1998 CADILLAC CATERA Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash
on and off.
Pressing this button on
the center console makes
the front and rear turn signal lamps flash
on and
off. The indicator light on
the button also flashes.
Pressing the button again
turns the flashers off.
The
flashers work regardless
of the key position.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, the turn signals
won’t work since they are already flashing.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up
at the side
of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
5-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Jump Starting
If the battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. Please follow the steps below to do it safely.
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
0 They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or
burn
you.
~ all of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling
it won’t work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
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I NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough
so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want.
You wouldn’t be able to
start your vehicle and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1 unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter.
Turn off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
as the radios. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries.
In addition, it could save the radio!
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
I 4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. You’ll also
need
to open the power distribution fuse block cover
to access the positive (+) terminal on the battery
(see arrow).
CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
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4 CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight
if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water.
You don’t
need to add water to the ACDelco Freedom@
battery installed in every new
GM vehicle. But
if a battery has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there.
If it is low, add water to
take care
of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas
could be present.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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=-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine t
I A CAUTION:
I
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get it on you.
If you accidentally get it in Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with badly. Keep your hands
away from moving parts
water and get medical help immediately. once the engine
is running. -1
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could also be damaged.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive
(+) will go to
positive
(+) and negative (-) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal part on the engine
of the vehicle
with the dead battery. Don’t connect positive
(+) to
negative
(-) or you will get a short that would
damage the battery and maybe other parts,
too. Also,
don’t connect negative
(-> to negative (-).
For more detailed information, read Steps 6 through
12 following.
6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 8. Now connect the
negative
(-) cable to
the good battery’s
negative
(-) terminal. Don’t let the other end
of the negative (-) cable touch
anything until the next step. The other end
of the
negative (-) cable doesn ’t go to the dead battery. It goes
to a heavy unpainted metal
part on the engine of the
vehicle with the dead battery.
9. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away
from the dead battery, but not near engine
parts
that move.
A good spot to attach
the negative
(-) cable
is on the bracket
between the air cleaner and the engine block.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won’t start after a few tries,
it probably
needs service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 12. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don’t touch
each other or any other metal.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part (Vehicle with
Dead Battery)
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a dealer or a professional towing service
tow your vehicle. See “Roadside Service” in the Index.
If your vehicle has been changed
or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting or special tires and wheels, these
instructions may not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
That your vehicle has rear-wheel drive.
The make, model and year of your vehicle.
Whether you can still move the shift lever.
If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains towing instructions and
illustrations. The operator may want to see them.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Front and Rear Towing This
is a sample of an
R-hook. It
is the only
type of hook that may
be used to tow your
vehicle from the front or from the rear.
A CAUTION:
To help avoid injury to you or others:
0 Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
being
towed.
fully secured.
CAUTION: (Continued)
Never get under your vehicle after it has
0 Always secure the vehicle on each side with
0 Use only R-hooks.
been
lifted by the tow truck.
separate safety chains when towing it.
A CAUTION:
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it
is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
R-hooks inserted in the front and rear R-hook
slots. Never use J-hooks. They will damage
drivetrain and suspension components.
5-8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key
turned to
OFF. The steering wheel should be clamped in
a straight-ahead position, with a clamping device
designed for towing service. Do not use the vehicle’s
steering column lock for this. The transmission should
be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake released,
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the drive wheels.
Front Towing
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NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling type or wheel-lift
equipment or fascidfog lamp damage may occur.
Use car-carrier equipment only. Additional
ramping may be required for car-carrier
equipment. Use safety chains and wheel straps.
Do not attach winch cables, T-hooks or J-hooks
to suspension components when using car-carrier
equipment. Always use R-hooks inserted into the
R-hook slots.