
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Convenience Net
The convenience net is on the floor of the trunk, Put
small loads, like grocery bags, under the
net. It can help
keep them from moving around during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The
net is not for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward
as you can. When not using the net,
hook it to the metal loops, securing it to the floor.
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
The front ashtray is located below the radio. Press on the
cover to access it.
To clean the ashtray, press the black
tab to the right of the tray to release it.
Now pull up on
the tray to remove and clean it.
To replace the ashtray, hold the black flap (cover) down
and slide
the ashtray toward the front of the vehicle.
Using both hands, press the ashtray down to
snap it
into place.
To use the rear ashtray, lift the lid.
I NOTICE:
Don’t put papers or other flammable items
into the ashtrays. Hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them, causing a
damaging fire.
2-49

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake System Warning Light
Your Catera’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need
both
parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem. If
the light comes
on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully.
You may notice that the pedal is
harder
to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Catera” in
the Index.)
I
/d CAZ
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you’ve
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when
you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on
if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully. If
it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.
2-64

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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:
0 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 is 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:
0 Reducing vehicle speed.
0 Avoiding hard accelerations.
Avoiding steep uphill grades.
0 If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains
on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do
so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key
off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is On Steady” following,
If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
2-70

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine In cold weather, when the system senses the need for
heat, airflow will be directed out of the floor outlets.
As
the interior temperature approaches a desired setting, the
blower speed will decrease.
To maintain interior
comfort, the airflow may move to the instrument panel
air outlets and floor outlets (bi-level mode). On bright
sunny days in cold weather, the airflow may come out of
the air conditioning outlets
(AC mode) to maintain
comfort and prevent stuffiness.
If your vehicle is sitting out on a hot day and you have it
set for automatic operation, the
air will first flow out of the
floor
air outlets during cool down. That is normal. This is
to expel hot
air from the air outlets. As the air is cooled,
the airflow will move through the
air conditioning outlets.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system will
delay turning on
the fan until warm air is available. The
length of delay depends on the outside
air temperature,
engine coolant temperature
or the time since the engine
was last started.
As the coolant warms up, the blower fan
speed will gradually increase and air will flow from the
heater outlets, with some airflow to the windshield to prevent fogging under most normal conditions.
If you leave your vehicle, the system will remember the
control setting the next time you start your engine,
except for recirculation and defrost. Each ignition cycle
cancels recirculation.
Manual Operation
You may manually adjust the air delivery mode or
fan speed.
'# HEATERDEFROST: This setting directs air to
the floor outlets and toward the windshield.
3 AC: This setting directs airflow through the middle
instrument
panel outlets.
'!! BI-LEVEL: This setting directs air into your
vehicle in two ways. Cool air is directed to the upper
portion
of your body through the middle instrument
panel outlets while warmed air is directed to the floor.
w.
HEATER: This setting directs warmed air through
the floor outlets. Some warm air is diverted to the
windshield to minimize fogging.
DEFROST: Press this button to quickly remove
fog or frost from the windshield. This setting sends most
of the airflow to the windshield with only a small
amount
to the floor outlets.

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.
3-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine /:f =a
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4-2
4-3 4-6
4-6
4- 10 4- 12
4-
13
4- 14
4-15
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control
of a Vehicle
Braking
Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss
of Control
Driving at Night Driving
in Rain and on Wet Roads
City Driving
Freeway Driving Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Highway Hypnosis Hill and Mountain Roads
Winter Driving Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
4- 17 4-20
4-2
1
4-22
4-23 4-24
4-25
4-30 4-32
4-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electronic Level Control
This feature keeps the rear of your vehicle level as the
load changes. It’s automatic
-- you don’t need to
adjust anything.
Towing a Trailer
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example,
if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull a trailer only
if you have followed all the
steps
in this section. Ask your Catera dealer for
advice and information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
I NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your Catera
dealer for important information about towing a
trailer with your vehicle.
Your Catera can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight
of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
4-32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that
of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull
a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transmission, wheel assemblies and tires
are forced to
work harder against the drag of the added weight. The
engine is required to operate at relatively higher speeds
and under greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s
more, the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to
do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where
you’ll be driving. A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
0
0
0
0
Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
1,000 miles
(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers (or no more than
55 mph (90 kmh)) to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
0 the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
4-33