The stalk that broke the Cadillac CTS' back

At an early September press event at Pennsylvania's Pocono Raceway, I got my first drive the new 2008 Cadillac CTS. After about half a mile on the surrounding local roads, I remember saying to myself: "Wow, they really got it this time." The steering was spot-on, full of feedback, quick responding, linear, precise and well-weighted. The brake pedal was firm and reassuring yet easy to modulate. The model I drove had the direct-injection, 304-hp V6, which felt punchy, smooth and refined. The six-speed automatic transmission was nearly perfect. The ride was supple and controlled—even though it had the sportiest FE3 suspension. Then I felt around the rich-looking interior with the elegant stitching, stepped out and looked at the spectacular chiseled body work. That did it. I thought that I could see myself owning one of these.

Well, not anymore. The honeymoon is over.

What happened?
I've since driven other versions of the new CTS, including our own test car we've recently purchased. After a weekend with the car, none of the driving impressions waned (even with the less sporty, mid-level FE2 suspension on our test car). It's still thoroughly enjoyable to drive. As the miles piled on, the impression that the seat isn't as supportive as it was in the old CTS started to creep in. The seat offers less substantial shoulder support and lateral bolstering. When I opened the trunk, I discovered exposed screws and an unfinished underside of the package shelf. Those screws could damage a piece of luggage leaning against it. Clearly, living with a vehicle—rather than just evaluating it based on a limited day, or even a week-long, loan as do most auto publications—is the only way to expose the nuances that can impact a buyer for years of ownership. (Learn "How Consumer Reports tests cars.") That said, here's the stalk that broke the Cadillac's back: When pulling the turn-signal stalk toward you, there is no flash-to-pass if the headlights are off as they would be during the daytime. This is a feature so basic and universal, it never dawned on me GM would omit it.

The new CTS' optional HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights use bi-xenon bulbs for low and high beams. Apparently, GM was concerned about bulb longevity, or wanted to save some money by omitting a dedicated lamp solely used for flashing. Subsequently, we discovered that our Buick Enclave lacks flash-to-pass as well.

Flash-to-pass (a.k.a "optical horn") is used to communicate with other drivers for warnings or courtesy. It often means "Please let me pass, I'm going faster than you." Other times it means "Go ahead, I'll wait." In the extreme, less communication between drivers can have an adverse safety consequence. It is particularly odd that the CTS lacks this feature. After all, the car is intended to be sold in Europe--and, in particular, Germany--where stalk flashing on the autobahn is the second most used feature after the gas pedal. How hadn't anyone discovered this on the way to and from the Nurburgring track, where the CTS was developed?

Up until the mid 1990s, domestic GM vehicles were the only ones that lacked flash-to-pass. In conversations with GM officials, we often asked why. GM said "Our customers don't seem to want it according to focus groups." In January 1995, I asked then GM's President of North American Operations (and current CEO) Rick Wagoner the question. Looking mildly concerned, Wagoner answered "Is that so?" For the 1997 model year, virtually all of GM products had flash-to-pass. We thought that was the end of the story.

We've just heard that GM is working on fitting flash-to-pass for their HID-equipped vehicles, but the fix isn't slated to arrive until around 2010.

—Gabe Shenhar

Comments

[David Isenbergh]

Gabe --having driven mostly up and down the Atlantic seaboard for many years, I've noticed that the vast majority of drivers fail to flash before passing, at least on two-lane roads. In fact, when I flash a driver I'm preparing to pass, the response sometimes suggests that my signal is not understood. So perhaps GM's choice (or lack thereof) reflects a difference in driving etiquette between both sides of the Atlantic?

[Michael]

Maybe it was a 60s-70s thing? Because I've been driving since 1979, in the US and Canada, including many long cross-country road trips, and in my experience "flashing to pass" is simply never done. Never.

The only people I've ever seen "flash to pass" are speed demons who add it to their repertoire of weaving with no-signal lane changes when the speed of traffic would otherwise force them to slow down to something like 70 mph.

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

I'll admit to ribbing Gabe a bit on this one, but in my town, light flashing is quite common. I encounter this daily pulling into school, where parents will let another car turn rather than hold up traffic. And likewise, at a non-lighted T-intersection, it comes in handy to invite someone to pull out. It can be a good tool, if used appropriately.

