1998 CADILLAC CATERA maintenance schedule

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Passenger Compartment Air Filter
This ventilation system includes an air filter that helps to
remove dust, pollen, etc. from 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 more information, see “Passenger
Compartment Air Filter” in the Index. Also 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.
Pressing the defrost button on the control panel (located
above the rear window defogger button) automatically
turns the fan blower to high speed. Make sure that the
side air vents are opened. Rotate both TEMP/AUTO
knobs to the right 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
Rear Window Defogger
The lines you see on the
rear window warm the
glass. With your vehicle’s
engine running, press
this button to turn on the
rear defogger.
The rear window defogger heats the rear window and
both outside rearview mirrors. The system will
automatically shut
off after about 15 minutes. If further
defogging is desired, press the button again.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape or decals
across the defogger grid on the rear window.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply the regular brakes, but do not shift into PARK (P).
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into
PARK (P) firmly and apply the parking brake.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
0 Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 Be sure the parking brake has released. Your
vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule booklet
for more on this. Things that are especially important in
trailer operation
are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine
oil, axle lubricant, drive belt, cooling
system and brake adjustment. If you’re trailering, it’s a
good idea to review this information before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see
that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
4-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service
Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to
be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your dealer for
all your service needs. You’ll get genuine GM parts and
GM-trained and supported service people.
We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine GM parts have one of these
marks:
Genuine
Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, yW11
want to use the proper Cadillac Service Manual. It tells you much more about how to service your vehicle than
this manual can.
To order the proper service manual, see
“Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see “Servicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle” in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and
the date of any service work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the Maintenance
Schedule booklet.
6-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine As shown in the chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you
can use SAE 5W-30 if it’s going
to be colder than
60 OF (1 6 O 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 20W-50.
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.
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.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your 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:
0
0
0
0
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.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil
to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every
5,000 miles (8 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If none of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter at the
first
5,000 miles (8 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first. Then, change the oil and filter every
10,000 miles (16 000 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don't let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and
nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer's warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Air Cleaner
The air cleaner is located behind the headlamps on
the passenger's side
of the engine. Be sure the engine
has cooled before following these steps to replace the
air filter.
Used
oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don't ever dispose of oil
by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing
of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
6-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
r- I 1 L
1. Unhook the five clips that attach the air cleaner lid to
the housing (you may need to use a screwdriver to
help
you unhook the clips).
2. With a screwdriver, loosen the retaining clamp on
the air intake tube and then disconnect the tube (as
shown by the arrow above).
the way
so the air cleaner lid can be lifted.
3. Move the hose going to the coolant surge tank out of
4. Lift the lid, take out [ne air filter and remove any
loose debris that may be found lying in the air
cleaner base.
5. Install a new air filter element. See “Normal
Maintenance Replacement
Parts” in the Index.
To reinstall the air cleaner assembly, place the air filter
in the air cleaner lid, then insert the lid and filter
together into the housing. Reattach the five clips, replace
the air intake tube and tighten the clamp. Return the
coolant surge tank hose to its proper position.
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the
Maintenance Schedule booklet.
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires,
you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
NOTICE: I
If the air cleaner is off, a bachfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter Replacement
The passenger compartment air filter traps most of the
pollen from the air entering your vehicle. Like your
vehicle’s air cleaner filter, it may need to be changed periodically. For
how often to change the passenger
compartment air filter, see your Maintenance
Schedule booklet.
B
The access panel for the passenger compartment air
filter
is on the grille, at the base of the windshield, on
the passenger’s side.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
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@-m, because fluid with that label
is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage
caused by fluid other than DEXRON@-III
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections” and “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Maintenance Schedule booklet.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.