With the July 1st hands-free mobile-phoning law just around the corner here in California, I thought I'd get acquainted with our 2008 Cadillac CTS Bluetooth pairing procedure. I exhausted all the intuitive hands-on paths within minutes and called (with a headset) back to the Mothership to ask if our CTS was even Bluetooth capable. "Nope, don't think so, but you should RTM and make sure before you post on it."
I consulted the manual and found nothing. The words Bluetooth or Phone or Telephone, aren't even listed in the index. Oh great, this is going to require some further research. It's casual Friday for cryin' out loud, and I've got so many amusing emails to forward to all my Contacts before lunch.
So I grabbed the car's window sticker and headed over to my desk to determine if our car should have it. Our car has three options: Premium Luxury Collection, 18" All-Season Tire Performance Package, and Crystal Red Premium Paint.
I punched up 2008 Cadillac CTS standard and optional equipment at Edmunds.com and right there, within the CTS PDQ Premium Luxury Collection (w/ Man) info it clearly states "Bluetooth cell phone connectivity to vehicle audio system." The problem is our CTS doesn't have a manual transmission. For some reason the CTS PDQ Premium Luxury Collection (w/ auto) option does not include Bluetooth.
Could it be GM figured only those drivers who would need their right hands for shifting would require hands-free Bluetooth connectivity?
To make certain all my bases were covered, I ventured on over to the General Motors site and found a tutorial on how to pair a Bluetooth enabled phone with the 2008 CTS. You can read it here, but suffice to say I only got to step 6 (of 28 total) before I was rejected. When I said, "HANDS FREE," the car responded, "Enterstreet -- Invalid Command."
Turns out our CTS is without blue teeth, unlike this guy.
Chris Walton, Chief Road Test Editor @ 6872 miles
joefrompa says:
02:13 PM, 06/13/08
Wow...
I gotta say, that was an insightful post :)
Joe
lazyhater says:
02:21 PM, 06/13/08
wow, a 2008 luxury car that don't come with blue tooth, good job GM!
firstwagon says:
02:36 PM, 06/13/08
Yet another reason to get a manual transmission. The list really is endless. :)
carmizvi says:
03:10 PM, 06/13/08
Yay for firstwagon! Can you help me convince my wife of that?
I think we're going to be seeing a lot more manuals on the road in the years to come. Driving a sofa is so not enjoyable, after all.
firstwagon says:
03:37 PM, 06/13/08
"Yay for firstwagon! Can you help me convince my wife of that? "
Wish I could help but I can't even convince my own wife of that.
Thanks for the vote of support though.
cartester16 says:
03:58 PM, 06/13/08
Geez, how much was that car?
ahightower says:
04:21 PM, 06/13/08
+1 firstwagon. Always get the manual!
At first glance, it seems to me that anything called "premium luxury collection" in 2008 should at least include everything that comes on a $15,000 Sentra...
skid666 says:
04:48 PM, 06/13/08
Any CTS built after April 21, 2008 should have bluetooth capability (OnStar 8.0).
desmolicious says:
05:16 PM, 06/13/08
get a free headset for your phone before July 1 from freeheadset.org.
No kidding, I just ordered some.
do not work for the company, no interest other than trying to hook up the edmunds faithful
stovt001 says:
08:17 PM, 06/13/08
Good, if GM prevents even just a few drivers from slowing traffic and becoming rolling hazards through the use of their "totally safe, totally non-distracting" hands free phone then they deserve much praise. You shouldn't be on the phone while driving a car, period. It doesn't matter if its hands free. You're guiding a two ton missile at 60+ mph. Anyone who has watched a driver attempt to drive while talking on even a bluetooth device can see why this law does not nearly go far enough.
ryster says:
04:17 AM, 06/14/08
"Good, if GM prevents even just a few drivers from slowing traffic and becoming rolling hazards through the use of their "totally safe, totally non-distracting" hands free phone then they deserve much praise. You shouldn't be on the phone while driving a car, period. It doesn't matter if its hands free. You're guiding a two ton missile at 60+ mph. Anyone who has watched a driver attempt to drive while talking on even a bluetooth device can see why this law does not nearly go far enough."
As much as I hate seeing people drive while using their cellphones, I have to ask the following question:
Once you go hands-free, what is the real difference between that and talking to passengers while you drive? When you break it down, having a conversation with passengers in your car while you drive is virtually the same as speaking to a voice "coming over the air" on the hands-free system.
