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The first problem was that the wrong number had been programed into the vehicle and thus nothing worked. Every now and then pressing the blue button would connect but OnStar could only hear me. They could not locate the vehicle or see who I was. Finally my dealer told me to come in and working with OnStar they reprogramed the number and gave me back the car. Now OnStar could see me and I could call out but no one could call me. The dealer got after them again and OnStar began calling me direct. Finally they did something by remote control and finally I could receive calls in the car.
A final twist to make life more interrrresting. When I call home, even from my driveway, I have to use the full number as if I were calling long distance. But when my wife calls me from home she must call as if it were a local call. Also the speaker button on the steering wheel does some things and not others. As I can't remember what the hell it does and doesn't do I have given up on that feature and always use the white button on the mirror.
With this experience I am happy to have bought locally even if it cost a few bucks more. (But I don't think it did)!
They gave me 200 minutes for a year which is up soon. Not going to renew. I spent HOURS talking to them and had to have the car running.
I got to service last week and they started a new record, they told me to put a 1 in front of local numbers as the people I called from my drive way came in busy,
Did not work and I can see the Sprint tower from my house and I am on the top of a hill.
The ON Star cell phone is once again, not worth the powder to blow it to hell.
I can call with my analog/digital phone from the car and it works great.
THEY PROMISED AN Analog/Digital phone in the 2004 cts AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED last Dec according to service.
Everybody call them and force a recall!!!!
Ray
C
a. Look for the label on GM vehicles
Most OnStar-equipped GM vehicles have an OnStar window label that indicates which of three different systems is integrated into the vehicle. Refer to question #4 for additional information.
b. Refer to this chart
What you do... If the system responds... Then the vehicle's equipment is...
Step #1: Press the white-dot or phone button button
(If there is no white-dot or phone button, the vehicle has an analog-only system.) "Ready" Analog-Only
Step #1: Press the white-dot or phone button
Step #2: Say "Help" "OnStar Ready"
The system replies with up to 14 options, such as "Dial," "Call," "Directory," and "Virtual Advisor." Analog/Digital-Ready
Step #1: Press the white-dot or phone button
Step #2: Say "Help" "OnStar Ready"
Along with other options, you hear one of these digital-specific options: "Advisor Playback," "Digit Dial" or "Digit Store." Dual-Mode (Analog/Digital)
So which one do you have ?? They claim I have analog only. Will check mine again.
Ray
You might want to use the search capability of this site and search for "snow" to see all the relevant postings.
What does READY mean, is is analog now BUT in 2007 they will have a converter at my cost.
You have to wait until 2006 to get a CTS with didital installed!!!!!!!
A TERRIBLE SITUATION.
Ray
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Recall Date: JUN 09, 2004
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES
Potential Units Affected: 41,928 Models built between 01/08/04 and 04/20/04
Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL STUD NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES WITH WASHERS WERE MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL. THE WASHERS MAY FRACTURE AND BECOME LOOSE OR FALL AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, REDUCING CLAMP LOAD. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM BALL STUD AND STEERING KNUCKLE, DUE TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TAPERED ATTACHMENT AND RETAINING NUT, IS POSSIBLE.
Consequence:
IF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM THE KNUCKLE, THE AFFECTED CORNER OF THE VEHICLE WILL DROP AND THE CONTROL ARM WOULD BE FORCED DOWNWARD, CONTACTING THE WHEEL. THE AFFECTED WHEEL COULD TILT OUTWARD AND CREATE A DRAGGING ACTION THAT WOULD TEND TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND CREATE A TENDENCY FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL. IN EXTREME SITUATIONS, THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOULD ALSO SEVER THAT WHEEL;S HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE AND RESULT IN DIMINISHED BRAKING PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
GM HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A REMEDY OR OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 04043
GM's replies:
Q1: What is the condition that prompted a safety recall?
A1: Some 2004 model year Cadillac CTS, SRX and XLR, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles have lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers made of the wrong steel material.
Q2: What impact does this condition have on the vehicle?
A2: The washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle. This could cause separation of the lower control arm from the knuckle, resulting in the loss of vehicle control.
Q3: What might occur as a result of this condition?
A3: If front control arm separation occurs, the affected corner of the vehicle could drop and the control arm may be forced downward, contacting the wheel. This would slow the vehicle down and create a tendency for the vehicle to turn in the direction of the affected corner.
For the XLR and Corvette, if rear control arm separation occurs, there could be unpredictable right or left lateral forces at the rear of the vehicle. Although steering of the front wheels would be unaffected, control of the vehicle might be difficult.
Q4: Can the driver maintain control of the vehicle?
A4: The driver could maintain some steering control of the unaffected front wheel(s), however control would be diminished. The braking system would continue to be functional. If the separation of the wheel assembly severs the wheel's hydraulic brake hose, this may result in increased stopping distance.
Q5: How would a customer realize the condition exists?
A5: Fracture of the washer may occur unexpectedly without prior indication to the vehicle operator.
Q6: Have there been any incidents related to this condition?
A6: GM is aware of four incidences of the condition occurring.
Q7: Have there been any reports of crashes or injuries related to this condition?
A7: There have been no reports of crashes or injuries related to this condition.
Q8: How was this condition discovered?
A8: A fractured washer was discovered at the assembly plant.
Q9: Why was the washer made of the wrong steel material?
A9: GM is investigating how the suspect washers were stamped with the wrong material.
Q10: Is it possible that vehicles built before January 8 and after April 20, 2004 may have the suspect washers?
A10: These are the start and stop dates of vehicles built with the suspect washers. GM purged its supply of nut/washer assemblies received from the supplier and replaced them with nut/washer assemblies made of certified materials.
Q11: Where were these vehicles built?
A11: The Cadillacs involved in this recall were built at the General Motors assembly plant in Lansing, Michigan (Grand River plant) and the Corvettes were assembled in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Q12: What will GM do to correct this condition on the subject vehicles?
A12: Cadillac and Chevrolet dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the XLR and Corvette. If the torque is not at specification, the dealers will replace the ball stud, the knuckle, and the nut. If the torque is at specification, the dealers will replace the nut assembly only. These repairs will be performed at no cost to the customers.
Q13: Are parts at the dealers, and can customers bring in their vehicles for repair right away?
A13: No. The recall will begin during the third quarter of 2004.
Q14: Is the vehicle safe to drive?
A14: The 2004 model year Cadillac CTS, SRX and XLR, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles involved in this recall meet all federal safety standards.
Is this of any help to you?
I recently purchased a used 2003 with all the bells and whistles. Currently my NAV system onlyhas the south eastern NAV CD. Did you CTS come with more location or Cd's? How would you obvtain more locations?
You might try to find a set on E-bay. You might also attempt to contact the original owner through the dealer from whom you purchased the car to see if he/she still has the CDs, as they are useless without the nav system.
I've used Garmin very successfully over the past 3-4 years, and their mapping/direction software doesn't cost anything like the numbers you're quoting.
Besides which, the device I can use in either of our cars at home can be brought along on a business trip (as I'm doing now) and used in the rental.
GPS capability is wonderful. I remain to be convinced that a dedicated system is a good idea. It may be expensive, but at least you can't take it with you.
Much recent technology is more trouble than it's worth, but GPS doesn't fall into that category. In spite of my hard-earned ability to do coastal marine navigation, celestial marine navigation and (drum roll) mapwise ground navigation, the GPS rules.
GPS has rendered my ability to navigate most vehicles anywhere, anytime completely irrelevant. Any moron (including me) can buy a little box (for as little as $350, per my earlier post) that makes traditional navigating ability moot.
Point (still) being, why do people think it makes sense to pay 6X or more to have the thing in the dashboard?
The current cost of a built in system is less than 2X the cost of the nearest equivalent Garmin system (less than $1,800 for the built in versus $1,200 for the latest Garmin with features equivalent). In 2002 when I purchased my CTS their was no system on the market with the screen size or features of the built in system.
As to reasons to buy the built in system a major point is aesthetics. I do not care to have a screen sitting on top of the dashboard where it looks odd and blocks my view; and a GPS receiver attached somewhere else, both with power and data wires trailing about. I also think that if you leave the vehicle parked in public site you must disconnect and store everything or risk having the vehicle broken in to steal the exposed equipment.
These of course are my personal feelings and others may well see it otherwise.
That is a new record, or perhaps a new low for the CTS thread.
Wanted to add that there were some changes for the
'05 V6 engine.
New chain and front cover to quiet the engine down a little.
Great to be able to use regular gas. Wonder why this is never mentioned as an advantage of the CTS over competition.
Got a mailing from my dealer wanting me to bring the car in for a 3000 mile checkup. I think this is completely unneccesary. My intention is to bring it in when the oil needs changing at about 10000 miles. Any comments?
My car is an export 2003 CTS (3.2L), is this frature on the US cars too?
My Cadillac dealer must be head and shoulders above most. I had a similar problem and they have a guy assigned just to help new owners with this type of thing. I went back and he spent an hour with me helping me set things up.
Caddy needs a help site like those who sell computer programs. . .my last two (a '70 coupe, last of the fins, and an '84 Eldo w/a 65K engine) were much simpler. But this one still blows them away.
They are fastened with plastic rivets. Black in color, rounded on both ends, and hang down about 4 inches. They actually look like they were made with the car. I had it done because I drive through a lot of construction areas with loose gravel. They do serve the purpose.
They look so natural, that once I lost a rivet and while in for an oil change, I asked the service rep to see if they could replace it, and they did it without any questions. I thought they would at least ask where I got them, or charge me, but they didn't. I don't think they noticed because I had other custom work done.
If you have one in your area, Vogue may be able to add them for you, they added my dual exhaust system which also looks and sounds very nice. The one in my area is known for the custom (pricy) fabrications they produce.
thebug...
Dang! That's a couple of G's more than I was hoping for and less than $2K under the 3.6. Not enough off, IMO.
I think i remember Lutz saying that he does not want cadilac cars to be considerred good deals or something like that, implying under 30,000 is not an option. So I guess we are going to see three things happen here,
1.) the CTS will have more rebates
2.) the CTS could, if GM is slow on the rebates, sell less or grow sales at a slower rate YTD next year to this.
3.) loose resale value faster than it currently does, a direct consequence of rebates
Hey Lutz, i know your in the business and all, but if you wanna establish prestige, you don't do it through overpricing and rebates. You'l keep a better image with reasonable prices and no rebates. They are acceptable in chevys, not in Cadillac's.
02 37976
03 49392
04 43064 with three months to go.
I do not remember exactly but I believe resale for the CTS is pretty strong. And there have not been many rebates. Time will tell.
Right now, 04's have 0/36, 2.9/48 and 3.9/60 financing or $1k cash back. '05's have 1.9/36, 2.9/48, and 3.9/60 financing and no rebates at all. Car is a bonafide hit and is selling well, so they can afford to raise prices. The new 2.8 will be at the lower end, so they'll probably keep the price-sensitive customer in that model.
--Robert
2) what is the basis of your exalted knowledge of automobile sales that you know better than the professionals at Cadillac what sales tactics to use?
"perhaps a base BMW is worth less."
Well, I'll take the CTS over the 3-Series anytime.... but I'd take a base STS over a loaded CTS. The new STS is really sweet.