1999 CADILLAC CATERA towing

5-
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5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-2 Other Warning Devices
5
-2 Jump Starting
5
-8 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-9 Engine Overheating5
-11 Cooling System
5
-17 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-18 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-28 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

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5-8
Towing Your Vehicle
CAUTION:
To help avoid serious personal injury to you
or others:

Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.

Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.

Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.

Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.

Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.

Use only the correct hooks.
NOTICE:
Use the proper towing equipment to avoid
damage to the bumper, fascia or fog lamp areas
of the vehicle.
With current trends in automotive styles and design, it is
essential that the correct towing equipment is used to
tow a vehicle. Your vehicle can be towed with
car
-carrier equipment only. Vehicle speed during towing
should not exceed 50 mph (80 kph) with a maximum
towing distance of 60 miles (100 km).
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index.

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5-29
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. You should turn
your traction control system off. (See ªTraction Control
Systemº in the Index.) Then shift back and forth
between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the
wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. By slowly
spinning your wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may
free your vehicle. If that doesn't get you out after a few
tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do need to
be towed out, see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.

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6-18
5. Replace the filter by sliding it back in, reattaching
both retaining clips and closing the grille flap.
6. Replace the engine compartment rear seal.
7. Close the engine hood.
For the type of filter to use, see ªNormal Maintenance
Replacement Partsº in the Index.
Automatic 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 vehicle to the 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:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

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.

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7-5
GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to
qualified applicants, can
reimburse you up to $1,000
toward aftermarket driver or
passenger adaptive
equipment you may require
for your vehicle (hand
controls, wheelchair/scooter
lifts, etc.).
This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The program is available
for a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. See your dealer for more details or call
the GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1
-800-323-9935.
Text telephone (TTY) users, call 1
-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program. Call
1
-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details. When
calling from outside Canada, please dial 1
-905-644-3063.
TTY users call 1
-800-263-3830.
Roadside Service
Cadillac's exceptional Roadside Service is more than an
auto club or towing service. It provides every Catera
owner with the advantage of contacting a Cadillac
advisor and, when appropriate, a Catera trained dealer
technician who can provide on
-site service.

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7-6
Each technician travels with a specially equipped
service vehicle complete with the necessary Catera parts
and tools required to handle most roadside repairs.
Cadillac Roadside Service can be reached by dialing
1
-800-882-1112, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
This service is provided at no charge for any
warranty
-covered situation and for a nominal
charge if the Catera is no longer under warranty.
Roadside Service is available only in the United
States and Canada.
Cadillac Owner Privileges
Roadside Service provides several Cadillac Owner
Privileges at ªno charge,º throughout your 1999
Cadillac Warranty Period
-- 48 months/50,000 miles
(80 000 km).Emergency Road Service is performed on site for the
following situations:

Towing Service

Battery Jump Starting

Lock Out Assistance

Fuel Delivery

Flat Tire Change (Covers change only)

Trip Interruption
-- If your trip is interrupted due to a
warranty failure, incidental expenses may be reimbursed
during the 48 months/50,000 miles (80 000 km) warranty
period. Items covered are hotel, meals and rental car.

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8-4
Driving (Continued)
Night 4-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Curves 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Grades While Towing a Trailer 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Hill and Mountain Roads 4-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Snow or Ice 4-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Through Deep Standing Water 4-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter 4-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
With a Trailer 4-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical Equipment, Adding 2-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical System 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror 2-47 . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic Climate Control (ECC) 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic Level Control 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency Trunk Release 2-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine 6-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Cleaner/Filter 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compartment Relay Center 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Heater 2-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Gage 2-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Warning Light 2-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling When Trailer Towing 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust 2-11, 2-30, 2-31, 4-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Running While You're Parked 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications 6-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speed Limiter 2-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Your 2-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engine Oil 6
-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additives 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking 6-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Kind to Use 6-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What to do with Used 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When to Add 6-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When to Change 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
English/Metric Display 3-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ethanol 6-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust, Engine 2-11, 2-30, 2-31, 4-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extender, Safety Belts 1-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior Lamps 2-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fan Button, Climate Control System 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Features and Controls 2-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling a Portable Fuel Container 6-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling Your Tank 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filter, Air 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filter Replacement, Passenger Compartment Air 6-17 . . . . . .
Finish Care 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Damage 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FIRST (1) Gear, Automatic Transmission 2-23 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flashers, Hazard Warning 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flash-To-Pass 2-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat Tire, Changing 5-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Floor Mats 2-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid
Brake 6
-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Steering 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Washer 6-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fog Lamps 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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8-7
Power Door 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Programmable Automatic Door 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Door Security 2-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss of Control 4-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Coolant Warning Light 2-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Fuel Light 2-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light 2-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lumbar Support, Manual 1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts 6-63 . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance, Underbody 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance When Trailer Towing 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Malfunction Indicator Lamp 2-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Folding Outside Rearview Mirrors 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Lumbar Support 1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Operation (Climate Controls) 3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Map Lamps 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Map Pockets 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Memory Seat and Mirrors 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Methanol 6-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mirrors 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convex Outside 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heated Rearview 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illuminated Visor Vanity 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Folding Outside Rearview 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Remote Control 2-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MMT 6-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities 7-5 . . . . . . . . .
Mode Button 3-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Model Reference ii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mountain Roads 4
-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Multifunction Lever 2-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net, Convenience 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NEUTRAL (N), Automatic Transmission 2-22 . . . . . . . . . . . .
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Night Vision 4-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts 6-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer 2-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer, Trip 2-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Off-Road Recovery 4-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil, Engine 6-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil Pressure Light/Gage 2-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OnStar
System 2-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ordering Service and Owner Publications 7-11, 7-12, 7-13 . . . .
Outside Rearview Mirrors, Manual Folding 2-49 . . . . . . . . . .
Outside Temperature Display 3-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating Engine 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Owner Publications, Ordering 7-11, 7-12, 7-13 . . . . . . . . . . .
Paint Spotting, Chemical 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Panel, Instrument 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PARK (P)
Automatic Transmission 2
-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting Into 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting Out of 2-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .