[mikes425]

Hi, I've already gotten good input here about my concern over the CUE system as I am looking
very hard at a late model ATS Coupe, '15 or '16. I've test-driven a few, most recently a '16 2.0T,
one-owner trade-in at a reputable local dealership with only about 21k miles on it.
Price is pretty decent at around 21k.

Last weekendI dropped in to test drive it. The salesperson had to throw some gas in it for me
first. My impressions were these. Engine noise was noticeably louder than other ATS Coupes I'd
driven - and louder than any Cadillac should be IMO.
The major thing though is that it seemed like it wasn't downshifting enough to keep the engine
from lugging. So, overall the shifting didn't seem as smooth as I'd expect. I don't think this
was a transmission issue. The next day i started reading up on the forums about the fact that this
model requires Premium gas. I assume that whoever ran out to fill it first just used Regular.
(This is not on a Caddy dealership lot FWIW). For that matter, have no idea if the previous owner
routinely used Premium - and on that point, whether not having done so could cause any
significant damage to the engine?

Later the same afternoon, I test drove a '15 ATS 2.0T at another dealership.
I found that engine noise way quieter, and the shifting very smooth and normal.
I realize this '15 is a 6 vs 8-speed and frankly i thought it was a much more satisfying
experience than that of the '16 ATS. If the '15 didn't have triple the miles on it
i might've made an offer on it.

So i guess this all boils down to whether the gas thing could've actually been a factor in
how the '16 ran?

Meantime I've asked to take it for another test drive if they will put Premium gas in it for
me and if they aren't BS'ing me - and actually want to try and sell a car, it supposedly will
be ready for me to do that on Saturday. Will they bleed out all the Regular beforehand?
Maybe not: )

I welcome and appreciate any thoughts on this and thanks for your time!

Mike in Mich

 

[artscadillac]

I think even the Cadillac dealers put regular in the 2.0T cars. Regular should only reduce performance, but
should not cause noise + knock. The only regular I have used in my ATS is what came with it new. It ran good,
but I wasn't pushing it yet. The knock is avoided with Reg gas, by adjusting the timing so it wont knock, thus
lost perf.

If they only put a couple gallons of regular in it, you/they could drive it some then add premium.

It sounds like something is wrong with the 2016. Some guys add tunes and race them, so maybe its beat up and
not running well or maybe needs some type of tuneup or adjustment. It should not need a tuneup at 21k miles.

 

[mikes425]

Thanks, I appreciate that info. Some of what I might be noticing is an 8-speed in a 4 cyl turbo. To me a
6-speed matches up better with that engine. On the 8-speed it seems like you can't just smoothly give it
some gas. I normally am used to a downshift every time I accelerate. Instead of shifting into a high RPM
this ATS i mentioned lugs. Could just be a timing adjustment? This was supposedly fully serviced in
December though so if it still seems rough when i drive it again, they need to pull it back in for service.

 

[rand49er]

Two things. First, I test drove a '19 XT4 with a 2.0T and the eight-speed trans and was rather surprised at the engine sound/noise it made. I was expecting it to be considerably more quiet than it was. Not sure if that's what other '16/2.0T/8-spd AT guys are experiencing.

Second, it sure sounds like something isn't quite right with the '16 you drove. As was suggested above, it's not the gasoline. Exhaust leak?

 

[Need2Speed]

Yes it sounds like the one you drove has issues. I always run the cheap gas. The owners manual says thats ok, but premium is prefered. My 2017 2.0T runs great, no lugging. The trans was shifting a little hard, but the dealer put some special trans fluid in it at the last service per a bulletin and now it shifts very smoothly.

 

[mikes425]

Yes it sounds like the one you drove has issues. I always run the cheap gas. The owners manual says thats ok, but premium is prefered. My 2017 2.0T runs great, no lugging. The trans was shifting a little hard, but the dealer put some special trans fluid in it at the last service per a bulletin and now it shifts very smoothly.

Thanks. I drove it again with some Premium in it over the weekend. Maybe a little smoother, but still noticed a lug in the 3-4th gear range on acceleration -kinda like the tranny couldn't decide what it wanted to do there. Made sure all the modes were off - traction-control, Auto stop, tested it in both Touring and Sport. Still felt this sort of rough shift at lower speed gear changes - esp. accelerating from a stop gradually up to mid-range speed. Didn't do it every single time, but almost. Smooth in the higher gear range based on the 45 mins or so i drove it.

