I'd love to see pictures of premium tires on the Yukon/Tahoe's The factory tires are trash, and do nothing to make the ride, nor the look of the vehicle anything. Guess if I went with LT285's I'd have little to no rubbing issues?
Great info, I am also looking to add 2 in spacers to my LTZ with autoride, however I was looking at a different brand. Did the fabtech spacers require you to move the shock over coil assembles from side to side? Anything else I should be aware of prior to attempting this mod? Thanks George
Yes, I had the alarm point recalibrated when I brought the Yukon in initially because of another issue (whistling noise from side view mirror). I "think" I had them set the alarm point at 40psi.
Junglegeorge. It sounds like you know your way around a suspension. This should be an easy mod for you. The only other kit I'm aware of is the one from Skyjacker. To wit, I don't know what could be much different between the two. All that is supplied is a couple of aluminum pucks to put just above and just below the top of the coil assembly. The directions are pretty easy. When installed, you should barely be able to see the bottom spacer.
With mine, there was no need to raise the rear, it looks perfectly level now.
Again, I'll post pictures as soon as I get a chance.
The Onstar interface is out. If your interested in installing an aftermarket radio and want to keep all the extras IE: onstar, chimes, steering controls this is what you need.
Has anyone ordered a Bug deflector for the 2007 Tahoe in a color the same as the vehicle paint? My Tahoe has "Gold Mist Metallic" and I am interesting in purchasing a bug deflector with the same color. Any recommendation on a company selling this product would be appreciated.
The paint companies sell computerized paint machines to body shops, truck canopy dealers and the like. A good painter can use the gizmo to mix up a small quantity of paint using the Chevy code and "paint to match" your deflector. I'd ask around at a local truck accessory dealer.
There are several dealers on Ebay that sell pre-painted deflectors. I purchased a pre-painted GM part (purchased from Ebay) and it installed easily and is designed to fit in existing holes in the hood bottom.
Yeah, XM fidelity sucks on my 07 LTZ. My free trial just ran out and I'm naive enough to think by buying the service the fidelity will be better. Am I nuts?
You are not nuts..... but look at it this way. Wouldn't you think the free service signal would actually be better since they are trying to sell a product? After they have your money there's not as much incentive to better the signal or programming. What you hear now is what you will hear if you subscribe.
Yes your nuts the quality is not going to get any better, your demo was xm at its best. Let the xm run out its demo time then get yourself a Sirius unit for REAL entertainment. Either than or go back and support local am and fm. xm is going down the tubes anyhow, xm customers are dropping them left and right, they are not making market forcasts.
When they run an EPA test cycle they never exceed 59 MPH in highway test and average 48 MPH so the fault is in the test which is badly skewed to favor Detroit and to give consumers a false impression of what to really expect. Speed limit is 75 in much of Arizona. 70 in California.
So who do we fault. Our Government? Ever notice that DOD doesn't work at low speeds (like 25 and below)? Ever notice that is doesn't work when idling? Or at speeds above 50 unless your foot is OFF the accelerator pedal completely? So how often does it really work? My experience is almost never - less tan 1-2%. In essence, DOD is pretty much a failure (again - remember the old Cadillac 8-6-4?)
I have noticed that my 2007 gets slightly less real world mileage than my old 2003. Hmmm. We been had!
Love the ride and quiet! Love the interior. Score 10 on all three areas. Reason enough to buy the Tahoe.
However, figure this out: 1-The LTZ only has a center council and glove box. No other storage areas. Not even under the seats - no room. Terrible. 2-The video camera comes on too late and stays too long to be really useful. Impressive but . . . 3-Here's a biggie. Notice where the door lock is on the driver side? It is so easy, when opening the door to get out, to accidentally brush the lock with your right hand. If you have "delay lock" enabled you won't even hear it lock! Yikes. Locked myself out twice already! How simple it would have been to have the unlock side where your hand hits instead of the lock switch. A no-cost fix. Just reverse the plate.