If someone is driving over 60mph, they are disregarding the law as it is (at least in this area where it is still 55mph). Those people are going to be even LESS likely to abide by any other motor vehicle laws if they cannot follow a simple speed limit.
Yes, I have gone over 60, but for me that is the exception rather than the norm. 98% of the time I drive between 55-60 on the highway, and never exceed the speed limit on local roads. I only use my cellphone in the car when it is absolutely necessary. If it is an incoming call I am not expecting I let it go to voicemail. If I must make a call that may go more than 1 minute, I use OnStar calling or go hands-free with a Motorola bluetooth speaker. I despise those bluetooth headset/ear things.
briancam says:
08:59 AM, 06/14/08
The CTS does allow you to make hands free phone calls via OnStar but that's separate number and bill (unless you have Verizon)
My theory is that the CTS and other Cads will have their own version of Ford's Sync. Problem is, the new CTS is out before the Ford/Microsoft exclusive agreement is up. By next year, GM will be singing a different tune RE Bluetooth.
autoboy16 says:
06:09 PM, 06/14/08
If anyone out there still uses Mapquest like I do (until Monday when my Navigon 2100 arrives), they added a "SEND TO ONSTAR" link. Has anyone tried this?
I'm still shocked that so few manufacturers use Onstar. Some companies like Acura are still on and off with it. I see Onstar is growing in popularity as GM (thankfully)is.
Even if every car had Onstar, do they have enough telephone operators at Onstar? Can't imagine someone getting the busy signal especially after an accident...
-Cj
beach15 says:
06:32 AM, 06/15/08
You guys REALLY need to consult the manufacturer before you read your own mistaken data and post.
Most 2008 CTS's do not have Bluetooth, but as of about April 21st, all now DO as standard--because it's a feature going across GM for '09. Has zilch, zero, nothing to do with being a manual...just a very late intro feature now standard on all CTS's.
Moral of the story: Stinks that these cars didn't have BT from the start, but properly check your facts with a direct source before making a disappointed post out of it and then further misinforming people who read this.
billt9 says:
08:02 AM, 06/15/08
Cadillac's web site makes absolutely no mention of Bluetooth. Why would you think one even existed? Bluetooth isn't listed as standard OR optional equipment.
ryster says:
08:42 AM, 06/15/08
"Cadillac's web site makes absolutely no mention of Bluetooth. Why would you think one even existed? Bluetooth isn't listed as standard OR optional equipment."
Look again. This link is on the CTS page of Caddy's website:
http://www.gm.com/vc/bluetooth/
carmizvi says:
06:41 PM, 06/15/08
Somewhere north of the big border
stovt001: Amen. I like to drive in a quiet car. Conversations - even those that don't involve me - are distracting. I'm focusing on a fast-evolving world around me. I can't be bothered with which movie the kids want to watch next.
They know this. The phone goes to voicemail when I'm at the wheel. Nothing's more important than keeping my family from an unplanned meeting with a stationary object.
I'm heartened to see more states and provinces enacting no-handset legislation. But I agree it doesn't go far enough. Indeed, no legislation is ever really enough. To wit, we've had DUI laws on the books virtually everywhere for a couple of decades, yet the alcohol-fuelled carnage continues. Humans are, sadly, fundamentally dumb on too many levels to count.
trackwrex says:
12:25 PM, 06/17/08
Bluetooth is included in option Y44 (a seating package) - which, in turn, is included in several of the major option packages. It was added on as of mid-April as "skid666" stated. Just some data-geekdom for you...
isaacl says:
10:00 AM, 06/18/08
wow, you anti-conversation-in-the-car guys kill me....haha
does that mean you dont speak to your wife when she is riding shotgun?
are the kids forbidden to tell you they need to go potty? for fear of you running off the side of the road while you process the words they spoke???
how about the radio?? NPR a no go?
your favorite CD not allowed....
come on now, lets not go overboard here...
isaacl says:
12:17 PM, 06/18/08
and while we are at it.......
how about the following scenarios...
do they compromise your "driving attention"?
1.) checking the speedometer for current speed
2.) changing your temperature on the HVAC controls
3.) shifting your gears from 3rd to 4th...
(or any other combination)
4.) looking in the rear-view mirror while
traveling FORWARD....
how old are you guys?
should you even be driving still?
bepperb says:
08:19 AM, 06/19/08
"how old are you guys?
should you even be driving still?"
I agree completely. Either they are a bunch of liars, or they're over 60.
To not listen to the radio or speak to a passenger for fear of distraction? "I never drive over the speed limit"... ROFLMAO.