Author Archives: Bruce Nunnally

Keyless versus keyless

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There are a couple of approaches that Cadillac has taken to keyless ignitions.

My favorite and the current approach, is that the Cadillac recognizes that you have the key fob in your pocket or purse, you press the brake pedal, and press this button:

2010 Cadillac SRX start stop button

To turn off the car you simply press the button again.

The previous incarnation of this system has a traditional ignition tumbler with a sort of permanent thick key head in place that one can turn as if a traditional key. I suspect that system was quick and easy to apply, since it only required putting a different ignition tumbler in and not a different dash panel, button, harness, etc.

2010 Cadillac CTS-V keyless

The button is much better in terms of how keyless should work, and more fun.  The 2006-2009 Cadillac STS-V had this kind of button, and some 2010 Cadillacs do.

Keyless ignition is generally available only on fully optioned models.  Hopefully all future Cadillacs with keyless will have the button on the dash; it is a much more elegant solution than the previous fix.

Is the Gen 4 V8 smooth enough for a Cadillac?

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I see people asking this question — if Cadillac does not have the Northstar available (production has stopped), and the Ultra V8 design is still on the shelf, could they use a Generation 4 V8 in a Cadillac?

Let’s think about this for a minute.

  • 2004-2005 Cadillac CTS-V used the LS6 V8
  • 2006-2007 Cadillac CTS-V used the LS2 V8
  • The Cadillac Escalade has offered a series of continually developing V8s peaking with the excellent current variant, the Gen 4 L94 6.2L V8.
  • 2009+ Cadillac CTS-V uses a Gen 4 LSA Supercharged V8.

Is the LS Family of V8 engines smooth enough to be in a Cadillac?  Is that even a question?

I have driven the current Escalade and the current CTS-V and they are both great Cadillacs.  There is NOTHING wrong with a strong Gen 4 V8 in a Cadillac.

I would love to have a Cadillac CTS Premium Sedan with the LS3 V8 engine, or the L94 V8 engine.  Bring it.  A 400-430 hp engine would be a terrific fit between the 3.6L at 304 hp and the CTS-V at 556 hp.  I suspect it costs quite a bit less than the 3.6L to produce as well, and would give mid-level fuel economy between the two engines.

Is the Gen 4 V8 appropriate for a luxury Cadillac?  Yes please.  Also the Gen 5 once it arrives thank you very much.

2011 Cadillac CTS Summer Tires vs New All-Season Performance Tires

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One of the highlighted New Features for the 2011 Cadillac CTS Sedan is

  • (FE5) 19″ All-Season Tire Package
  • (Q2B) P245/45R19 all season blackwall tires. Included and only available in (FE5) 19″ All-Season Tire Package.

Let’s look at exactly what that entails.  It is intriguing that RPO code FE5 was selected, since this would suggest even higher performance.

FE5 NEW! 19″ (48.3 cm) All-Season Tire Package
1 – Requires (Y42) 18″ All-Season Tire Performance Package. Includes (KB7) steering wheel mounted Paddle Shift controls. (Q2B) P245/45R19 all-season blackwall tires replace (QKE) P235/50R18 V-rated all-season blackwall tires. (PJ2) 19″ x 8.5″ polished wheels replace either (P75) 18″ x 8″ aluminum wheels with premium multi-coat painted finish or (P63) 18″ x 8″ aluminum wheels with high-polished finish. Not available with (Y43) 19″ Summer Tire Performance Package, (MN6) 6-speed manual transmission, (W2E) Recaro performance seats or (SE4) LPO, 18″ chrome wheels.

So it is an option that pushes the 3.6L DI CTS to 19″ all weather tires, and 245/45 versus 235/50 stock tires.

Y43 Performance Package, 19″ (48.3 cm) Summer Tire, includes (T4F) HID headlamps, (KB7) steering wheel mounted paddle shift controls (MX0 6-speed automatic transmission only), (T3U) fog lamps, (PJ2) 19″ x 8.5″ polished wheels, (Q0M) P245/45ZR19 Y-rated performance summer tires, (V03) performance cooling system (MX0 6-speed automatic transmission RWD only), (FE3) sport performance suspension, (G80) limited slip differential and (J55) performance brakes
1 – Model 6DP69 only. Not available with (Y42) 18″ All-Season Tire Performance Package or (FE5) 19″ All-Season Tire Package (Model 6DP69 or 6DH69).

The Summer Tire package has 245/45 tires also, but includes other performance bits as well.  So the FE5 gives the cornering advantage of the 19″ wheels and all-weather benefit of all-season tires at the expense of the ultimate performance of the Performance Package Summer Setup.  In other words, the FE5 option is a good approach to performance if you want more sport but know you will be driving in weather.