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Chevrolet Avalanche
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Comments
- Use 4:11 if you're towing or want to increase the tow weight capacity; otherwise, no need for it (you can still pull stumps with the 3:73)
- The 4:11 will cause the engine to rev higher for a given speed than with the 3:73; therefore, fuel economy may be worse
- Because the engine has to work harder with the 4:11, high-speed crusing (e.g., 80mph+) is more difficult, if not impractical.
The 4:11 basically improves low-end torque for getting going with a heavy trailer (such as pulling a boat up the boat ramp).
-- Don
Really enjoying the AV but am taking time getting familiar with the brakes. Quite a bit of travel, guess I am use to a quicker response from the brakes. (Guess more brake pedal travel before getting a response).
If you 'like' the service brake travel, wait until you try the parking brake. It still gets me that the pedal goes ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I'm used to older cars where that means the brake cable need tightening. This is normal for Chevy's. In the AV the parking brake holds the truck just fine on a hill and low engine speed. There must be a take-up spring somewhere in the system.
Enjoy your new truck!
The AV is as solid on and off the road in any road condition as a vehicle can be. I've driven it now for 11,000 miles over a 10-months period. I live in Las Vegas and I normally wouldn't need a 4WD, but I bought the AV up in Montana in February and driving it down through Idaho and Utah during extreme winter conditions through extremely heavy snow storms incl. a couple of blizzards (heavy winds and you couldn't see the road) with ice beneath the fresh snow on the road, even at speeds of 70-75 mph (I was scared at first and it took me a while to increase my highway speed to 70-75mph) the AV was as rock solid like I've never experienced with any other car or SUV. Driving the AV even in the worst of road and weather conditions was a dream--this SUV didn't slide or slip even once and I was very surprised. The AV was quiet and handled perfectly!
Regarding the brakes it takes a while to get used to it as they seemed a little weak initially, but other AV owners and also the dealership said that this normal because it's a heavy car. But the brakes work perfectly and to get them a little firmer it can help if you pump it once before you come to a stop--in emergency braking situations you just got to step on it and the AV will stop, even if the pedal goes down to the floor. The only thing that bothered me a bit was that the Onstar communications system speaker in the headliner above the driver seat is a little noisy, but when you turn the radio/CD player on and/or open the window a bit then that noise is not recognizable (I'm a little spoiled from all the luxury cruisers I used to drive, but now I just love this AV and I don't even want to get into another car/SUV).
The Auto 4WD is excellent and I wouldn't like it any other way. Of course on dry surfaces I drive this rig only in 2WD mode and everything is fine, but on wet and any kind of slippery surface (snow, ice, mud, etc.) you absolutely need the 4WD as otherwise the rear end will break out due to the power of 285hp on the rear axle unless you tiptoe on the pedal and that's no fun. If you want to be in control and have a safe trip get the 4WD--it's well worth it and also for resale value considerations. The gas mileage is excellent for this type of vehicle: City is around 15-16 mpg and on the Highway at around 75mph (cruise control on) you can get approx. 20-21 mpg using Medium Grade.
People still stop me in parking lots and at gas stations and asked all kinds of questions about this excellent vehicle. And I get more stares with the Avalanche than with the Beemer or Vette. The Avalanche is just a breathtaking vehicle. And using the different GM pricing specials (incl. the GM card rebates) no other vehicle (car or SUV) will be able to beat the price: in fact you will pay at least 10-20 grand more for any other vehicle that may come close to the overall value and benefits of the Avalanche.
That little speaker cover is a fan - almost like a CPU fan on a computer. It is part of the auto climate control system. I just had mine replaced, it was making a noise when cold. Since this is the first trip back to the dealer for any reason in the first 20 months (15K miles) I am not complaining. 2001 Tahoe 5.3L
thanks for the info--I really appreciate it. And in my case too, this is the only little thing that bothered/bothers me, because otherwise my Avalanche is just a perfect vehicle.
Leaks into the bed are another story. The only guarantee is that the rubber mat will not get wet. If it does, they will fix it. Otherwise, the "water management system" will take care of directing the water away from the payload.
Both sets of brakes work fine, just worlds apart on pedal feel.
I should mention that since the dealer replaced the one midgate gasket, I've had no leaks into either the cab OR bed. That's saying something in the rainy northwest!
While most oriental cultures base values on the conservative side, I'd doubt they would drive anything that would attract that much attention much less consume that much gas and where they would need a ladder to wash the roof of. I'd think they'd call it personal self-indulgence.
BTW, I drive a Silverado and a Denali.
I'm looking forward to seeing one in person.
When chev. says early 03--I never hold my breath. Heck, it just took me 12 weeks to get a duramaxx for a guy.
1. Same, misproportioned (too tall) front face. The Av with cladding has a nose that looks much better with the body.
2. Why the heck did they go to all the trouble of making new body panels and stripping the cladding to put the cheap, black plastic bodyside molding, door handles, and mirrors from a base Silverado? Because of this, the only way it looks remotely good is in black or dark gray to hide it.
3. Why were the tail-lamps re-done? Now they're smooth and plain.
I just don't like it, and will continue to be thrilled with the look and performance of our '02 black Z66 WITH cladding. Sorry...
Otherwise, to those who asked, you should start seeing the first ones that were ordered in November & December within a month or so.
My last few GM vehicles were lemons. I had a 1986 Grand Am that spent more time in the shop than I used it -- all for problems with electronics. One time it was in for six weeks straight. It was totalled in an accident when I was rear-ended by an F-150 at 35 MPH. Good thing the kids weren't in the car! Nonetheless, this happened about 45 minutes after the oil pressure gauge stopped working and I told my wife we should take it out and shoot it.
