2001 CADILLAC CATERA ignition

2-29 Third-Gear Start
Press this button to provide
more traction when you are
starting on ice or other
slippery surfaces. It only
operates when the shift
lever is in DRIVE (D). The
button is located next to the
shift lever on the console.
The transmission will be in THIRD (3) when the vehicle
begins to move. After starting in THIRD (3), the vehicle
will upshift normally.This feature is for improved traction only when the road
surface is slippery and is not intended for continuous use
or when the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow or
gravel. Drive as usual for normal road conditions.
This feature automatically turns off when any of the
following conditions occur:

When the ignition is turned off.

If the shift lever is placed in PARK (P), THIRD (3),
SECOND (2), or FIRST (1).

If you press and hold the accelerator pedal past its
resistance point for more than two seconds.

When speed falls below 25 mph (40 km/h).

Once the vehicle reaches 67 mph (108 km/h).
To turn this feature off, press the button again.
Whenever you start your vehicle, the transmission is in
the normal mode.

2-30
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.

2-31
Shifting Into PARK (P)
CAUTION:
It can be 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.
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, use the steps
that follow. If you're pulling a trailer, see
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:

Pull the button on the shift lever handle up
and then push the shift lever all the way toward
the front of your vehicle into PARK (P).
Release the button.

With your right foot still holding the brake pedal
down, set the parking brake.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the ignition key and take it with you.
If you can leave your vehicle with the key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).

2-33
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transmissionº in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift out of
PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF. Open and close the
driver's door to turn off the Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 8.
3. With both hands, squeeze the base of the shift lever
boot (covering) together as shown.
4. Pull the upper part of the base out first and then slide
out the lower part of the base.
5. Lift the shift lever boot (covering) up to move it out
of your way.

2-44
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Press the RESUME/DECEL. button at the end of
the lever until you reach a desired lower speed, then
release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, tap the
RESUME/DECEL. button repeatedly. Each time
you do this, you'll go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to end cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal.

Press the OFF button at the end of the cruise lever.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when you
turn off the cruise control or the ignition.

2-46 Headlamps
Turn the lamp knob all the way to the right to turn on
the low
-beam headlamps.
To turn on the high
-beam headlamps, the low-beam
headlamps must already be on. Push the turn signal lever
on the left side of the steering wheel away from you to
engage the high
-beam headlamps. Pull the lever toward
you to return to the low
-beam headlamps. For more
information, see ªHeadlamp High/Low Beamº in
the Index.
Turn the lamp knob all the way to the left to turn the
headlamps off.
If the headlamps are activated while driving and then
you turn your vehicle's ignition off while the lamp knob
is still turned on, the headlamps will turn off. If,
however, you open the driver's door while the lamp
knob is still turned on, a warning chime will sound
reminding you to turn the lamp knob to OFF. This will
stop the warning chime from sounding. (If you want the
headlamps to remain on, you must manually turn the
lamp knob off and then back on to the headlamp
position. The headlamps will stay on until manually
turned off again.)Your vehicle may be equipped with High Intensity
Discharge (HID) headlamps. Your headlamps come
on at a lower intensity and gradually increase to
full brightness.
Wiper
-Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the low
-beam headlamps,
parking lamps, sidemarker lamps and taillamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for
about 20 seconds.
The wiper
-activated headlamps light the way in poor
weather and also make your vehicle more visible to
other drivers. If the wipers are on and the ignition switch
is turned off, the headlamps will immediately turn off.
The headlamps will also deactivate if the windshield
wipers have been turned off for about 20 seconds.
Perimeter Lighting
This feature turns on the low-beam headlamps, parking
lamps, sidemarker lamps and taillamps for about
20 seconds after the unlock button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed. Perimeter lighting
immediately ends when your vehicle's ignition is turned
to ON or START.

2-47 Lamps On Reminder
You will hear a warning chime if you open the door
while leaving the lamps on, if the manual headlamp
knob is activated. An exception to this is when you're
using the Twilight Sentinel.


Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during
the day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lights are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make the high
-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:

Your vehicle's ignition is in ON or START,

the low
-beam headlamps are off (the manual lamp
knob is in the off or park lamp position) and

your vehicle's transmission is shifted out
of PARK (P).When DRL are on, only the high
-beam headlamps (at
reduced brightness) will be on. No other exterior lamps
such as the parking lamps, taillamps, etc. will be on
when the DRL are being used. The instrument panel
won't be lit up either.
When the Twilight Sentinel
 is on and it's dark enough
outside, the high
-beam headlamps (at reduced intensity)
will change to low
-beam headlamps. When it's bright
enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and
the high
-beam headlamps change to the reduced
brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the headlamps off, turn off the
Twilight Sentinel using the thumbwheel located below
the headlamp knob, then shift the transmission into
PARK (P). Placing your vehicle in PARK (P) disables
the DRL. The DRL will stay off until you shift out
of PARK (P).

2-48
If you're not in PARK (P)
and the Twilight Sentinel
system is turned off (and it's
dark enough outside), the
DRL will remain active and
this light on the instrument
panel cluster will appear.
This is a reminder that headlamps are required.
The following conditions will override the DRL:

The vehicle's transmission is shifted back into
PARK (P) with the ignition in ON or START,

the low
-beam headlamps are turned on
(using the manual lamp knob),

the wiper
-activated headlamps are in use
(DRL will come back on 20 seconds after
wipers have turned off),

the flash
-to-pass feature is in use, or

the Twilight Sentinel is turned on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps
Use the fog lamps for better
vision in foggy or misty
conditions. Press this button
to turn the fog lamps on and
press the button again to
turn the lamps off. (The fog
lamps only work when the
parking lamps or the
low
-beam headlamps are
on and the ignition is on.)
This light on the instrument
panel will come on
when the fog lamp button
is pressed.
If you turn on the high
-beam headlamps, the fog lamps
will turn off. They'll turn back on again when you
switch to low
-beam headlamps.