headlamp CADILLAC CATERA 2000 1.G User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: CADILLAC, Model Year: 2000, Model line: CATERA, Model: CADILLAC CATERA 2000 1.GPages: 321, PDF Size: 2.5 MB
Page 113 of 321

2-48 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.
Page 133 of 321

2-68 Charging System Indicator Light
When you turn the key to
START, this light will come
on briefly to show that the
generator and battery
charging systems
are working.
If this light stays on, you need service and you should
take your vehicle to the dealer at once. To save the
battery until you get there, turn off all accessories.
Voltmeter
You can read battery
voltage on the voltmeter.
If it reads less than 12 volts
or more than 16 volts while
the engine is running, and it
stays there, you may have a
problem with the electrical
charging system.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.
Page 191 of 321

4-16
Driving at NightNight driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired
-- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
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.
Page 192 of 321

4-17
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.
Page 204 of 321

4-29
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.
Page 259 of 321

6-15
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
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.)
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.
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.
Page 275 of 321

6-31 High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting
(If Equipped)
CAUTION:
The low beam High Intensity Discharge lighting
system operates at a very high voltage. If you
try to service any of the system components,
you could be seriously injured. Have your dealer
or a qualified technician service them.
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 headlamps. Note that the inner bulb is
for the high
-beam headlamp and the outer bulb is for
the low
-beam headlamp.
Page 278 of 321

6-34
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 the 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.
Page 279 of 321

6-35
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.
Page 289 of 321

6-45
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels or wheel
bolts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have
the right wheel and wheel bolts for your vehicle.
CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels and wheel
bolts on your vehicle can be dangerous. It could
affect the braking and handling of your vehicle,
make your tires lose air and make you lose control.
You could have a collision in which you or others
could be injured. Always use the correct wheel and
wheel bolts for replacement.
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.