steering CADILLAC CATERA 1998 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I There is an air bag
readiness light on-the
instrument panel, which
shows the air bag symbol.
The system checks the
air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there
is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in
the Index
for more information.
How the Air Bag Systems Work
Where are the air bags?
The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
1-30

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If something is between an occupant and an air
bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person. The path
of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t
put anything between an occupant and an air
bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other air
bag covering and don’t let seat covers block the
inflation path of a side impact air bag. When should
an air bag inflate?
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags
are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal crashes. The frontal air bags are designed to
inflate only if the impact speed is above the system’s
designed “threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight
into a wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold
level
is about 9 to 15 mph (14 to 24 km/h). The
threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle
design,
so that it can be somewhat above or below this
range.
If your vehicle strikes something that will move
or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level
will be higher. The driver’s and right front passenger’s
frontal air bags are not designed to inflate in rollovers,
side impacts, or rear impacts, because inflation would
not help
the occupant.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact air
bags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes involving a front door.
A side impact air bag
will inflate if the crash severity is above the system’s
designed “threshold level.” The threshold
level can
vary with specific vehicle design. Side impact air bags
are not designed to inflate in frontal or near-frontal
impacts, rollovers or rear impacts, because inflation
would not help the occupant.
A side impact air bag will
only deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
For frontal air bags, inflation is determined by the angle
of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down
in frontal and near-frontal impacts. For side impact air
bags, inflation is determined by the location of the
impact and how quickly the side of the vehicle deforms.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For both
frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing system
triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates
the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related hardware
are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering
wheel, instrument panel and the side of the front
seatbacks closest to the door.
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle. The air bag supplements the protection
provided by safety belts.
Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal air
bags would not help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts, and side impacts,
primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward
the air bag. Side impact air bags would not help you in
many types of collisions, including frontal or near
frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion is not toward those air
bags. Air bags should never be regarded
as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in
moderate
to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for
the driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags,
and only in moderate to severe side collisions for the
driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact air bags.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates,
so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module
-- the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag, the
side of the seatback closest
to the door for the driver and
right front passenger’s side impact air bags
-- will be
hot for a short time. The parts of the bag that come into
contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch.
There will be some smoke and dust coming from the
vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t
prevent
the driver from seeing or being able to steer the
vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle. When an air bag
inflates, there is dust in the
air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with
a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon
as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an
air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or a
door.
I
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur
from the
right front passenger air bag.
Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After an
air bag inflates, you’ll need some new parts for your
air bag system. If
you don’t get them, the air bag
system won’t be there to help protect you in another
crash.
A new system will include air bag modules
and possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0
0
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.
1-35
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained
are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
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8
2-11
2- 12
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2- 15
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2- 16
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2-19
2-20
2-24
2-25
2-27 Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System (RKE)
Trunk
Theft
Theft-Deterrent System (Option)
Immobilizer
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions Starting
Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
Automatic Transmission Operation
Parking Brake Shifting Into PARK (P)
Shifting Out of PARK
(P)
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2-29
2-30
2-3
1
2-32
2-33
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2-39 2-45
2-46
2-48
2-5
1
2-55
2-60
2-63 Parking
Over Things that Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running
Your Engine While You’re Parked
Windows
Horn
Tilt Steering Wheel
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Sunroof (Option)
Universal Transmitter (If Equipped)
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If your vehicle loses power
temporarily, you can
manually open the
trunk
using the trunk release
handle. The handle is
located on the underside
of
the trunk lid on the driver’s
side and can be accessed
through the fold-down
rear seats.
Fold down the driver’s side rear seat and reach through
to the trunk compartment to find the release handle. Pulling
this handle opens the trunk. For more
information on how to
fold the rear seats, see “Folding
the Rear Seat’’ in the Index.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your
ignition and transmission. And remember to lock
the doors.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” 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.
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.
See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index
for
more information.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
Ignition Positions
I 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 rotate 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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine With the key in the
ignition switch, you can
turn the switch to four
different positions.
LOCK (e): Before you put the key in, the ignition will
be in LOCK. This is the only position in 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 (11): The ignition is on in this position. ON is used
for driving your vehicle.
START (111): 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
The radio is the only accessory on your vehicle that may
be used for up to
10 minutes after the ignition is turned
to
OFF.
Power to the fuel door, trunk release and door locks is
available at all times. The power window controls and the sunroof controls are active until a door is opened
-- there
is
no time limit as long as the doors remain closed.
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.
2-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Pinch Feature
If a hand, an am or another object is in the
way of the
power window express-closing, the window will
immediately stop at the obstruction and express-open to
a preset factory position.
LA C. LJTION:
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.
I
Rear Window Lockout
I
Pressing this button
rearward will disable the
rear passenger window controls. This is a useful
feature
if you have children
as passengers. Press the
button forward to allow
your passengers to use their
window controls.
Horn
The horn can be sounded by pressing either horn symbol
on the steering wheel. The symbols are located at about
the 9 and
3 o’clock positions.