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Comments
Regards,
Mark
Seat back loose is "normal"?? " The dealership is saying this is 'within normal movement' on the specifications of TB." I would ask to see GM's "specification" for seat back looseness. (Sounds like someone at that dealer doesn't want to bother with it to me) Then I would go to a different dealer!
RE mileage:
16-17 mixed driving and 20-21 highway with 2,000 miles now on the Envoy. Still (0) mechanical problems.
Just to try to make sure nobody misses the previous message, DON'T USE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON DRY PAVEMENT!
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Your observations on reliability and mileage will be appreciated.
Many thanks.
The 15/21 mpg is accurate and is as good or better than many smaller, less powerful SUV's.
I just crossed the 20,000 mile mark and plan on getting up to 300,000. I'll report back in 15 years.
GMC Dealers
1. $17.09
2. $16.80
3. $18.50
4. $22.60
5. $11.99
Chevy Dealers
1. $8.50
2. $9.50
3. $8.50
GMDrone, can you make any comments on why there is this discrepancy between a part ordered thru Chevy vs GMC? It must be a generalized directive of some sort at least for this zone, since not one GMC dealer I called had an offer near the GM suggested list price.
I'm just glad that we have gmpartsdirect to deal with, but even they add a bunch of shipping on some items. Tim
Just for fun I called the largest GMC dealer in the Portland metropolitan area. They quoted me $8.50 with no additional shipping charge.
GM Parts Direct sells if for $5.10 plus $9.95 for shipping and handling.
Go figure.
GM Parts Direct adds $9.95 for S/H to the first item of any order, whether it's a $5.00 part or a $100 part. So it doesn't pay to order small items from them unless you have several other items you need at the same time. But yes, they do make up part of their discount by charging a bit steep on the S/H. So you have to be careful and do your homework.
$5.10 ea - total $20.40 with a shipping charge of $39.80. That means they are charging the full $9.95 on each part.
Maybe what you said only works if I were to order 4 totally different parts. In any case, it doesn't make any sense and is a total rip off on 4 of the same part.
In the 48 contiguous states of the USA the minimum handling and shipping charge is just $7.95 for the first part on the order and a discount off minimum handling and shipping fee from each additional item not to go below 20% of the cost of the item order, whichever is greater (unless specified on larger sized items).
I have had incorrect S/H show up on there before, too, due to programming, and they changed it when I pointed it out. So if S/H ever looks weird on there (like it does in your example above) call them first and get them to correct it. One reason their S/H is high is that they are just a dealer, and if they don't have something in stock, most items have to be shipped to them first, and then to the customer. With a few exceptions they can have some items shipped directly from the factory. I ordered 4 items from them a while back. Three were shipped to them and then to me; one came direct.
As far as the growl noise goes, I have put out my feelers, but so far I haven't found out anything concrete, and I tend not to speculate on issues that I am not familiar with. If Ihad to guess, I would bet that it is a resonance issue of some sort, either in the drivetrain, exhaust, or other vibration/moving part area. I'll let you know what I hear, when I hear it.
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!!
Mark
I'm averaging about 17.2 mpg with the 4.10 axle in mostly city driving.
Thanks
I hope it continues to serve you well for a long time.
Black/Pewter 2 tone, (options) 3.73 rear, running boards,
heated seats, sunroof.
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED:
* 4 wheel drive switch did not work, replaced.
* key stuck in ignition, had to replace
trans module.
* Marks on my 2 tone pewter (wheel-wells) - had
them buffed out.
* Driver side mirror was shaking at highway
speeds - replaced with no problem.
* Dealer will install gasket around license
plate for no charge.
* Build date is 9/2001, guess I'm part of fuel
line recall, haven't received letter yet.
Do have to admit, dealer has been very good with me and my LTZ.
LOWPOINTS (my opinion)
* Wind noise is terrible both cross wind & highway speeds. If you look & feel the rubber moldings, I think you'll see that is the problem. I plan to work on this and report back.
* The front seat heater controls are too close and accidently turn them on at times. Should be moved up past seat controls.
* My LTZ of course has the fender holes plugged in due to the two tone paint combo. I think all LTZ models should come with those holes plugged.
* The controls for the 4-wheel drive and rear wiper look silly on the panel (out of place.
* Also, I think the bottom of the panel (extra 12 volt plug & lighter) are out of place looking . GM could have devised a better looking panel (symmetrical).
