
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.
2-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If
you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol on the
front
of the oil container. If
you have your oil changed
for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
~ RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
~
“F
I100 -
+ 80 -
+60 -
+40-
+ 20 -
0-
7
“C
+ 38
+ 27
+ 16
+4
-7
- 18
---’I
-r
SAE 5w-30
1-91 sa PI abow 0°F (-18°C)
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR AMY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine As shown in the chart, SAE low-30 is best for your
vehicle. However,
you can use SAE 5W-30 if it’s going
to be colder than
60°F ( 16” C) before your next oil
change. When it’s very cold, you should use
SAE
5W-30. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as
SAE 2OW-50.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Catera dealer is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance schedule:
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
0
0
0
0
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20°F (-29”C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an
SAE OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your Catera.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
6-13

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5. Replace the filter by sliding it back in, reattaching
6. Replace the engine compartment rear seal.
7. Close the engine hood.
For the type of filter to use, see “Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts” in the Index. both
retainer clips and closing the grille flap.
Auto-- ’ic Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only reason for fluid
loss. If a leak occurs, take your Catera to a Catera dealership
service department and have it repaired as
soon as possible. You may also have your fluid level
checked by your dealer or service center when
you have
your
oil changed.
Change both the fluid and
filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of
these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON-I11
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
6-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Catera will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 "F (1 29 " C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused
by the
use of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL' coolant which
won't damage aluminum parts.
If you use this mixture,
you don't need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle's coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn't get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use
a 50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
6-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electrmic Level Control ......................... 4-32
Emergency
Trunk Release ........................ 2-10
Compartment Relay Center
..................... 6-61
Caolant Heater
............................... 2- 17
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-68
Coolant Temperature Warning
Light .............. 2-68
Identification
................................ 6-55
Overheating ................................. 5-14
Running
While Parked ......................... 2-29
Spscificatio
ns ................................ 6-62
Smg YOU ................................ 2-16
Engine
......................................... 6-9
..................................... CoOltUlt
6-19
Exh~
st ..................................... 2-29
Engine Oil
.................................... 6-10
Adding 6-11
Additives 6- 13
Checking
................................... 6- 11
Used 6-14
.....................................
...................................
.......................................
When to Change .............................. 6-13
Engine
Speed Limiter ............................ 2-61
FmglishMetric Display
........................... 3-3
Ethan01
........................................ 6-4
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-29
Exteri~ Frat Bulbs ............................. 6-30
Exterior
Lamps ................................. 2-38
Exterior
RW Bulbs ............................. 6-34
Fabric
cleaning .......................... 6.46. 6.47
Fan Button. Climate Control System
................. 3-2
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air 6-15 .....................................
Filter Replacement. Passenger Compartment Air ...... 6- 17
Finish Care 6-51 ....................................
Fish Damage ................................. 6-52
First Gear. Automatic Transmission ................ 2-21
Flashers.
Hazard Warning ......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-23
Fog Latsps .................................... 2-42
Folding the Rear Seat
............................. 1-10
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
French Language Manual
........................... ii
Front Turn Signal Lamp. Bulb Replacement .......... 6-30
Filling
Your Tank .............................. 6-5
Gage .................................. . ., ... 2-75
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-57
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature .................... 2-63
Flash-To-PassFeature
........................... 2-33
Floor Mats 2-51
....................................
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
DoorLock ................................... 6-6
....................................... Fuel 2-75 OilPressure
................................. 2-72
GarmentHooks
................................ 2-51
GAM 4-30
Glove Box 2-48
.......................................
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission ............. 2-19
Gold
Key Courtesy Transportation .................. 7-8
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-30
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-30
....................................
8-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Nightvision ................................... 4-16
Odometer
.................................... 2-6 1
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-61
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 12
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-10
Oil Pressure LighVGage
.......................... 2-72
Outside Temperature Display
....................... 3-3
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 14
Owner Publications. Ordering
................ 7- 13. 7- 14
Outside Rearview Mirror. Manual Folding
........... 2-47
Paint Spotting. Chemical
........................ 6-53
Park
Automatic Transmission
....................... 2- 19
Shifting Into
................................. 2-25
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-27
Parking AtNight
.................................... 2-11
Brake
...................................... 2-24
Lots
....................................... 2-11
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-28
With a Trailer
................................ 4-38
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
................... 3-8
Passenger Compartment Air Filter Replacement
....... 6-17
Passenger’s Side Instrument Panel
Fuse Block ........ 6-60
Passenger’s Side Temperature Knob
................. 3-2
Passing
....................................... 4-13
Power DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Option Fuses
................................ 6-56 Recliner
..................................... 1-8
Remote Control Mirror ........................ 2-47
Retained Accessory
........................... 2-16
Seats
........................................ 1-4
Steering
.................................... 4-10
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-23
Windows
................................... 2-30
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-24
Problems
on the Road ............................ 5-1
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............... 2-5
Publications. Service and Owner
.............. 7- 13. 7- 14
Radio Reception .............................. 3-21
Radios
.................................. 3.10. 3.13
Rain. Driving
In ................................ 4-17
RAP
......................................... 2-16
ReadingLamps
................................ 2-45
Rear Axle
....................................... 6-19
Door Security Lock
............................ 2-5
Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-32
Seatpassengers
.............................. 1-32
Window Defogger
............................. 3-9
RearSeats ..................................... 1-10
Rear Turn Signal Lamp, Bulb Replacement
.......... 6-34
Rear Window Lockout
........................... 2-31
Recirculation
................................... 3-5
Reclining Front Seatbacks
......................... 1-6
Refrigerants, Air Conditioning
.................... 6-63
Rearview Mirror, Electrochromic
Daymight
......... 2-46
8-7