New Guy. How can I tell the best dealer to go to for service for a new 2026 CT5-V Blackwing?

[TurboWarp]

I am trying to order a new 2026 CT5-V BW. I am seeing that it may still be a big headache to get one as I tried years ago multiple times without success. Still, should I be able to get one, any ideas on how to tell which Cadillac dealer(s) in the DC Metro area have the best techs to work on/service this vehicle?

Thanks....

 

[AACaptRet]

If you are willing to use a dealer outside your local area, I recommend Sewell Cadillac of Dallas TX. The have a reputation of having excellent customer service. Call Sewell, ask for Tatum Santeen in Sales. A lovely lady who works for her clients. Good luck.

 

[USMC1911]

Finding the car you want is the hard part. Every dealer can service it as its not rocket science. Its.not like the LT4 and the Tremec have drastically changed i. the last decade.

 

[TurboWarp]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[AACaptRet]

I am the guy that had the 22 CT5 BW engine come apart at around 5000 miles. Sewell picked up the car, left me a loaner, installed a new engine
(including starter and battery) and bought the car back. All under warranty.

 

[TurboWarp]

All, looks like I really do have a 2026 CT5V BW coming my way with a status code of:

4B00-Bayed

Question: For navigation to work does it require intenet connectivity?

Thx

 

[AACaptRet]

GPS does not need anything but a clear view of the sky. FYI. I use a Garmin Drive Smart 8in Stand alone GPS because I use the CT5 BW screen to display the music being played (car play from my phone)

 

[TurboWarp]

Right, but does it have local maps or does it need internet connectivity to call up the maps like android auto does? I was thinking that since this is google it may work that way like android auto, which would not be optimum for me as my home area does not have good cell coverage from any carriers.

Thanks

 

[AACaptRet]

I am unable to answer your question because I have never used the built in GPS. From my experience with owning other Cadillacs, the map database is in the memory built into the car and does not need an internet connection. The base map database is independent of the internet and would be updated vis an update from Cadillac. The Garmin GPS I use gets updated automatically from ….somewhere. I assume from a satellite but maybe from the dark side of the force.

 

[FLYARMY]

My local Cadillac dealer is charging $219 per hour. Up $30 per hour from last year alone ! Cost me $237 for an oil change. My car is now 3 years old and has had 4 oil changes already ! The break-in oil change and then the 3 annual ones. My 22' 5BW only has 6350 miles on her.
"With great power, comes great responsibility "

 

[AACaptRet]

Having the oil changed by someone other than the dealer does not invalidate the warranty. I get mine (22 5 BW) at a local Valvoline place.

 

[Bald Guy]

Keep your receipts if you decide to do your oil changes and filter changes somewhere else. I'm pretty sure Chevrolet dealers can take care of the oil change as well because I think it has similar hardware like the Camaro ZL1 especially the engine and transmission if I'm not mistaken.

 

[nordique14]

Right, but does it have local maps or does it need internet connectivity to call up the maps like android auto does? I was thinking that since this is google it may work that way like android auto, which would not be optimum for me as my home area does not have good cell coverage from any carriers.

Thanks

There is an “offline mode” but it has to do with the GPS being “offline” as I discovered recently. For the 2025+ models the GPS is tied to OnStar subscription. I found out when my Google Maps could not find me and the icon in the gauge cluster that shows the road’s speed limit just showed —. So I called OnStar and was told I had not accepted the OnStar terms so functionality was limited. They give you 60 days after enablement of OnStar (i.e. purchased of the car) to accept the terms. So I accepted the terms and after they pushed that change to the car then things started working again.

The takeaway is that they give you 8 years of basic OnStar service for 2025+ cars. Then you will need to pay for maps, speed limit signs and whatever else to keep working. Good thing CarPlay was working and will hopefully continue to work a decade from now.

 

[AACaptRet]

I didn’t know any of that because the Garmin (top of their line) GPS doesn’t need any of that. It responds to voice commands, updates database automatically (no charge) and is spot on accurate.
And it keeps the 5BW screen available for the music function.

 

[ngoni]

This may be a situation where the 'older' tech in the 4BW (and possibly pre-facelift 5BW?) is better. My 4BW came with an SD card filled with US map data installed in the center console. The onboard nav continued to work even as I drove through the most remote parts of West Virginia to include the "Radio Quiet Zone" where their 2.3 acre radio telescope lives. We had over half that day with zero cell coverage, but the onboard nav didn't skip a beat.

 

[TurboWarp]

SD card and other local storage does not need Internet access. I update the maps at a charge every couple few years. I just order the maps, insert the USB they come on and thusly update my 2014 and 2012 onboard maps. I have a 2025 e450 but am not sure if it's maps are local. I believe they are because there is no map lag even when no loss of cell coverage. Looks like the 2026 bw has a reliance for at least updates on the Internet via cell signal. Sad really...

 

[FLYARMY]

I always let my dealership do ALL my maintenance as long as the car is under warranty. That way they can't give me ANY excuses about OTHER mechanics doing work. It was ALL serviced by THEM. Years ago I had an issue with a dealership trying to back out of a warranty issue. Never completely trust your dealership. Kinda like the creepy guy in the beat up white van, offering you candy. I want to see the candy first !! LOL !

 

[nordique14]

This may be a situation where the 'older' tech in the 4BW (and possibly pre-facelift 5BW?) is better. My 4BW came with an SD card filled with US map data installed in the center console. The onboard nav continued to work even as I drove through the most remote parts of West Virginia to include the "Radio Quiet Zone" where their 2.3 acre radio telescope lives. We had over half that day with zero cell coverage, but the onboard nav didn't skip a beat.

I think you might be right in the 22-24 CT5 having better tech if you plan on keeping the car long term. I wanted the Precision Package and the upgraded PDR so I am okay with that trade off and having a 2025+.