1998 CADILLAC CATERA coolant level

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different
positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P): This position locks the transmission drive
shaft. It’s the best position
to use when you start the
engine because your vehicle can’t move easily.
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Coolant Warning Light
This warning light should
come on while
you are
starting the engine. If the
light doesn’t come on, have
it repaired.
I I
Your vehicle is equipped with a low coolant level sensor
(switch and float) that is designed to detect when your
vehicle’s coolant level drops below the set
limit. If the
low coolant level sensor (under the coolant surge tank)
detects that the level drops while the engine is running,
the low coolant indicator will light and remain lit until
the ignition switch
is turned off. Check the coolant level
and add coolant as needed.
The light should turn off as
soon as the coolant level
is at its proper operating range.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
CHECK
ENGINE
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation
of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD
11 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to assure that emissions are
at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The CHECK
ENGINE light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem
is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system
is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing
any malfunction.
2-70
I

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
the climate control system 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 rear defrost (heated
backlite). Each ignition cycle cancels recirculation.
Manual Operation
You may manually adjust the air delivery mode or
fan speed.
+d HEATElUDEFROST: This setting directs air to
the floor outlets and toward the windshield.
d AC: This setting directs airflow through the middle
instrument panel outlets.
!d 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 warm air is directed to the floor.
+@ HEATER: This setting directs warm air through
the floor outlets. Some warm air is diverted to the
we
-bo
+e
windshield to minimize fogging.
DEFROST Press this button to quickly
remove fog or frost from the windshield (the blower
works in high-speed). 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 An electric engine cooling fan under the hood 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.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
don’t
do anything else until it cools down.
I
The coolant level should be at or slightly above the
KALTKOLD line (seam). If
it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater
hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run
the engine,
it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I NOTICE: I
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine cooling
fans are running. If the
engine
is overheating, both fans should be running. If
they aren’t, your vehicle needs service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at the
KALT/COLD line (seam), add a 50/50
mixture of clean water (preferably distilled) and
DEX-COOL@ coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be
sure the cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is cool before you do it. (See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index for more information.)
’ A CAUTION: I
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and
if you turn the coolant
surge tank pressure cap
-- even a little -- they
can come out at high speed. Never turn the
cap when the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and coolant surge tank
pressure cap to cool if
you ever have to turn the
pressure cap.
5-16

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3. Then fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, up to the KALTKOLD line (seam). 4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine
and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may
be lower. If the level is lower, add
more
of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the KALTKOLD line (seam).

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There
is also technical infomation about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6-2
6-3
6-5
6-5
6-8 6-8
6-11
6-15
6-18
6- 19
6-20
6-23 6-24
6-25
6-26
6-29
6-30 Service
Fuel
Fuels in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear Axle
Engine Coolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery
Bulb Replacement 6-36
6-37
6-45
6-46 6-48
6-49
6-50
6-52 6-53
6-54
6-54 6-55
6-63
6-63
6-63
6-64 Wiper
Blade Replacement
Tires
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Care of Safety Belts
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
Cleaning Aluminum
or Chrome Wheels
(If Equipped)
Underbody Maintenance
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Service Parts Identification Label
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located behind the air cleaner on the
passenger’s side
of the engine.
The cooling system when hot is under a lot
of pressure.
If the low coolant warning light on the instrument panel
appears, you will need to add coolant.
= I
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the KALTKOLD line (seam).
1
If the light comes on, it
means you’re low on
engine coolant.
]I I I
For more information, see “Low Coolant Light” in
the Index.
6-22
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