2000 CADILLAC CATERA towing

Every
2000 Catera
under warranty is
backed with the
following
services:
Free lockout assistance
Free dead-battery assistance
Free out-of-fuel assistance
Free flat-tire change
Emergency towing
1-800-882-1112
that provides in an emergency:
1-800-882-1112
Bumper-to-Bumper
4-years/50,000 miles (80 000 km)
Limited Warranty
Courtesy
Transportation
Deluxe Trip
Routing

Section
3
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Section
4
Your Driving and the Road
Section
5
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Your Driving, the Road and Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
BrakingSteering
Driving Tips for Various Road Conditions
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer Heating and Air Conditioning
Setting the Radio Clock
Radio/Cassette Player/CD PlayerRadio Theft-Deterrent Feature
Steering Wheel Controls
Hazard Warning Flashers
Jump Starting
Towing Your VehicleEngine Overheating
Changing a Flat Tire
If You're Stuck
Problems on the Road

2-16
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the
long run if you follow these guidelines:

Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
Keep in mind that you may have to turn the steering
wheel as you turn the key in order to turn the ignition
switch from LOCK to START
-- this is normal.
Using extra effort to remove the key from the ignition
switch, as compared to other GM vehicles that you may
have owned, is also normal.
If your key is stuck in the ignition switch and cannot
be turned back to LOCK, your vehicle will need to be
repaired. See your dealer for service.

2-19
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the Catera starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you
don't, your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed,
see the part of this manual that tells how to do
it without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Cateraº in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0
F (-18
C) or colder, the
engine coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm
-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.

2-21
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.CAUTION:
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 ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine.

2-23
DRIVE (D): Use this for normal driving. If you need
more power for passing, and you're:

Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more,
push the accelerator all the way down.
The transmission will shift down to the next gear.
THIRD (3): This position is not used for normal
driving. It offers more power and lower fuel economy
than DRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of DRIVE (D):

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.

When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): Driving in this position gives you more
power than driving in THIRD (3). Use it on hills. It can
help control your speed as you go down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use the brakes
off and on.FIRST (1): This position gives you more power (but
lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can use it
on very steep hills. If the shift lever is put in FIRST (1),
the transmission won't shift into first gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If the rear wheels can't rotate, don't try to drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in very
deep sand or mud or you were up against a
solid object. You could damage the transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transmission. Use the brakes to hold your
vehicle in position on a hill.
When you start your vehicle and the engine temperature
is below 86F (30 C), upshifting of the transmission
will be delayed for about one minute. This is normal.
The engine's catalytic converter is warming up during
this time.

2-24
Upshifting and downshifting of the transmission is
automatically modified to prevent undesired shifting
when your vehicle is towing a trailer or when you
are driving in hilly or mountainous terrain. This is
also normal.
Sport Mode Button
For a firmer shift and
increased performance,
you may choose the sport
mode. This button lets
you change from a normal
driving mode to a sport
driving mode. It is located
on the shift lever handle.
Press the ªSº button once to select the sport feature.
Press it again to return to the normal driving mode.When you start the engine, your vehicle will be in
normal mode. For general driving conditions, use the
normal mode. It will remain in normal unless you select
the sport feature.
This light on the instrument
panel cluster will come
on when the sport mode
is selected.
If this light begins flashing while you are driving, there
may be a fault in the automatic transmission. Have your
vehicle serviced.

2-26
Parking Brake
The parking brake is located on the center console
between the front seats.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your foot and pull up on the parking brake
lever. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on.If you start to drive with the parking brake set, the
BRAKE warning light stays on. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº in the Index for more information.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
with your foot and pull the parking brake lever up until
you can press the end release button. Hold the release
button in as you move the brake lever all the way down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause the
rear brakes to overheat. You may have to replace
them, and you could also damage other parts of
your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. This section
shows what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.