Snow CADILLAC CATERA 1999 1.G User Guide

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4-27 If You're Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation. You should probably stay with your
vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near help
and you can hike through the snow. Here are some
things to do to summon help and keep yourself and your
passengers safe:

Turn on your hazard flashers.
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that
you've been stopped by the snow.

Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.
If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body
insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor
mats
-- anything you can wrap around yourself or
tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.

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4-28
CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can't see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well
-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed,
see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground will damage drivetrain components.

5-
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5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-2 Other Warning Devices
5
-2 Jump Starting
5
-8 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-9 Engine Overheating5
-11 Cooling System
5
-17 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-18 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-28 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

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5-28
The jacking tools are stored on the passenger's side of
the trunk behind the panel with the red pull handle.
Make sure these tools are properly secured when not
in use.
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin your
wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº can
help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transmission or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.

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6-41
When It's Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it's
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:

You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.

You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber.

The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.

The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire
-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all
-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an ªMSº
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias
-belted or radial) as your original tires.

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6-42
CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias
-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial
-ply
tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter
-type snow tires,
space
-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited
-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.

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6-52
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch
-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer's body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan and
exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do
this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet
-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Cadillac
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.

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6-55
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don't add anything electrical to your vehicle
unless you check with your dealer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Some add
-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from working as
they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your vehicle, see ªServicing
Your Air Bag
-Equipped Vehicleº in the Index.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring has several fuses which are
powered by a MaxiFuse
. An electrical overload will
cause the lamps to go on and off, or in some cases to
remain off. If this happens, have the headlamp wiring
checked right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
If the windshield wiper motor overheats due to heavy
snow or ice, the wipers will stop until the motor cools.
If the overload is caused by some electrical problem, be
sure to have it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers protect the power windows and other
power accessories. When the current load is too heavy,
the circuit breaker opens and closes, protecting the
circuit until the problem is fixed or goes away.

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8-4
Driving (Continued)
Night 4-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Curves 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Grades While Towing a Trailer 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Hill and Mountain Roads 4-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Snow or Ice 4-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Through Deep Standing Water 4-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter 4-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
With a Trailer 4-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical Equipment, Adding 2-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical System 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror 2-47 . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic Climate Control (ECC) 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic Level Control 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency Trunk Release 2-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine 6-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Cleaner/Filter 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compartment Relay Center 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Heater 2-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Gage 2-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Warning Light 2-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling When Trailer Towing 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust 2-11, 2-30, 2-31, 4-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Running While You're Parked 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications 6-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speed Limiter 2-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Your 2-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engine Oil 6
-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additives 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking 6-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Kind to Use 6-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What to do with Used 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When to Add 6-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When to Change 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
English/Metric Display 3-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ethanol 6-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust, Engine 2-11, 2-30, 2-31, 4-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extender, Safety Belts 1-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior Lamps 2-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fan Button, Climate Control System 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Features and Controls 2-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling a Portable Fuel Container 6-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling Your Tank 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filter, Air 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filter Replacement, Passenger Compartment Air 6-17 . . . . . .
Finish Care 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Damage 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FIRST (1) Gear, Automatic Transmission 2-23 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flashers, Hazard Warning 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flash-To-Pass 2-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat Tire, Changing 5-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Floor Mats 2-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid
Brake 6
-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Steering 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Washer 6-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fog Lamps 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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8-5
Folding the Rear Seat 1-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign Countries, Fuel 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
French Language Manual ii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Turn Signal Lamp, Bulb Replacement 6
-33 . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 6-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cap Indicator Light 2-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door Lock 6-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling a Portable Container 6-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling Your Tank 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gage 2-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Foreign Countries 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Block, Instrument Panel 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Block, Power Distribution 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses and Circuit Breakers 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature 2-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 2-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil Pressure 2-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Garment Hooks 2-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gear Positions, Automatic Transmission 2-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glove Box 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities 7-5 . . . . .
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Guide en Fran†ais ii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Halogen Bulbs 6-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handles, Assist 2-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard Warning Flashers 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head Restraints 1
-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamps 2-41, 6-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aiming 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement 6-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High/Low Beam 2-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Reminder 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper-Activated 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiring 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance 7-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heated Backlite Antenna 3-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heated Rearview Mirrors 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heated Seats 1-4, 1-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heating 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High-Beam Headlamps 2-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Highway Hypnosis 4-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hill and Mountain Roads 4-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hitches 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hood
Checking Things Under 6
-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Release 6-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horn 2-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank 5-13 . . . . . . .
How to Use this Manual v. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hydraulic Brake Warning Lights 2
-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hydroplaning 4-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow 5-28 . . . . . . . . .
Ignition Positions 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illuminated Entry 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirror 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Immobilizer 2-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .