How are they???

Hello to all,

My brother wants to get an 08' Cadillac "CTS" with all the trimmings. I wonder for his sake just how they are in engine reliability and overall quality construction. All the magazines give a favorable thumbs up on this car BUT I want to know from the people that know.


rimfire,22

I have a 04 & have had no problems at all. It's comfortable & gets very good mileage.

I have a 2005 with every option less the Navigation and I love the car. Great performance for a 3.6L engine and decent mileage, avg 24mpg.

I would by an 08 in a heartbeat if I had not bought a 08 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 E. Cab last July.

When I bought my 05 they had 0% GMAC financing for 36 months with the GM empoyee purchase option promotion, last payment May '08, I hope they don't repeat the employee purchase plan + 0% or I will be looking to upgrade for sure.

Thank you both for your reports of this nice looking car. I now know my brother will have many fun/reliable years with the CTS.

Question, Does this car use the GM synthetic oil??? I heard it's in reality Mobil 1.


rimfire,22

It does not come with GM Synthetic oil but Mobil 1 synthetic oil. There is a special oil filler cap which has the Mobil 1 logo and a statement that the car requires synthetic oil. You must use Synthetic Oil to maintain warranty.

I have Amsoil Synthetic Oil in my CTS.

It does not come with GM Synthetic oil but Mobil 1 synthetic oil. There is a special oil filler cap which has the Mobil 1 logo and a statement that the car requires synthetic oil. You must use Synthetic Oil to maintain warranty.

I have Amsoil Synthetic Oil in my CTS.


Z15,

Thank you. You answered all my questions before my bro decides to purchase this fine car. It's gonna happen in a couple months.

Since I use synthetic oil in all my cars I know my engines will run forever.



rimfire,22

fyi - From my owners manual


Your vehicle’s engine is filled at the factory with a
Mobil 1® synthetic oil, which meets all requirements for
your vehicle.

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use

• GM4718M
Your vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this
standard may be identified as synthetic. However,
not all synthetic oils will meet this GM standard.
You should look for and use only an oil that meets
GM Standard GM4718M.
Notice: If you use oils that do not have the
GM4718M Standard designation, you can cause
engine damage not covered by your warranty.

fyi - From my owners manual


Your vehicle’s engine is filled at the factory with a
Mobil 1® synthetic oil, which meets all requirements for
your vehicle.

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use

• GM4718M
Your vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this
standard may be identified as synthetic. However,
not all synthetic oils will meet this GM standard.
You should look for and use only an oil that meets
GM Standard GM4718M.
Notice: If you use oils that do not have the
GM4718M Standard designation, you can cause
engine damage not covered by your warranty.


Z15,

Thanks for the information. I'll make sure my brother uses only Mobil 1 when he gets the CTS. For myself I'll check the back of the bottles for any alternates.

rimfire,22

My CTS

The Tri-coat Red Line paint was a $1,000 option!

BTW-There are other synthetics that meet the spec, I use Amsoil 0W-30 in mine. Got about 25,000 miles on it so far just driving it May-Oct and storing winters.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/MVC-003X-1.jpg

Z15,

Your car looks really super nice!!! The red is the same as what my brother is considering dispite the extra money being asked. My brogher isn't into oils like I am and most likely will just have the dealership handle everything. As long as he's happy then I'm happy. Mobil 1 I believe is standard in the Corvette too so that's why I was wondering if they use the GM part for the same oil just in the GM can in the Cadillas also. Again my borther will get one in a couple months. Thanks again.

rimfire,22

BTW-There are other synthetics that meet the spec, I use Amsoil 0W-30 in mine.



Does Amsoil meet the GM specs? I'm pretty sure that was one of the reasons GM didn't choose Amsoil for their cars!

Yes, it meets the spec's hands down. Just as a car mfg can not force you to use their brand fluid they can NOT force you to use a "certified" fluid (their own standard) either. In the instance that has been mentioned if Amsoil meets or exceeds that oil standard in question it is 100% safe for warranty use.

Mobil has been a GM Tier 1 supplier for a long time and that is the only reason Mobil 1 is used. Amsoil is small USA company compared to world wide Exxon/Mobil



APPLICATIONS
AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil is recommended for use in gasoline engines, diesel engines (API CF, ACEA B5) and other applications requiring SAE 0W-30, 5W-30 or 10W-30 with the following worldwide specifications: • API SM/CF, SL, SJ …
• ILSAC GF-4, 3 …
• ACEA A5/B5-04
• GM 4718M, 6094M
• Ford WSS-M2C929-A
• Daimler Chrysler MS-6395N
• VW 503.00




APPLICATIONS
AMSOIL Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil is recommended for gasoline engines, diesel engines (API CF, ACEA B5) and other applications requiring any of the listed worldwide specifications:

API SM/CF, SL, SJ ...
ILSAC GF-4, 3 ...
ACEA A5/B5-04
JASO VTW
GM 4718M, 6094M
Ford WSS M2C929-A
Daimler Chrysler MS-6395N
VW 503.00

Z15,

Thanks for your reply. Mt bro will go loking for his CTS in about two weeks.

rimfire,22

ya, i have an 05 i like it, never had to servise it

Solid feeling car. It makes us feel rewarded for working hard.

Mobil 1 is no longer the only oil brand now with the GM4718M designation.

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you change your own
oil, be sure you use oil
that has the starburst
symbol on the front of the
oil container. If you have
your oil changed for you,
be sure the oil put into
your engine is American
Petroleum Institute certified
for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the viscosity chart.
SAE 10W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use SAE 5W-30 if it’s going to be colder than 60
F
(16
C) before your next oil change. When it’s very cold,
you should use SAE 5W-30. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-50.

GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.

i am in an automotive class right now and the school has a 2009 right hand drive cts. the cts handles really well i have to say gm out did themselves with this car. :grinyes:

I just bought a 2010 CTS with AWD. So far I love this car!

I bought 2003 CTS 3.6, Used at 120k miles
I have done following.
Change the valve covers (oil was leaking)
Oxygen censor changed.
Timing belt with all pulleys and water pump changed.
All shocks and struts changed.
rear hub assembly changed
all tires changed
all breaks hanged.
Hacked the stereo to add AUX in it.
painted and repair the leather.
Trunk shocks changed
All plugs changed
Most work done at home Car runs like new. I love it. not to mention regular washes and waxing. Currently it is 162k

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97628008@N00/4930457208/in/photostream/

Very nice:wink:

I have read on MSN Autos that the CTS with 3.6L is the most reliable out of all Cadillacs. I'm glad that I have exactly that :)