just reached 200 000 kms!

[Spykem4e]

Hi guys,

I'm so happy with my car that I just wanted to let you know that my car just reached the 200 000 kms today!

For those who doesn't know, the car is a 2005 Cadillac CTS 3.6L VVT 5spd automatic transmission.

The maintenance on the car was exactly what is in the owners manual. Nothing less, nothing more. Except the first oil change was at 5 000 kms and the second oil change interval was at 15 000 kms, I did the oil change when the OLM was under 15% or when the "change oil soon" message appeared (16k-20k kms) with Mobil 1 5w30 (4718m gm spec)

The car uses about 1 qt of oil the first 9000 kms with fresh oil and after that 1 qt per 6500 kms approx.

For the maintenance: At each oil change:

lube what I can lube, change oil and oil filter.
Check other fluid level (transmission, w/washer, dexcool, brakes, power steering)
Check engine air filter and replace if needed.
Check cabin air filter and replace if needed.

Every 75 000 kms, GM injectors cleaner at the dealer.
Every 80 000 kms, I changed the transmission fluid
Every 80 000 kms, I changed the diff. fluid
At 160 000 kms, I changed the transmission filter + fluid.
At 160 000 kms, I changed the spark plugs, fuel filter.
At 195 000 kms, I changed the 2 serpentine belts.

Next spring, I will change the dexcool but it still looks very good and if I follow the owner's manual, it should last another 40 000 kms.

As for the repairs:

110 000 kms: a truck threw a rock in my radiator. (the problem wasn't the car, just a hazard): 1300$ (part and labor)
130 000 kms: right catalytic converter: 360$
140 000 km: sunroof switch: 48$
150 000 kms: left rear wheel bearing: 855$ (part and labor).

And a gift I did to myself: an entire paint on the car to get rid of rock chips, dents and scratches : 2300$.

I just hope the car will last another 150 000 kms! (3 years)

I'm very satisfied with my car. I gave GM a last chance since I had too much trouble with my Grand prix and my buick regal. I decided to try the Cadillac entry level and what else I can say? Congrats GM, another happy customer!

 

[Falcon_LS]

Congrats, hope you get many more enjoyable kilometres out of it!

 

[Scienceman]

+1

 

[tig1]

Sounds like you are on top of the maintainance game. I keep records of everything I do on my cars. Goes back to my Navy days as an air craft engine mechanic. What is your OCI on the Caddy? Through the oil fill hole how clean does it look? BITOGRE questions you know.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Sounds like you are on top of the maintainance game. I keep records of everything I do on my cars.


+1

 

[bluestream]

Congrats on the milestone (kilometerstone?)

Did you consider have a rad-shop fix the stone damage; that's one expensive rad...

Same for the wheel bearing; aftermarket parts are much cheaper

 

[highmilegeguy]

200k.......amateur!! I just cracked 300k on my 93 gmc sierra / 4.3 6cyl

Body is starting to rust any but the drive train is still sound.

3 fuel pumps
1 radiator
1 water pump
intake manifold gasket
all hoses replaced
new ignition components twice over
1 egr valve
3 batteries
5 front brakes
2 rear brakes
brake lines replaced
fuel lines replaced

 

[Spykem4e]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Congrats on the milestone (kilometerstone?)

Did you consider have a rad-shop fix the stone damage; that's one expensive rad...

Same for the wheel bearing; aftermarket parts are much cheaper


It happened last year at the beginning of winter (2007-2008). I was at 5 km from home when I received a couple of rocks and I couldn't move the car further since it broke the transmission line at the same time. I was out of transmission fluid and out of coolant. I didn't know where to go so I towed the car at the nearest garage I knew: Cadillac right next to my house.

For the wheel bearing, it was an OEM part because the 4 aftermarket parts we called was more expensive than the OEM one... kinda weird...


