1997 Cadillac Catera Owner's Manual - Page 247

If you're using fuel rated at the recommended octane or higher and youstill hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But don't worry if you hear a little pinging noise whenyou're accelerating or driving up a hill. That's normal, and you don't have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of pinging. It's the heavy, constant knock that means you have problem. a vehicleis certified to meet California Emission Standards (indicated on the underhood tune-up label), it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California specifications. If such fuels arenot available in states adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications, but emission control system performance may be affected.The malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs, return to your authorized Cateradealer for diagnosis to determine the cause of failure. In the event it is determined that the cause of the condition is the type of fuels used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty. IT your spark plug life may be reduced and your emission control system performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel may turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized Catera dealer for service. To provide cleaner air, allgasolines in the UnitedStates are now required tocontain additives that will help prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel system, allowing your emission control system to function properly.Therefore, you should not haveto add anything to the fuel. In addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in yourarea to help clean the air. General Motors recommends that you use thesegasolines if they comply with the specifications described earlier. NOTICE: Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that contains methanol. Don't use it. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn't becoveredunderyourwarranty. . Some gasolines that are not reformulatedfor low emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadlenyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask your service station operator whether or not this fuel contains MMT. General Motors does not recommend the use of such gasolines. If fuels containing MMT are used,