Maintenance 2016 CT6

[TonyZappone #2624]

Soon our 2006 CT6 Plat. will be driven North for the summer.  It has 61,000 miles, and I will keep it forever, cause there wont' be anymore.  I have already done the coolant maintenance.  The dealer here recommends the air induction cleaning, (including replacing cabin filter) , one hundred and something, brake system flush, and transmission service, all together almost $500.  On the old cars, we left the brake system alone, kind of a sealed system, don't disturb it.  Would just changing the cabin filter suffice?   Can it be easily done?  What is the opinion of this group re: these services?

[James Landi]

I have to say, as an XLR owner, I've learned that Cadillac creates various upgrades for certain lubricants over the years...  this was especially true for differentials and transmission oil.  I also get "anxious" about contaminants created by condensation spoiling fluids, and Dex coolant is not a "forever" concoction, and just like the green stuff, it can turn sour.  My 2007 XLR turned 30,000, and I've an independent service station who is experienced with Corvettes-- I was in attendance during the great drain-- he used litmus paper to test the fluids including power steering.  When all was drained and refreshed, i felt better-- somewhat like a spiritual laxative-- (aka piece of mind)   Happy day, James   

[Dave Shepherd]

Tony, induction cleaning must mean the throttle body. After 14 years I would change the trans fluid, do not let them do a trans flush, not recommended  by GM's Hydramatic engineers. Check your owners manual, most cabin filters are not that tough to change. Brake fluid is a maybe, it can be tested for contamination  with a brake fluid tester, Google it, you will see a cheap 20.00 tester, life time purchase. Or just do it.

[TonyZappone #2624]

Sorry, its a 2016,  my typo

[TonyZappone #2624]

Thank you David

[David King (kz78hy)]

Cabin filter is accessed by removing the glove box.  Getting a load path to remove and install the filter sucked up a lot meeting time when developing the car.

Brake fluid does go bad as it absorbs moisture, so if you are keeping the car, spending the $$ to flush the system might end up preventing issues with the other expensive brake components later.

[TonyZappone #2624]

Thank you David.

[64\/54Cadillacking]

If this is the first time you ever replaced the cabin air filter, its probably extremely disgusting and filled with bugs and debris. Ive  changed mine out twice in my 17 Impala and even after just 10,000 miles, there was a lot of dirt and trapped leaves in the filter.

Those can be easily replaced from the glove box. Brake fluid flush is always recommended even on newer vehicles with low miles. Its the moisture in the air over time and general wearing out of the protective properties that brake fluid provides to seals that prevents leaks. Moisture in the lines is also bad for braking, loss of pressure and fluid contamination is the culprit if the old fluid isnt  replaced with fresh fluid.

Same goes for coolant, the properties breakdown overtime, extreme hot environments and even from just sitting a long time also breakdown the ability for the coolant to protect the metals and lubricate seals and gaskets inside the engine. I flushed out the cooling system in my Impala last year and the car had around 80,000
Miles on it at the time of the change, far below the recommended interval of 120,000 miles that GM recommended.

Never go by what the manufacturer says, always go a step further and use preventative maintenance as your tool for extended the life of your car. Same with oil changes, I change my engine oil at 3,500-4,000 miles regularly using either full-synthetic  Mobil 1 or Castrol motor oil because the engine is Direct Injected, fuel dilution is a problem and even after a couple thousand miles, the oil smells pretty bad and is already very black.

Turbocharged and DI motors really need their oil changed a lot sooner than what is recommended. Even with synthetic oil, its the carbon buildup, the acids in the oil that ruin gaskets and fuel that really wears it out faster than say a standard port fuel injected vehicle.

If your transmission has a drain plug, as most GM vehicles have drain plugs for the transmission, you can literally do it yourself. If it does, then about 3 drain and refills will get most of the old fluid out and the transmission will shift a lot better.

Again, I drain the trans fluid on my Impala every 10-15,000 miles with 5 quarts of Dexron IV and the car shifts great, never had any trans problems with it and the car is approaching 100,000 miles.

