Recent content by hawk02

I’ve never seen GM say you can’t drive PS4S under 50°. Under 20°, yeah — that’s when you really need to be careful. If 50° were the limit, no one up north could drive their Blackwing in spring or fall. Sure, they lose grip when it’s cooler, but they’re not gonna crumble or crack just because...

Had the battery replaced under warranty on my ’23 CT5-V Blackwing this summer after the original one was diagnosed with a bad cell. The battery went completely dead after the car sat for 12 days while I nursed a torn rotator cuff. The key fob would do nothing. I had to use the mechanical door...

If the dealer truly has an allocation, the order status should move to 2000 (Accepted by GM) pretty quickly. Some dealers, however, will tell customers they’ve “submitted” the order even when they don’t yet have an allocation—hoping they’ll receive one in an upcoming cycle. In those cases, the...

Before I put PS4Ss on my 2017 ZL1, I read a lot of reviews noting that the PS4S isn’t really ideal for track use. The tire uses multi-compound construction, and the sidewalls are tuned more for comfort and compliance than maximum lateral rigidity. Essentially, it’s a compromise for everyday...

I was going to say the same thing. I’ve had my GMC pickup serviced at a “Chevy-only” dealership with no issues at all. That’s one of the nice advantages of GM’s shared component strategy — a lot of the parts and service procedures are interchangeable across models and brands.

OP, don't over think it. the AC Delco OEM gear oil is very good. From my experience with two Camaro ZL1 6 Spd Tremec manuals, there's no advantage to going with a 3rd party gear oil.

Yes, the LT5 and LT4 have a lot in common, but GM didn’t just toss on a bigger blower and call it done. The LT5 got port injection on top of direct, a stronger crank, and an electronically controlled bypass valve, among other upgrades. Then you’ve got all the extra work that comes with chassis...

Profitability hasn’t always stopped GM from developing unique supercharged engines for low-volume models. The LS9 and LT5 are perfect examples — both were built exclusively for the Corvette ZR1. Maybe that’s the difference: GM seems willing to spend the money on a bespoke supercharged powerplant...

I’ve had two full months with my 2024 Boxster GTS 4.0 with PDK. Not a GT3, I know, but it shares Porsche’s flat-plane 4.0-liter six — just in a slightly detuned form. The Boxster replaced my 2021 C8 Stingray HTC. When compared to my 5BW manual, the Boxster feels quick and nimble. It’s got...

Not going to argue that 668 HP is a bit much for public roads. But coming to my 5BW after six years with a 2017 Camaro ZL1 6MT, I’ve never felt like I had to use all that power to enjoy the car. The beauty of the LT4 is the torque — it all comes in between 3500–4000 rpm, which makes on-ramps and...

For comparison, my 1.25-amp Battery Tender brand threw a red error light when I hooked it up to the original battery in my BW, even though it worked fine on my wife’s Blazer. I even tried the “official” Cadillac battery conditioner. It ran for three full days straight and never got the battery...

My saga of getting a replacement builder plaque has finally come to a happy ending. About three weeks ago, I took my BW to a Ford vs. Ferrari car show at a local Ford dealership. While I was walking around taking pics (I run a website that promotes car shows around Central Ohio), I came across...

To my ears, the sound quality in my BW is actually pretty darn good — definitely better than the Bose systems in my Porsche and former C8. What’s funny, though, is that the “lowly” base audio system in my ’21 GMC Elevation pickup still takes the crown. The bass in that truck is surprisingly deep...

Yes, I’m aware of the third-party options out there. Your last sentence, though, is exactly why I haven’t taken the plunge—sounds like more hassle than I want to deal with. I’ll just live with the standard rearview mirror and keep complaining like it’s part of the ownership experience.😎

My wife doesn’t like the rearview camera mirror either, so I get where you’re coming from. I actually like it because it gives a much wider view of what’s behind the car. It does take my eyes a split second to adjust, but once they do, I don’t have any trouble focusing. If you’ve got the option...