Catera not made for winter ?

[und3rd06]

I live in Canada so it can get really cold here.

I got my Catera 2001 Sport 2 years ago. It has 75000 KM

When it's -20 degrees I cannot put my Car out of "Park". I have to wait a good 2-5 minutes before it let's me put it in Drive. Is this common ?

Also I have found the traction to be very very poor. I have a set of 4 brand new 16 inch winter tires (Kumho I'zenxw). Sometimes when I start up my car it won't "move" it will just spin. I try with/without Traction control but to no avail. I try pressing the "snowflake" button but still getting started is a embarassing chore in itself !!! It's quite embarrasssign when you have to keep a pouch of salt in your car because it won't move and it's not like there is a ton of snow under the tire. There is only a little ice patch. I find this ridiculous to say the least !!! At some points I laugh in despair at how bad traction is on this car. Am I doing something wrong ? Anyone have tips ? Is there a sensor that has a configuration of beeing too "sensible" and that's why it's spinning for nothing ?

I also read a thread on this board about the doors not wanting to clamp up when it's cold .... I get that too sometimes. The doors just won't shut so I have to hold'em shut with one hand while driving with the other...pretty bad if you ask me.

Any Ideas ? This is truly embarrassing for all Caddy owners !!!

[guardian]

It's true Cats like warm beds. Suggest you purchase some play sand, a 100# double wall bag (heavy paper over plastic) would be about right, and place it carefully as far to the rear of the trunk as you are able. This should help with traction.

The by far largest Cat problem, vis a vis really cold weather, is one you didn't mention:

It's the timing belt. They wear quickly when the car is started at minus twenty degrees C. They wear even FASTER at minus twenty degrees F!

Garage the car if there is ANY way you can. Then heat the garage if at all possible. This will keep your Cat purring properly . . . . . and you, too.

[und3rd06]

Darn, What a hassle this will be...

I am a goalie who plays 5 times a week, so I would have to load/unload that sand every day !!!

It's kind of sad that GM didn't think about the timing belt. I mean GM is a North american company so they should consider our harsh environments.

I really love my Catera but I am more and more thinking about letting her go.

[bengsxr]

I live up in minnesota and know your pain of taking off when little snow and ice are on the road. but i use the snowflake button (which makes the car take off in third gear) and barely ease onto the gas petal that helps alot. I also park my car outside and never had the problem of where it will not shift into drive when the car is cold. what i suggest is get a winter beater car and store the catera in a self storage place. I been driving my 1990 lebaron and it was cheap and is very cheap to get parts for.

[und3rd06]

Eeech get another car that is not an option for me as I am on a tight budget.

Thanks for the notice.

[Elo]

Originally Posted by und3rd06

It's kind of sad that GM didn't think about the timing belt. I mean GM is a North american company so they should consider our harsh environments.

It's an Opel rebadged as a Cadillac. German engineering isn't the same as it is State-side...

Sorry to hear you're disappointed with your Cat... I love mine to death, but thankfully I live in Florida (where it was in the 30's last week [we even had a snow flurry here in Gainesville!] and not even a week later, it's back in the 80's)...

There is one thing that all Catera owners agree on... There are certain issues with this car that Cadillac just flat out ignored and handled very poorly... For examples, see the plethora of "EBCM, HCV, Oil/Coolant heat exchangers, valve cover gaskets" threads out there...

The GOOD thing is, the car's been around long enough, and this community has established itself enough that we've got all (I think?) the major problems nailed down... This gives us an edge in the war of preventative maint.

Good luck with whatever you do with your Cat...

-Elo

[und3rd06]

It's not that I don't like my catera. I just don't believe it's made ofr Canada and some North american states.

Oh and on another note: Since you are from gainesville I tought i would add this comment....I wish Florida will square off against Ohio State and NOT USC !!!

[Elo]

Originally Posted by und3rd06

It's not that I don't like my catera. I just don't believe it's made ofr Canada and some North american states.

Oh and on another note: Since you are from gainesville I tought i would add this comment....I wish Florida will square off against Ohio State and NOT USC !!!

I agree with you on both parts... LOL The Cat don't like the cold...

And damn that would be a helluva game...

-Elo

[guardian]

Originally Posted by und3rd06

It's not that I don't like my catera. I just don't believe it's made ofr Canada and some North american states. . . . . . .

Damn! Where IS global warming when it's most needed!!

I think maybe it's not so much that Germany is warmer. It can become very cold in Germany during winter. It's just that civilization in Germany has advanced to the point where, quite often, cars live in garages.

[und3rd06]

Originally Posted by guardian

Damn! Where IS global warming when it's most needed!!

I think maybe it's not so much that Germany is warmer. It can become very cold in Germany during winter. It's just that civilization in Germany has advanced to the point where, quite often, cars live in garages.

I can only afford one car. renting space for my Cat is not an option...I'll give it another winter if it pi_sses me off again this winter I will have no choice but to sell it during the summer.