krnb whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL extended life coolant.
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The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL’
coolant will:
a Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 OF (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant
will require change sooner -- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs
first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL@
is not
covered
by your new vehicle warranty.
6-20
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located behind the air cleaner on the
passenger’s side
of the engine.
The cooling system when hot is under a lot
of pressure.
If the low coolant warning light on the instrument panel
appears, you will need to add coolant.
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Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the KALTKOLD line (seam).
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If the light comes on, it
means you’re low on
engine coolant.
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For more information, see “Low Coolant Light” in
the Index.
6-22
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
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Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There
are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. The first
is that the brake fluid
goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake system fured, since a leak means that sooner
or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct
a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings
are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary,
only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
A CAV-ION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the
Index.