1998 CADILLAC CATERA warning

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Wiper-Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the low-beam headlamps, parking
lamps, sidemarker lamps and taillamps after the
windshield wipers have been in use for about
20 seconds.
The wiper-activated headlamps light the way in poor
weather and
also make your vehicle more visible to
other drivers.
If the wipers are on and the ignition switch
is turned off, the headlamps will immediately turn off.
The headlamps will also deactivate if the windshield
wipers have been turned
off for about 20 seconds.
Perimeter Lighting
This feature turns on the low-beam headlamps,
parking lamps, sidemarker lamps and taillamps for
about
20 seconds after the unlock button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed. Perimeter lighting
immediately ends when your vehicle’s ignition is turned
to
ON or START.
Lamps On Reminder
You will hear a warning chime if you open the door
while leaving the lamps on, if the manual headlamp
control is activated. An exception to this is when you’re
using the twilight sentinel.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DIU, can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short periods after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make the high-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness when:
your vehicle’s ignition is in ON or START,
the low-beam headlamps are off (the manual lamp
switch is in the off or park lamp position) and
your vehicle’s transmission is shifted out of
PARK
(P).
When DRL are on, only the high-beam headlamps (at
reduced brightness) will be on.
No other exterior lamps
such as
the parking lamps, taillamps, etc. will be on
when the DRL
are being used. The instrument panel
won’t be lit up either.
When the twilight sentinel is on and it’s dark enough
outside, the high-beam headlamps (at reduced intensity)
will change to low-beam headlamps. When it’s bright
enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and the
high-beam headlamps change to the reduced brightness
of
DRL.
2-41
__

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The instrument panel is designed to let you know at a
glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how
fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using and
many of the other things you’ll need to know to drive
safely and economically. The main components of the
instrument panel are:
A. Air Outlets
B. Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
C. Instrument Cluster
D. Windshield Washer Lever
E. Comfort Controls
E Lamp Controls
G. Horn H. Steering Wheel Touch Controls
for Audio System
I. Hood Release
J. Hazard Warning Flasher Button
K. Fuel Door Release Button
L. Heated Front Seat
Ordoff Button (Option)
M. Ashtray
N. Radio
0. Trunk Release Button
P. Traction Control OdOff Button
Q. Glove Box

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per
hour (rnph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). The
odometer shows how
far your vehicle has been driven,
in either miles (used in the United States) or kilometers
(used in Canada).
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer tells how far you have driven since
you last reset it. To set it to zero, press the knob located
below the speedometer on the instrument cluster.
m RPM x 1000
This gage indicates the
engine speed in revolutions
per minute
(rpm).
I NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in
the red area
or engine damage may occur.
Engine Speed Limiter
This feature prevents the engine from operating at too
many revolutions per minute
(rpm). When the engine’s
rpm are critically high, the fuel supply to the engine
is
shut off. When the engine speed slows, the fuel supply
will come on again. This helps prevent damage to
the engine.
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be
on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages,
some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be
or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to
let you know when
there’s
a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells
you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt i\
s
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and
stay on
for about four seconds,
then it
will flash for about
60 seconds. If the driver’s
belt is already buckled,
neither the chime nor the light will come on.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag
modules, the wiring and the diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag”
in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and
it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for
a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Indicator Light
El
When you turn the key
to START, this light will
come on briefly to show
that the generator and
battery charging systems are working.
If this light stays on, you need service and you should
take your vehicle to the dealer at once. To save the
battery until you get there, turn
off all accessories.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’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 is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine BRAKE
United States
Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
ON. 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 Vehicle”
in the Index.)
A CAUTIC-J:
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Voltmeter
I6h
VOLTS
You can read battery
voltage on the voltmeter. If
it reads less than
12 volts or
more than 16 volts while the
engine
is running, and it
stays there, you may have a
problem with the electrical
charging system.
Have it checked right away. Driving with
the voltmeter
reading in the lower warning zone could drain
or
damage the battery. Driving with the voltmeter reading
in the upper warning zone could cause bulbs to burn out
(especially headlamp bulbs), various vehicle modules to
shut down (due to overload protection) and the
possibility
of a battery acid leak.
If you idle the engine for a while, the voltmeter reading
might move into the red zone. If the reading
stays in the
red zone while
you are driving, you may have a problem
with the electrical charging system. Have it checked.
While the voltmeter reads in the red zone, the battery
may not be able to power certain electrical accessories,
like ABS. (If this happens, the ABS light will come on.
See “Anti-Lock Brakes System Warning Light” in
this section.)
If you must drive a short distance with the voltmeter
reading in a warning zone, turn off all the accessories,
including the comfort controls and the audio system.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
ABS
With the anti-lock brake system, the light(s) will
come on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That’s normal.
Traction Control System Warning Light
The warning light will flash
when the system senses
a
traction change.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to
OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you’re driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition
off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you’re driving, your vehicle needs
service.
If the regular brake system warning light isn’t
on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes and there’s a
problem with your regular brakes.
See “Brake System
Warning Light” earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to
ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem. If
it stays on,
or comes on and stays on steady when
you’re driving, there may be a problem with your
traction control system and your vehicle may need
service. When this warning light
is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following:
0 If there’s a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system will turn off and the warning light will come on.
engine-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system is affected by an
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.