[Thermofonz]

Gabe, Seriously you have too much time on your hands. I knew CR couldn't handle the CTS's success for too long. This is a really funny posting.

[Dan Madoni]

I hear ya', Gabe. I was totally in love with the CTS, but then I realized that the volume control only went up to 10 instead of 11. Man that car sucks.

...Really, do you expect this to be taken seriously? It's hard to tell whether you're being tongue-in-cheek here...

[Cale]

From what I can tell, we're not a flash-to-pass population of drivers. When driving behavior such as left lane occupying, driving while doing other stuff, and running stop lights becomes the norm rather than the exception, one is tempted to conclude that flash-to-pass is a relic of a bygone era.

Cale

[Bill]

OMG this takes the cake. This is a feature, and a practice, that almost nobody on this side of the Atlantic uses. The few people who do are total jerks who think everyone else should get our their way because they're too important.

It was a GM product, so you just HAD to nitpick until you found SOMETHING that you could negatively comment on.

sheesh

[Jim Evans]

I'm probably not going to take my car over to Germany to drive on the Autobahn any time soon, so it doesn't bother me that the CTS doesn't have "flash to pass". When I buy a car to drive in Europe I definately won't buy the CTS, however since I live and do all of my driving in California I'm definately going to consider this Caddy.

[Jim]

Are you that lazy that you can't merely click the stalk forward and then rearward again to acheive the same effect as flash to pass? Or is the stalk detent a little too strong for your spindly arms? I suppose that if flash to pass was offered, you'd be complaining about having to replace an $89 HID bulb every 20 months. Additionally I've just used more calories writing this reply than anybody will spend in a lifetime using a flash to pass feature. This complaint is weak. Just plain weak.

[Rick K]

Gabe - I have been driving cars for 45 years. I have never used a "flash to pass" feature (did not know it even existed) and have never seen anyone else do it. What could it possibly mean? I think one interpretation would be for the guy in front of you to think he should speed up. Not exactly what you'd want if you were trying to pass.

[Randy Derheim]

This car was not meant for snow! I miss my front wheel drive Seville and am seriously thinking of breaking my lease before I get hurt driving this in winter conditions.

[James Friedman]

If I were writing a satire piece about a CR staffer desperately trying to find a reason to bash an American car, I don't believe I could do quite as well as this one. Kudos!

[Rob Pollard]

Hilarious post. I thought it was a joke at first. In general, I agree with the previous comments about "flashing" to pass. It's not done very often, but I have seen it done more than once on I-94 btw Chicago and Detroit, usually by some guy going, literally, 90-100 mph driving a Porsche. I will say I drive a 2004 Pontiac Vibe (not nearly as expensive as CTS, I know) and when I want to let someone else know to "Go ahead, I'll wait." (say, at a 4-way stop), I merely click the stalk forward and then rearward again. Presto! No need to wait until 2010!

[Jordan Dewey]

Whatever useless feature that the CTS (or Chevy Malibu, Saturn Vue, Ford Fusion, or any American car) is missing, you can bet that Consumer's Reports will tell us, and note it as a reason for bashing another American product.

It's to the point that it's actually fun to see what the Consumer's Reports team will come up with next...be it infant car seats or automobiles.

[Michael]

That's the reason that turned you off to this car?Really?? OMG Listen if you're just biased against American cars just say so.General Motors worked so hard to improve the car - and they've made extraordinary strives - yet you kill them over this? How is the fit and finish of the product?How much noise and vibration do you experience in its ride?what about the on-board nav,what did you think of that? Hows it handle? Is the steering responsive enough for you?Is the engine any good? Do you have any complaints about the quality of the interior? If you want to be subjective and criticize the car then do so on these aspects,and your criticisms will be seen as constructive and appreciated.But this flash to pass complaint comes across as trivial and petty.Americans know we still have a ways to go if we're serious about competing with the likes of Mercedes and BMW,But criticisms like these just seem designed to frustrate.

[Dennis Richey]

OK Gabe heres the deal. The reason the HID's can't function in flash to pass mode is this. HID's cant respond that fast. It takes a second for the output to the HID bulb to charge up and respond. If you try to make HID's flash to pass type headlamp bulbs there is a long delay when you pull the stalk causing customer concerns. GM is not alone in this, Its the nature of HID's