1997 CADILLAC CATERA automatic transmission

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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Catera, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you
if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
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Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System (RKE)
Trunk
Theft
Theft-Deterrent (System)
Immobilizer
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine
.Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transmission Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK
(P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P) 2-28
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Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
Windows Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Lamps Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Cellular Telephone
Sunroof
Universal Transmitter
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Programmable Automatic Door Locks
Each RKE transmitter supplied with your vehicle can be
programmed to suit each driver’s door lock preference.
The two RKE transmitters are identified on the back
with either a
“I” or a “2”, which allows either driver to
program their own door locks.
With
RKE, the automatic door locks can be programmed
to lock when the shift lever
is moved out of PARK (P)
and unlock when the shift lever
is moved back into
PARK (P). The door locks can also be programmed to
remain locked whether or not the shift lever
is returned
to the PARK (P) position.
With the ignition on, the transmission in PARK
(P)
and the brake pedal pressed in, you are now ready to
begin programming.
To enable the doors to lock when shifting out of PARK (P)
and to unlock when shifting back into
PARK (P), press
the lock button on
the RKE transmitter four times within
five seconds.
To disable the door unlock feature when shifting back
into PARK (P), press the unlock button on the
RKE
transmitter four times within five seconds. The doors
will lock when the shift lever is moved out of
PARK (P)
and will remain locked when the shift lever is moved
back into
PARK (P).
Keep
in mind that pressing the lock or unlock buttons on
the
RKE transmitter several times in a row (about 12
times) may cause the vehicle’s system to lock you out. If
this happens, wait about
30 seconds before trying to
enter your vehicle again.
Rear Door Security Lock
:.‘%is.:.
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Your Catera is equipped
with rear door security
locks that help prevent
passengers from opening
the rear door of your
vehicle from the inside.
To use this lock:
1. Move the lever on the door all the way down into the
2. Close the door.
ENGAGED
position.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different
positions for
the shift lever.
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PARK (P): This locks the transmission drive shaft. It’s
the best position to use when you start the engine
because your vehicle can’t move easily.
A CAUTION:
I
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Third-Gear Start
Press this button to
provide more traction when you are starting
on ice or other slippery
surfaces. It only
operates when the shift lever is in DRIVE (D).
The button is located next to the shift lever
on the console.
The transmission will be in THIRD
(3) when the vehicle
begins to move. After starting in THIRD
(3), the vehicle
will upshift normally. This
feature is for improved traction only when the road
surface is slippery and is not intended for continuous use
or when the vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, ice, snow or
gravel. Drive as usual for normal road conditions.
This feature automatically turns off when
any of the
following conditions occur:
When the ignition is turned off.
If the shift lever is placed in PARK (P), THIRD (3),
SECOND (2) or FIRST (1).
If you press and hold the accelerator pedal past its
resistance point for more than two seconds.
When speed falls below 25 mph (40 km/h).
0 Once the vehicle reaches 67 mph (108 kdh).
To turn this feature off, press the button again.
Whenever you start your vehicle, the transmission is
in
the normal mode.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your Catera has a Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock
(BTSI). You have to fully apply the regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is
in RUN. See “Automatic Transmission” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift out of
PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF. Open and close the driver’s
door to
turn off the Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) feature.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 8.
3. With both hands, squeeze the base of the console
4. Pull the upper part of the base out first and then slide
shift lever
together (as shown).
out the lower part of the base.
5. Lift the shift lever cover up to get it out of your way.
2-27

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Twilight Sentinel
This feature is below the
lamp control dial on the left
side
of the instrument panel.
It automatically switches
the parking lamps and
low-beam headlamps on
and
off by sensing how dark
it is outside.
To operate the twilight sentinel, the ignition must be in
the
RUN or START position and the twilight sentinel
must be turned
on by pressing the OFF button (an
indicator light
in the button will be off when the twilight
sentinel
is activated). If the system senses it is dark
outside, the lamps will turn on. The lamps turn off when
the system detects that it is bright outside.
If you rotate the control dial all the way up, the lamps
will remain
on for about three minutes after the ignition
has been turned to the
OFF or LOCK position. If you
rotate the control dial all the way down, the lamps will
go off quickly. You can adjust the delay time from a few
seconds up to three minutes.
To turn twilight sentinel off, press the OFF button again.
The indicator light
in the button will be on. This lets the
driver know that the system has been turned
off.
Twilight sentinel also turns off if the ignition is turned to
OFF or to LOCK.
1
This light in the instrument
panel will come on if the
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ignition is on and:
the headlamps have not b een manually turned 1
the twilight sentinel senses it is dark outside,
the twilight sentinel is off and
the transmission is not in PARK (P).
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuel Gage Low Fuel Light
The fuel
gage shows
approximately how much
fuel is in the tank. It works
only when the ignition is in
the
RUN position.
Rere
are a few concerns some owners have had about
the fuel gage. All of these situations are normal and do
not indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gage.
At the gas station the gas pump shuts off before the
The gage may change when you turn, stop or
gage reads
E
speed
up. If
the
fuel level is low
(approximately
two gallons
of fuel remain in the fuel
tank),
a light will come on
and stay on until you add
fuel. It will also come on for
a few seconds when you
first turn
on the ignition as a
check to show it’s working.
If it doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed.
--
--nsmission Warning Light
0
This light comes on briefly
when the ignition is turned
on. If the light remains on
or lights up while driving,
there may be a fault in the
automatic transmission.
Have your vehicle serviced.
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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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