Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I agree with your assessment of the Lexus. I've driven the LS430 and it's an extremely well-built car but it has zero personality. It's like piloting a La-Z-Boy. I only wish the big Caddy had rear-wheel drive...
The excessive wear characteristic of the Dunlop was pointed out in several of the previous posts, including mine. The specific Dunlop tire is rated as a high performance sport tire, tires with this rating normally wear faster than touring or oem tires. Dunlop is also a value brand (if you shop around). For the performance (and sometimes the price)some people are willing to live with the excessive wear at 15k to 2xk miles. The michilin pilots recommended as the top choice in my earlier post would wear much longer, but they would also cost much more.
stick indicated slightly over the the max line.
If I over filled, what are the consequences? Does anyone know for sure if each line indicates one
quart? How do others deal with De Ville oil usage and adding between oil changes? All responses appreciated.
Not sure, but I've heard that overfilling the oil pan could lead to problems with oil pressure.
Distance is about 15 miles so would imagine I can make it without to much problem.
Evidently those horizontal lines on the dip stick are not for one quart each as it was two lines down and I added two quarts. I have been reading up on Northstar engines and oil consumption and it seems that running with less than maximum oil is a good idea and according to some actually reduces oil consumption.
In the future I won't worry about the oil being down a quart as I have been told that there is no compromise in performance unless you are below about 6 quarts, this refers to the Nortstar engine, 1998 vintage. I always carry a quart of oil in the trunk for emergencies and am told that the dash would indicate oil down after about 2 1/2 quarts. The indicator has never come
on in the close to three years I've owned the car.
In my opinion there has been to much publicity about the Northstar engine and burning oil, I would be interested in knowing how other Cadillac owners with Northsar engines feel about this.
Personally, I always check while the engine is cold, at least once or twice a week. This works even on a moderate trip of a few hundred miles, since you are unlikely to burn more than a quart of oil under the worst of conditions. I check it at each fuel stop, but don't add oil unless it is way low. I check it again the following morning and add oil, if needed.
Remember, it is better to be a little under than a little over. Try adding oil, when needed, in 1/4 or 1/2 quart increments on a daily basis until you develop a feel for how to safely reach the full mark on the dip stick.
Don't think the engine would perform any different with one quart down and as I understand it the oil low message would come on automatically (not the oil pressure message)
if you were down over two quarts.
According to the crew that service my car there would not most likely be a problem unless you were under five quarts. And the oil low message should have flashed on the message board by then.
It now turns out that my Northstar is burning about 1/2 quart or less per 1000 miles. I was under the mistaken impression that each horizontal line on the dip stick meant 1 quart low but in realty it is a fraction of a quart.
Hope this helps and would be eager to have further information based on others experience.
The Cadillac dealer who repaired my car, which had another problem this week, the dealer repaired 12 times before this week, the service manager for the dealer told me today the car has electrical problems, the he can't repair the car.
What type of settlements have you heard about
with GM Cadillac Division Warranty Department?
Desparately in need of suggestions!
by Cadillac for the 98 model year. In addition I have almost always used a bottle of STP fuel injector cleaner with each fill up. Recently I have alternated with Gumout octane booster and fuel injector cleaner. I am very satisfied with the performance of my Deville using both these products.
My only question is, could I be doing any unseen
and deferred damage to the Northstar system using these products? Any response appreciated but those who have used these products or similar the feedback would be most helpful.
Most of the additives are transfer devices. They transfer money from your pocket to the company's pocket.
I've listened to several mechanics do talk shows on car repair for about 25 years. One recommends only Techron additive, by Chevron company. It contains the additives which were in Chevron's gasolines and recognized as best through the years. I find it at Advanced Auto parts (other stores with different names are part of the same chain), Pep Boys, Meijers Superstores in Mich, OH, KMart now.
He recommends it for what seems to be injector problems when there are symptoms. Then it's put in one bottle with the tank near empty, fill up per bottle size; run that through; then when near empty repeat with second bottle. If that doesn't clean the injectors, then greater help is needed. Do not repeat for 3000K or so.
Otherwise I put in a bottle every 10K or twice a year roughly.
There is a "fuel system cleaner" and an "injector" cleaner version. I suspect the injector cleaner is let potent since it's cheaper.
If you use only brand name fuels, you shouldn't really need any additives. (I used to buy nonalcohol fuels at a chain store about half and Shell/Chevron/Mobil half. Now I buy only Shell or Mobile name type brands.)
If you buy at some stations which are not main brand and/or contain alcohol in their fuels, I'd recommend this about the way I use it, unless you have some running symptoms that you think might be injectors-intake valves.
--just my opinion. Excuse the length. Others may have different opinions.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
When you do correct the problem it would be helpful if you lets all know the outcome so those
of us with similar problems and models will know how to correct.
But does the 4.9 work well in the 94?
My answer, is YES. The 4.9 is a great engine and our Deville has run (so far) 135,000 miles without any major engine problems of any kind.
