instrument panel CADILLAC CATERA 2000 1.G Owner's Manual

2-62
The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System

2-63
The instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how fast
you're going, how much fuel you're using and many of the other things you'll need to know to drive safely and
economically. The main components of the instrument panel are:
A. Air Outlets
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
C. Instrument Panel Cluster
D. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
E. Comfort Controls
F. Lamp Controls
G. Horn
H. Steering Wheel Touch Controls for Audio System
I. Hood ReleaseJ. Heated Front Seat Control (Option)
K. Hazard Warning Flasher Button
L. Fuel Door Release Button
M. Ashtray
N. Radio
O. Trunk Release Button
P. Rear Power Sunshade Button
Q. Traction Control On/Off Button
R. Glove Box

2-64 Instrument Panel Cluster
United States Version Shown, Canada Similar

2-65 Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far your vehicle has been
driven, in either miles (used in the United States) or
kilometers (used in Canada).
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer tells how far you have driven since
you last reset it. To set it to zero, press the knob located
below the speedometer on the instrument panel cluster.
Tachometer
This gage indicates the
engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in
the red area or engine damage may occur.
Engine Speed Limiter
This feature prevents the engine from operating at too
many revolutions per minute (rpm). When the engine's
rpm are critically high, the fuel supply to the engine
is shut off. When the engine speed slows, the fuel
supply will come on again. This helps prevent damage
to the engine.

2-67 Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag's electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag
modules, the wiring and the diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, see ªAir Bagº
in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your vehicle,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.

3-3
Outside Temperature Display
The outside temperature is always displayed when
your vehicle's ignition is on. If the outside temperature
display begins to flash, this means that icy road
conditions are possible. Adjust your driving if needed.
The display will flash for about 30 seconds and then
remain on steady.
Mode Button
Press this button to deliver air through the floor, middle
or windshield outlets. The climate control system will
stay in the selected ECC mode until the MODE button is
pressed again or until the TEMP/AUTO knob is pressed.
Press the up or down arrow to see the available modes.
English/Metric Display
You can change the temperature display from English
(degrees Fahrenheit) to metric (degrees Celsius) by
pressing and holding the driver's side TEMP/AUTO
knob for approximately five seconds. Repeat the
process to change back to English from metric.Automatic Operation
Pressing the driver's side TEMP/AUTO knob sets the
system for automatic operation. Once the system is set,
sensors will control the air delivery mode. Air will come
from the floor, middle, side or windshield outlets. The
fan speed will vary as the system maintains the selected
temperature setting. (All previous manually set mode
settings will change back to a fully automatic mode
when the climate control system is turned on this way.)
Be careful not to put anything over the solar sensor
located in the middle of the instrument panel near the
windshield. This sensor is used by the automatic system
to regulate temperature.
To find your comfort zone, start with the 75
F (24
C)
setting and allow about 20 minutes for the system to
regulate air temperature. Adjust the temperature if
necessary. If you choose 60
F (16
C), the system
will remain at that maximum cooling setting and will
not regulate fan speed. If you choose the temperature of
90
F (32
C), the system will remain at that maximum
heating setting and will not regulate fan speed. Choosing
either maximum setting will not cause the system to heat
or cool any faster.

3-4
In cold weather, when the system senses the need for
heat, airflow will be directed out of the floor outlets.
As the interior temperature approaches a desired setting,
the blower speed will decrease. To maintain interior
comfort, the airflow may move to the instrument panel
air outlets and floor outlets (bi
-level mode). On bright
sunny days in cold weather, the airflow may come out
of the air conditioning outlets (AC mode) to maintain
comfort and prevent stuffiness.
If your vehicle is sitting out on a hot day and you have
the climate control system set for automatic operation,
the air will first flow out of the floor air outlets during
cool down. That is normal. This is to remove hot air
from the air outlets. As the air is cooled, the airflow
will move through the air conditioning outlets.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on the outside air
temperature, engine coolant temperature or the time
since the engine was last started. As the coolant warms
up, the blower fan speed will gradually increase and
air will flow from the heater outlets, with some airflow
to the windshield to prevent fogging under most
normal conditions.If you leave your vehicle, the system will remember
the control setting the next time you start your engine,
except for recirculation and rear defrost (heated backlite).
Each ignition cycle cancels recirculation.
Manual Operation
You may manually adjust the air delivery mode or
fan speed.
HEATER/DEFROST: This setting directs air to
the floor outlets and toward the windshield.
AC: This setting directs airflow through the middle
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEVEL: This setting directs air into your
vehicle in two ways. Cool air is directed to the upper
portion of your body through the middle instrument
panel outlets while warm air is directed to the floor.
HEATER: This setting directs warm air
through the floor outlets. Some warm air is sent to
the windshield to minimize fogging.

3-7 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.
NOTICE:
Do not try to clear frost or other material from
the inside of the rear window with a razor blade
or anything else that is sharp. This may damage
the rear defogger grid. The repairs wouldn't be
covered by your warranty.
Ventilation System
The ventilation system supplies outside air into the vehicle
when it is moving. Outside air will also enter the vehicle
when the heater or the air conditioning fan is running.
The front outlets are located in the center and at each
side of the instrument panel. You can adjust the
direction of airflow by moving the center control levers
or you can stop the airflow by moving the dial located
on each side of the outlets to the ªOº position.

4-37 Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a different
turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check with your
dealer. The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you're about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you
start down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't
shift down, you might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) or less to reduce
the possibility of engine and transmission overheating.

5-10
Engine Overheating
You will find the warning light about a hot engine on the
instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.