
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ,== -a .
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 3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the Catera starts
briefly but then stops again,
do the same thing.
I NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle.
See “Towing
Your Catera” in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
The electrical cord for the engine coolant heater is in
front of the air cleaner filter and under the headlamp
cover, on
the passenger’s side of the engine.
ENGINE COOLANT
HEATER ELEC AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY
CORD ////
HE
AS
I
HEADLAMP
COVER
In very cold weather, 0°F (- 18 “C) or
colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better
fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To Use the Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
/ CA-‘TIC’J:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If
you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Catera dealer in the area where you’ll be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for
that particular area.
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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 Air Conditioning Heating
On
hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This reduces the time
it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
The climate control system will cool and dehumidify the
air inside the vehicle. While
in the automatic operation
mode, the system will use recirculation as necessary to
cool the
air. You may also need to adjust the interior
temperature. Turn either TEMP/AUTO knob clockwise
to increase the temperature and counterclockwise to
decrease temperature. Adjust the fan speed as needed.
In order to obtain the maximum cool setting, both the
driver’s and passenger’s TEMP/AUTO knobs must be
turned to 60°F (16°C).
Adjust the interior temperature to your comfort level
by turning either TEMP/AUTO knob clockwise to
increase temperature
and counterclockwise to decrease
temperature. If the fan speed needs adjusting, press the
up or down arrow.
Outside air will be brought in and sent through the floor
outlets. The heater works best if you keep the windows
closed while using it.
In order to obtain the maximum heat setting, both the
driver’s and passenger’s TEMFVAUTO knobs must be
turned to
90°F (32°C).
3-6

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 Ventilation Tips
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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.
3-8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly
CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can’t see it or smell it,
so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that
is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open
a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This will help
keep
CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you
run the engine, make it go .a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later
on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when
you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
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