"Ever notice that DOD doesn't work at low speeds (like 25 and below)? Ever notice that is doesn't work when idling? Or at speeds above 50 unless your foot is OFF the accelerator pedal completely? So how often does it really work? My experience is almost never - less tan 1-2%. In essence, DOD is pretty much a failure"
You are right on the money. I thought there was something wrong with my Yukon until I figured out that it was just false advertising. When on the highway (on level ground), and using a high gear, it should work all the time unless on the gas...and that's just not the case. The only time it works is when you aren't touching the gas pedal. Totally worthless. I hope Edmunds reads this post and makes something of it.
I talked with a rep at crutchfield and she said they the sir-gm1 would not work in the new tahoes to convert xm to sirius. I do like the idea of using the aux in for a plug-n-play unit but id rather not use any of those. I want a flush dash with sirius coming out of the speakers!
How many miles do you guys have on your DOD's? (just curious) I have a little over 4k on mine and added a cat back Zoomers exhaust and with the cruise set a 72mph and the air on, mine spends at least half it's time in 4cyl mode. I do know that I noticed an instant change in the amount that it stayed in 4cyl with the addition of the new exhaust - but I'm just curious if my experiences are the exception?
Your experiences don't mirror mine (with the 07 Av- rated 16/20). My driving is no where near 59mph highway and 48 average you quote for the EPA test. My average is a bit lower (40-42ish) and highway speeds are 65-70 (not 80, like some, I daresay most who complain, are actually doing). My current numbers are pretty well in line with the EPA estimates, and the couple all-or-mostly-all highway trips the Av has made in the first 2500 miles have returned above EPA number results, at 21.4 and 20.6 miles per gallon. AFM worked fine, mostly kicking in on level or slightly downhill grades at up to 70mph (4.10 rear end, so RPMs higher than stock 3.73 would be seeing). And in watching the instant mileage display (addictive lil sucker there!) I've seen it enable at speeds as low as ~18 mph.
So AFM isn't a failure. My Av isn't even broken in yet and it's on target for the EPA ratings already. As far as beating out the older models for efficiency I can't say. The Av is on par with my 04 Silverado Z71 ECSB for local driving (and betters it on the all highway drives) so far though. And that's carrying 400-500 pounds more with it everywhere and making ~20 hp extra.
Is anyone having problems with the cd changers? I bought my 07 tahoe in Feb and my CD player stopped working. I can't play the cd's or get them out of the changer. I took it in to the dealership and the answer I got was "Sorry, can't fix it". Anyway, they are finally willing to replace it after I went to the trouble of calling GM but say that it will stop working again until they get new software updates. RIDICULOUS!
I recently purchased my HID Kit from Genuine Auto on Ebay. The ad claimed a "3 Year, No Hassle" warranty. One of the ballasts stopped working several days after I installed it. When I emailed Genuine Auto requesting a new ballast, they tried to make me advance them $15 for return shipping. After I brought it to thier attention that it was a defective product and told them I was not paying for return shipping (from them back to me), then they "realized" I just bought it a week beforehand. So I mailed my old ballast in because the only way they will send out a new one is after they "receive and test" the defective one I sent back. What a crock of #$%^. Thats not what I call a "no hassle" warranty. When someone pays a few hundred dollars for a brand new product and you mail them a defective product, you should be jumping to mail out a replacement ASAP. Cause if they did I would have reccomended them to everyone for price and service. But I guess I got what I paid for. :mad:
I have 5500 on mine. Seldom runs in V4 mode. Downhill, coasting and a good tail wind she kicks in for 10-15 seconds. My DIC syas 14.7 average but my calculations say 13.4 average for the first 5500 miles.
rat55chevy - Just kind of curious, what kind of speeds are you running and what ratio? I have 4.10's in my LT3 and found that when I get up around 80, I get the same effect as you - but from 55 to 71/72 it does pretty good. Just curious. Thanks!
