1997 Cadillac Seville STS from North America - Comments

About a month ago I purchased a 97 STS with 70,000 miles on it. Put about 1500 miles on it and had to add 2 qts of oil. Questioned the mechanic and he said 1 qt/1000 miles is normal for the car, but 2 qts was not good. Looks like my recent purchase might have been a bust, they are going to check it out later this week. DAZ New Kensington, PA.

I was about to purchase a 1997 SLS Seville and now after reading your comments, I think not. The car has 70 miles and with the high oil consumption rate--I am afraid it won't last the 150K miles I need it to. Being a lady, we get taken to the cleaners anyway on auto repairs. Thanks for posting the messages--you probably saved me money and being broke down on the highway. I drive 40K miles a year.

Thanks Guys.

Sam.

We have a 1995 Cadillac DeVille Concours. Because of medical problems, we have put a high amount of miles on the car in a short time. We, too, are noticing a higher than normal oil usage - about one quart every 150 highway miles. We switched to mid-grade gasoline, but did not not really notice any difference in the oil usage. We have gone out car shopping at several Cadillac dealers and find that our car is only worth $2,000. It is worth more than that to us. We plan to visit the Ford dealer this week. At least a Ford will have a lower price sticker.

In May 1998,I bought a used 1997 Cadillac STS with approximately 33000 miles on it. Within the first year or so, the "check engine oil" light started showing itself. After just adding as much as two quarts of oil on my own for two or three times since I'm not too savvy with cars, I asked a friend who was. He suggested that I ask the dealer (Faulkner Cadillac in Trevose, PA) to perform an oil compression test. They did not, but started me on the long two plus years journey I'm still traversing, i.e.a dye test, two 'special' oil consumption tests and as of June 10 this year, a ring job. (An aside: they told me that a quart of oil per 1000 to 1200 miles was normal per Cadillac personnel. After the second of the two tests was performed, the car used 2 quarts after 1500 miles!!) My extended warranty runs out in August'03 and they tell me after that, I'm own my dime, not General Motors'. I'm not going to chance any bigger bills. Would you? GM -and their dealers- know this is not a small problem; it's a big one. 65% of all 1997 Cadillac STS's have the problem.

Gasp! And... shame on you, GM!!! I even own your stock, will probably go "foreign" next time I buy a car, and will no longer use my GM Master-card!

I own a 1997 Cadillac Seville STS, 80,000 miles, has anybody had any fuel leaks, the hard rubber tubing for the fuel, between the injectors, and also the fuel lines, has become brittle, and started cracking, anybody else with this explosive problem.

Here's food for thought concerning the "Normal" Northstar oil consumption -

We have a 97 Seville STS my wife drives that we bought used with 45,000 miles on it. It burns a quart of oil every 600-700 miles. I sold my 88 Corvette (@ 95,000 miles, burned a quart every 3000 miles) and bought a new 2003 BMW 540i (4.4 liter V8) February 2003 and now have 8500 miles on it. It has not yet needed to go in for any service and is down 1/4 quart, repeat 1/4 quart, of oil. I still find it difficult to believe, but it is true that I have never added any oil. I have never had a car that has been as good. It will probably be due (based in the service indicator lights) to go in for its first service and oil change at about 13,000 miles. When the salesman handed me the keys last February, he said "See you next year" I did a double take and didn't believe him, but so far he is right.

Alan Erickson.

It sounds like all these people burning the cadillacs are plants by the import car makers, even if your caddy's use some oil, big deal, check it regulary and add when needed, it seems that people just want to drive the cars and not do anything to them, trust me, all car maker have positives and negatives, but if using a little oil is such a big deal, have you forgot the old v-8's in the 60's&70's? they drank oil, all of them did...

I also have purchased a 97 STS with 34,000 miles on it. I have put 40,000 miles on it over the 4 years I've had it and in the last year I'm noticing the oil usage. Like all of you it is 2 qts in between oil changes, I just had it in to replace struts and complained of the oil usage. I was offered the oil consumption test, they will report it to my warranty company. I actually feel bad for Warranty Direct, the company that I purchased the extended warranty from because they will foot the bill for a new engine not GM. I'm thankful that we purchased the extended warranty because parts on a Cadillac are very expensive. My husband doesn't care for the car, but it's my baby. I don't like the new designs for Cadillac so I think my next car will be a Volvo S80.