I remember my auto shop teacher (he worked for Ford in Dearborn prior to being a teacher)  in college once told me that if you simply flushed out your coolant every 2 years, brake fluid once a year and had the transmission serviced every 20.000 miles either by draining it out or dropping the pan, those components should last 3 times longer or indefinitely with a strict maintenance interval even on vehicles with known problems. But unfortunately the general public doesnt do this and waits until something fails and blames the repair on poor quality of the product when in reality it was all due to lack of maintenance.

[garys93]

I have a 2016 CT6 with 53000 miles.  Changing the trans fluid made a big difference in maintaining a smooth shifting ride.  Spend the $400.

[TonyZappone #2624]

Thanks again.  I am learning a lot, and will not ignore good advise

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I changed the heading for you.

Bruce.

[James Landi]

Tony,

I am personally relieved to read other more expert and definitive commentary on your question.  I felt kind of silly dropping $600 on an entire fluid change given only 32,000 miles on the clock, and frankly, I thought it was a coincidence that my transmission was no longer occasionally clunking in to first gear while slowing down.  All mechanical parts wear with use, but providing the best lubricated environment for them is more than just an intuitive initiative for those of us who wish to extend the life of our cars.   James

[TonyZappone #2624]

Made the appointment for tomorrow.  Brake fluid change, tranny service, skipped AC service, just the cabin filter part of it.  Thank all of you.  Even though I was in the business for a long time, never kept cars.  There was always a new one to drive.  Either I keep this one alive or buy a G90, or some other foreign rat.   Available Cadillacs have no interest to me.  Small mosquito like cars. 

[Ohjai]

I purchased my 2017 CT6 last fall, my son notice the transmission shifting frequently when going up a hill.  I took it to the dealer and they said there was a service bulletin on the fluid.  They did the repair for free.  Car drive much smoother now.


Jim

[TonyZappone #2624]

We will see this morning if that recall is for 2016 also.  Will advise group

[Roger Zimmermann]

I don't find the bulletin which apply for domestic cars, only the one for export. Anyway, the model year 2016 is included.

[TonyZappone #2624]

The service writer said there is not a recall for trans fluid change.  Only cars with troubled conditions (mostly escalades) are included when specific symptoms are discovered.  Yesterday we replaced cabin filter (old one had some debris inside, really not that bad) I elected not to do the complete air induction service.  Also brake flush and fuel system cleanse (one service package).  I was unclear if the trans service was recommended, and need to clarify that today (I was in a hurry to leave)

[Roger Zimmermann]

Effectively, the bulletin is not a recall, but a procedure about what to do in some strange behavior from the transmission: shudder, vibrations and harsh shifting. The transmission must be drained and refill 3 times with a specific transmission fluid. In Switzerland, most "official" vehicles are affected. I'm doing the warranty administration for one dealer; last year he had many warranty claims for that issue, but I don't remember if Tahoes were affected. On the other hand, sales of Tahoes in Switzerland is marginal compared to other cars; anyway, the sales volume for all models is ridiculously small: they are niche models into a niche!

[TonyZappone #2624]

The service writer was very emphatic that there is not a recall for tranny fluid.  I actually think that I am experiencing some of that vibration at lower speeds, it may be the roads, I will have to objectively determine if there is a problem

[Roger Zimmermann]

Finally I found the bulletin...The work will be done free of charge as long as the car is covered with the warranty.

Document ID: 5181942
#18-NA-355: Shake and/or Shudder During Light Throttle Acceleration Between 25 and 80 MPH (40 and 128 KM/H) at Steady Speed - (Mar 30, 2020)
Subject:    Shake and/or Shudder During Light Throttle Acceleration Between 25 and 80 MPH (40 and 128 KM/H) at Steady Speed

Attention:    This Bulletin only applies to vehicles sold in the U.S., Canada and Middle East Operations (MEO). Mexico and Export Regions should follow Bulletin 19-NA-018.
 

Note: This procedure should only be completed once per vehicle. Any vehicle that returns with suspect shudder should be diagnosed utilizing published diagnostics, GDS, PICO Scope or other diagnostic tools. Sometimes shudder is not caused by the torque converter clutch (TCC). In some instances, shudder is fish bite, chuggle, surge or vibration.