Summary:
I’m very happy with the Cadillac DTS
Faults:
The car is stored for the winter. I had it stored for the first two years without a problem. However, by February 2010, the battery failed. I was able to recharge the battery and drove it without any trouble until I went on vacation in August. I parked the car outside the hotel during a very bad storm to wait out the rain before unloading my luggage. When the rain subsided, I turned the key and got nothing but a click and dimly illuminated warning lights. I called Cadillac Roadside service, a man arrived and placed a portable charger on the car, and the car immediately started. I thought this was a one-time occurrence until I took the car to a car wash and the battery failed again. I called Cadillac Roadside service and the same man came out and placed the portable charger on it and the car started immediately. To save my vacation, I purchased my own portable charger and used it intermittently throughout the remainder of my stay. Upon my return, I immediately took the car to the local Cadillac dealer. The battery tested bad and was replaced. Apparently, these cars don’t like to sit for a long period of time. A friend of mine has a Buick Lucerne, which is the same platform as the DTS, and has experienced the same problem if the car wasn’t driven for a period of time.
Another problem was a recall for the heated windshield-washer fluid. I thought this was a cool feature for winter driving and was sorry to see it disconnected. I was reimbursed by GM, but I’d have rather seen a satisfactory replacement for the part instead. I do very little winter driving in this car, so it shouldn’t affect me too much.
General Comments:
Other than the issue with the battery, which I must admit is mostly my fault, the car has been excellent. It is an extremely comfortable car on long trips. OnStar and XM Radio are most definitely a plus. The HVAC system heats and cools the car rapidly. The car accelerates quickly, smoothly, and quietly. It stops just as well. Cadillac really did a great job on the quality of the interior. It’s a vast improvement over previous Cadillacs I’ve owned.
It looks stunning in Black Raven with the 18” chrome wheels, but it’s very labor-intensive to keep its finish looking top-notch. I’d say it takes me three times as long to detail the car to my satisfaction than my former White Diamond 2002 Cadillac Seville STS.
