1997 CADILLAC CATERA Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Pressing this button on the
center console makes the
front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and
off. The
indicator light on the button
also flashes. Pressing the
button again turns the
flashers
off. The flashers
work regardless of the
key position.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, the turn
signals won’t work since they
are already flashing.
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and
off.
5-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about
300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If the battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
Catera. Please follow.the steps below to do it safely.
I NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Trying to start your Catera by pushing or pulling
it won’t work and it could damage your vehicle. Batteries can
hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
I NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
-~ --
5-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2.
3.
Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection
you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your Catera and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn
off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
as the radios. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries. In addition, it could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. On the Catera.
you’ll
also need to open the “use box cover to
access the positive
(+) terminal on the battery.
I ’ A CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
5-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You
don’t need to add water to the Delco Freedom@
battery installed in every new
GM vehicle. But
if a battery has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there.
If it is low, add water to
take care of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get
it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation. If they
do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could
also be damaged.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive
(+) will go to
positive and negative
(-) will go to an unpainted
metal engine part
or a body metal surface. Don’t
connect positive
(+) to negative (-) or you will get
a short that would damage the battery and maybe
other parts, too. Also, don’t connect negative
(-) to
negative
(-) .
A CAU JON:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engines are running.
5-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery.
7. Don’t let the other end
of the positive cable
touch metal. Connect
it to the positive
(+)
terminal of the
good battery.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 8. Now connect the black
negative
(-) cable to
the good battery’s
negative
(-) terminal.
Don’t let the other end of the negative
(-) cable touch
anything until the next step. The other end of the
negative
(-) cable doesn ’t go to the dead battery. It goes
to a heavy unpainted metal part on the engine of the
vehicle with the dead battery.
9. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away
from the dead battery, but not near engine parts
that move.
A good spot to attach the
negative
(-) cable is on
the bracket between
the
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
11. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it
the engine
for awhile.
won’t
start after a few tries, it probably needs service.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 12. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don’t touch
each other or any other metal.
I- B +I
1
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
Towing Your Catera
Try to have a Catera dealer or a professional towing
service tow your Catera. See “Roadside Service”
in
the Index.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting or special tires and wheels, these
instructions may not be correct.
Before
you do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
That your vehicle has rear-wheel drive.
e The make, model and year of your vehicle.
e Whether you can still move the shift lever.
e If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains towing instructions and
illustrations. The operator may want to see them.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Front and Rear Towing
-
I k!, CAUTION:
To help avoid injury to you or others:
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
being towed.
fully secured. CAUTION: (Continued)
Never get under your vehicle after it has
Always secure the vehicle on each side with
Use only R-hooks. been lifted by
the tow truck.
separate safety chains when towing it.
A CAUTION:
A vehicle can fall from a car-carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage.
The vehicle should be tightly secured with chains
or steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut
by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
R-hooks inserted in the front and rear R-hook
slots. Never use J-hooks. They will damage
drivetrain and suspension components.
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