Tig, the OCI on the car was with Mobil 1 5w30 with the OLM only when depleted to 15% or less or when the "oil change soon" message showed up on the DIC. All between 12 000 kms to 20 000 kms.

Unfortunately, I can't see inside the engine through the oil filling hole because the filling tube has a "z" shape in it.

 

[Patman]

Congrats on the milestone! You sure love driving it, that didn't take you very long to get to 200! I've always liked the new CTS, it's a sharp looking car. I'd love to have one of the new 2010 all wheel drive versions as a "snow car", at just under $40k CDN that's quite a good deal!

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Spykem4e

130 000 kms: right catalytic converter: 360$


NOT good... ONLY 81,000 miles?

124,000 miles total on the car now is some usage. Looks like we drive a little!

I'll make close to if not over 200,000 miles this year on my 2005.

Good luck on the next 150 kms.

 

[Minou]

Congrats for the milestone. Quebec roads are so bad and the roadsalt they use in the winter is insane.

But hey, any car could last 200K Km driven at 100 Km/hr on the highway...

What part of Montreal are you from and which Cad dealer?

 

[Spykem4e]

Minou, I'm in Ste-Thérèse to be precise! I usually go at Bourassa Cadillac SAAB in Laval.

You are talking about the roadsalt they use in the winter... here's a pic of my car during last winter:

I have to wash it every week (everyday if I could find the time)

Thanks a lot for the comments

I'm glad to have finally found a forum where I can share what seems nothing to others!

 

[Minou]

My car looks exactly the same and I never washed any of my cars during the winter. It's a loss of time, it'll be as dirty after the next drive. All I do in the winter is clean the headlights and the windows.

Montreal has to be the capital of roadsalt. Driving there in the winter is like rolling constantly in some filthy salty spray.

I'm in ville St-Laurent.

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: Minou
My car looks exactly the same and I never washed any of my cars during the winter. It's a loss of time, it'll be as dirty after the next drive. All I do in the winter is clean the headlights and the windows.



It's not a waste of time at all, if you leave the road salt on there for an entire winter your paint job won't last for very long. But if you wash it once a week or even once every two weeks, even if it gets dirty again right away, you'll save that paint job. The longer you let the road salt sit on your paint, the more damage it does.

 

[Minou]

Originally Posted By: Patman
Originally Posted By: Minou
My car looks exactly the same and I never washed any of my cars during the winter. It's a loss of time, it'll be as dirty after the next drive. All I do in the winter is clean the headlights and the windows.



It's not a waste of time at all, if you leave the road salt on there for an entire winter your paint job won't last for very long. But if you wash it once a week or even once every two weeks, even if it gets dirty again right away, you'll save that paint job. The longer you let the road salt sit on your paint, the more damage it does.


Well it may be in my case because my paint looks real good after a good clay and wax job each spring and before winter as well.

I prefer to do it this way than to have my car sandblasted with a pressure washer or at the car wash every week making sure all the protective wax that was on the paint is now removed.

 

[Spykem4e]

I use meguiar's products. I was it twice a year. Once in spring, once in fall.

I love to wash my car every week or even twice a week to see the before and after results!

 

[daves87rs]

Congrats on the miles!

 

[ARB1977]

I had to do a double take for a second there. It looks like you took that photo going 100 mph.

 

[Spykem4e]

Originally Posted By: ARB1977
I had to do a double take for a second there. It looks like you took that photo going 100 mph.


LOL no way!

I tested the car only once and reached the top speed of 245km/h. That was the only time I was over 80 mph.

I'm not a fan of speeding at all. When I wanna race, I take my gsxr750 on the track with some friends and have fun.

 

[cjhepburn]

Originally Posted By: Minou

Well it may be in my case because my paint looks real good after a good clay and wax job each spring and before winter as well.

I prefer to do it this way than to have my car sandblasted with a pressure washer or at the car wash every week making sure all the protective wax that was on the paint is now removed.

+1
I think you do more harm than good if you use a pressure washer.