Segment:
Full-size Luxury Sedan
Brand Perception:
American Luxury, Comfort-oriented, Prestige
Key Competitors:
Lincoln Town Car, Chrysler 300, Mercedes-Benz E-Class (older generations), BMW 5 Series (older generations)
Defining Characteristics:
Spacious interior, comfortable ride, powerful V8 engine, classic Cadillac styling
Powertrain:
Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system
Drivetrain:
Transmission operation, differential, drive axles
Chassis:
Suspension system, steering system, braking system, wheels and tires
Electrical:
Battery, charging system, starting system, lighting, instrument panel, gauges, warning indicators
Comfort And Convenience:
HVAC system, power windows, power locks, seats, mirrors, sound system, infotainment, climate control
Safety And Security:
Airbags, seat belts, child restraint systems, anti-theft system, door locks, security features
Basic Operation:
Starting and stopping the engine, shifting gears, parking, using controls and features
Maintenance:
Fluid checks and top-offs, tire pressure checks, wiper blade replacement, bulb replacement, basic cleaning
Troubleshooting:
Understanding warning lights, basic diagnostics for common issues, what to do in emergency situations
Information Lookup:
Interpreting dashboard indicators, understanding vehicle settings, operating various features
Depth:
Owner-level understanding of vehicle systems and operation, basic maintenance procedures
Engine Type:
4.6L Northstar V8
Engine Code:
LD8 (320 hp) / L37 (292 hp)
Horsepower:
292-320 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
288-298 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential Port Fuel Injection (SFI)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 octane recommended)
Emission Controls:
Catalytic Converter, On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II)
NHTSA Front Crash Test Rating:
5-Star
NHTSA Side Crash Test Rating:
5-Star
IIHS Frontal Offset Rating:
Good (2010 model year availability may vary by test center)
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Traction Control:
Standard Traction Control System (TCS)
Stability Control:
Standard StabiliTrak (Electronic Stability Control)
Parking Assist:
Available Rear Parking Assist
Airbags:
Dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags
Seat Belts:
Three-point seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters
Child Restraints:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system
Infotainment System:
Standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with auxiliary audio input. Available Bose premium audio system, navigation system, and touch-screen interface.
Display:
Central color display for infotainment and climate control.
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available (Side Blind Zone Alert)
Bluetooth:
Available (Bluetooth for hands-free calling)
Usb Port:
Available (with certain infotainment packages)
Oil Change Interval:
Every 7,500 miles or 12 months (synthetic oil recommended)
Tire Rotation Interval:
Every 7,500 miles
Transmission Fluid Change:
Typically every 50,000-100,000 miles, consult manual for specific recommendation or if towing
Coolant Flush:
Every 5 years or 100,000 miles (Dex-Cool)
Engine Oil Specification:
SAE 5W-30 (Synthetic recommended), GM dexos1™ Gen 2 approved
Transmission Fluid Specification:
Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid
Coolant Specification:
GM P/N 12347026 (Orange Dex-Cool®) Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant
Common Problems:
Northstar engine issues (though improved in later years), potential for oil leaks, suspension component wear, HVAC system problems, catalytic converter failure
Reliability Notes:
While generally a reliable platform for its era, specific Northstar engine maintenance is crucial. Check for any outstanding Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs).
Brand Focus:
Cadillac, as GM's luxury marque, has a long history of producing large, comfortable, and powerful sedans synonymous with American luxury.
Predecessors:
The DTS is the successor to the Cadillac Sedan de Ville and its various iterations, representing the pinnacle of Cadillac's traditional large sedan offering.
Generation:
This generation (based on the Epsilon II platform) represented a modernization of Cadillac's large sedan, moving from the older G-body platform.
Production Years:
2006-2011
Manufacturing Location:
Hamtramck, Michigan, USA
