I admit that this post on the 2008 Cadillac CTS hasn't got a lot of meat on its bones. But anyone who has ridden in the car with me for more than an hour or so has asked the same question: "What's this thing do?"
It happened again last night. I had no answer except, "Nothing, apparently."
My best guess is that it hides a portal that, once opened, would reveal a black hole and catapult us all into another dimension. Either that or it hides a bolt that holds the console in place.
I'm tempted to pry it off, but I fear I'll break something. The owner's manual is no help, but a quick read did eliminate the "shift-lock override" theory.
Any other bright ideas?
Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 7,733 miles
cx7lover says:
02:24 PM, 07/ 1/08
Shift-lock probably.
cts24 says:
02:40 PM, 07/ 1/08
This is where they are putting the electronic parking brake switch on the '09 models. One would assume the trim piece was created with this switch in mind--and for whatever reason the electronic parking brake was pushed back a year. I look at this everyday in my '08--and wish the foot-brake was long gone. That said, I have never been happier with a vehicle.
louiswei says:
02:41 PM, 07/ 1/08
That is one good looking shifter, too bad it's not gated. It'll look even better if the wood is replaced by brushed aluminum.
ahightower says:
04:05 PM, 07/ 1/08
I still much prefer real wood in a nice car. This thing has enough metal, the wood balances it and gives it a warmer look. IMHO.
linard says:
06:27 PM, 07/ 1/08
Is the wood real in this car? Personally, I'm not a big fan of the painted silver console (Toyota/Lexus loves this too), my friend's with 20K looks pretty tired already and I'm not sure if it's a defect just on his but the plasti-chrome around the vents is peeling to reveal the white plastic underneath. Is any of the metal trim inside the car real? Then again, on some of the C class Benz loaner's I've had, the aluminum can dent.
stovt001 says:
10:39 PM, 07/ 1/08
The wood is real as far as I know and really makes that interior look great.
c5thunder says:
11:12 PM, 07/ 1/08
Definitely the placeholder for the missing Electronic Parking Brake. Wood looks nice, but the console in general could've been designed better. I always have a hard time getting 2 medium coffee's in the cup-holders next to each other without one of them being on an angle. the plastic curves are a bit overdone.
chavis10 says:
06:34 AM, 07/ 2/08
The '09 CTS will address many of the current MY complaints- steering wheel shift buttons (FE3 package and V series only), electronic parking brake and Bluetooth. The only missing major options that some of the competitors offer are front parking sensors and radar/laser cruise control.
Brian Moody says:
10:09 AM, 07/ 2/08
It an extra piece of flair - you don't want to have the minimum do you?
bimmerjay says:
11:31 AM, 07/ 2/08
LOL, I'd say the CTS has waaaay more than the minimum pieces of flair. Just look at that grille, woo wee!
Dan Edmunds says:
11:39 AM, 07/ 2/08
Anyone remember what Ms. Anniston ultimately did after she tired of all of that flair?
Those who guessed placeholder for an upcoming 2009 electronic parking brake are apparently correct. One of our operatives informed me that he has seen it.
Bryn MacKinnon says:
01:49 PM, 07/ 2/08
no, dan. I don't remember what she did after the flair became too much to tolerate. do tell!
altimadude00 says:
02:01 PM, 07/ 2/08
It's the passenger seat ejector button.
f1mom says:
03:00 PM, 07/ 2/08
Actually, there is a driver seat ejector button. Dan - can you get a shot of that?
And here is what happens when you tire of the flair: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bXHPqj3NcI&feature=related
iancar says:
08:29 PM, 07/ 2/08
If you are rich enough to buy 09 CTS-V, you will find a little button in the exact location that called "park".
z479 says:
08:34 AM, 07/ 3/08
Office Space was one of the greatest movies of all time.
james104 says:
06:15 AM, 07/22/08
I just took home my '09 DI (fully loaded except for AWD and block heater!) yesterday (July 21). That small plastic trim piece is still there, and the car still has a foot operated parking brake. Maybe they have not instituted the change yet, or perhaps there is NO change.
james104 says:
08:21 AM, 07/22/08
Whoops! I posted too soon. I was reading my manual today (first day after bringing the vehicle home) and I noticed there are some models that DO in fact have a electronic brake switch (EBS) in this location. It is hard to tell from the manual, but it appears as if manual transmission-equipped cars have the EBS. Maybe the CTS-V does, and maybe FE3 suspension-equipped cars have it as well (mine has a FE2 suspension). This is only conjecture on my part.