CT5-V New '26 5BW: Some Annoyances

[leres]

Here's another one that I didn't have in my '23: a constant false Ka band signal that's tripping off my V1. My detector is basically useless in the car with it constantly alerting to a false Ka. It's originating from the front end of the car somewhere. This is... bad.

The problem is that the google built-in LCD panel is leaking 35.100 GHz. You can work around this by creating "custom frequencies" that leave the problematic frequency out. I've been running this way for six months with no problems.

Custom Frequencies for V1 Gen2

I run several different sets of CF depending on the environment I am in. Like for heavy traffic with a lot of BSMs, I run a very narrow set. Are your changes focusing on K-band, or are you changing stuff in Ka? BSMs are typically K-band only so you have me curious.

www.rdforum.org

 

[Finally-a-V]

When we lived in VA almost 10 years ago, radar detectors were illegal AND a ticketable offense. They could stop you only for having a detector and ticket you. As I remember, some VSP vehicles had something that could detect your detector.

 

[jvp]

When we lived in VA almost 10 years ago, radar detectors were illegal AND a ticketable offense. They could stop you only for having a detector and ticket you. As I remember, some VSP vehicles had something that could detect your detector.

It's called the Spectre2, and Dr. Mike could never get his hands on one to figure out how it would detect his V1. The state trooper that pulled me over (for having the detector) showed it to me. With a grin on his face he said, "Where's your detector?" Busted.

He was too interested in my ZR1 at the time and decided not to write me up. Told me to get lost.

 

[rubberduck]

It's called the Spectre2, and Dr. Mike could never get his hands on one to figure out how it would detect his V1. The state trooper that pulled me over (for having the detector) showed it to me. With a grin on his face he said, "Where's your detector?" Busted.

He was too interested in my ZR1 at the time and decided not to write me up. Told me to get lost.

That’s got to be the stupidest law I’ve ever heard of. RF waves belong to everyone once they leave the transmitter. It’s hard to believe this hasn’t been constitutionally challenged and overturned.

I’m glad I live in a mostly free state. In AZ we legally run laser jammers. The irony is that since my car is registered in Arizona, when I go to a state where laser jammers are banned, I’m not breaking the law.

 

[jvp]

That’s got to be the stupidest law I’ve ever heard of. RF waves belong to everyone once they leave the transmitter. It’s hard to believe this hasn’t been constitutionally challenged and overturned.

It's been attempted and has failed. In VA and WashDC, detectors are still illegal.

The irony is that since my car is registered in Arizona, when I go to a state where laser jammers are banned, I’m not breaking the law.

I wouldn't want to bet my driving record on that. I'm pretty sure you're 100% incorrect with that statement.

 

[kjt]

The irony is that since my car is registered in Arizona, when I go to a state where laser jammers are banned, I’m not breaking the law.

Radar detectors and laser jammers are both illegal in VA - doesn’t matter where your car is registered. And “possession” is illegal in VA, not merely “use.” AI says laser jammers are illegal in 11 states plus DC.

 

[jvp]

And “possession” is illegal in VA, not merely “use.”

That part is incorrect. Please refer to the specific statute on the matter in VA.

A person shall not be guilty of a violation of this section when the device or mechanism in question, at the time of the alleged offense, had no power source and was not readily accessible for use by the driver or any passenger in the vehicle.

So you can have it, it just can't be powered or anywhere near a power source.

 

[kjt]

That part is incorrect. Please refer to the specific statute on the matter in VA.

So you can have it, it just can't be powered or anywhere near a power source.

Moral: Don’t trust AI! I know better . . .

 

[jvp]

Here's another interesting one, less an annoyance and more of a question: I went for a ride in someone else's '22 5BW today so he could compare it with the Precision Pack on mine. I was reminded of my '23 when he started moving his car and the seat belts tightened up a bit. My '26 doesn't do that. Anyone know what year they removed that little bit and why? I went digging through the owners manual and couldn't find any mention of it.

 

[Argent86]

Here's another interesting one, less an annoyance and more of a question: I went for a ride in someone else's '22 5BW today so he could compare it with the Precision Pack on mine. I was reminded of my '23 when he started moving his car and the seat belts tightened up a bit. My '26 doesn't do that. Anyone know what year they removed that little bit and why? I went digging through the owners manual and couldn't find any mention of it.

Hmm, interesting. I hadn't felt the belts tightening latelty either. I always start the car with the belt off...seems thats why.

24 5BW
"Automatic Seat Belt Tightening System. The vehicle may have the Automatic Seat Belt Tightening System.
Each time the vehicle is started with the front seat belts buckled, the system activates once to tighten the seat belts when the forward vehicle speed exceeds the threshold for activation.

The system will not activate if the Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control system is not functioning properly."

 

[jvp]

Hmm, interesting. I hadn't felt the belts tightening latelty either. I always start the car with the belt off...seems thats why.

It doesn't seem to matter whether I start the car with the belts already on or not. Was that snippet you clipped from your OM? My '26 OM says nothing about automatic tightening. I wonder if they just deleted for '25 or '26.

 

[Argent86]

It doesn't seem to matter whether I start the car with the belts already on or not. Was that snippet you clipped from your OM? My '26 OM says nothing about automatic tightening. I wonder if they just deleted for '25 or '26.

Yes, from the OM.

 

[jvp]

Yes, from the OM.

Good catch on that one. It looks like it was removed in MY25 and beyond.

 

[FLYARMY]

That’s got to be the stupidest law I’ve ever heard of. RF waves belong to everyone once they leave the transmitter. It’s hard to believe this hasn’t been constitutionally challenged and overturned.

I’m glad I live in a mostly free state. In AZ we legally run laser jammers. The irony is that since my car is registered in Arizona, when I go to a state where laser jammers are banned, I’m not breaking the law.

Just because a laser jammer is legal in your state, does not give you a pass to use it in another state. You are breaking the law.

 

[CB34]

Good catch on that one. It looks like it was removed in MY25 and beyond.

Confirmed that GM deleted this (RPO Code AX7) starting in 2025: Vehicle Order Guide

Edit: After digging a bit deeper, it seems that this RPO code was tied to some sort of Driver Assistance Package which included Adaptive Cruise Control. Since that feature was replaced by Super Cruise and the associated packages, that is most likely why we see it dropped out of the RPO guide. It's possible that the feature (or some form of it) is still there but not advertised with the new Super Cruise and connected RPO codes.

Do you have a manual? It could be why you are seeing it missing altogether since the manuals do not have super cruise.

 

[AdamUCF]

2. It seems like for many of the personal car settings (except for drive modes) that there is a greening that sets it back to what it wants (default?) whenever it wants... Sometimes it's next drive... Other times it doesn't happen for days or weeks. My guess is that GM is gonna GM. Still happens in my 22 and I'm 1/2 used to it and 1/2 annoyed. Bummed that it still seems an issue as I'm looking to get a 26.

In their infinite wisdom this was an intentional change across a bunch of GM 2026 MY vehicles.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11024771-0001.pdf

 

[jvp]

Do you have a manual? It could be why you are seeing it missing altogether since the manuals do not have super cruise.

I do, but that shouldn't matter as far as the owners manual is concerned. It's not even mentioned at all in the '25 and beyond OM. So it looks like it was, in fact, just wholey deleted from the car.

 

[jvp]

In their infinite wisdom this was an intentional change across a bunch of GM 2026 MY vehicles.

Dustin from Sewell confirmed for me that several of his '26 customers have complained about the same thing. Working as designed, and in this case the design sucks. One more thing to disable every single time I get into the car.