Prediction validated.kevm14 wrote:I will test drive and it will probably feel a little smoother but otherwise no different.
General STS thread
Re: General STS thread
Re: General STS thread
While I was having the Caprice inspected I brought the STS wheel with the flakey new TPMS sensor. They did the job and I have the old sensor to return to RockAuto.
I haven't programmed it to the car yet - I will do that after lunch.
I haven't programmed it to the car yet - I will do that after lunch.
Re: General STS thread
Man that was the worst reprogramming experience I've ever had. The procedure is the same as my CTS-V and SRX but I only got past sensor #2 one time and even getting #2 was sketchy. I did a little research and while most folks say the magic TPMS wand cures all the ails, there is no good reason the DIY procedure shouldn't work fine.
To recap, the procedure on my other two vehicles goes like this:
- Parking brake on (enough to turn the light on is all it needs)
- Key on, engine off
- Press and hold lock and unlock on the remote at the same time until the horn chirps twice.
- Add or remove air from each sensor in a clockwise pattern starting at the left front. It chirps after each sensor is learned and twice at the end.
The STS has keyless ignition so it took me a while to figure out how to even turn the ignition on without starting the engine. Turns out you hold the rocker in accessory. But on this car, you actually program in accessory, not ignition on. Otherwise, it is the exact same as above.
But it wouldn't work. The first sensor, which is the one I just replaced, reliably worked each time. But the rest, forget it. I aired up to 50+. I aired down to like 12. The sensor is supposed to wake up and communicate but in this system, I guess it doesn't.
After I did a little digging and found at least one thread with the same issue as me, I learned it would be a good idea to drive the car a few minutes around the block to make sure all the sensors were woken up and talking (they sense the wheels spinning). I got back home and had great luck, the first time, programming all 4. Phew. Shouldn't have had to do that as the CTS-V and SRX do not require it. At least I know now.
To recap, the procedure on my other two vehicles goes like this:
- Parking brake on (enough to turn the light on is all it needs)
- Key on, engine off
- Press and hold lock and unlock on the remote at the same time until the horn chirps twice.
- Add or remove air from each sensor in a clockwise pattern starting at the left front. It chirps after each sensor is learned and twice at the end.
The STS has keyless ignition so it took me a while to figure out how to even turn the ignition on without starting the engine. Turns out you hold the rocker in accessory. But on this car, you actually program in accessory, not ignition on. Otherwise, it is the exact same as above.
But it wouldn't work. The first sensor, which is the one I just replaced, reliably worked each time. But the rest, forget it. I aired up to 50+. I aired down to like 12. The sensor is supposed to wake up and communicate but in this system, I guess it doesn't.
After I did a little digging and found at least one thread with the same issue as me, I learned it would be a good idea to drive the car a few minutes around the block to make sure all the sensors were woken up and talking (they sense the wheels spinning). I got back home and had great luck, the first time, programming all 4. Phew. Shouldn't have had to do that as the CTS-V and SRX do not require it. At least I know now.
Re: General STS thread
The CL ad is still up. Just like when I bought the Simplicity lawn tractor.
Re: General STS thread
Finally washed it. I used the pressure washer for the initial rinse. I also did the engine bay, around the inside trunk area and inside of the doors. And the wheels.
Check it out. This color looks pretty damn good in person. Depending on the light and angle it looks: white, pearl, a little silver, or like a matte finish. It is pretty nice.
Check it out. This color looks pretty damn good in person. Depending on the light and angle it looks: white, pearl, a little silver, or like a matte finish. It is pretty nice.
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Re: General STS thread
Across the 4 fuel-ups I have recorded the DIC reported mileage as I do with my CTS-V. Shamefully, it is reading about 0.5 mpg optimistic. How will I ever live with this?
Re: General STS thread
This is minor but I adjusted the striker pin so the passenger side rear door closes more flush with the body. On the SRX, the driver's side rear door is actually worse than this door was. Who knows...
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Re: General STS thread
I saw two different STSs driving into work today.
Re: General STS thread
Had a little audio test session with Adam after lunch today. System sounds pretty damn good. Pretty easily the best factory audio I've ever heard, but that really shouldn't be surprising. Rear view vibrates, side mirrors vibrate a little, and you feel wind on your pants next to the front door speakers. The front seat head rest area speakers DO add some fill as I found out when Adam said he could hear something when he put his ear up to it. I pushed the volume pretty high and I didn't hit the breaking point of the system. I bet I got close but I heard no distortion at the levels I was at. And I have no desire to listen to anything louder than that. That's all I ever really need out of an audio system - the ability to spin the knob as high as I want and not worry about it. This car has that, and it sounds great.
