1997 CADILLAC CATERA brakes

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear.
When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings.
You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
r
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn
if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work
is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3
brake fluid -- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM
Part No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a
sealed container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
0
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause
a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
6-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Wear
NOTICE:
0
0 Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put
in the
wrong kind of
fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Your Catera has four-wheel disc brakes.
Your Catera has electronic wear sensors that let you
know when the front brake pads are significantly worn
and new pads are needed. The brake pad wear indicator
light will come
on and stay on when the brake pads are
worn and need
to be replaced. (See “Brake Pad Wear
Indicator Light”
in the Index.)
The brake pad wear indicator light means that
soon your brakes won’t work
well. That could
lead to
an accident. When the brake pad wear
indicator light comes on and stays on, have your
vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
6-27

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Some driving conditions or climates may cause a
brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or
lightly applied. This does not mean something is
wrong with your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel bolts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel
bolts in the proper sequence
to GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection’’ in Section
7 of the
Maintenance Schedule booklet under Part
C “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign
of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modem vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve come
to expect can change in many
other ways
if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
6-28

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1997 CADILLAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.) \
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1997 CADILLAC
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc. RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1997 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$40.00
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual
will include the Maintenance
Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$15.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $1 0.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model
GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name
of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credit
Card Orders Only (VISA-MasterCard-Disr)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ........
Section 8 Index
ABS ......................................... 4.7
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle
...... 6-3
AirBag
....................................... 1-25
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-30
How it Works ................................ 1-27
Location
.................................... 1-27
Readiness Light
......................... 1.27, 2.63
Servicing
................................... 1-32
What Makes
it Inflate .......................... 1-30
What Will You See After
it Inflates ............... 1-30
When Should
it Inflate .......................... 1-9
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-15
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-6
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-63
Alarm. Theft-Deterrent
.......................... 2- 12
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-43
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-5 1
Antenna. Heated Backlite ........................ 3-24
Antifreeze
..................................... 6- 19
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.66. 4.7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Anti-Lockout Feature
............................ 2-6
Appearancecare
............................... 6-45 Appearance Care Materials Chart
.................. 6-54
Arbitration Program
............................. 7-11
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-49
Assist Handles
................................. 2-51
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-22
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
.................... 3-20
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-9
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-4
Automatic Operation
............................. 3-3
Automatic Transmission Operation
................................... 2-19
Shifting
.................................... 2-19
Fluid
...................................... 6-18
Warning Light
............................... 2-75
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-16
Axle. Rear
.................................... 6-19
Battery
...................................... 6-29
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry
............... 2-8
Warnings
................................ 5.3. 5.5
BBB Auto Line ................................ 7-11
Better Business Bureau Mediation
.................. 7-11
8-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-28
Fluid
....................................... 6-25
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-25
PedalTravel
................................. 6-28
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-28
System Warning Light
......................... 2-64
To Shift Light
................................ 2-73
Transmission Shift Interlock
.................... 2-27
Wear
....................................... 6-27
Brake Pad Wear Indicator Light
.................... 2-76
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking in Emergencies
.......................... 4- 10
Break-In. New Vehicle .......................... 2-14
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-44
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-29
Capacities and Specifications
.................... 6-62
Carbon Monoxide
......................... 4.29. 4.35
Cassette Tape Player
....................... 3- 12. 3. 15
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-22
Cassette Tape Player Errors
.................. 3- 12. 3. 15
Cellular Telephone .............................. 2-5 1
Center Console Storage Area
...................... 2-48
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp. Bulb Replacement ... 6-34
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-35
Central Door Unlocking System
.................... 2-4
Certification Label
.............................. 4-30
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-36
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-45
Parking
..................................... 2-24
BTSI ......................................... 2-27
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-23
Charging System Indicator Light
................... 2-63
Check Engine Light
............................. 2-69
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-50
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-53
Child Restraints
................................ 1-39
Securing
in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-43
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-45
TopStrap
................................... 1-40
Where
to Put ................................ 1-39
CHMSL
...................................... 6-34
Chrome Wheels. Cleaning
........................ 6-51
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-50
Cleaner. Air ................................... 6-15
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome Wheels
................... 6-51
Exterior LampsLenses
........................ 6-51
Fabric
................................. 6-46. 6-47
Glass Surfaces
............................... 6-49
Inside
of Your Catera .......................... 6-46
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-48
Leather
..................................... 6-48
Outside of Your Catera
......................... 6-50
Speakercovers
.............................. 6-49
Special Problems
............................. 6-47
Stains
................................. 6-47. 6-48
Tires
....................................... 6-52
Vinyl
....................................... 6-48
Wheels
..................................... 6-51
Windshield and Wiper Blades ................... 6-50
Check Oil Light
................................ 2-73
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-41
8-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tires ......................................... 6-38
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-43
Buying New
................................. 6-41
Chains
..................................... 6-45
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-23
Cleaning
.................................... 6-52
Inflation
.................................... 6-38
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-40
Loading Information Label
..................... 4-30
Pressure
.................................... 6-38
Temperature
................................. 6-43
Traction
.................................... 6-42
Treadwe ar
................................... 6-42
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-42
Wear Indicators .............................. 6-41
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-43
When It's Time for New
....................... 6-41
TopStrap
..................................... 1-38
TorqueLock
................................... 2-2 6
Torque, Wheel Bolt
........................ 5-31, 6-63
Towing a Trailer
................................ 4-32
Towing Your Catera
.............................. 5-8
Control System ................................ 4-9
Control System Warning Light
.............. 2-67. 4-9
Traction Engaged
............................... 2-67
Brakes
..................................... 4- 36
Driving on Grades ............................ 4-37
Traction
Trailer Driving with
................................. 4-36
Hitches
..................................... 4-35
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-38
Parking
on Hills .............................. 4-38
Safety Chains
................................ 4-36
Tongueweight
............................... 4-34
Total Weight
on Tires .......................... 4-35
Towing
..................................... 4-32
Turnsignals
................................. 4-37
Weight
..................................... 4-34
Transmission Fluid. Automatic
.................... 6-18
Transmitter. Universal
........................... 2-54
Transportation. Gold Key Courtesy
.................. 7-8
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-61
Ajar Light ................................... 2-74
Mounted CD Changer
......................... 3-17
Release
..................................... 2-10
TTYUsers
..................................... 7-4
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.................... 2-32
Turn SignaUMultifunction Lever ................... 2-32
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-37
Twilight Sentinel
............................... 2-43
Transmitters. Remote Keyless Entry System
........... 2-6
Trunk
Underbody Maintenance
........................ 6-53
Understanding
Radio Reception ................... 3-21
Universal Transmitter
............................ 2-54
8-10