You probably don't realise it, but Cadillac sell these here in the UK. And guess what? They use oil!

I have a superb 98 right hand drive CTS. To be fair, I can't say I worry too much as the 'add oil' warning only appears after 1500 to 2000 miles and as such is n't a problem. I've had a variety of cars from all over the world and some never seem to use oil whilst others drink it. One thing is certain though, the only success I have had with an oil guzzler is to sell as quick as possible. Re-builds and innovative solutions with fancy potions only drive up your blood pressure. You should not be driving a car if you spend all of your time keeping a check on the oil light or 'feed -me' oil warning!

Try paying the UK gas prices and you will soon stop worrying about oil. 77Pence per litre does n't go a long way. A full gas tank costs me in the region of $77!!! However, I do really like the car. It is very rare here and everyone thinks I've paid tens of $1000's for the car. Rapid depreciation for big cars here in the UK makes them relatively cheap to buy.

Any donations to my gas fund would be appreciated.

Ken Pullan Washington, England.

I purchased a 1999 Seville and after 9 month of happy ownership, now have a vibration in the rear end.

I have had the tires balanced several times, put new

expensive tires on, new rear brakes and rotors...

Still have the vibration at 65 to 70 miles an hour.

I drive 50 miles each way to work and back, so 65 mph

is my normal speed. Anyone know what could be causing

this?

Also, with 500+ miles a week on my Seville, I use one quart

of oil per 5000 miles.

Hi After reading your interesting remarks about oil consumption and over heating etc. I also had this frustrating problem and after several extremely expensive diagnosis the problem was found to be a Plugged catalytic converter. I also experienced a loss of power. After it was changed the car worked perfectly. It was an 1986 Cadillac Fleet wood Brougham.

O Burrell

Kingston, Ontario.

I also have a 97 Seville STS. Of course it burnt oil and the entire engine was replaced. I have also had a plethora of other problems that I'd like to share. I have had 2 alternators replaced. A battery replaced. A Rack, which is a hydraulic actuator that is used in the steering system, was also replaced. I have had the rotors turned twice now due to vibration in the wheel when applying the brakes, and they need to be turned again. I have had a suspension component called an "A=Arm" replaced. I have had the rear tail lights replaced because water got inside them and could not drain out, causing the bulbs to explode and the sockets to corrode. Fortunately for me all of the problems mentioned above were covered under warranty so I didn't cry to badly, but now the car has about 78,000 miles on it and the warranty is expired. I am now on my own and I have a new problem... Something electrical is draining my battery. When the engine is off and there is nothing running, like the radio and such, something is drawing about 3 amps continuously from the battery. I measured it with an ammeter.. I have to charge the battery about every other day now or else it gets too low. Can anyone help me troubleshoot this???

Thanks.

Blade@fuse.net.

I traded in my 97 STS for a new 2002 Lexus. After two years I just bought another 97 STS and have the Lexus up for sale. The STS may burn a little oil, so I will check it every 1000 miles. But there is nothing like this car on earth. I plan on keeping it for a very long time it has low mileage and very well kept. This is my second Cadillac I also have a 62 convertible.

I just purchased a 97 cadillac sts 32 valve 4.6 L,..the engine has a lot of power, but it tacks out at 5000 rpm's...i think it's the transmission... ill get on it and the engine no matter what will not pass 5000 rpm's, if you have had this problem and can help me diagnose my car please help me..

Thanks Jasmine.

I have 97 STS, Nortstar with 59k miles. I am very dis-appointed because I love the car. It is excellent condition. It uses a quart every 1000 miles. The issue is, at 3000 miles the Service Engine light will come on and a skip will develop (rough idle). The skip is from fouled spark plug due to oil.

Has anyone tried any type of oil addative to reduce consumption?