Hi all!

I have an '03 Lux/Sport that I love to death. I know when I hit the "s" button by the shifter, it changes the shift points in the tranny and where O/D kicks in. My real question is whether it tightens the suspension as well. It seems to me that it handles better and rolls less. But it could be just my imagination. I was curious if anyone knew for sure. Thanks!

It's definately just your imagination. It only affects the transmission. It lets the engine hold at higher RPM's before shifting, shifts from 5 to 4 at highway speeds to get you into the power band faster, and allows more aggressive engine braking. It'd be pretty cool if it did tighten up the suspension, but it doesn't. The shocks are just plain old shocks. They do make electromagnetic shocks in the STS-V (I think) that change the suspension characterists. BMW and MB both have adjustable suspensions in their M and AMG lines as well as some of their regular models.

You're probably just pushing the car harder when you have it in S mode so you're feeling the limits.

I believe (and I would have to check my specs) that the Luxury Sport package, at least in '03 came with the electromagnetic shocks. That is really why I questioned it. I will have to check all my documentation now...

It's definately just your imagination. It only affects the transmission. It lets the engine hold at higher RPM's before shifting, shifts from 5 to 4 at highway speeds to get you into the power band faster, and allows more aggressive engine braking. It'd be pretty cool if it did tighten up the suspension, but it doesn't. The shocks are just plain old shocks. They do make electromagnetic shocks in the STS-V (I think) that change the suspension characterists. BMW and MB both have adjustable suspensions in their M and AMG lines as well as some of their regular models.

You're probably just pushing the car harder when you have it in S mode so you're feeling the limits.

I have to agree with Chi town.

I agree with the others. The CTS never came with Magnetic Ride Control. Sport mode increases shift pressure, raises shift point RPM's, and applies engine braking on all gears.

It'd sure be sweet if it did though right!?!

Or if it could lower the car by an inch if you desired... dreams.

OK, I had to do a sanity check. I found my window sticker and the sales brochure. Both say that the Lux/Sport has Stabilitrack 2.0 computer controlled suspension. Maybe I am misunderstanding but to me, that is the electromagnetic ride.

OK, I had to do a sanity check. I found my window sticker and the sales brochure. Both say that the Lux/Sport has Stabilitrack 2.0 computer controlled suspension. Maybe I am misunderstanding but to me, that is the electromagnetic ride.

Something weird with that windows sticker. Stabilitrak is a stability program that utilizes each brake individually to maintain desired vehicle heading should you go into over or under steer. It uses steering angle sensors, yaw rate sensors, acceleratometers, VSS, and ABS sensors to do this. It doesn't have anything to do with the suspension.

My apologies!! I read further and it seems that this is really more related to the traction control system rather than the suspension. I should have known better than to doubt the masters! I am humbled...forgive me...:worship:

Too bad though really, I had a 1990 T-bird SC that had a switch that stiffened the suspension or did it by itself when going over 85mph (not that I would ever drive over the speed limit :bouncy: ) You would think that in a car of this caliber, you would get that in a "sport" package.

No need to apologize. You were just mistaken. It happens to all of us. I'm guessing your 90 T-Bird had a solid rear axle and not the fully independant system that the CTS has.

Sport mode increases shift pressure, raises shift point RPM's, and applies engine braking on all gears.

The engine braking has always been an issue for me - I notice it in sport mode, but it seems to occasionally pop-in when I'm not in sport mode. Is it just my car or is that normal? I've had the car almost a year, and can't figure out the exact situation that causes the car to suddenly engine brake when I'm coasting... Any ideas?

The engine braking has always been an issue for me - I notice it in sport mode, but it seems to occasionally pop-in when I'm not in sport mode. Is it just my car or is that normal? I've had the car almost a year, and can't figure out the exact situation that causes the car to suddenly engine brake when I'm coasting... Any ideas? There is engine braking in normal transmission mode, too. Engine braking happens when the computer senses you getting off the gas quickly after spirited driving.