My 1987 Chevy G-30/C6P spent several weeks in the shop for a transmission problem that was found when I brought it in for another problem. The thing is that when I complained about it when I bought the vehicle they said it was "normal". It took them four weeks in the shop to get the proper shim kit for it.
I leased a 1990 Chevy MPV and boy, was that a mistake. Everything kept falling off ... the door handles (inside and out) so that I could not get in or out of the vehicle. The A/C and cooling fan shared a ground wire, which rusted, and while driving through the desert in the southwest I had to drive with the windows open and the heat on or it would overheat. What a nightmare. It goes on and on.
The Avalanche offers an SUV-ish cab for family use (we'll miss the third seat), and with the max 8 foot bed, I can transport materials I need for my residence and vacation home projects.
I currently have a 99 Expedition (Eddie Bauer) which is REALLY nice. It's off lease in June (not expensive at all at $445). Was considering taking advantage of the GM $2000 cash back (I have preapproved 4.99% 60 months in place already).
I am wary about moving forward given my past experiences with GM products. I grew up in a GM family and was always familiar with their systems, but the past few experiences drove me away from them. I am also NOT planning to go back to the dealer that I got the G30 and MPV from.
What am I getting at?
What has the overall experience been with the Avalanche? I'm considering a 4WD/Z71 with a few options, not fully loaded. The bench or buckets don't matter to me, but the buckets may be more comfortable.
Price-wise it seems that people are buying at invoice (which looks like about 10% off MSRP), less the additional $2K cashback.
Comments? Suggestions? Any options that people recommend?
Thanks,
john
If you check the stats, customer atisfaction with the AV is very high. You can also check out other Chevy Avalanche Fan Clubs on the net and see their feedback. They'll have more postings than this group.
I wouldn't trade this truck for anything else on the market. It does exactly what I need it to, and it certainly turns people's heads and evokes questions in the parking lot.
Good Luck! Let us know what you decide to go with.
I did a little hunting in the area and found three that are contenders. All are 4WD and have:
- P265/70R17 WOL tires
- Driver convenience package
- HD trailering package
- Z71 off-road package
Two, blue/dark-charcoal and green/dark-charcoal have the BVE assist steps and 3.73 rear (no roof rack).
One (blue/tan) has no assist steps, a 4.10 rear and roof rack. The base price of this unit is $200 more (at $34,705) due to a price increase (and is therefore newer than the other two).
All three have cloth bench seats.
Given the options and color combos, what do you think? Which is preferable? The vehicles are all out-of-town, so I can't just casually go and check them out.
Thanks again!
but back to the story , my av was in the dealer 88 days for repair i now have a new on with 10,000 miles but this one is a later build and so far the only 2 problems have been smoking on start up fixed with a restricted orifice pcv valve the otheir a wind noise from the windshield this hasnt been fixed yet. but to quote a old saying youd have to pry it from my cold dead hands....yes i still like my av even with all the problems iv had this for me is the most praticall truck,car iv ever had and yes all manufactures are haveing problems this is life as for the 4.10 vs 3.73 great for towing bad for gas and engine life.so unless you tow take the 3.73 i tow a trailer loaded its only about 4,000 lbs and have almost no power differince i only notice it on very steep hills, as for traction control....well it only helps it wont get you through a place that 4x4 is needed all traction control does is limit wheel spin it works by sensing tire spin or lock up and applies brake to a tire spinning or releases a tire locking up it also up shifts the transmission to load the engine down on some cars it also releases the gas so this dose not alow you to get through places that need 4x4 it only helps you to gain some lost traction thus controll
My blonde hair blue eye wife couldn't stand the look of it at first. She always drives European and Japanese cars. The size was too intimidating. Once she got use to squeezing the Ava into the garage and comfortable with backing up and parallel parking the beast, she loves to haul the kids around town. She likes the attention she gets driving the monster. I imagine your skeptical Asian friends might adopt my wife's attitude if they keep an open mind and give the Ava a test drive. It handles the road, including the snow and ice, surprisingly well. A Pilipino contractor a block from us owns one as well. I know I'm not the only Asian who loves the Ava. Self-indulgence? What a crock!
I have towed a 4000 lb trailer and got about 12.5 mpg which I consider reasonable. However, the last three tanks of gas I have averaged about 10 mpg which I consider lousy. These tanks included a mix of city/highway with occasional auto 4WD selected (10-20% of driving time). Recent outside temps 25F to 35F.
I'm looking for reasons for the low mileage. My AV is running smooth. No misses noted with good all around driveability. Could the front hubs be locked? What about an emissions controls system problem? Cold temps? Any ideas why my mileage is so lousy?
My best milage is almost 20mpg driving through the mountains in NC. Couldnt believe it. I think the chevron gas had something to do with it
Also in the winter depending on where you live they have oxygenated gasoline to cut down on emissions during the winter. I notice a drop off on the MPG from Nov. - March then it goes back up to 12-14 city
Will a normal size 125 fit in the bed?
I am wondering about the clearance for seat and/or handlebars.
Thanks
And does anyone have any experience with the 1/2T or 3/4T AV pulling a 5th wheel or goose-neck trailer? Trailer size and weight? If so, please let us know your experience, and any problems putting in the trailer hitch mounting plate in the back of the bed with the floor lining that comes w/ the AV, etc.? Thanks advance
* The bed is too short. On tight turns, the trailer would end up hitting the cab.
* The AV's structure is such that you cannot mount the hitch to the bed.
That being said, there are some companies out there looking into the possibilty of making such a mod. Call around to some of the hitch manufacturers and let them know your interest.
We just went with a good-sized trailer. With the 8.1 engine, you can tow a LOT of trailer.
Good Luck!
Bruce
It was like $48.99
Reason i bought so much was it was cheaper that way and once a year i coat my bedliner (rhino) with it to clean it. So i go through alot