ezcome-ezgo
G'me sumthin to write on
Ok guys, we have a 2013 Cadillac ATS, 2.5L non-turbo RWD in the driveway with an A/C system that doesn't want to keep the trophy wife cool. This, literally, is not cool. So, the compressor, condenser and that other little thing have to be replaced. "So what?" you ask. Well the vehicle has a couple other qualities that have just become glaring "WTF" questions that I wanted to share.
1) The transmission uses the radiator as a cooling source, there are two lines that run into the radiator top and bottom on the driver's side. Obviously to remove the radiator, one will have to pull out those lines, which may lead to some loss of trans fluid. Ok, so we'll just replace the trans fluid through the dipstick tube ...whaaat? There is no dipstick tube. Down on the transmission there is a rubber plug where the dipstick tube would and should be. It is plain as day there could, would and should be a tube to allow maintenance of this fluid, but there is not. Who what how stupid???
2) The condenser lives in front of the radiator. The radiator is held in place by a part rubber, part plastic shroud that wraps from the upper left corner of the radiator down around and forward to the bumper and back up to the upper right corner of the radiator. Imagine a large square tube with no top |__| Removal of this shroud is required to remove the condenser, as it resides inside of it. Removing the shroud requires you remove the front bumper cover entirely. As in remove the front of the car. It's the 21st century now, can we not think these things through before we build machines that are virtually impossible to maintain?
I'm sure many of you have experiences that make mine pale in comparison, but da##it man, come on! Thank you for your attention to this matter.
1) The transmission uses the radiator as a cooling source, there are two lines that run into the radiator top and bottom on the driver's side. Obviously to remove the radiator, one will have to pull out those lines, which may lead to some loss of trans fluid. Ok, so we'll just replace the trans fluid through the dipstick tube ...whaaat? There is no dipstick tube. Down on the transmission there is a rubber plug where the dipstick tube would and should be. It is plain as day there could, would and should be a tube to allow maintenance of this fluid, but there is not. Who what how stupid???
2) The condenser lives in front of the radiator. The radiator is held in place by a part rubber, part plastic shroud that wraps from the upper left corner of the radiator down around and forward to the bumper and back up to the upper right corner of the radiator. Imagine a large square tube with no top |__| Removal of this shroud is required to remove the condenser, as it resides inside of it. Removing the shroud requires you remove the front bumper cover entirely. As in remove the front of the car. It's the 21st century now, can we not think these things through before we build machines that are virtually impossible to maintain?
I'm sure many of you have experiences that make mine pale in comparison, but da##it man, come on! Thank you for your attention to this matter.
) but I drive an old Chevy Silverado Z71 that I can maintain and easily work on if I have to. She's a girly girl who couldn't change a tire if she tried. They got us by the balls, man!
