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Comments
glock40, thanks for the details; still a bummer about your new ride. Hope you don't take too big a bath getting rid of it.
Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
The first car to have this package as standard was the olds intrigue.
I am trying to get the dealer to trade for a Trailblazer that matches my order on another lot (I found it through GM Buypower), but they don't seem too interested in doing it.
Just something for those thinking of ordering to think about.
HVAC question
Normally I would go to a dealership to check something like this out, but none of the 4 Chevy dealerships (all within 15 miles of my house) have a TB to show me.... Do the rear controls work well for the HVAC? Can you get a lot of air through them? Do you have to crank up the front air to get decent airflow in the back?
I think GM got the body side mouldings backwards too. Shouldn't the painted mouldings go on the uplevel LT rather than the lower LS? LS has painted mouldings, LT has black mouldings, then the LTZ has painted mouldings again - so, is the painted mouldings uplevel or not? Every other car/SUV I have shopped has consider painted mouldings uplevel...so, what's with GM doing the TB backwards?
The Rear HVAC cranks significant air, independent of the front level setting.
I think that someone was smoking dope when they were making LS/LT trim decisions. And I want to know who was in charge of "hiding" the muffler, so that I can smack him silly.
I also had the dealer look at the center console because mine was bouncing around quite a bit when I hit any bumps on the road. It seems that the console was not secured to the floor. Putting some screws into the holes that were designed to get these screws did the trick (sarcasm mode off). I also needed to have the driver's side outside mirror assembly replaced because at night time, the auto-dimming feature would produce a very distorted image.
I really have to question the quality control at GM Moraine. There seems to be a lot of minor defects (as well as the MAJOR recalled defect) with these vehicles. And surprisingly, with all of these minor defects, my Envoy was built on a Wednesday.
You will hear the occasional "whoosh" of the suspension pressurizing - it's very quiet and only makes a sound once in a while.
When I first picked up my car, I had a fit/finish issue (a couple of gaskets in the rear out of place), and I had the same problem with the gauges all pegging to the right. I also had an airbag sensor light that would not go out. I left that day in a loaner and had the dealer attend to it - they figured out that the gauge problem was a computer issue (supposedly GM knows about it and will be working on a software fix), but the airbag sensor was bad and there were no parts to be had - so I made them swap that car for another one, which has been flawless to date (and was swept up in the recall the day after I picked it up, but that's over now...).
I also had a 1st year Dodge Intrepid that had a computer issue - periodically all the warning lights would go on at once. The fix (until Dodge re-designed the computer module - their problem was a hardware issue) was to pull the fuse for the computer whenever I next shut down the car. Essentially, I had to reboot my car.
-Josh
...and thanks!
Thank.
Air springs resist with force inversely proportional to the amount they are compressed (for cylindrical shaped air springs). This means that they don't increase their "push back" by a lot during the early part of suspension travel, but push back at increasingly higher forces as they are compressed further.
While the behavior is very similar when the car is at equilibrium (not bouncing up and down), air springs provide a softer feel because of the progressive nature of their "push back". This makes the vehicle suspension more pliant initially as it goes around a turn (initial stages of roll) but then really resists roll after a certain amount of roll has taken place. The difference is obviously noticeable, otherwise why would there be two different systems. They are targeted at different market segments and are trying to achive different suspension characteristics. The only way to tell which one to go with is to test drive around a variety of driving situations that are typical of what one encounters day to day. Then decide what you like.
On final point, the springs themselves are only part of the entire suspension tuning. Anti-roll torsion bars also control roll (more than the springs themselves), and the geometries of the suspension as it travels up/down along with the shocks also matter a lot. At the end of the day, one might not be able to tell the difference. If this is the case, air suspensions have the added feature of adjustable height and the air pump can be used to blow up beach balls (or inflatable kayaks!). Just think, you can go kayaking without having to lug something onto the roof rack and you don't even need to carry an extra air pump.
Other
Jeff
Lyndell
Refer to post #917.
