key CADILLAC CATERA 2000 1.G Owner's Manual

2-18
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.
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start right away, hold your key in
START for about three seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between each
try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging
your starter.

2-19
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the Catera starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you
don't, your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed,
see the part of this manual that tells how to do
it without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Cateraº in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0
F (-18
C) or colder, the
engine coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm
-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.

2-22
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply the regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever
-- push
the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
into the gear you wish. See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º
in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging the transmission, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): The engine doesn't connect with
the wheels when driving in NEUTRAL (N). Use
NEUTRAL (N) to restart your vehicle when you're
already moving or when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed)
is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to the transmission caused by shifting
out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the
engine racing isn't covered by your warranty.

2-28
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the ignition key and take it with you.
If you can leave your vehicle with the key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without pressing the
button on the shift lever handle. If you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

2-29
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transmissionº in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift out of
PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF. Open and close the
driver's door to turn off the Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of step 8.
3. With both hands, squeeze the base of the shift lever
boot (covering) together as shown.
4. Pull the upper part of the base out first and then slide
out the lower part of the base.
5. Lift the shift lever boot (covering) up to move it out
of your way.

2-33
To raise the window, pull up the front of the control.
Pulling the control up for about one second and then
releasing it will express
-close the window.
When you stop your vehicle and turn the ignition
key to LOCK, you can still use the power windows.
The electrical power to operate the windows will not
shut off until a door is opened
-- there is no time
limit to this feature. As soon as a door is opened,
power window movement will stop immediately.
Programming the Power Windows
If the battery on your vehicle has been recharged,
disconnected or is not working, you will need to
reprogram each power window for the express
-open
and close features to work. Before reprogramming, you
will need to replace or recharge your vehicle's battery.
To program each window, follow these steps:
1. Close all doors.
2. Press and hold the power window control until the
window has fully opened.3. Pull the power window control up until the window
is fully closed.
4. Continue holding the control up for approximately
five seconds after the window is completely up.
The window is now programmed. Repeat the process for
each window.
Anti
-Pinch Feature
If a hand, an arm or another object is above the middle
of the window and is in the way of the power window
express
-closing, the window will stop at the obstruction
and express
-open to a preset factory position.
CAUTION:
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.

2-43
Your vehicle may be equipped with High Intensity
Discharge (HID) headlamps. Your headlamps come on at
a lower intensity and gradually increase to full brightness.
Wiper
-Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the low
-beam headlamps,
parking lamps, sidemarker lamps and taillamps after
the windshield wipers have been in use for about
20 seconds.
The wiper
-activated headlamps light the way in poor
weather and also make your vehicle more visible to
other drivers. If the wipers are on and the ignition switch
is turned off, the headlamps will immediately turn off.
The headlamps will also deactivate if the windshield
wipers have been turned off for about 20 seconds.
Perimeter Lighting
This feature turns on the low-beam headlamps,
parking lamps, sidemarker lamps and taillamps for
about 20 seconds after the unlock button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed. Perimeter
lighting immediately ends when your vehicle's ignition
is turned to ON or START.
Lamps On Reminder
You will hear a warning chime if you open the door
while leaving the lamps on, if the manual headlamp
control is activated. An exception to this is when
you're using the Twilight Sentinel

.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make the high
-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness when:

your vehicle's ignition is in ON or START,

the low
-beam headlamps are off (the manual lamp
switch is in the off or park lamp position) and

your vehicle's transmission is shifted out of
PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only the high
-beam headlamps
(at reduced brightness) will be on. No other exterior
lamps such as the parking lamps, taillamps, etc. will be
on when the DRL are being used. The instrument panel
won't be lit up either.

2-47
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This control dial is located to the right of the fog lamp
button. As you turn the control dial up, the instrument
panel lights will brighten.
Illuminated Entry
This system turns on the courtesy lamps (dome lamps
and door entry lamps) for about 20 seconds when any of
the following occur:

if you manually unlock your vehicle with the key,

if any door is opened,

if you press the unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter, or

after the last door on your vehicle is closed.
Illuminated entry immediately ends when your vehicle's
ignition is turned to ON or START.
Rear Reading Lamps
The rear reading lamps are located above each rear door.
These lamps and the interior courtesy lamps come on
when any door is opened and it is dark outside.
Placing the button in the center position enables the
lamps to come on when any door is opened. Pressing the
button toward the rear of your vehicle disables the lamps
when any door is opened. With the button set toward the
front of the vehicle, the lamps will always be on.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.

2-50 Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Heated Rearview Mirrors
The manual folding outside rearview mirrors are heated.
To heat the mirrors, press the rear window defogger
button. See ºRear Window Defoggerº in the Index.
Manual Folding Outside Rearview Mirrors
The driver's and passenger's outside mirrors move
forward and rearward (ªbreak
-awayº) to help prevent
injury and/or damage to your vehicle.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
The glove box is located in front of the passenger's seat.
To lock the glove box door, insert the key in the lock
cylinder and turn it counterclockwise. Turn the key
clockwise to unlock the door.
The glove box is air conditioned. This helps to keep
snack items cool while traveling. In order for cool air to
enter the glove box, the air conditioning must be turned
on. Use the slide control inside and at the rear of the
glove box to turn the air flow on and off. Moving the
slide control over the small hole turns the cool air off
and moving the control away from the hole turns the
cool air on.

2-54
Assist Handles
A handle above each door can be used when getting out
of your vehicle.
Garment Hooks
For convenience, you will find garment hooks attached
to each assist handle.
Floor Mats
Your vehicle is equipped with rubber-backed front and
rear floor mats. Keep them clean by vacuuming and
using a spot cleaner, if necessary. Do not machine wash.
Sunroof (Option)
The express-open sunroof
can increase ventilation
and it includes a sliding
glass panel and a sliding
sunshade. Power is
supplied to the sunroof
when the ignition key
is turned to ON.
When you stop your vehicle and turn the ignition key
to LOCK, you can still use the sunroof. The electrical
power to operate the sunroof will not shut off until a
door is opened
-- there is no time limit to this feature.
As soon as a door is opened, sunroof movement will
stop immediately. See ªRetained Accessory Powerº
in the Index.