headlamp CADILLAC CATERA 1999 1.G User Guide

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2-47 Map Lamps
These lamps are located in the front overhead console
(near the windshield). Press either button to turn the
driver's or passenger's side lamp on and press the button
again to turn the lamp off.
These lamps also come on when any door is opened or
unlocked when it is dark outside.
Mirrors
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror
This mirror automatically changes to reduce glare from
headlamps behind you. A photocell on the back of the
mirror senses when it is becoming dark outside. Another
photocell built into the mirror surface senses when
headlamps are behind you.

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Have it checked right away. Driving with the voltmeter
reading in the lower warning zone could drain or
damage the battery. Driving with the voltmeter reading
in the upper warning zone could cause bulbs to burn out
(especially headlamp bulbs), various vehicle modules to
shut down (due to overload protection) and the
possibility of a battery acid leak.
If you idle the engine for a while, the voltmeter reading
might move into the red zone. If the reading stays in the
red zone while you are driving, you may have a problem
with the electrical charging system. Have it checked.
While the voltmeter reads in the red zone, the battery
may not be able to power certain electrical accessories,
like ABS. (If this happens, the ABS light will come on.
See ªAnti
-Lock Brakes System Warning Lightº in
this section.)
If you must drive a short distance with the voltmeter
reading in a warning zone, turn off all the accessories,
including the comfort controls and the audio system.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it doesn't come on then, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there's
a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing Your Vehicleº
in the Index.)

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Here are some tips on night driving.

Drive defensively.

Don't drink and drive.

Since you can't see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.

Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.

In remote areas, watch for animals.

If you're tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
Night Vision
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as
we get older these differences increase. A 50
-year-old
driver may require at least twice as much light to see the
same thing at night as a 20
-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your night
vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will
have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you're
driving, don't wear sunglasses at night. They may cut
down on glare from headlamps, but they also make a lot
of things invisible.You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you
are faced with severe glare (as from a driver who
doesn't lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring
directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean
-- inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your
eyes moving; that way, it's easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night
blindness
-- the inability to see in dim light -- and aren't
even aware of it.

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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.

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Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
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.
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.
3. Move the hose going to the coolant surge tank out of
the way so the air cleaner lid can be lifted.

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Bulb Replacement
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer service department.
For bulb types, see ªReplacement Bulbsº in the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
1. With a screwdriver, unscrew the fastener on the
headlamp cover and then remove the cover to gain
access to the headlamp bulbs. Note that the inner
bulb is for the high
-beam headlamp and the outer
bulb is for the low
-beam headlamp.

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Headlamp Aiming
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the low beam
may be necessary if it is difficult to see lane markers
(for horizontal aim), or if oncoming drivers flash their
high beams at you (for vertical aim). If you believe your
headlamps need to be re
-aimed, we recommend that you
take your vehicle to the dealer for service. However, it is
possible for you to re
-aim your headlamps by following
the procedure in the service manual for your vehicle.
NOTICE:
To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all instructions before beginning.
Failure to follow these instructions could cause
damage to headlamp parts.
Front Turn Signal Lamp
1. With a screwdriver, unscrew the fastener on the
headlamp cover and then remove it to access the turn
signal lamps.

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2. On the outboard side of each low-beam headlamp,
you will find the turn signal bulbs. Turn the lamp
assembly counterclockwise to remove.3. Pull the bulb out to replace and then reassemble.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
The CHMSL is equipped with high-durability
illumination. If a bulb problem does occur, see your
dealer for assistance.

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NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index for
more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can't know how it's been used or
how far it's been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only SAE Class ªSº type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install
them on the rear tires and tighten them as tightly
as possible with the ends securely fastened. Drive
slowly and follow the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If you can hear the chains
contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it stops.
Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.

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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.