* Lets face it, The cup holders really don't do justice. The front two are useless, unless you put coins or candy in them. Don't believe me, Jam a bottle in those little holders (while in drive) them put the lever in park! GM could have come up with a better way.
* I've seen this on other TB's, mine also, the passenger wiper rests a little higher on the windshield then drivers.
* They could have done a better job on the "looks" of the interior doors. A little plain, even pad the door pocket (map holders) with carpet or something.
* The back seats have a couple of problems....
one being half the back seat looks like hinges or metal brackets. GM should have done better.
* Pushing down the rear seats for more cargo area is a pain in the neck. They (I'm sure you know) do not lay flat and rub against the front seat. GM could have done better....
** Again, my opinions and these are constructive criticism s.
HIGHTLIGHTS:
* OnStar works great for me , never had a problem, always clear and OnStar never complains about my numerous testing.
* Love the controls on the steering wheel including the heat/AC temp & fan.
* Mileage I cannot complain. My Driver Info Center tracks me at 18.2 (Combo city & highway). My actual manual tracking has it about .6 less.
* BOSE - let me tell ya, if you're thinking about the Xtra $$$$ for it, IT'S WORTH EVERY NOTE (both money & Music) WOW!
* The Ride in general - Its great! I rode all the competitors before buying LTZ, and NO ONE is with us !
* The looks are great!, If you think about it, The trailblazer has a sport look to it as well as, an elegant look! It can and does look either way.
* Running boards on the TB look like they belong there. The body of the TB has a sleek style, not that Boxy look of the others.
* 270 Horsepower and uses regular gas! what more do you want!
* Nice touch with the amber lights under the mirrors.
* Do like all the "bells & whistles" on the DIC .
* Lets face it, GM did a fine job in all these areas.
WISH LIST:
There are my wishes for the TB:
* Maybe, I'm old fashion, but I like to see a blinking alarm light on my dash for the alarm system.
* Bigger gas tank....
* Have the steering wheel remember driver 1 or driver 2's location.
* The sun visor should be longer (when you put it to the side window. There is not a pull out piece, but instead you pull the visor down on the bar. Rather have an extension piece incorporated.
* The rear lights look a little dark. Maybe I like bright red brake lights! But, even maybe add "amber" lights for color.
* Maybe an automatic rear door opener!. Can't think why there isn't one.
* Wish my rims had black inserts painted. They had these on previous Blazer's. Due to brake dust, it shows up on rims very easily.
* Under both side mirrors, puddle lights would be nice.
If I had to do it again, NO doubt, I spend my hard earned money on LTZ. GM took big strides with these vehicles. The Trailblazer looks great moving down the road, or just sitting in the driveway. Nice job GM!
As far as minor things, the door rubber weather stripping/gasket is coming loose in 2-3 small places, but I can tell that is due to almost no adhesive being placed; GM for some reason is very stingy with the weatherstrip adhesive. A dealer's bodyshop is set to put on my license housing gasket next week when the part comes in. Otherwise everything else seems to be fine .
And yes I always verify the oil is fill to correct level because a Jiffy lube attendant was not aware{only put 5} even though I inform them of the larger amount need.
Has anyone else experience a similar phenomenon?
The tire pressure issue from "Jiffy Lube" above, as far as what it should be set to, is the indicated pressure on the inside of the drivers door (32 psi). The pressure on the tire sidewall is the absolute MAXIMUM pressure it should ever be cold, not to be confused with the pressure GM says is correct for the tire and vehicle combination. Go by what it says inside the door. The psi will go up as the tires warm up.
This is completely unacceptable and I hope everyone else with the problem doesn't say oh well and live with it. Take it to the dealer every time that it happens. And complain to GM about it. The number is 1-800-222-1020. This is for the chevy customer service line.
Normal operation is not defined as an auto that has sporatic loud fan noises with loss of power. No other auto out there has that same problem and if it does then it would be fixed. So if normal is a comparison against all personally operated vehicles bought from an auto dealer affiliated with an aut manufacturer, than the fan noise problem is not normal.
There have been prior discussions on this but the description of the problem is when the car starts in the morning a extremely loud noise comes from the engine compartment (the clutch/fan)that sounds like a gas powered leaf blower. If you drive away with the noise you can feel that you have less power and the fan noise is louder when you accelerate. Then it will go away in about 1 minute or half a mile.
