Just Bought a 2012 CTS - Couple Questions

2878 Views 24 Replies 14 Participants Last post by tinman, Feb 24, 2015

MyFirstCadillacCTS

Discussion Starter · Feb 19, 2015

Hey everyone!

I just purchased a 2012 CTS Performance Coupe (AWD/3.6) with about 25,000 miles. I was previously driving a Lincoln LS and also a 2008 SRX.

So far, I'm loving the car and literally spent 4+ hours reading posts on this forum but I had a couple questions...

I live in PA so we've had some snow on the roads. The car drives very smooth - no vibration, no odd noises, steering is responsive, etc. However, I've noticed that when turning/coming to a stop on road that has a coating of snow (like snow drifted across the road) the car is much louder (like a moaning/road noise). I realize that driving over snow is very different from driving over regular pavement, but I wasn't expecting it to be be this audibly different. When driving over dry pavement, I have no problems/sounds when turning/braking. Is this noise when driving over snow common? Does this have something to do with the AWD? I still have the factory warranty and extended warranty so I'm not terribly concerned, but was surprised at how loud it was.

I've also noticed this 3.6 is kinda loud. When I went to the bank, and have walls around me to reflect the sound back, the engine has a noticeable ticking/chugging sound. The engine idles and revs smoothly and has plenty of power and I can't heard it when just driving - only when I'm near a wall or standing outside the car next to the engine. I just figure I am being picky and after owning an LS, you kinda develop an ear for noises. I read on this forum that many people find these engines somewhat noisy.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

Dave295

· #2 · Feb 19, 2015

welcome to the forum!

I have seen both of your complaints mentioned here before, so it is not just you.

Some say they can hear the AWD system in snowy conditions, others do not. I personally do not, but others have. The describe it as a loud drone/moan coming from the drive-train. From what I have read the sound is annoying, but not a clear indicator of any issue.

I have also read many complaints on how loud the 3.6 engine is, personally I think it is just fine. From what I have read it is just the nature of our engine.

Now interior noises, I hear MANY of them. To the point my fiance thinks I am psycho when I yell "you hear that?" and comb through the entire car to find what is causing the rattle/squeak.

Coming from a Lincoln huh? I have always been interested in them, I just have a hard time paying for a Lincoln when Cadillac is an option

Again, welcome to the forum, hope you enjoy your 2012!

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tinman

· #3 · Feb 19, 2015

Nice buy, and welcome.

I can't vouch for the awd or snow, so I'm out of that discussion.

As for the ticking, that is the Direct Injection (DI). High fuel pressure squirting into each cylinder is that noise. As a matter of fact, I was walking to my car this morning as it was warming up (damn, it was 32 degrees F this morning). I actually was conscious enough to recognize the ticking, and once I got inside the cabin I heard nothing. You driving in and enclosed area only magnifies the sound and it will be louder. Absolutely nothing to worry about, it is normal (unless it is loud inside your cabin).

JRUDDEN

· #4 · Feb 19, 2015

My 3.6 DI is very loud in the cabin I hear a constant ticking coming from the gauge cluster. It drives me crazy. 2009 CTS 13,000 miles

kkuz

· #5 · Feb 19, 2015

My 3.6 di 2008 is maybe not so silent outside but there is almost absolute silence in the cabin when windows are closed and car stopped. While driving I hear some tire noises and engine >3k rpm only from back, however I have replaced oem mufflers with more sporty louder ones. This is my most "silent" car so far.

wcthunder

· #6 · Feb 19, 2015

tinman said:
Nice buy, and welcome.

I can't vouch for the awd or snow, so I'm out of that discussion.

As for the ticking, that is the Direct Injection (DI). High fuel pressure squirting into each cylinder is that noise. As a matter of fact, I was walking to my car this morning as it was warming up (damn, it was 32 degrees F this morning). I actually was conscious enough to recognize the ticking, and once I got inside the cabin I heard nothing. You driving in and enclosed area only magnifies the sound and it will be louder. Absolutely nothing to worry about, it is normal (unless it is loud inside your cabin).

YEAH, you finally heard it, tinman! And no need to brag about the warm weather, yea that's right I'm hatin' (lol).

Living in PA myself, I suspect that the noise/ginding sound you hear when you come to a stop is a build-up of salt and grime on your brakes and rotors. I don't the sound on good days (wet or dry roads). Get it?