Good Luck!!
Speaking of humor, I think I found GM's latest unintentional (or maybe intentional) attempt at humor. It's called the "Instant Fuel Economy" indicator on the DIC. That has got to be the goofiest thing I have ever seen on a vehicle. There has been so much discussion of fuel economy on the board lately, I checked those things on the DIC for the first time today. The instant indicator was making me dizzy it was going up and down so fast. Just when I thought it was starting to level off a little bit, I took my foot off the gas on a downgrade approaching a stoplight, and it jumped to 61MPG and back down to 3MPG when I applied the brakes, all in what seemed like a nanosecond. Somehow I think this feature was intended for highway driving at consistent speeds, and not for driving around town!
I first though it might be broke, but the average fuel economy, and range indicators seemed to make sense. For what it's worth my average shows at 16.0 after 530 miles, and 98% of that being non-highway miles. I'm encouraged as that is everything since being built. I have never reset it.
I would suggest a call to the dealer before bringing a truck in to have this fixed. They may not have the necessary fastener readily available, and may have to order some. This is not just missing some screws! There is a fastener that fits over the wheel well liner that a self-tapping screw goes through to hold the whole thing in place.
My vehicle is still at the dealership as a result of no parts. The dealer indicated that I should be able to pick the vehicle up by the end of the week. While eveyone is driving around in their new suv's. My brand new, ordered Bravada sits idled at the dealership. Although the vehicle was never delivered, I feel that I should be compensated for my wait and inconvenience.
It is really a shame that GM shields themselves from fielding questions by pointing their customers toward their clueless dealerships.
As far as four wheel drive not working the dealership stated it might be a solinoid or battery?
It will be also interesting to see how they fix the weatherstripping on the rear doors.
My vehicle also has those hole in the wheel wells without fastners for those who are interested. GM should be paying me for Testing and evaluating this vehicle because thats what I feel like I am doing. I have spent more time in a rental than in my own Envoy. Pretty sad!
Netsolstice....they are definitely not drainage holes.
You hit the nail on the head with regard to the fender fasteners. The rear wells are fastened correctly. I suspect that the front fasteners are missing on the Bravada's as well, but the owner's don't know it because there are body moldings covering it up. I'm going to give my dealer (who also happens to be clueless) a call today to discuss. I'll post the results.
By the way, I finally get to take deliver of my Bravada today!!!! I was getting angry because the MC dealership next door was getting all kinds of repair kits and my dealer had 9 new Bravada's (4 of them sold, as mine was)waiting for the kits.
In the rear, the only holes with screws (2 of them) fastening the fender liner in place are on the wraparound rear bumper which is plastic. The sheet metal of the fenders as well as the liners have no holes or cutouts.
Am I missing something?
akajoe - GM states that the 3 vehicles only share something like 30% of the sheet metal. Your fenders must not be part of that 30%. It sounds like you don't have anything to worry about.
Also, same question on the traction control...
On the subject of the traction control, the option adds a button on the dash of the TB to turn it on and off...if one had the traction control, why would one turn it off? Are there circumstances where you wouldn't want the benefit of traction control? Does it add overhead to the vehicle when turned on?
228 miles traveled.
14.2 gallons used.
Produced 16.05 miles per gallon.
My DIC said 15.0
Ron
I have both in my Camaro and have learned to appreciate them. I would order both ... but I think Traction Control is only avaible with the 2wd.
As a side note ... traction control does not control traction ... it limits wheelspin.
I could not find any of the faults .. panel misalignments, loose console, loose rear door weatherstripping .. mentioned here on it.
To the best of my knowledge it was built before the shutdown, but stayed at the plant and had the recall work done there. It drove very nicely though I would prefer a more X5 like handling package.
Any other things I should look out for?
Anyone know what mechanical modifications the actual Indy Pace Bravada received?
Ron
So...do you leave traction control on all the time in your Camaro? Is it inefficient if you are just cruising down the highway on a sunny day?
BTW I am getting a 2WD.