yep, I've seen 4 cyl mode come on at all diff speeds. Just when I have my foot off the gas. It's a joke!!! That's not what they tell you at the dealership. They tell you it drops to 4 cyl on the highway. I asked to see it when I was testdriving and they told me we had to be on the highway longer to see it. Also, who ever is saying some not getting EPA must be driving the car hard is way off and must really love chevy no matter what they put out. I rarely hit 2000rpm and have seen at best 19mpg highway. Haven't been able to get it again. That was with driving at an optimal speed like 60. They suck.. My sis has '06 tahoe with 4X and gets better milage in the snow in Alaska. Something isn't right!!
Mine is an LT3 also with a 3.73 rear end. I've tried all speeds to get the V4 mode to work. The algorythm in the PCM must take into account speed, torque and several other factors. Speed is not the end all beat all measurement, I've run the spectrum. I'm not real hung up on mileage. I would like it to be better. I didnt buy the truck to save gas (if I was worried about mileage I would've bought a Honda Hybrid). Typically I drive 70-80 MPH on the freeway and 50% of the time with a trailer of some sort. I have babied the truck thru several tank fulls and spent hundreds of miles playing with DOD/AFM. I dont think it works as advertised. Honestly if it had a switch, I would by-pass it since it is seldom on anyway.
In general, I agree. As I've stated I have babied my truck thru several tanks and I dont drive it hard regardless. I have never seen above 14.7 on the DIC and never calculated over 14.2, no matter how I drive it.
I have had the same problem not going into 4 cyl mode at 65 or greater. Until today I just put a GM Touring cat back sys on and on the way home at 71 it was 50/50 between 8 and 4 cyl modes with cruise on. It also stays in 4 cyl alot longer.
For those who want to know about the exhaust here is some info. I decided to bring it to a shop to get done because it has been way to hot to do at home. Good thing I did, when the factory exhaust was cut off they went to put the new forward pipe on and the fwd hanger was way off so they cut the hanger off and installed after system was on. Also the rear pipe would not go into position with the front hangers on so those were cut off. once these hangers were removed the system lined up great and they just re welded the hangers on. I watch them do the hole thing and glad I did not try to do at home. The main problem seamed to be the hangers were indexed wrong because they were at the right distances just wrong angles. Perhaps I got an 06 version I don't know but mine would not have been able to be done at home. As for the sound fantastic at 70 you have to listen for it. From a dead stop and floor it it has a real nice growl to it. Very happy with sound and so far the performance. I was getting 13 to 14 mpg before I'll let you know if this improves.
I know the forum dude doesn't like me talking about gas mileage here, but I wanted to comment on something. I've spoken to some of the techs at the dealership and they claimed that a lot of gas stations are using gas cut with 10% ethanol. If this is the case, that would probably explain the strange differences in milage reported in this forum. Ethanol burns faster. I was recently at a Mercedes dealership in the maintanance office and quized them if they've had many complaints of poor milage from their buyers. They said yes. They also said they've notice a diff in their own vehicles milage. They used to get 17 in there F350 on hwy and now get 14-15. Anyone know how to find out what kind of fuel gas stations are offering. Haven't seen any notice at the pump and have looked online. Have found conformation that it is becoming more common but no details on where in the US it is being used.
ltzin - It sounds like you are finding the same thing I did. I installed the Zoomers cat back on my LT3 and noticed an instant improvement in the amount of time it spends in 4cyl mode. I installed the Zoomer's kit in my own garage (no alignment issues and the kit had excellent fit/finish). I had explored both the option of the GM touring and GM performance exhaust, but decided on the Zoomers based on what I had read about their systems. Any chance of getting some wav files of the new exhaust?
