2008 CTS - Have you noticed?

[camjwm]

I purchased a Black Raven '08 CTS DI last weekend. Fortunately, I was able to find the model I was looking for right on the lot. There are two things that I'm having to get used to:

1. Emergency brake is located very close to the hood latch. On two occasions I have accidentally opened my hood when I meant to release the brake.
2. I notice a slight surge when I put the car in park and I release the brake pedal. It's as if the transmission is still engaged. Is this normal? It doesn't do this every time. I haven't quite figured out the exact steps to duplicate the problem but thought I'd share my experience.

I do have two questions. What does FE1, FE2 and FE3 refer to? How do I know which I have?

This forum has been a great source of information, I look forward to being an active participant. Thanks.

[Loveldos]

When I got my 2003 CTS, I also thought the "parking brake release" was too close to the hood release. Unfortunately, Cadillac designers did not change this on the next-generation, and my 2008 CTS-4 (DI FE2) has the same situation. However, after a short while, it became second nature to release the appropriate handle--and there has been no difficulty on my part with my 2008 CTS. As to the "surge" when placing the transmission into Park, I have never experienced anything of that sort with either of my CTS's. Congratulations on choosing a fantastic automobile--and best of luck with it as we enter the New Year!

[Southern]

FE1 is base suspension. Uses 17" wheels/tires. Is biased toward a luxury ride.
FE2 is upgraded semi performance suspension with heavier springs, shocks and sway bar. Uses 18" All Season tires. Is a mixture of Luxury and Performance ride.
FE3 is performance suspension with most of the parts from FE2 plus different valving on the shocks and self leveling rear. Uses 18" summer very high performance tire. Is biased toward a performance ride.


Look at your tires
17" = FE1
18" Michelin MXM4 = FE2
18" Michelin PS2 = FE1

[Hamadeh]

Yeah I agree with #1 I do it all the time.

[05CTS]

When you feel the slight surge, are you parking on an incline? My 05 does it sometimes but I mostly notice is when I'm not on level ground.

[dkozloski]

If the car is on a slope it has to roll a short distance downhill so that it takes the slack out of the parking pawl. Think of the parking mechanism as a wheel with notches in the outside that a finger drops into to keep the car from rolling. The finger may start on the top of the notch and the wheel has to turn far enough for the finger to drop into the slot.

[rem506]

Southern,
What a concise answer to camjwm's question. Nice work.

[928S]

Originally Posted by rem506

Southern,
What a concise answer to camjwm's question. Nice work.

Yeah! And here's a couple of additional tidbits. Springs: FE1, FE2, and FE3 share the same, no differences. Steering Ratio: FE1 = 17.4:1, FE2 and FE3 = 16.1:1, the latter being tighter and more responsive.

[TheRooster]

You won't have to worry about the emergency brake issue in '09. It will be electronic. Notice the cap at the back of the shifter console?