coolnesss

Think the Hollywood Sign, up on the mountain, and Laurel Canyon. Not the flatlands.

I should have been clearer ---- So, if the hill isn't long enough to cause the brakes to overheat - as a general rule, does using an automatic transmission downshift to control speed down a hill cause premature wear? I'm driving a 2016 ATS V6 Coupe. Approximately 1/3 of my driving is done in hills, and typically I'm going down a hill more or less 5 or 7 blocks long, not on long grades.

I often downshift to slow down a little when I'm driving in hills at speeds under 30mph or so, which I do alot because of where I live. Another motorhead told me that its better to brake. I said brakes wear out fast then. He said: yeah, but automatic transmissions cost 3 grand or more to rebuild. Are there any opinions on what is the best practice?

As it turns out, it's covered by the bumper to bumper warranty which is still in force. The dealer ordered it from Cadillac, but, with the strike in force, they have no idea when it might show up. Thanks!

I have a 2016 ATS and the windshield seems to be delaminating. There's telltale spotting around the perimeter of the windshield. The car's under warranty still, so, I can get it fixed. But, is this common or just a fluke? The car lived in Florida most of its life, and has 44k miles, but, it seems like it was garaged based on its appearance. Windshield copy.pdf

I had to apply it every few months, and it worked each time. $40 or $50 bucks a year on an aged engine is a whole lot more efficient than spending 2k for a reseal of the engine. Then, the car busted another head gasket, and it went to a guy who's going to fix it. A good home. I was so sorry to see the car go. I got an ATS V6 coupe, and it is a great car, but, lacks the design grace of the Eldorado.

Mike, that's why I'm trying to see if anyone knows a GOOD dealership around here. I need a transmission flush and such, and don't want to trust it to these people. It's covered by the warranty on the car, so, I should take it to Cadillac. Thanks again! I've heard it used by old-school mechanics when a repair place leaves the car out in the sunshine hoping it will get fixed without actually laying a hand on it.

I've heard it used by old-school mechanics when a repair place leaves the car out in the sunshine hoping it will get fixed without actually laying a hand on it.

I took my ATS to Casa de Cadillac and I'm less than pleased with them. They gave the "sunshine treatment" to one problem. Was this a one-time thing - or does anyone know of a good Cadillac dealer in the LA area? My car's under warranty still, so I need them to do a couple of things. THANKS

This site is a wealth of GOOOOD information. I don't do anything on my car without consulting here first.

CHARP!!!!!!!!!

I got it figured out if this happens to someone - I guess the parking brake never got used in Florida before I had the car - I engaged it while rolling down a canyon road for a quarter mile or so, and it now works like a champ. I suspect the brake shoes were not broken in.

Mike, thanks for your note - but it's a mechanical rumble/vibration. It reacts to a slight throttle application at speed - at various speeds from 40 or so all the way up to about 70 or so. A good push on the accelerator at the same speeds doesn't produce the rumble. It's a slight application of more throttle. And it fits the description in the TSB perfectly. The tires are fine, pressures are all at spec.

This car does not have the electronic parking brake. They are separate shoes that expand like old style brake shoes and make contact on the inside surface of the rotors - as on the photo attached. The shoes are #9 on the diagram.

2016 ATS Coupe V6 Automatic had what felt like a driveline rumble when doing about 50mph up, and when I gave it a little throttle to speed up a little bit - not enough to provoke a gear change. It almost felt like the transmission was searching for a new gear - but that's just conjecture. Then I took a road trip for 200 miles, mostly at fairly high speeds most of the way - 70-120 - and it seems like the rumble went away. There's a TSB on the condition attached. Is it possible that the high-speed driving cleared this up? The dealer, of course, wanted to sell me new tires.

I have a 2016 V6 ATS Coupe, automatic trans. I bought it with 42k miles, and it's still under warranty for a year. My 2002 ETC Collectors blew a head gasket and went to a new home with a guy who's gonna fix it and is as much a Cadillac maniac as we all are. I live in the hills, and the parking brake doesn't hold. It engages, but, the car will still move some when it's full on. The car lived in Florida all its life, so, it's hard to imagine that there's alot of hills that the parking brake would be used on. The dealer said this requires new parking brake pads, which is a wear item, and will cost $640.00 to repair. 3 hours labor at $150.00 per hour. The part is $68 retail according to GM Direct. They are #9 on the diagram attached. 1. Is the parking brake pad adjustable? 2. Is the repair cost within reason? 3. I park on a hill at home and use the parking brake to take strain off the automatic transmission park gear just from logic rather than knowledge of whether this makes any sense. Shall I worry about this? 4. Could it be that they are glazed because they've never been used, like new brake shoes, and I could make them work by driving the car slowly and applying the parking brake judiciously? THANKS!!!!!!!

Thanks again Bruce!

Thanks, Bruce. From 2016, the engine turns off at idle. Do you know if this can be disabled? Next time I rob a bank, I want to keep the motor running!

My 2002 ETC red Collectors' head gasket broke, so I'm selling it if anyone's interested. Other than the motor, its appearance is intact and beautiful, and there's only a couple of mechanical/suspension soft spots. 98k miles. And, I'm going to get an ATS Coupe. Is the V6 a great deal better than the 4? Seems like the premium V6's that I see, 2015-2016, have All Wheel Drive. I'm in California, so I rather prefer real wheel drive. Was this an oft-ordered option, or what? Is there anything special I should be looking for with this car? THANKS

My 2002 ETC had an oil leak that dropped onto the exhaust manifold, I guess, and smelled and made smoke. It was truly annoying. My mechanic told me to try Motor Purr. It worked. There was a noticeable decrease in a couple of weeks, and now, three or so months later, there doesn't seem to be a leak at all. No smoke, no smell, no adding a quart of oil every few weeks. I don't usually like additives, but, in the face of a several-thousand dollar tear-down on a car worth just a little more than that, I was tempted. I'm glad now I did it. http://motorpurr.com/tune-up/

Is there anyone in Southern California??? All the responses seem to come from the east coast -----

I guess we could fly The Fred to you..... Hey Fred!!!!!! They're buying the tickets - I'll buy the Booze!!!!!!!!

I'm in California - would love to hang with all you peeps! But, we GOTTA get The Fred there! I'll need a drinking partner.

I wrote to Monroe tech service and got this reply: Thank you for your interest in Monroe units. The units that you are inquiring about will function exactly as the original equipment units that came on your vehicle functioned. The Monroe replacement units for your application do not fall under a specific product name because of the electronics involved with their design. Monroe refers to these units as "specialty" units. For further questions please feel free to contact the technical assistance line at 734-384-7846.