Seeing drops of oil on the garage floor. Have not taken it in to the dealership for check up. But very disappointed. Thought I give GM another try after 25 years. Sigh ...
ltzin - Thanks! I'd love to hear what it sounds like compared to my Zoomers system (I'm still struggling to find a way to create a wav file of it that isn't 10Meg)
I noticed some water drops at the seam between the panel that the rear assist light and speaker are located and the panel below it, as well as a little on the lower panel where at the top of the grill. Had truck for 2 days and it was after a rain storm and I wasn't sure if some water splashed in there when I opened the rear gate. How did you make out with it?
Bought my 07' back in march and the DOD seems to work properly in and around town.Highway driving I do notice that when driving 70mph and/or with the AC running the v4 does not kick in as much. best so far is 20mpg highway and 16 in city and our Tahoe now has 6100 miles on it.
OK - still waiting on my xenon HID kit that I ordered 3 wks ago. Each day the company says it's backordered and should be here within a couple of days but nothing
I've got my 20" wheel set sitting in my garage though....But am unclear about the tire pressure sensors. The manual says that they need to be readjusted if they are changed out using some chevy electronic tool but then it goes on to describe how to manually do it using the "info" button inside the truck??
It was the plastic conduit connecting the 3rd brake light. It had pop out of the hole in the body, or more likely was never installed correctly. Dealer had no problem connecting it. I have not had a problem since.
THANKS!!! I just went out and took 1 look and could see the rubber boot( on the hard to see side) wasn't inside the hole. You didn't have any problems from the speaker or rear assist getting wet or anything like that did you? Just thinking how many times it might have gotten wet in there since it was built. Glad you posted that because I was a little uneasy of the thought of the dealer ripping all those panels off trying to track it down.
Thanks, I also have the 3:73 gears, I am waiting to see better MPG. Only 1500 miles, and 3 weeks old. Best tank to date 17.4 - normally around 15.6 - not pleased. Seams that the those who opted for the 4:10 gears are doing better with MPG. Thanks for the info.
No I did not have any problem with the speaker or electronics, however I did document the occurrence with my dealer just in case. In addition, Yes, the dealer broke the corner plastic molding and got finger prints on everything, wish I had taken the time to look myself.
I spent a good portion of the weekend researching what drivers are stating as real world MPG, and how effective the AFM Active Fuel Management is working. Bottom line is that nobody is reporting anything close to the EPA estimates. However it seams that those reporting the best MPG usually state they have the 4:10 final gears and not the standard 3:73’s – just the opposite of what you would expect. Could the lower 4:10’s possibly lessen the load on the engine allowing the AFM to activate the V4 mode more often? The original (prior to computers) version of the AFM used to be activated by a vacuum switch, the less load on the engine, the lower the vacuum, the more activation of the AFM. In the future if you could please post actual MPG please include your final gear ratio. So far with 1500 miles on a 3 week old LTZ, best tank 17.4 with a normal mix of 15.4 – and yes I have the standard 3:73’s .
This is interesting. I "could see" why the 4.10's are better, (totally my opinion here, NOT BASED IN FACT AT ALL) They are a better torque multiplier and will push a big old SUV better. GRANTED there comes a point where the Lower( numerically higher) gears make it worse because the RPM at cruising speed is too high for good mileage(granted with a double overdrive 8) that will help with the 6 speed)
Why do you think the 4.10's will get you the max tow capacity? move more weight quicker.
I have the standard 3.73.. Getting very similar milage... 3000 miles. I've been had!! What was I thinking to actually beleive a tahoe could get 20mpg..
Comments
Thanks George
With mine, there was no need to raise the rear, it looks perfectly level now.
Again, I'll post pictures as soon as I get a chance.
See it and buy it here.
Interface
So who do we fault. Our Government? Ever notice that DOD doesn't work at low speeds (like 25 and below)? Ever notice that is doesn't work when idling? Or at speeds above 50 unless your foot is OFF the accelerator pedal completely? So how often does it really work? My experience is almost never - less tan 1-2%. In essence, DOD is pretty much a failure (again - remember the old Cadillac 8-6-4?)