The electronics are way overengineered in Cadillacs and there's where our troubles lie. Around 134,000 the car would not hold a charge. My mech (independent, not a Cad dealer) checked things out for about 4 hours (charged me for 1.5) and all we could do is isolate the current drain to the power lock/seat/trunk circuit. Removed the CB from the engine bay and have had no problems other than no pwr locks, seats or trunk release.
That aside, mechanically the 4.9 is damn near bulletproof, IMHO, and worth buying. Can't speak to the price you quoted for your area, but that seems a tad high. I see 94 SDV's around here running about $3500-4000 USD...
My 2000 DTS has heated seats & I wondered if they are really supposed to get more than warm. I live up just North of Toronto, and boy has it been a cold winter so far. Average temperatures have been hovering around -10F nights to maybe -5F during the day. Question is, when switch for heat on door is pushed, it lights up, for either High, Med,or Low. But.... it dont seem to matter what position switch is set to, the front seats never seem to do anything but get lukewarm. I have checked out the fuse's under rear seat and they appear fine. Anyone out there with previous seat experiences? I can live without heated seats, but sure is nice too if they work. Yet again, maybe mine are not even working, and its only my body heat warming up the seat. Ah well, only another month of cold and we will be into balmy spring weather. Sure wish my folks had settled in California or Florida. Take care all.
but hesitates or on rare occasion stalls out on subsequent starts. My dealer has not been able to tell me what the problem is but says it is common to Deville. My concern of course is that one of these times it will not start. It is fresh on my mind as it stalled out on Monday (2/03) and then started, this again after it started fine when leaving home this morning.
One clue is it may have something to do with the time the key is held in the crank position to start the engine. If inadvertently held even a fraction of a second too long may it be flooding the engine. Why this would only happen after the first start of the day is a mystery to me.
Suggest you call Cadillac road service as they will answer general questions even after warranty
is up without charge. I may call them myself as I have had this problem on occasion now for the close to three years I have owned the car.
If you find the answer or solve the problem please post the information so we will know and I will do the same.
stall out has only occurred occasionly and that
when I wait about 30 seconds and re start the engine, it starts fine. It is still a mystery in that it has been doing this for most of the three years I have owned the car. Sometimes it won't happen for several weeks. I get most of my routine work through the mechanic where I bought the car. The one time I took the car to the GM dealer for an oil change they damaged a bumper so I avoid them whenever possible.
So as long as the problem doesn't get worse I will probably live with it. I also checked my battery recently and was told it was charging at 660 out of a possible 770 when the car was new and that I shouldn't be concerned about the battery until it charges around 350. The car (98 Deville) currently has 34,000 miles on it.
The Deville and Park Avenue share a similar (my opinion) but longer platform. Wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer for PA vs LeS.
I believe I had this straight from someone's earlier message -- perhaps a year ago... in one of the GM forums.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
A 1997 Deville d'Elegance (sp). It's in very good to excellant shape with 64,000 miles.
Want to make the wifie happy. She wanted anything, just so it was in the White Diamond color. She's not been happy since I sold her 1995 Concours.
Anyway. After buying the car (of course), I went to the Nat. Highway Transportation (NHTSB) site to check on recalls and complaints. There was one recall, and the car has a sticker under the hood indicating that one has been completed.
But - the NHTSB has 'many' (25 out of 230 total) 'complaints' about the headlight lens 'falling off' the 1997 Deville. So I check the car. The left lens has the 'glue' completely broken all around. It is just setting in place, with a rubber trim the only thing holding it in place. The right lens is not loose, but you can see inside where the adhesive is also breaking apart and falling inside. It's getting ready to go. Replacement for the pair of assemblies is supposed to be in the range of $700.
I'm looking for input on other people having or hearing about this problem. Does Cadillac have a 'hidden' warranty where they will cover all/part of this cost? Since this does seem to be a widespread failure.
I Cadillac won't help, I will probably attempt to use GE Silicone and just glue the lens back in place, after cleaning out all the old, cracked up adhesive inside, and cleaning the reflector area.
Any input will be appreciated.
I just purchased an 01 DHS Black with Night Vision Wednesday. So I am new to the Cadillac Owners Circle. When I got the car the dealer had lost the manual so I spent some time trying to find one. I was able to find an entry to GM's online archive were they have the manuals for all of their vehicles..they have Cadillac manuals from 1993 - present:
http://www.mygmlink.com/pdf/go2content/manual/US/en/cadillac/
...you can also go up in the ftp tree were you'll find other docs, recall and warranty info.
I'll post pics of my DHS as soon as possible.
I generally trade cars when they get up around 50,000 miles. Am considering a Jaguar Sedan for my next car. Would probably buy a 2001 or 2002 with low mileage (under 30,000). Has anyone in this conference owned both a Cadillac and a Jaguar? How would you compare the two brands so far as Maintenance costs, ride, quality and general satisfaction is concerned from your own experience? Any feedback much appreciated.