1997 CADILLAC CATERA maintenance schedule

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ventilation Tips
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Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of the windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, adjust the
fan to the highest speed for a few moments before
driving
off. This helps clear the intake outlets of
snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of
fogging the inside of the windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps circulate air throughout
your vehicle.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
This ventilation system includes an air filter that helps to
remove dust, pollen, etc. from the air flowing into your
vehicle. A restriction in the airflow coming into the
passenger compartment could be the result of dirt
in the filter. For information about changing the filter,
see “Passenger Compartment Air Filter Replacement”
in
the Index. See the Maintenance Schedule booklet for
when to change the filter.
Defrosting
Use defrost to remove fog or ice from the windshield
quickly in extremely humid or cold conditions.
Press the defrost button on the control panel and adjust
the fan speed
to the highest position. Make sure that the
side air vents are opened. Rotate both TEMP/AUTO
knobs clockwise as needed to adjust the temperature.
To warm the foot area while in defrost, press the
MODE button until the heateddefrost symbol appears
(see “Manual Operation” earlier in this section).
Note that recirculation is not available in the
defrost mode.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if
you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply the regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK
(P).
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into
5. Release the regular brakes. PARK (P) firmly and apply the parking brake.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important
in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before
you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service
Your Catera dealer knows your vehicle best and wants
you to be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your
dealer for all your service needs. You’ll get genuine GM
parts and GM-trained and supported service people.
We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine
GM parts have one of these marks:
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Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll
want to get the proper Catera Service Manual. It tells
you much more about how
to service your Catera than
this manual can.
To order the proper service manual, see
“Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work,
see “Servicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Catera” in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and
list the mileage and the date
of any service work you
perform.
See “Maintenance Record” in the Maintenance
Schedule booklet.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine As shown in the chart, SAE low-30 is best for your
vehicle. However,
you can use SAE 5W-30 if it’s going
to be colder than
60°F ( 16” C) before your next oil
change. When it’s very cold, you should use
SAE
5W-30. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as
SAE 2OW-50.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Catera dealer is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance schedule:
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
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GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20°F (-29”C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an
SAE OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
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Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your Catera.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is
true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every
5,000 miles (8 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first. (See “Check Oil Light” in the Index.)
If none of them is true, use the long triphighway
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. (See “Check Oil Light”
in
the Index.)
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. Lift the lid, take out the air filter and remove any
loose debris that may be found laying in the air
cleaner base.
5. Install a new air filter element. See “Normal
Maintenance Replacement Parts”
in the Index.
To reinstall the air cleaner assembly, replace the air
cleaner lid, reattach the five clips, replace the air intake
tube and tighten the clamp. Return the coolant surge
tank hose
to its proper position.
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the
Maintenance Schedule booklet.
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A CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flames
if the
engine backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage
it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Passenger Compartment Air
Filter Replacement
The passenger compartment air filter traps most of the
pollen from the air entering your vehicle and air
circulated inside the vehicle. Like your vehicle’s air
cleaner filter, it may need to be changed periodically.
For how often to change the passenger compartment air
filter, see your Maintenance Schedule booklet. The access panel
for the passenger compartment
air
filter is on the grille, at the base of the windshield,
on the passenger’s side.
1. Open the hood of your vehicle.
2. Lift the engine compartment rear seal (see the arrow
in the illustration) and pull it back far enough to be
able to lift open the grille flap.
3. Unhook both retaining clips that secure the filter
in place.
4. Slide the filter toward the front of the car and then
pull the filter straight out.
6-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections” and “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Maintenance Schedule booklet.
How to Check Lubricant
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What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in
the Maintenance Schedule booklet.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
J engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL6 extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If
you have a problem
with engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need
to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
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