I have noticed that my 2007 gets slightly less real world mileage than my old 2003. Hmmm. We been had!
Love the ride and quiet! Love the interior. Score 10 on all three areas. Reason enough to buy the Tahoe.
However, figure this out:
1-The LTZ only has a center council and glove box. No other storage areas. Not even under the seats - no room. Terrible.
2-The video camera comes on too late and stays too long to be really useful. Impressive but . . .
3-Here's a biggie. Notice where the door lock is on the driver side? It is so easy, when opening the door to get out, to accidentally brush the lock with your right hand. If you have "delay lock" enabled you won't even hear it lock! Yikes. Locked myself out twice already! How simple it would have been to have the unlock side where your hand hits instead of the lock switch. A no-cost fix. Just reverse the plate.
Engineering? Sigh.
You are right on the money. I thought there was something wrong with my Yukon until I figured out that it was just false advertising. When on the highway (on level ground), and using a high gear, it should work all the time unless on the gas...and that's just not the case. The only time it works is when you aren't touching the gas pedal. Totally worthless. I hope Edmunds reads this post and makes something of it.
I have a little over 4k on mine and added a cat back Zoomers exhaust and with the cruise set a 72mph and the air on, mine spends at least half it's time in 4cyl mode. I do know that I noticed an instant change in the amount that it stayed in 4cyl with the addition of the new exhaust - but I'm just curious if my experiences are the exception?
mcdaniel4, "Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Tahoe: MPG-Real World Numbers" #39, 27 Jul 2006 5:25 pm
So AFM isn't a failure. My Av isn't even broken in yet and it's on target for the EPA ratings already. As far as beating out the older models for efficiency I can't say. The Av is on par with my 04 Silverado Z71 ECSB for local driving (and betters it on the all highway drives) so far though. And that's carrying 400-500 pounds more with it everywhere and making ~20 hp extra.
Just kind of curious, what kind of speeds are you running and what ratio? I have 4.10's in my LT3 and found that when I get up around 80, I get the same effect as you - but from 55 to 71/72 it does pretty good. Just curious.
Thanks!
For those who want to know about the exhaust here is some info. I decided to bring it to a shop to get done because it has been way to hot to do at home. Good thing I did, when the factory exhaust was cut off they went to put the new forward pipe on and the fwd hanger was way off so they cut the hanger off and installed after system was on. Also the rear pipe would not go into position with the front hangers on so those were cut off. once these hangers were removed the system lined up great and they just re welded the hangers on. I watch them do the hole thing and glad I did not try to do at home. The main problem seamed to be the hangers were indexed wrong because they were at the right distances just wrong angles. Perhaps I got an 06 version I don't know but mine would not have been able to be done at home. As for the sound fantastic at 70 you have to listen for it. From a dead stop and floor it it has a real nice growl to it. Very happy with sound and so far the performance. I was getting 13 to 14 mpg before I'll let you know if this improves.
It sounds like you are finding the same thing I did. I installed the Zoomers cat back on my LT3 and noticed an instant improvement in the amount of time it spends in 4cyl mode. I installed the Zoomer's kit in my own garage (no alignment issues and the kit had excellent fit/finish).
I had explored both the option of the GM touring and GM performance exhaust, but decided on the Zoomers based on what I had read about their systems. Any chance of getting some wav files of the new exhaust?
Thanks! I'd love to hear what it sounds like compared to my Zoomers system (I'm still struggling to find a way to create a wav file of it that isn't 10Meg)
I've got my 20" wheel set sitting in my garage though....But am unclear about the tire pressure sensors. The manual says that they need to be readjusted if they are changed out using some chevy electronic tool but then it goes on to describe how to manually do it using the "info" button inside the truck??
Any pointers?
Thanks George
Why do you think the 4.10's will get you the max tow capacity?
move more weight quicker.