2000 CADILLAC CATERA automatic transmission

2-79 Automatic Transmission Warning Light
(If Equipped)
This light comes on briefly
when the ignition is turned
on. If the light remains on
or lights up while driving,
there may be a fault in the
automatic transmission.
Have your vehicle serviced.
Leveling Indicator Light
This light comes on steady
when the rear load level in
your vehicle changes.Do not drive your vehicle when this light is on. The rear
of your vehicle is too low and part of the body or the
rear axle may be damaged when driving over bumpy
roads. When the light goes out, leveling is complete.
This procedure is automatic
-- you don't have
to do anything.
If the light comes on flashing, there may be a problem
with the leveling system. You should reduce your
vehicle speed and have your vehicle serviced soon.
Brake Pad Wear Indicator Light
This light comes on when
the brake pads on your
vehicle have significantly
worn. The pads will have to
be replaced, so have your
vehicle serviced soon.

4-38 Parking on Hills
CAUTION:
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:

Start your engine;

Shift into a gear; and

Be sure the parking brake has released.
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
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 system. 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 ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

6-
6-1
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 information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
- 2 Service
6
- 3 Fuel
6
- 5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
- 5 Filling Your Tank
6
- 9 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
- 11 Engine Oil
6
- 15 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
- 19 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
- 19 Rear Axle
6
- 20 Engine Coolant
6
- 24 Surge Tank Pressure Cap
6
- 24 Power Steering Fluid
6
- 25 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
- 26 Brakes
6
- 30 Battery
6
- 30 Bulb Replacement6
- 37 Wiper Blade Replacement
6
- 38 Tires
6
- 47 Appearance Care
6
- 47 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
- 49 Care of Safety Belts
6
- 51 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
- 52 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels (If Equipped)
6
- 53 Underbody Maintenance
6
- 54 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
- 55 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
- 55 Service Parts Identification Label
6
- 56 Electrical System
6
- 63 Replacement Bulbs
6
- 63 Capacities and Specifications
6
- 64 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-19
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.NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON-III, 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 ªPeriodic Maintenance
Inspectionsº and ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in
the Maintenance Schedule booklet.

6-58
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Driver's Side)
The fuse block is located below the steering wheel on
the driver's side. Using a screwdriver, loosen the two
trim fasteners under the trim panel and pull the trim
panel away from the instrument panel to access.
Fuse Usage
1 RH and LH Front Side Door Window
Regulator Motor, LH Front Side Door
Window Switch
2 Stoplamp Switch, Cruise Control
Release Switch
3 Automatic Transmission Range Switch,
Automatic Transmission Control Indicator,
Power Steering Control Module, Hazard
Warning Switch, Automatic Transmission
Winter Mode Switch, Transmission
Control Module (TCM)

6-59
Fuse Usage
4 RH and LH Rear Seat Cushion Heater
Relay, Rear Sunshade Motor, Accessory
Power Outlet
5 Transmission Control Module
6 Radio Speaker Amplifier
7 RH and LH Rear Side Door Window
Regulator Motor
8 Headlamp Switch, Turn Signal
Switch, Horn Relay, CD Changer,
Multifunction Relay
9 Windshield Wiper Motor and Relay,
Windshield Wiper and Windshield
Washer Switch
10 Body Control Module (BCM), Heater
Water Auxiliary Pump, Fan Control
Relays, Auxiliary Water Pump Relay
11 Heater and A/C Control, RH and LH
Outside Rearview Mirrors
12 Hazard Warning Switch, Instrument
Cluster, Data Link Connector (DLC),
Stoplamp Switch, Gage Cluster, Heater
and A/C Control.Fuse Usage
13 Remote Control Outside Rearview Mirror
Switch, A/C Compressor Relay, Coolant
Fan Test Connector, A/C Load Switch
14 Cellular Telephone, RH and
LH Windshield Washer Nozzles,
Driver and Passenger Heated Seat Switch,
Heater and A/C Control, Heated Outside
Rearview Mirror and Rear Window
Defogger Relay
15 Rear Suspension Leveling Air Compressor
Relay, Instrument Cluster, Gage Cluster,
Cruise Control Switch, Headlamp Switch,
Multifunction Relay, Passenger and
Driver Heated Seat Relay, BCM, Sunroof
Actuator, Automatic Level Control Sensor,
RH and LH Heated Rear Seat Switch, RH
and LH Heated Rear Seat Cushion Relay,
Driver Seat Adjuster Memory Module,
LH Front Side Door Window Switch,
Inside Rearview Mirror
16 Cigarette Lighter (Front and Console)
17 Horn #1 and #2
18 Fuel Pump

6-60
Fuse Usage
19 Electronic Brake/Traction Control Module
20 Passenger and Driver Heated Seat Relay
21 Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) Relay,
LH High
-Beam Headlamp Relay
22 Headlamp Switch, LH
Low
-Beam Headlamp
23 LH Parking Lamp and Turn Signal
Lamps, LH Rear Sidemarker Lamp,
Multifunction Relay, LH Stoplamp
and Taillamp
24 Lifting Magnet, BCM, Gage Cluster
25 Sunroof Actuator
26 Headlamp Switch, RH and LH Front
Sidemarker Lamp, Middle Taillamp,
RH and LH Rear License Plate Lamp,
Radio, Automatic Transmission Control
Indicator, Heater and A/C ControlFuse Usage
27 Automatic Level Control Sensor, Rear
Suspension Leveling Air Compressor
and Relay
28 Door Lock Relay
29 Multifunction Relay, OnStar

System
30 RH Parking Lamp and Turn Signal Lamp,
RH Rear Sidemarker Lamp, RH
Stoplamp and Taillamp
31 RH Low
-Beam Headlamp Turn
Signal Switch
32 RH High
-Beam Headlamp Relay
33 Blower Controller, A/C Compressor Relay
34 Heated Rear Window Defogger Relay
35 Passenger Seat Adjuster Switch,
Driver Seat Adjuster Memory Module