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547 2010 Cadillac SRX Turbos Recalled For User-Induced Engine Failure

 
7 3,783 views May 27, 2010
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2010 Cadillac SRX Turbo

2010 Cadillac SRX Turbo

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Safety recalls are nothing to snicker about, but some are worse than others. The 547 2010 Cadillac SRXs recalled this week for potential engine failure, for instance, are not even in the same time zone as the millions of Toyotas recalled earlier this year. In fact, the recall isn't even over an inherent defect in the engines, but over misfueling by owners.

According to the NHTSA's Office of Defect Investigations 547 2010 Cadillac SRXs equipped with the 2.8-liter HFV6 turbocharged engine are under recall due to potential engine failure induced by pre-ignition that can occur under aggressive driving--but only when the owner fills the car with regular fuel instead of the premium fuel required by the owner's manual. The problem arises because the engine's computer responds to the retarded spark timing brought on by lower octane fuel by increasing boost pressure. This creates the right conditions of pressure and temperature to cause the air-fuel mixture to pre-ignite.

Pre-ignition occurs when combustion begins before the piston has reached full compression, potentially damaging the engine catastrophically (i.e. breaking connecting rods and pistons, and/or sending pieces that are meant to be inside the block out through it), possibly disabling the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

The problem can be solved--before things go bad--by re-programming the ECU. The recall advises owners to bring their affected vehicles in to the dealers to receive the fix.

Of course, they could also prevent the problem entirely by simply using the proper fuel as stated in the owner's manual. If, however, regular gasoline has been used for a period of time, the engine may need to be inspected for damage, so all affected vehicle owners should take their SRXs in for the recall when notified.

Bottom line: saving $3 on a fill-up isn't worth a blown engine.

[NHTSA]





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Comments (7)

  1. By NC2000 Posted: 5/28/2010 5:06am PDT

    So, was this a mistake in the ECM programing originally? Most makers use knock sensors that allow any grade fuel (USA customers are not too bright, it seems)without risk of pre-detonation. Why would GM negate the retarded spark response with a boost change response?
     
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  2. By Roy Posted: 5/28/2010 8:32am PDT

    I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but if a simple software fix is all that was needed to allow these cars to run on regular fuel, why wasn't that in place from the beginning?
    Instead of making cars that must accept only top grade fuel, it is now possible to make cars that simply exploit high octane fuel to its full potential. Why don't the manufacturers do this? How much is BP paying them not to? Is Halliburton involved?
     
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  3. By Stan Posted: 5/28/2010 9:49am PDT

    Variants of this engine have been used in Saabs and Opels since 2005. I wonder if this problem is new, or if it has always been there, and just recently identfied. Did the push up to 300 hp for the SRX come from some not-fully-thought-out software changes? This is pretty much the same engine that will be in the 2010 Saab 9-5 when it gets here (soon?)
     
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  4. By Herman Pelgrom Posted: 5/28/2010 1:08pm PDT

    Here in Holland this engine is available in the Opel Insignia OPC. In that case it produces 325 hp. I have some connections within Opel and I have never heard of any problems with this engine.
     
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  5. By Snuppy Won Posted: 5/28/2010 4:50pm PDT

    Only a Blue-Collar moron would put regular fuel in a car the requires: PREMIUM FUEL REQUIRED
     
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  6. By Greco Posted: 5/30/2010 3:03pm PDT

    Why should Cadillac have to do an expensive recall due to the stupidity of its customers?
     
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  7. fb_614323166 avatar Gabriel Sévigny Posted: 5/30/2010 10:36pm PDT

    when you own a 40 000+ car you should always put premium or supreme in your car. thats a fact people are stupid
     
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