Congrads and welcome.

tinman

· #7 · Feb 19, 2015

Was it Philly I heard about this morning where a resident got so pissed at the snow plow operator dumping a "million" cubic feet of packed snow in this guy's parking place on the street that he ran after the operator with a baseball bat, lol? Well, if it wasn't Philly, it certainly is believable enought that it could have been Philly. Ohh, I just ate lunch and I am dying for a real cheesesteak.

ig:

wcthunder

· #8 · Feb 19, 2015

tinman said:
Was it Philly I heard about this morning where a resident got so pissed at the snow plow operator dumping a "million" cubic feet of packed snow in this guy's parking place on the street that he ran after the operator with a baseball bat, lol? Well, if it wasn't Philly, it certainly is believable enought that it could have been Philly. Ohh, I just ate lunch and I am dying for a real cheesesteak. ig:

LOL, you not lying there....let me know when you come up for a real cheesesteak!

G

· #9 · Feb 19, 2015 (Edited)

tinman said:
Well, if it wasn't Philly, it certainly is believable enought that it could have been Philly. Ohh, I just ate lunch and I am dying for a real cheesesteak. ig:

http://www.tonylukesphillycheesesteaks.com/http://www.tonylukesphillycheesesteaks.com/

Just had the best cheesesteak ever while there 2 weeks ago at a place called FinnMcCools Ale House :cool2:

MyFirstCadillacCTS

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 19, 2015

Thanks for all the responses and the welcomes!
I was previously on ***************** for many years while I had my LS but plan on being here for a while while I have my CTS.

I already ordered some embroidered Lloyd mats and was looking into "cold" air intakes. I've done the "stock box" mod on many vehicles before so I plan to start with that and a drop in K&N filter, but am researching my best option for the whole CAI kit. However, it seems like AirRaid and K&N are the only two that are easy to find. I read that D3 made an intake but am having trouble finding it for the 2012 model because of the MAF situation (see, I did search)...Anyone else have other suggestions before the pull the trigger on an AirRaid or K&N?

I'll have some pictures up as soon as it's not 5 degrees and covered in salt.

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^ In the above post I posted another site which was changed to "cadillacowners" Didn't know I wasn't allowed to do that here haha

HurstGN

· #11 · Feb 20, 2015

tinman, how ever did you survive 32 degree temps? It's a miracle you're still alive. That must have been brutal! :stirpot: Have you picked up on the sarcasm yet?

tinman

· #12 · Feb 20, 2015

Yeah, it's cold. Saturday 65, Sunday 75. Life's tough.

Shakeydeal

· #13 · Feb 20, 2015

tinman said:
Yeah, it's cold. Saturday 65, Sunday 75. Life's tough.

This just in, hot off the press......

I hate you!

Shakey

Dave295

· #14 · Feb 20, 2015

Was -6 in Chicago this morning. My black CTS is covered in layers of salt, she looks betrayed.

I am also looking into getting some embroidered Loyd mats for the spring. What type did you get?

vfaninva

· #15 · Feb 20, 2015 (Edited)

tinman said:
Yeah, it's cold. Saturday 65, Sunday 75. Life's tough.

Nice, rub salt in an open wound. What's next, pics of the family lounging around the pool with iced teas?
Sorry, I get a little homesick for Florida this time of year.

HurstGN

· #16 · Feb 20, 2015

To the OP, learn early that we hate the Florida people in winter. What part of PA are you in?

Lonnies Performance

· #17 · Feb 21, 2015

Just bought my 2012 CTS4 the beginning of January & so far I really like it.

Yes I also hear some noise on snowy & rough roads.
Mine has the factory 19's on it & they seem to transfer more road noise than some tires with more sidewall.
I can detect different road types & also the rough surface of partial snow covered roads.

jungy4

· #18 · Feb 21, 2015

I remotely start my car in winter and as I approach it I hear the ticking noise as well. Don't hear much of it when I drive though.

I dropped in a K&N filter because I didn't want to spend a lot of money on an intake. Along with the stock exhaust, it still screams loud when you punch it.

MyFirstCadillacCTS

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 21, 2015

Once again it is snowing here (supposed to get about 6 inches) so those of you in Florida with 60-70 degree weather really suck.

Today I put in a K&N filter today, Removed the front plate bracket and will be painting some plugs in the near future, cleaned the interior, conditioned the leather, etc.

Anyway, I had HIDs on my Lincoln and can't tell if my CTS has HID headlights. Any specific way to tell? Thanks again everyone!

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Oh....and I'm in Lehigh Valley PA - near Allentown.

G

· #20 · Feb 21, 2015

Performance trim has HID's with Adaptive Forward Lighting.

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

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