transmission CADILLAC CATERA 2001 1.G User Guide

2-28
Upshifting and downshifting of the transmission is
automatically modified to prevent undesired shifting
when your vehicle is towing a trailer or when you
are driving in hilly or mountainous terrain.
This is also normal.
Sport Mode Button
For a firmer shift and
increased performance, you
may choose the sport mode.
This button lets you change
from a normal driving mode
to a sport driving mode.
It is located on the shift
lever handle.Press the ªSº button once to select the sport feature.
Press it again to return to the normal driving mode.
When you start the engine, your vehicle will be in
normal mode. For general driving conditions, use the
normal mode. It will remain in normal unless you select
the sport feature.This light on the instrument
panel cluster will come
on when the sport mode
is selected.
If this light begins flashing while you are driving,
there may be a fault in the automatic transmission.
Have your vehicle serviced.

2-29 Third-Gear Start
Press this button to provide
more traction when you are
starting on ice or other
slippery surfaces. It only
operates when the shift
lever is in DRIVE (D). The
button is located next to the
shift lever on the console.
The transmission will be in THIRD (3) when the vehicle
begins to move. After starting in THIRD (3), the vehicle
will upshift normally.This feature is for improved traction only when the road
surface is slippery and is not intended for continuous use
or when the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow or
gravel. Drive as usual for normal road conditions.
This feature automatically turns off when any of the
following conditions occur:

When the ignition is turned off.

If the shift lever is placed in PARK (P), THIRD (3),
SECOND (2), or FIRST (1).

If you press and hold the accelerator pedal past its
resistance point for more than two seconds.

When speed falls below 25 mph (40 km/h).

Once the vehicle reaches 67 mph (108 km/h).
To turn this feature off, press the button again.
Whenever you start your vehicle, the transmission is in
the normal mode.

2-32 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).

2-33
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.

2-47 Lamps On Reminder
You will hear a warning chime if you open the door
while leaving the lamps on, if the manual headlamp
knob 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. Fully
functional daytime running lights are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make the high
-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:

Your vehicle's ignition is in ON or START,

the low
-beam headlamps are off (the manual lamp
knob 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.
When the Twilight Sentinel
 is on and it's dark enough
outside, the high
-beam headlamps (at reduced intensity)
will change to low
-beam headlamps. When it's bright
enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and
the high
-beam headlamps change to the reduced
brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the headlamps off, turn off the
Twilight Sentinel using the thumbwheel located below
the headlamp knob, then shift the transmission into
PARK (P). Placing your vehicle in PARK (P) disables
the DRL. The DRL will stay off until you shift out
of PARK (P).

2-48
If you're not in PARK (P)
and the Twilight Sentinel
system is turned off (and it's
dark enough outside), the
DRL will remain active and
this light on the instrument
panel cluster will appear.
This is a reminder that headlamps are required.
The following conditions will override the DRL:

The vehicle's transmission is shifted back into
PARK (P) with the ignition in ON or START,

the low
-beam headlamps are turned on
(using the manual lamp knob),

the wiper
-activated headlamps are in use
(DRL will come back on 20 seconds after
wipers have turned off),

the flash
-to-pass feature is in use, or

the Twilight Sentinel is turned on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps
Use the fog lamps for better
vision in foggy or misty
conditions. Press this button
to turn the fog lamps on and
press the button again to
turn the lamps off. (The fog
lamps only work when the
parking lamps or the
low
-beam headlamps are
on and the ignition is on.)
This light on the instrument
panel will come on
when the fog lamp button
is pressed.
If you turn on the high
-beam headlamps, the fog lamps
will turn off. They'll turn back on again when you
switch to low
-beam headlamps.

2-49 Cornering Lamps
The cornering lamps come on when the headlamps
or parking lamps are on and you signal a turn.
They provide more light for cornering.
Twilight Sentinel

This feature is located
below the lamp dial on the
left side of the instrument
panel. It automatically turns
the parking lamps and
low
-beam headlamps on
and off by sensing how
dark it is outside.
To operate the Twilight Sentinel, the ignition must be in
ON or START and the Twilight Sentinel must be turned
on by pressing the OFF button (the indicator light in the
button will be off when the Twilight Sentinel is
activated). If the system senses it is dark enough outside,
the lamps will turn on. The lamps turn off when the
system detects that it is bright enough outside.If you turn the knob all the way up, the lamps will
remain on for about three minutes after the ignition has
been turned to OFF or LOCK. If you turn the knob
all the way down, the lamps will go off quickly.
You can adjust the delay time from a few seconds
up to three minutes.
To turn the Twilight Sentinel off, press the OFF button
again. The indicator light in the button will be on. This
lets the driver know that the system has been turned off.
The Twilight Sentinel also turns off if the ignition is
turned to OFF or to LOCK.This light in the instrument
panel cluster will come on if
the ignition is on and:

the headlamps have not been manually turned on,

the Twilight Sentinel senses it is dark
enough outside,

the Twilight Sentinel is OFF and

the transmission is not in PARK (P).

2-79
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
NOTICE:
Modifications made to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake or fuel system of your vehicle or
the replacement of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire Performance Criteria
(TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission controls
and may cause the CHECK ENGINE light to
come on. Modifications to these systems could
lead to costly repairs not covered by your
warranty. This may also result in a failure to pass
a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:

Light Flashing
-- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

Light On Steady
-- An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.

2-85
If you continue to drive with a loose fuel cap, the
diagnostic system in your vehicle can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. A
loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate
into the atmosphere. If this happens, the CHECK
ENGINE light may come on. For more information, see
ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº earlier in this section.
Automatic Transmission Warning Light
(If Equipped)
This light comes on briefly
when the ignition is turned
on. If the light remains on
or lights up while driving,
there may be a fault in the
automatic transmission.
Have your vehicle serviced.
Leveling Indicator Light
This light comes on steady
when the rear load level in
your vehicle changes.Do not drive your vehicle when this light is on.
The rear of your vehicle is too low and part of the
body or the rear axle may be damaged when driving
over bumpy roads. When the light goes out, leveling
is complete. This procedure is automatic
-- you don't
have to do anything.
If the light comes on flashing, there may be a problem
with the leveling system. You should reduce your
vehicle speed and have your vehicle serviced soon.
Brake Pad Wear Indicator Light
This light comes on when
the brake pads on your
vehicle have significantly
worn. The pads will have to
be replaced, so have your
vehicle serviced soon.

4-24

Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to
the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.

If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.

Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of
the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you
go down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let your engine
assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope.