Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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It's currently involved in a widening project in the southbound lanes. I guess it's an effort to get the traffic in and out of Neveda faster during holiday and big boxing weekends. I think they are going for 3 lanes both directions from LA to Las Vegas. An estimated seven year project.
thebug...
thebug...
http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showphoto.php3?photo=4295&pa- ssword=&sort=1&thecat=500
It does look similar, but it's missing all the lighted programmable buttons & radio control wheel. It also doesn't have the Zabrano wood I love on the Luxury models. So I guess it's not too bad in my eyes. But like you I want our Cadillac to be exclusive, and agree I don't want the CTS to be cheapened by other lower priced models using the same parts. Especially ones so visible as interior components. Note the cheap A/C controls on the center console. I hate those things. All the imports have that style knobs too. Functional, but not too hi-tech. -Jer:>)
Also, did anyone see pictures of that new Chrysler rwd car in the newest Automobile Mag, the 300C. The interior looks very XLR-ish to me. Are rival companies again looking to Cadillac for inspiration??? Maybe..........
thebug...
Here In SC we do not have the 91 octane you guys talk about. Our choices are 87 octane, 89 octane or 93 octane.
Gas is very cheap here.
Our 93 octane is $1.59!
The 87 octane is $1.39!
I then went to service and asked why the license plate surround was not taken care of while the car just sat here on Friday til they called me. The service advisor said he didn't remember anything about it. I called over the other advisor and he agreed that it was to be taken care of while the car was here. duh!!!!!
The part has been ordered . The advisor took the spare out and checked for a water leak that he said could be causing the problem but there was no other water present.
He said that they would replace the bezel around the plate. There was no mention about any "sealant". He just said that it would be ½ hour.
I was promised a loaner Deville but I think I will watch the replacement of both the wheel and the license plate surround. He said that it could be early next week.
Love mine and know you'll love yours!Enjoy the ride.
The CTS does indeed have engine braking (at least according to various articles about the car). J1205, do you drive in Sport Mode? I haven't played with Sport Mode so I'm merely speculating, but I wonder if the engine braking would be less pronounced if not using Sport Mode.
Random observation: What's the story with that tiny lightbulb on the inside lower corners of the headlights? It flashes when I unlock/lock remotely. Is that's only purpose? Just seems to be an oddity.
thebug...
In regards to the clock. My digital and analog clocks differ by an annoying 3 minutes. I will get the Dealer to fix it next time I'm in for service, using the process posted elsewhere at this Forum.
In regards to the "clunking" I haven't heard that yet. The 5 speed automatic does have a neat feature that uses engine compression to slow the car down. It is something new for Cadillac and I really like it. It feels like a manual transmission. You won't notice it much if you drive around in "D" (fifth gear is an overdrive). Try using "4" around town. Really improves the feel. I only use "D" when I get on the Freeway or on an open stretch of roadway.
About the "tiny triangular light bulbs" they are Parking Lights as far as I can tell. They are NOT on with the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). You can turn them on, by turning the light/directional stalk. And they come on, as others have mentioned, when you unlock the car after dark.
Owners Manual: That book is a MUST read. I bought a second one on ebay so I could read it while in the house (the original copy is in the glove box). I learn something new EVERY time I read it. We talk about CTS performance and styling but the hi-tech features on this car are amazing, and deserve alot of praise too.
Paint protection Plan: I never heard about that one? Sounds like a Dealer thing. I use Meguire's gel Car Wash with a super soft wash mitt to wash the car, and the Absorber plus soft bath towels to dry it. For paint protection I use the 3M products Swirl Remover, Hand Glaze and Carnuba Wax (liquid & paste). The new hi-tech micro fiber cloths are really nice for polishing the car. I bought about 8 of them and keep all my rags and towels clean at all times. Downy liquid softener really works good, but don't use it on the Micro-Fiber towels (there's a warning about that on the packaging). For the glass I use "Invisible Glass" by Stoner with Job Squad paper towels (soft). For the polished wheels I use Black Magic Wheel Wipes and follow up with a soft towel. I bought the Meguires Leather Wipes but haven't had the nerve to try them yet. Anyone else use them? Most of these supplies are available at your local Pep Boys or auto supply shop. Hope this helps someone!
I use Meguire's Car Wash and a lambs wool mitt for washing. I use Meguire's Gold Class Wax for the finish. Their Hot Rims wheel cleaner works wonders and I use their Endurance product for the tires.
I need to clean the carpets at some point. I have a Hoover V2 SteamVac that just did wonders for my house...I can't wait to try it on the CTS's carpets.
CTSJerry, do you know where I can order the 3M microfiber cloths? I've heard they are great, but the only recommendation I got for a place that sells them isn't in Tennessee. And how is the "Invisible Glass" product? I haven't found anything better than Windex right now, although you have to be really careful with ammonia based products so you don't get them on the finish of the car.
http://www.media.gm.com/news/releases/030506_jdpower.html
CTSJerry That was the picture of the CTS wheel used in the Saturn Vue
0patience is a dedicated TH member with access to TSBs through his business. He is very helpful to our community. He is not the "official monitor" of that discussion, he's just a regular member, but his posts are invaluable - check it out.
Up to 600 miles and loving it!
wwhite2- I checked out the last message on the link. It was your answer. I copied the list of sealants that were to be used. Is the actual TSB more specific then what is on the other site? If so, then I may need the complete copy of the TSB.
You can also download the full owners manual from the MyGMLink vehicle page (for free). I've got it on my PC for "sitt'n back" reading enjoyment.
All the products you use on your CTS sound great. I've used Hot Rims & Endurance too. Good stuff, though I wouldn't want to leave the Hot Rims on the polished aluminum wheels too long. I think it has a low grade acid that can streak some wheels. Just wash it off asap and don't apply to hot wheels.
Thanks for the heads-up on the wipes and the steering wheel. My '77 Chevy truck still has a sticky feel to it after I used a Handi-Wipe from KFC to wipe it down 10 years ago! Yuck! Never use those things!
With 5 cars at home, three of which are vintage Show Cars, I have tried all sorts of glass cleaners. The best I've used thus far is Stoner's "Invisible Glass" which I find at Pep Boys Auto Parts. Is there a Pep Boys in Tennessee? Tons of them here in California. Another good glass cleaner is the GM "Mr. Goodwrench Glass Cleaner", that you can buy at the GM Dealer Parts Department. That was my favorite until I found Invisible Glass.
The Micro-Fiber cloths can also be found at good old Pep Boys. I believe they are sold under the Turtle Wax name. They are a light blue color. They sell other colors for polishing glass and applying wax. 3M also sells these cloths under their name. The 3M website has automotive supplies that you can order online, or you can visit your local professional auto paint store. They will have them too. These cloths are super soft and won't scratch your paint. If you show them your wife, she'll take them for herself, so be careful. Ha! -Jerry:>)
Okay folks... I finally found a blemish on my Sable Black CTS. On the left rear door... just behind the driver's door handle... there's a spot that looks like someone buffed out a surface scratch. It is only visible on the brightest sunny days and when the sun is shining directly on that side of the car. In fact, it is more visible from 20 or more feet from the car than it is up close.
It looks like someone hit it twice with an electric buffer and took off all the clear coat finish on a spot about twice the size of a buffer pad. I plan to take it back to the dealer on a bright day when it is visible. However, I'm a little concerned about them having the same "expert" try to fix it who hit it with the electric buffer in the first place.
Anyone have any experience with a good clear coat wax product that will blend in with the original coating?
On-Star folks called me to ask whether or not I was satisfied with my On-Star service. I told them that other than the activation call to them, I had only tried to use it once to call my home just to test the service. I got a message response saying that I was not authorized the On-Star service that I was attempting to use. I explained that I had been unable to use any of my thirty minutes of free time. The nice On-Star lady promised to extend my time by another month and another 30 minutes, but I still haven't received confirmation that they did it. Still can't make a call, but haven't had the time or opportunity to get them on the phone and go through the process while I'm in the car.
Reference rear end noise (forgive me if I posted this earlier): After reading about the clunking that some owners have experienced, I heard a series of clunks coming from the rear end when I stopped at an intersection. Heard it again at the next stop. Later heard it as I crossed railroad tracks. Decided to check the spare tire to see if it was secured. Opened the trunk and discovered my golf bag and clubs that I had temporarily moved from my SUV to haul some stuff. Had forgotten that they were in the CTS. Put the golf clubs back where they belong and the CTS clunking disappeared. (Just glad that my wife wasn't along... I'd have gotten all those comments about senior moments.)
Onstar is tricky to set-up, but just read all the Manuals they gave you to figure it out. Your Adviser (push the Onstar button 24/7) can help you too. When I bought my CTS in November 2002, the dealer gave me a gift card good for 90 minutes of calls to be used in 12 months. When I called Onstar to set it up, they said the code number on the card was already used. Then the Onstar lady said, "I'll give you an even better deal of 130 free minutes to be used up in 12 months". I'm still using those minutes. You might want to contact your Dealer or Onstar about any freebies or Onstar promotions.
Be sure to set-up "Nametags". These "shortcuts" to your favorite 20 phone numbers makes it very easy to call people, with only a push of a button.
I believe when it becomes more popular, they will develop and offer packages simular to those offered by the cell phone service providers. So far the 250 units for 1 year seems to be the best for my phone use. Combined with my cell phone, I think 250 units will last about a year, at an average cost of $6.60 per month.
thebug...
And as I've mentioned before, be sure to use the "Nametag" feature. Only drawback with Onstar: can't use Voice Mail systems requiring the use of "#" "*" buttons or numbers.