Page 20 of 338

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Heated Rear Seat (Option)
The heated rear seat
controls are located at the
rear
of the center console
under the air outlets. Press
the button once to turn
on
the heating elements and
press the button again to
turn the system
off.
A telltale light in the button indicates the system is in
use. The heated seats can only be used when the ignition
is turned on. The heating elements shut
off
automatically when the ignition is turned off.
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly.
It also tells you some things you should not do
with safety belts.
And it explains the air bag system.
A CAU-ION:
Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear
a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse. You can hit things inside the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed. In the same crash, you might
not be
if you are buckled up. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts
are fastened properly too.
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Page 21 of 338

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed.
Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle
is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.
Your Catera has a light
that comes on as a reminder
to buckle up. (See “Safety
Belt Reminder Light”
in
the Index.) In most
states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why:
They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be
so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many
of them,
people who buckle
up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than
25 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter
... a lot!
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Page 26 of 338
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driver Position
This part describes the driver’s restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear
it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see “Seats” in the Index)
so you can sit up straight.
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across
you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt
go back
slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you
more slowly.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt
Extender’’ at the end
of this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned
so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
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Page 54 of 338

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part
about the top strap if the child restraint has one.
Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag.
Never
put a rear-facing child restraint in this seat. Here’s why:
A child in a rearfacing child restraint can De
seriously injured
if the right front passenger’s air
bag inflates. This is because the back of a
rearfacing child restraint would be very close to
the inflating air bag. Always secure a rearfacing
child restraint in the rear seat.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air
bag, always move the seat as far back as it will
go
before securing a forward-facing child restraint. (See
“Seats” in the Index.)
Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions
for the child restraint.
Secure the child in the child restraint as the
instructions say.
Pick
up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show
you how.
If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or
neck, put it behind the child restraint.
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Page 72 of 338

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To access, fold down the driver’s side rear seat and
reach through to the trunk compartment to find the
release handle. For more information
on how to fold the
rear seats, see “Folding the Rear Seat” in the Index.
Pulling the handle opens the trunk.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Catera has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
When you park your Catera and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and
take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your
ignition and transmission. And remember to lock
the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it
up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your key? What if you
have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
0 Lock the glove box.
or glove
box.
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Page 146 of 338
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ventilation System
The Catera’s 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.
I
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 “0” position. The
direction
of airflow for the rear seats can also be
adjusted. Move the center control dial between each
vent
up or down to adjust the airflow from low to high.
Rotate the dial to the
“0” position to stop airflow. Move
the lever
in the center of each vent to direct airflow
toward the upper or floor outlets.
The airflow temperature from the rear outlets
is the
same as the driver’s temperature setting.
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Page 147 of 338

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ventilation Tips
0
0
0
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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Page 198 of 338

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR.
If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, or
it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control.
Also, overloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
tools, packages
or anything else -- they will go as fast as
the vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or turn quickly, or
if there is a crash, they’ll keep going.
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in
a sudden stop or turn,
or in
a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them
as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
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