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2018 Cadillac CTS-V — lowering springs made the car nervous on rough roads

FlatSixDriver974Community StarterJan 31, 20262018 Cadillac CTS-VNashville
Ride height looks right, but the car now feels busier over broken pavement. Alignment is in range. Would you look at bump travel, damper match, toe or tire pressure first? I am in Nashville.
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11 replies

DailyWrenchCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJan 31, 2026permalink
Log the conditions before you spend. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. On “v — lowering springs made the car,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. Parking it somewhere I can hear it better next time.
CleanGarageCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJan 31, 2026permalink
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V and see if the fault moves. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. No need to make it theatrical. Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
QuietHauler799Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 31, 2026permalink
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Loaded-suspension checks on the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. Save the big job until that test fails. This is from a 2018 Cadillac CTS-V in Nashville. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. If it repeats twice more I'll book time.
CleanGarageCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJan 31, 2026permalink
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. Loaded-suspension checks on the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. Save the big job until that test fails. No need to make it theatrical. Video is ugly but it shows the hesitation.
ColdStartCollector239Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 31, 2026permalink
Log the conditions before you spend. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V does it — then decide on parts. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. On “v — lowering springs made the car,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2018 Cadillac CTS-V in Nashville. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. Trying not to diagnose from the couch.
ColdStartCollector239Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 1, 2026permalink
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. Move a coil or plug on the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Was this after sitting overnight? Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. If the story changes I'll post the new data.
FlatSixDriver974Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 1, 2026permalink
Cleared nothing. I want service to see the alert on the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V first. If it repeats twice more I'll book time.
ColdStartCollector239Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 1, 2026permalink
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V is losing coolant with no puddle. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? If that fails I'll eat the diagnostic fee.
RoadBuilder189Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 2, 2026permalink
That's a good start, but I wouldn't stop there. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V is losing coolant with no puddle. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. That's the whole play. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
WrenchDadCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 1, 2026permalink
Intermittent stuff lies if you only catch it once. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V is losing coolant with no puddle. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. On “v — lowering springs made the car,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. I'd rather pay for diagnosis than a second guess-repair.
DailyMilesCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 2, 2026permalink
Not convinced that's the whole story. If a shop can't duplicate it on the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V, bring a video plus freeze-frame data, not just a story. Save the big job until that test fails. Just my two cents from doing this recently. Trying not to diagnose from the couch.
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