Took it back in to the sales rep who suggested taking it across the street to the Cadillac dealer which had serviced it under previous owner. The service mgr. on duty looked it up. It had at least one item related to transmission repaired. He also said that he had seen this complaint and issue a number of times in general with the 8-speed, 2016 2.0T - vs the 2015 6-speed.

I've kind of nixed this deal based on this experience and talking to the service guy about this model... too bad because the car is excellent in all other respects and a pretty good price on it for an off-lease. You do make me wonder about it now that you mention your special trans fluid, though still not sure that is all that it is. If that were to totally resolve the slipping thing, I'd def. consider it again.

 

[rsingl]

An upshift too quickly can create a knock and I wouldn't be surprised if some driving conditions bring that out; I have noticed the same issue with my 2014 3.6L and six speed where it upshifts too quickly (done for economy/emissions reasons) and on a grade some light spark knock is obvious. But if you notice any heavy knocking or other unusual noises or operational behavior keep looking because the ATS isn't a scarce vehicle and plenty of others are available.

Outside of a torque converter issue caused by GM programming along with some questionable emissions/economy oriented programming in some models the 8 speed has some pretty nice features. I have a 8L90 in my 2016 Z06 and the 8L90 is very similar to the 8L45 used in the ATS but is built to withstand much more torque. I mostly use mine in manual mode to avoid GM's active fuel management system but driven hard in full auto it has very nicely timed shifts, both up and down, and with the car in sport or track mode on a twisting road the programming shines. Driven around town in auto, the shift algorithm is aimed too much at smoothness and can be lethargic at times.

From complaints I have read the 8 speed programming is far worse for some models with indecision and slowness to choose a gear but I haven't experienced those issues. For the first start of the day I manually shift from first to second while the car is still stationary to avoid a rough shift on the initial 1 to 2 upshift which is due to a slow filling hydraulic actuator used during that shift but it isn't a big issue since you only need to do this preventative behavior on the first start of the day. The only time I have seen the transmission get confused about gear selection is when you slow almost to a stop and then get back into the throttle; the transmission skips second when coasting to a stop and if you get back into the throttle just as it is slowing to a stop and starting the 3 to 1 downshift it will get momentarily confused about whether to stay in third, shift two ranges to first, or drop one range to second. Otherwise I haven't discovered any 8 speed shift anomalies; the last chance I had to drive the Z06 before winter I was on an interstate merge ramp when the minivan in front of me decided to slow to 35 and then pull over. I rolled heavily into the throttle while still keeping power controlled so that the summer tires wouldn't break loose in 45 degree weather and easily got ahead of a large pack of traffic while the right lane was clear; the transmission shifted quickly into lower gears and then upshifted quickly at near redline. When the 8L series transmissions are pushed hard they do very well and I prefer it to the 6 speed in my 2014. But the torque converter issues (shudder due to GM converter clutch modulation strategy) made it an easy decision to replace my 2006 GMC 2500HD with another heavy duty diesel which comes with a tried and true Allison 6 speed auto. I hope GM learned their lessons and hopefully the new 10 speed co-developed with Ford doesn't have as many annoying behaviors. There is at least one class action in progress against GM over the 8L45/8L90 transmission and the third new fluid formulation since it was introduced is the latest attempt to mask the converter clutch problem.

 

[Need2Speed]

I had a poor shifting trans and it turned out to be some sort of solenoid or valve. See this thread:

https://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-ats-general-discussion-forum/1054081-2016-8sp-auto.html#post17457530

Between them replacing a part and the new fluid the trans shifts very nicely.

 

[mikes425]

Appreciate the replies. Yep, no shortage of ATS sedans tho I am looking for the Coupe and finding that somewhat harder to find than the 4-doors in the price range I prefer to be at for this particular buy - at least that is if i want to find something locally vs nationwide search.

I wish this 8-speed worked out but there is just something off about it in the 2.4L. The 6-speed just seems better matched to this engine in the test drives I've done recently. Maybe some new part and different fluid would resolve the problem but hard to buy the car without knowing that for certain.

Honestly I'm kind of preferring a 2015 2.0T coupe at this point, and will probably roll with that if/when the right deal comes along.

 

[Ragtop 99]

I'd walk from that car too. Keep in mind a 2015 doesn't have android auto / apple car play and most likely have less remaining warranty. There are a half dozen or so in your price range within 100 miles of me, although mileage and features vary.