What brand is the Cadillac 8AT transmission?
2 Answers
General Motors developed the 8AT transmission used in Cadillac. General Motors Company (GM) was founded on September 16, 1908. Since William Durant established the American General Motors Company, GM has been producing and selling a series of brand models globally, including Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, and Holden, while providing services. In 2014, GM's multiple brands' full range of models were popular in more than 120 countries and regions worldwide, including electric vehicles, microcars, heavy-duty full-size trucks, compact cars, and convertibles. Cadillac uses an 8-speed automatic manual transmission, also known as the 8AT transmission. The AT transmission is a relatively common automatic transmission, and its structure is quite complex, containing many planetary gears and clutch plates inside. The 8-speed automatic manual transmission carries four gear sets with only five shifting elements. During each shift, only two elements are opened, and the new axial parallel sliding vane pump can improve transmission efficiency, minimizing energy loss. When using the Cadillac 8AT transmission daily, pay attention to the following points: Do not go for extended periods without changing the transmission fluid. Although many models now have maintenance-free transmission fluid, maintenance-free does not mean no replacement. Prolonged failure to change the transmission fluid can damage internal components such as bearings and the housing. Avoid prolonged coasting in neutral. While driving manual transmission models, many "experienced drivers" may coast in neutral, but for automatic transmission models, coasting in neutral can cause the automatic transmission to overheat, and shifting back into D gear may produce some impact. Never shift into D/R gear before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Many drivers, to demonstrate their "smooth" operation, directly shift into reverse gear before the vehicle stops completely, which can significantly harm the transmission gears and, over time, lead to gear grinding and other faults. Do not frequently climb steep slopes in D gear. When facing steep slopes, automatic transmission vehicles often overheat due to high loads or shift too early, resulting in insufficient climbing power. In such cases, you can use manual mode to limit low gears or use sport mode to protect the transmission. Do not tow over long distances. When an automatic transmission vehicle breaks down, a flatbed tow truck should be used to move the vehicle onto the tow platform while in N gear, rather than using a tow rope or directly towing the vehicle.
The 8-speed automatic transmission used in Cadillac is manufactured by General Motors itself, belonging to the Hydra-Matic series. This brand was developed by GM and is commonly found in Cadillac models such as the CTS and XT5, featuring fast and smooth gear shifts with good reliability. It drives differently from externally sourced brands because GM specifically optimized it for luxury vehicles, offering slightly better fuel efficiency and simpler maintenance—just regular oil changes. Some owners of older models like the ATS complained about jerky shifts, but subsequent upgrades have largely resolved these issues. Overall, it’s one of Cadillac’s core components, working seamlessly with the engine, especially powerful during highway overtaking, showcasing GM’s engineering prowess.