As far as bass response, I'd say the system has similar punch to a good quality aftermarket 10" or 12" single subwoofer with several hundred watts behind it. And it sounds great with only a modest bass boost. I keep the treble and midrange sliders on the middle setting and there is plenty of high end detail, and clear vocals.
It's a shame it is so uncommon to have great factory audio, though many systems are good enough I realize. I mean the last thing I'd want to do in this car is rip out the nicely integrated (and power tilting) 8" infotainment screen for some aftermarket flashing/blinking nonsense.
Here is the Edmunds review again just because.
As far as bass response, I'd say the system has similar punch to a good quality aftermarket 10" or 12" single subwoofer with several hundred watts behind it. And it sounds great with only a modest bass boost. I keep the treble and midrange sliders on the middle setting and there is plenty of high end detail, and clear vocals.
It's a shame it is so uncommon to have great factory audio, though many systems are good enough I realize. I mean the last thing I'd want to do in this car is rip out the nicely integrated (and power tilting) 8" infotainment screen for some aftermarket flashing/blinking nonsense.
Here is the Edmunds review again just because.
Stereo Evaluation
System Score: 9.0
Components: This Bose "5.1 Studio Surround Sound" system is top of the line. The "5.1" refers to the fact that the sound is reproduced through six channels (five plus an ultralow frequency one delivered via a subwoofer).
No less than 15 speakers disperse the sound, including four "personal" speakers located next to the driver and front-passenger headrests, a pair of tweeters on the ends of the dash, a subwoofer on the rear shelf and eight full-range units mounted in the doors, rear shelf, center dash and behind the center console.
A six-disc CD/DVD changer, XM radio and a navigation system are all part of the "Luxury Performance" package our STS had. Like many cars fitted with a nav system, the audio controls are a combination of hard buttons on the center stack and touch "buttons" on the screen. Auxiliary controls on the steering wheel make adjusting volume, changing modes or changing stations/tracks as easy as beeping the horn.
Performance: There is a lot of everything with this system — power, clarity, separation, even versatility. Pop in a 5.1-compatible CD and you'll think you're in the recording studio or even the mosh pit, depending on your musical tastes. If you like to crank up the hard rock, it can handle it as the highs will stay crisp even as the bass thumps you in the chest. Play the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" on this system and you'll see what we mean.
The speakers next to the front headrests help fill out the soundstage, and folks in the back don't get second fiddle treatment as they also enjoy the full sonic spectrum this system is capable of producing.
Although it's an excellent system, the flawless Mark Levinson system found in the Lexus LS 430 just edges it out when you get really crazy with the volume knob.
A great feature of this system is that it allows you to play virtually anything you've got: CDs, DVDs (audio and video), MP3 CDs and CDs/DVDs you've made yourself (CD/DVD-ROM and CD/DVD-R). To play a DVD, the car must be in Park, not a bad idea.
Best Feature: The wide range of entertainment choices — XM radio, various CD and DVD audio options and DVD movies.
Worst Feature: The combination of hard buttons and screen controls takes getting used to.
Conclusion: Bose pulled out all the stops with this system, and the result is a versatile package that should please the pickiest audiophiles. — John DiPietro
Re: General STS thread
More Northstar things to know.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/ca ... bolts.html
I would bet both of my Northstars have loose intake manifold bolts. I will add that to the list of things to check...
Reading through the thread, every single person said theirs were loose and it runs noticably better, including better fuel economy. Not one person said theirs were tight when they checked. I believe the gasket is O-ring style so it should seal up fine when everything is torqued. The torque is 89 lb-in, so I think this is a good application for Loctite. I will just tighten for now. On both vehicles.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/ca ... bolts.html
I would bet both of my Northstars have loose intake manifold bolts. I will add that to the list of things to check...
That rough idle and startup...I am 99% sure mine does this. It has extended cranking on a cold start. Hilarious. I will definitely do this. At least it is easy.This whole thing had me curious...so over lunch I ran home and checked. To my astonishment, 9 of the 10 bolts were loose, with one almost ready to fall out. (pictured 2nd from firewall on drivers side)
My STS is an 07 with shy of 98k. I couldn't believe these could come loose in less than 5 years.
Amazingly this 5 minute fix immediately solved a number of issues.
Rough idle and startup after car sat overnight.
Hesitation in lower RPM. 700-1500
Erratic shifting patterns, rough shift.
I highly recommend everyone checks this out...should almost be sticky. Thus the beauty of an enthusiast forum.
Reading through the thread, every single person said theirs were loose and it runs noticably better, including better fuel economy. Not one person said theirs were tight when they checked. I believe the gasket is O-ring style so it should seal up fine when everything is torqued. The torque is 89 lb-in, so I think this is a good application for Loctite. I will just tighten for now. On both vehicles.