General STS thread

[bill25]

The way it is written now you can imagine what it used to be since it makes no sense as written now:


Most likely before:

glass on the windshield and side windows immediately adjacent to the right and left of the operator’s seat. The use of sunscreen material on windows behind the driver, the side windows immediately to the rear of the operator’s seat and the front passenger seat or on the rear window provided that said vehicle is equipped with two (2) outside mirrors, on each side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle.

Now:

glass on the windshield and side windows immediately adjacent to the right and left of the operator’s seat, the side windows immediately to the rear of the operator’s seat and the front passenger seat or on the rear window if the vehicle is equipped with two (2) outside mirrors, on each side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle.

What do mirrors have to do with anything if the back window isn't blacked out. It is like they had a rule for everything and separated it to make cars different...

You could ask at the VIN inspection for clarification.

[kevm14]

Oh. The only thing I would question about that is car vs truck. I haven't looked into this recently but last time I did, SUVs and stuff like that could have dark rear windows. But cars could not. I will research. That would be great if it is OK.

[bill25]

I know it used to be ok but the way this reads it sounds lik it isn't anymore...

Sounds like on a car it has to be 30% all the way around except the unlimited 6in strip at the top of the front window... That kind of sucks.

[kevm14]

I am looking at a tire receipt here. March 2015. Continental ExtremeContact DWS. 235/50-18 front and 255-45/18 rear. $912.62 w/ tax. Was done at 114k so about 11k on the tires. So they aren't brand new. Probably should have a lot of life left.

I also have an alignment printout from August 2015. Which included an oil change at MacMulkin with M1 5W-30 written right on the receipt.

These cars run a lot of front caster. 6 degrees. Looking at camber, it has the same or more negative camber at the front compared to the rear, which helps neutralize the handling.

[kevm14]

I know it used to be ok but the way this reads it sounds lik it isn't anymore...

Sounds like on a car it has to be 30% all the way around except the unlimited 6in strip at the top of the front window... That kind of sucks.

That's actually what I thought was the case. Which is a problem. Maybe. I am certainly not going to preemptively remove the tint. But if it fails inspection, well, there isn't much I can do.

[kevm14]

While we were talking during the test drive, I asked if this was the first car he's sold on Craigslist. He said yes.

[kevm14]

I'll put general stuff here and more specific stuff in the appropriate thread.

For now I will say that I continue to be disappointed at the lack of interior space in this car. Especially the rear seat.

I don't think the rear seats fold down. They do in my CTS-V.

The SRX has waaay more back seat space on the same wheelbase as the STS which is certainly annoying.

Bought air filter, cabin air filter, wiper blades. It also needs an oil change. I should inspect the front and rear suspension on ramps to see what kind of end link or anti-roll bar stuff it may need.

I think the car was painted at some point. In full or in part. Not a huge concern really.

[Adam]

I don't think the rear seats fold down. They do in my CTS-V.

There's a handy trunk pass-through.

[Fast_Ed]

This thread is useless without pics

[kevm14]

I think I have this.

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/tsb/data/pip3456b.pdf

Hoping a fluid and filter change fixes it.

Anyway, did an oil change, wipers, cabin air filter and engine air filter.

Oil change
8 quarts GC 0W-30. Oil was at the top of the dip stick. Plenty of wetness under there. I cleaned the oil pan, diff and the subframe while I was under there. We'll see if it gets wet again. This car was certainly not owned by an enthusiast. Engine bay is filthy. I will clean it. While I was under there I looked at the front end links. Left front was quite loose. I could wiggle the bar. Upon closer evaluation, I discovered that the bar was actually loose on the nut/stud of the end link, which I did not expect. The stud was rusty so I sprayed with PB and let it soak. I ended up holding back the stud with a 5mm allen wrench and was able to tighten the nut, with moderate effort required. Anyway, it seems right now. I wonder if that's what is going on with the right rear. It probably needs bar bushings at both ends anyway though the front does not look pleasant to do.

Cabin air
This is done from the outside as with the SRX and CTS-V. And oh my god was it filthy. I wonder if the previous owner was one of those people who think these are a "scam."

WP_20170513_19_21_07_Pro.jpg

Engine air filter
Yup, this was extremely filthy as well. Dirt caked all in the pleats. I might actually notice a performance difference here.

WP_20170513_19_21_19_Pro.jpg

Wipers
The car required blades, which under Bosch, were like "21 OE" and "22 OE." It has some kind of fancy wiper arm. 22" driver's side, 21" passenger side.

WP_20170513_17_42_19_Pro.jpg

WP_20170513_08_15_02_Pro.jpg

And driving home last night

WP_20170512_23_26_39_Pro.jpg