Anyone else as frustrated as I. All I know is that in washington the dealer has 4 reasonable attempts to fix the same nonconformity or it is considered a lemon.
Thanks for listening to me vent.
"Engine Oil and Filter Change
Interval: As indicated by Engine Oil Life Monitor or every 12000 miles or 12 months whichever occurs first. In dusty conditions, change every 3000 miles or sooner
Next due at: 19880 miles"
This is what the GM owner site had as you see it.
Help anyone is this safe or what?
I hope all the triplet owners who are bugged with the fan noise will read and understand (post 5862)
I know some people are still going to disagree about this, but I think you will just have to live with it.
Just wanted to share my opinoin on this subject.
It's not my intention to flame anyone, just that I think it's the way the system is designed to work. KEEP-ON TRUCKIN.
L.Webb
Thanks!
Can any current owners tell me reasons why you chose the TB over Explorer, Pathfinder, Forerunner etc...
Also,
How is the comfort, reliability, gas mileage etc been for you? Have you been back to the dealer numerous times for TSB's?
I plan to test drive one soon.
Thanks in advance.
Actually, I was a little surprised with my Envoy because on most occasions, my fan rarely ever engages?? All of the SUV's that I've owned in the past had the engine fan roooaarr at initial acceleration upon startup.
Just my two cents.. not trying to discourage anyone, but I really do believe that the fan concerned is dubbed as "normal." I would just check to make absolutely sure that your triplet has the correct programming updates for the fan. I believe that there was a TSB issued for this. Check out tlauro's website: www.timlauro.com
Good Luck!
IExplore2000@aol.com
That pretty much says what I said above. You MIGHT go 12,000 mi under some optimum condition but when the built-in Oil Life Monitor comes on (assume well before 12K miles for most driving conditions) definitely change it, and if conditions are harsh like lots of dust change it even sooner. Also, if you just don't drive much (like less than 5-6K miles a year which probably would never turn on the oil change light) then at least change the oil once a year regardless of the low mileage. They are basically saying use your best judgement when to change the oil, and to consider the operating environment dust etc since the Engine Oil Life computer doesn't count things like dust in its calculation. I changed the oil in my TB at 1400 miles without resetting the Oil Life gizmo (just what I think it is - a "gizmo") to see how long it thinks the original oil should be good for. FInally, If I spend $25-35K for a vehicle I intend to get at least 10 years from I would certainly not trust a 12,000 oil change claim even with the 7 qt capacity and the built-in Oil Life monitor.
The power draw is very drastic when compared to other vehicle with a working fan. And there is a definate power draw in the vehicle when the fan is engaged at that level. Anytime you have a noticable power draw in a vehicle I doubt that someone designed the fan/clutch to cause a power draw in the vehicle.
I could understand the fan noise if I could consistenly know when and where it needs to clear out the excess silicone and thus provide my vehicle with a power draw and a loud noise when I expect it. But it does not.
I know I sound like a child asking why, why, why. But I am feeling frustrated with this expensive purchase an would like to be enlightened on what a manufacture thinks is acceptable when they build a product. And what we the consumer should just learn to live with no matter how frustrating.
Feel free to flame away. I don't mind
The post continues. Not to dilute the conversation topic. But i get this behavior from the HVAC.
My car sat outside from 9 pm to 1:45 am last night. I have the auto HVAC set to 70 degrees. The external temperature is 54 degrees. For my entire 45 minute ride home the hvac is blowing at around hal to 3/4 strength cold air. I even rooled all the windows down and the sunroof. Turned the auto off then back on and it stills blows cold air. And I was freezing. I dont actually get hot air on manual or auto no matter what thetemperature inside or outside the car until I turn it up past eighty degrees. The dealer said it was a problem and said they fixed it once. It seemed fixed for 2 days and now does it again.
Thanks Sorry for the long whingin post
The fan noise I am complaing about is not something that you have to try to listen to. For decibal noise comparision. The fan noise is louder than the engine itseld running at redline. And the power draw is drastic. Not just a little taken away from the horsepower but enough to where you are afraid to cross a busy street.
If people are saying this is normal please describe the fan noise that you are calling normal that you hear on your vehicle. Because I am not complaing about the fan working a bit of overtime to clear itself. I am talking about the random occurances of jet engines noises which is something your neighbors would hear from inside their home, and the loss of acceleration associated specifically with that. A fully engaged fan sounds alot different than a fan that works in triple overtime.