Parking Brake Release 2008 Dts - Page 2

**Jesda** · #16 (**permalink**) 04-14-08, 02:31 AM

E-brake use isn't really necessary in modern automobiles, but its great for... emergencies.

TulsaVic · #17 (**permalink**) 04-14-08, 12:48 PM

We're just getting use to each other (one week old, 200 miles) but right now I don't as much miss the auto release feature (since I never had a car with one) as not like the press to set, press to release. I always set the brake before putting the tranny in Park and several times I've not applied enough pressure on the brake to prevent a roll, so press it again, and that of course releases it. So I have to start from scratch. Much prefer the lever release so that if you haven't set the brake firmly enough you just need to press down one more click.....

tateos · #18 (**permalink**) 04-15-08, 03:03 PM

I have found that the problem with the pull lever to release parking brakes is that when you have a big pot belly it is hard to lean forward to release the brake.

tedcmiller · #19 (**permalink**) 04-17-08, 08:48 AM

I checked the parking brake info in the user's manual for my wife's 2008 DTS and I also tried what nosro suggested ("engage the park brake and pressing on the accelerator causes the EPB to automatically release") and found that it did not work. Perhaps this might work as described on cars other than the 2008 DTS, but the instructions and actual tests prove that it is not applicable to the 2008 Cadillac DTS.

For the Cadillac DTS (I seem to recall that it worked the same way on my wife's 2004 DTS), when the parking brake is set, a second depression of the parking brake pedal is required to release it.

pompste · #20 (**permalink**) 04-24-08, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tateos

I have found that the problem with the pull lever to release parking brakes is that when you have a big pot belly it is hard to lean forward to release the brake.

HA HA HA HA -----Thanks for the best laugh of my day!

nosro · #21 (**permalink**) 04-25-08, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadillade

Even with a modern auto trans, having the parking brake on will help. I would rather have the parking brake do the job than the transmission for safety reasons.

Here is another reason for using the parking brake
(from http://www.familycar.com/brakes.htm)

On cars with automatic transmissions, the parking brake is rarely used. This can cause a couple of problems. The biggest problem is that the brake cables tend to get corroded and eventually seize up causing the parking brake to become inoperative. By using the parking brake from time to time, the cables stay clean and functional. Another problem comes from the fact that the self adjusting mechanism on certain brake systems uses the parking brake actuation to adjust the brakes. If the parking brake is never used, then the brakes never get adjusted.

Two problems with this argument:
1) The argument is that one should use the parking brake to prevent it from going bad. It's circular and doesn't describe why one should use the parking brake in the first place. (One should use it on a steep hill, but there is little other reason.)
2) The reference to "self adjusting mechanism on certain brake systems" is with regard to drum brakes. Very few cars use drum brakes anymore (mostly very low cost vehicles) and certainly not on any Cadillacs. There is no "self adjustment" on disc brakes. Hence, this is not a reason to use your parking brake.

Hence, it still remains the case that unless you are parked on a steep grade, there is absolutely no reason to use the parking brake. Any benefits to doing so are strictly in your head and unsubstantiated by any amount of data.

Zed · #22 (**permalink**) 06-11-08, 06:18 PM

I just got a 2008 DTS Performance, traded in a 2001 DTS. Have noticed a number of areas where they have removed content from the vehicle.

Just found out about loss of automatic parking break. What a disappointment. When I asked my dealer service department, they did not even know.

We also lost the adjustable lights on the vanity mirrors, and the automatic adjusting mirrors when you shift to reverse are SLOW SLOW SLOW.

The biggest annoyance though is the fuel filler door which no longer locks from the outside. What were they thinking in an era of $4 plus per gallon?

Overall a nice car but losing these item cheapens the experience.

I hope someone from GM reads this.

stillen · #23 (**permalink**) 06-12-08, 01:50 PM

We moved from a 2001 Deville to a 2006 DTS Lux 2 package and I like the brake assist change .

the gas door stays unlocked but to access the gas cap the cap it the door lock must be unlocked so if your gone and the door is locke dwell the gas cap is unlocked we like the car very much.

Rapid Roger · #24 (**permalink**) 06-12-08, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stillen

the gas door stays unlocked but to access the gas cap the cap it the door lock must be unlocked so if your gone and the door is locke dwell the gas cap is unlocked we like the car very much.

With all due respect....What the hell does this say........?

stillen · #25 (**permalink**) 06-15-08, 12:20 AM

OK some spelling grammar miscues bud.

To access the gas cap the doors must be unlocked if the dooors are locked then you cannnot access the gas cap this is the way it is on a CTS as well.

Superjim · #26 (**permalink**) 06-15-08, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stillen

OK some spelling grammar miscues bud.

To access the gas cap the doors must be unlocked if the dooors are locked then you cannnot access the gas cap this is the way it is on a CTS as well.

I still don't understand.

Are you saying that if the DOORS are LOCKED that you can NOT open the gas filler door?

Just checked my 2006... it does not make any difference if the doors are LOCKED or UNLOCKED.... you CAN STILL OPEN the gas filler door.

Maybe the newer ones are different from mine. I sure hope so.

Texas Jim

Rapid Roger · #27 (**permalink**) 06-15-08, 12:14 PM

Just went out to the garage and locked my 2008 DTS.I then opened the filler door with no problem.To be sure I unlocked it and locked it again and I could still access the gas cap.......

ronbo · #28 (**permalink**) 06-24-09, 03:12 PM

Not intending on hijacking here, but could anyone here help with a photo of the rear brakes on said vehicle?... namely 2006-2008 DTS

I'm converting my 1998 Olds Aurora to '06 DTS JL9 brakes, all four corners... and one last "little" snag has to do with the parking brake activation cable.

The 'rora pulls in from the front at about a 45° angle, whereas the DTS calipers seem designed to have the cable pull from the rear.

I just need an idea what I'm up against.... most likely means swapping out the parking brake cable, as the control arm seems to be identical.

I'm tempted to also grab the rear hub assy's from the '06 DTS and put on my Aurora... much lower miles, and far cheaper than new. ABS sensor cable/plug is exactly the same.

Help?

Comments?

THANKS!

tedcmiller · #29 (**permalink**) 06-28-09, 12:52 PM

There is a lot of useless conversation in these posts. The original poster asked if other people were upset by the loss of the automatic parking brake release. He did ask about fuel doors or vanity mirror lights.

My wife's 2008 DTS does not release the parking brake automatically under in conditions. Do we miss it? Not really. I rarely drive the car and she rarely applies the parking brake. Also, contrary to what many people think, the electric parking brake on the 2009 CTS also does not release automatically. I know because I have a 2009 CTS-V. You pull up on the button (?) to engage it (like a an old style large lever parking brake) and push down on the button to release it. Nothing operates automatically.

ral1960 · #30 (**permalink**) 07-07-09, 12:30 AM

I bought a 3 year old Deville two years ago. When it was under 35 degrees, the car drove sluggishly the first mile or so. It turned out it was the parking brake staying partially on due to corrosion in the cable, despite the pedal being all the way up. Burned up the brake pads eventually. At least it wasn't the transaxle or engine.