Eureka! The *accessory iPod cord we ordered for our 2008 Cadillac CTS came in. Boy does it transform the iPod experience.
Load times take about as long as it takes me to reach up to the touch screen after I snap my iPod onto the cord--in other words, negligible. And the GM logo now appears on my iPod's screen.
None of the tracks end up in the gibberish "No Info" file--they're all where they are supposed to be. Menu choices for "Playlist" and "Podcast" are now here (although the latter is one menu level down under "Genre" instead of being at the top level as it is on an iPod--no big deal).
*more like replacement--read on ...
Cadillac called to clarify a few points:
Yes, the original plan was to offer the cord as an after-purchase accessory, on the basis that all CTS customers would not own iPods. But this plan changed ...
"The owner's manual was worded at a time prior to the decision to include the iPod cable with every USB radio. It states that the cable can be purchased with your vehicle or may be available after, from your dealer/retailer. Since the printing of the owners manual, the practice has changed and every car with a USB port now recieves a cable as standard equipment."
They suggested that we look in our trunk, because the cord is now put there on the assembly line. This would mean that a dealer would have to remove the cord (and other items) during the Pre-Delivery Inspection and put them in the appropriate place in the car before a customer takes the keys.
"For the first half on 2008, iPod cables were placed in the center console as shipped from the
OK, sure. This isn't uncommon. But something went wrong here. Our car has a January 2008 build date, so according to this ours should have been in the center console. It wasn't in the glove box or console when we received the car (which we anonymously purchased from a dealer,) and I just checked the trunk. It has nothing in it but a sealant kit, a compressor (no spare on the FE2,) and the battery behind a flap.
This morning I went to my local dealer to pick up my new special-order cord. While there, I looked at two CTSs sitting on the showroom floor. Both had the high-zoot stereo, but neither had a cord inside. Presumably, this is to prevent theft or loss in the showroom. The salesman said the car does come with the cord. "Was this always the case?" I asked. One guy wasn't sure, the other was farily certain this has been the policy for all 2008 CTS with the USB jack. Still, the cord (and the owner's manual) was not in the two cars on this showroom floor, so it is possible to forget to put stuff back in.
All of this could explain why the parts department guys didn't know about the cord; most wouldn't have been asked for one before.
Moral of the story? If you buy a CTS with the impressive Bose system, make sure the cord is in the car before you drive off because, despite what the manual says, you're supposed to get one. If you visit a dealer to test-sit or test-drive the car and you want to try out the iPod connection (and you should), you might have to ask a salesman to dig up a cord if the floor model or demo car doesn't have one in it.
Now I have the weekend to try it out. *Rubs hands together*
Dan Edmunds, Driector of Vehicle Testing @ 6,140 miles
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I call it after Dan.
So will they reimburse you for the cord?
For real Dan. Don't let them walk off with your 55 smackeroos, man. Return that cord you bought and demand the one that was supposed to come with the car.
I'm so happy to hear that the CTS' iPod connection wasn't just crappy. Without the cord, man did it suck.
$59.52, with tax. I already opened the bag. We'll see what we can do. The bigger picture issue here is letting you readers know how this car is supposed to be equipped and how the system works when properly set up.
And, once again, the owner's manual isn't always right. That goes for every carmaker, as these things ARE published weeks before cars roll off the line. Specifications change, translations are porr, etc.
If the cord was supposed to come with the car, shouldn't ya'll get reimbursed by the dealership or Cadillac?
Battery in the trunk? No spare tire? What is this thing, a BMW?
There is really a band called "Circle Jerks"?... And you're not ashamed to let the world know that you bought their album?
Oh yeah, that's cool about the iPod connectivity. And get your damn money back.
I have the receipt right here. No worries.
And no Bimmerjay, it isn't a BMW--no run-flat tires on this thing (yay!) and there is space for a spare if we really want one.
I have new respect since you have Chemical Bros on your iPod. Now if you have Massive Attack & Crystal Method than you get major props!
Good to know Cadillac didn't make the poor choice we thought they did.
Bad to know the dealer isn't all that great on giving you everything it should come with.
That is still a problem with GM. You can fix your products, you can fix your brands, but if you don't fix your dealers (and the laws make doing that really hard) then you're still gonna lose.
HighTower - There was also a band called the Rainbow Butt Monkeys. Whomever can explain the importance of RBM without looking on Wikipedia gets a gold star.
Got Crystal Method, but no Massive Attack. Will you take Prodigy and Fatboy Slim?
only if it's "Fat of the Land"!
you gotta add Massive Attack's Mezzanine...
"Battery in the trunk? No spare tire? What is this thing, a BMW?"
This is common on modern cars, especially RWD models. The FWD cadillacs also had the battery in the trunk for better weight distribution. I believe the Lincoln LS was like that as well Spares are being deleted from more models for 2009.
I didnt make sense that the cord wouldn't have been included. Looks like it was a mistake by the Cadillac dealer staff. So much for all the complaining about Cadillac and GM trying to rip people off. Even if they did charge for the cord that would be no different from Acura and Lexus having dealer accessory options that should be offered (cheaper) straight from the factory.
Don't MB and BMW charge $450 plus for iPod connectivity? Mazda charges $400+ for Sirius radio and certain options that should come from the factory are ridiculously priced dealer installed accessories.
Still, Cadillac and GM on the whole still suck.
An auto journalist with great musical taste. The Circle Jerks are one of the best American Hardcore bands ever!!! The Clash one of the greatest British Bands ever! Hats off to this writer! Now what about the Caddy??????
BMW and MB charge you extra for metallic paint when its standard on cars costing $20k. then of course they charge you for satelite radio and ipod jacks as well.
"And no Bimmerjay, it isn't a BMW--no run-flat tires on this thing (yay!) and there is space for a spare if we really want one."
There's two things I DO want on my BMW, Go-Flat tires (GFTs) and space for a spare!
chavis, iPod connectivity is optional on BMWs, and it's because BMW's philosophy is to let you pick and choose your audio options. The base system (on the 328i) includes an aux input and is pre-wired for everything. From there you can option everything separately - Logic7, Navigation, iPod/USB, Sirius, HD, and a dealer-installed CD changer. So you can pick and choose exactly what you want from that list (except Logic7 is standard on the 335i) and not pay for anything you don't. I'd rather have that than be forced to order a $3,000 audio package that includes stuff I don't want - like Sirius.
Anyone else think the IPOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! graphic may be a little excessive?
Apple goes to massive lengths to create a brand that's image centers around simple white visuals, clean graphics, subtle user interfaces, and then Cadillac comes along with a GIANT PICTURE OF AN IPOD on a black background that says IPOD. It takes up half the screen. Totally wasted interface space, and it's not even a nice looking graphic.
Maybe this is how Cadillac makes sure their older customers can use... their iPods?
Of course, I don't think Steve Jobs would have approved the massive chrome grille.