maintenance CADILLAC CATERA 1998 1.G Owners Manual

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Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the frontal air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness
of the system,
when the sensors are activated and driver’s safety
belt usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air
bag systems. Improper service
can mean that an
air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or
the right front passenger’s
air bag, or the air
bag covering on the driver’s and right front
passenger’s seatback, the bag may not work
properly. You may have
to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel, both the air bag
module and the instrument panel for the right
front passenger’s air bag, or both the
air bag
module and seatback for the driver’s and right
front passenger’s side impact air bag.
Do not
open or break the
air bag coverings. Servicing
Your
Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag systems in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer and the Catera Service
Manual have information about servicing your vehicle
and the air bag systems.
To purchase a service manual,
see “Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.
I
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
air bag can still inflate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close
to an air bag
when it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow
felt, wires wrapped with yellow tape or yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the air
bag systems. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you
is qualified to do so.
The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear,
so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat
it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have
it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened
or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Passenger Compartment Air Filter
This ventilation system includes an air filter that helps to
remove dust, pollen, etc. from air flowing into your
vehicle. A restriction in the airflow coming into the
passenger compartment could be the result of dirt in the
filter.
For more information, see “Passenger
Compartment Air Filter” in the Index. Also see the
Maintenance Schedule booklet for when
to change
the filter.
Defrosting
Use defrost to remove fog or ice from the windshield
quickly in extremely humid or cold conditions.
Pressing the defrost button on the control panel (located
above the rear window defogger button) automatically
turns the fan blower to high speed. Make sure that the
side air vents are opened. Rotate both TEMP/AUTO
knobs to the right as needed to adjust the temperature.
To warm the
foot area while in defrost, press the MODE
button until the heateddefrost symbol appears (see
“Manual Operation” earlier in this section).
Note that recirculation is not available in the
defrost mode.
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Rear Window Defogger
The lines you see on the
rear window warm the
glass. With your vehicle’s
engine running, press
this button to turn on the
rear defogger.
The rear window defogger heats the rear window and
both outside rearview mirrors. The system will
automatically shut
off after about 15 minutes. If further
defogging is desired, press the button again.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape or decals
across the defogger grid on the rear window.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply the regular brakes, but do not shift into PARK (P).
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into
PARK (P) firmly and apply the parking brake.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
0 Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 Be sure the parking brake has released. Your
vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule booklet
for more on this. Things that are especially important in
trailer operation
are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine
oil, axle lubricant, drive belt, cooling
system and brake adjustment. If you’re trailering, it’s a
good idea to review this information before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see
that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There
is also technical infomation about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
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6-3
6-5
6-5
6-8 6-8
6-11
6-15
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6-20
6-23 6-24
6-25
6-26
6-29
6-30 Service
Fuel
Fuels in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear Axle
Engine Coolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery
Bulb Replacement 6-36
6-37
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6-46 6-48
6-49
6-50
6-52 6-53
6-54
6-54 6-55
6-63
6-63
6-63
6-64 Wiper
Blade Replacement
Tires
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Care of Safety Belts
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
Cleaning Aluminum
or Chrome Wheels
(If Equipped)
Underbody Maintenance
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Service Parts Identification Label
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service
Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to
be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your dealer for
all your service needs. You’ll get genuine GM parts and
GM-trained and supported service people.
We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine GM parts have one of these
marks:
Genuine
Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, yW11
want to use the proper Cadillac Service Manual. It tells you much more about how to service your vehicle than
this manual can.
To order the proper service manual, see
“Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see “Servicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle” in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and
the date of any service work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the Maintenance
Schedule booklet.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You can be injured and your vehicle could be damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused. If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall
off. You could be hurt.
Adding Equip] !nt to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around
it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of
your vehicle.
Fuel
Use premium unleaded gasoline rated at 9 1 octane or
higher for best performance. You may use middle grade
or regular unleaded gasolines, but your vehicle may not
accelerate as well.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use shoula meet
specifications ASTM
D4814 in the United States and
CGSB 35M93 in Canada. Improved gasoline
specifications have been developed by the American
Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) for
better vehicle performance and engine protection.
Gasolines meeting the AAMA specification could
provide improved driveability and emission control
system protection compared to other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane for premium is at least
91 (at
least
89 for middle grade and 87 for regular). If the octane
is less than
87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage
your engine.
If you’re using
fuel rated at the recommended octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs
service. But don’t worry if you hear a little pinging
noise when you’re accelerating or driving up a hill.
That’s normal, and you don’t have to buy a higher
octane fuel to get rid of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant
knock that means you have a problem.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine As shown in the chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you
can use SAE 5W-30 if it’s going
to be colder than
60 OF (1 6 O C) before your next oil
change. When it’s very cold, you should use
SAE
5W-30. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as
SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20°F (-29”C), consider using either an
SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an
SAE OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your dealer is ready to
advise
if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance schedule:
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0
0
0
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Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures
are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer
or use a carrier on top of
your Catera.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil
to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every
5,000 miles (8 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If none of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter at the
first
5,000 miles (8 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first. Then, change the oil and filter every
10,000 miles (16 000 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don't let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and
nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer's warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Air Cleaner
The air cleaner is located behind the headlamps on
the passenger's side
of the engine. Be sure the engine
has cooled before following these steps to replace the
air filter.
Used
oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don't ever dispose of oil
by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing
of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
6-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
r- I 1 L
1. Unhook the five clips that attach the air cleaner lid to
the housing (you may need to use a screwdriver to
help
you unhook the clips).
2. With a screwdriver, loosen the retaining clamp on
the air intake tube and then disconnect the tube (as
shown by the arrow above).
the way
so the air cleaner lid can be lifted.
3. Move the hose going to the coolant surge tank out of
4. Lift the lid, take out [ne air filter and remove any
loose debris that may be found lying in the air
cleaner base.
5. Install a new air filter element. See “Normal
Maintenance Replacement
Parts” in the Index.
To reinstall the air cleaner assembly, place the air filter
in the air cleaner lid, then insert the lid and filter
together into the housing. Reattach the five clips, replace
the air intake tube and tighten the clamp. Return the
coolant surge tank hose to its proper position.
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.