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"I only have one piece of advice for you. Don't let the fuel run down to the low fuel light. I have been in some discussions with individuals that are frantically scurrying around in an attempt to write a new fuel gage calibration.
It seems that there have been a number of drivers who have run out of fuel before the vehicle ever turned the low fuel light on. They didn't leave good messages with their dealers as they were walking down the freeway to the nearest gas station"
Take it for what its worth.
Hi Kay,
How does the operation of SmartTrak differ from the automatic setting on the Autotrac system available in the Trailblazer & Envoy?
#92 of 202 Autotrak vs SmartTrak by kayjarboe Feb 20, 2001 (10:10 pm)
9T9WU8 - It doesn't! The transfer case operates the same, but SmartTrak includes the locking rear differential as standard equipment to help in side to side slippage at low speeds.
#94 of 202 1991 AWD versus 2002 AWD answer to Legalwizard by kayjarboe Feb 20, 2001 (10:12 pm)
Legalwizard - I am glad you are so pleased with your 1991 Bravada and that it held up to the test of the Minnesota winters! I have had an opportunity to drive in a 1991 Bravada in Minnesota just a few months ago, and was quite pleased with the performance (although it did need a good vacuuming!!) The AWD (not WAD) system in your 1991 Bravada is a full-time system, meaning that you are always sending power to the front axle, so you are always in AWD mode. The 2002 Bravada has an ""On Demand" system. The Bravada monitors axle speed every 48 milliseconds. If it senses slippage, it engages AWD in ¼ of a second to transfer power to the front axle. This system helps to provide better gas mileage and less wear on your AWD components. Buy one - you will love it!
#168 of 202 Re: danfinmnxyz - SmartTrak by kayjarboe Mar 13, 2001 (05:36 am)
Danfinnxyz - SmartTrak is a combination of the On Demand AWD, the locking rear differential axle, and the ABS brakes. As far as operation of the transfer case, the Bravada monitors axle speed (not the ABS sensors) every 48 milliseconds. If it senses slippage, it engages AWD in ¼ of a second to transfer power to the front axle. This operation is the same as the Auto 4WD found on the TrailBlazer and Envoy. The locking rear differential is standard on the Bravada. When you are driving at low speeds, and one of your rear wheels loses traction, this feature will limit wheelspin to help make the most of available traction. SmartTrak does not have any switches or levers, so you cannot manually lock it into 4WD. It is designed to put the optimum amount of power to the front and rear axles.
I'm not convinced that a seat that feels really comfortable for a few moments in a showroom or short test drive provides the support required for travelling comfort.
By the way...has anyone else ever received a check?
Off-Road package and Pro Tow + air suspension + 6 disc CD:
If I choose this, I give up rain sensing wipers, travel note recorder and polished wheels.
I get the underbody shields and the 3.73 axle that I prefer. I also save about $72.
Premium Package and Pro Tow:
I give up the shields and am stuck with the 4.10 axle, but get the rain sense, travel note and polished wheels.
Now, I realize I can add the polished wheels to the off road package, but then I am paying more and getting possibly less.
I don't really care about the travel note thing, but I like what I hear about the rain sense. I have not seen the polished wheels yet. Are they nice?
Help me decide. I think I want the shields because I have them on my '96 Jimmy and belive they protect the truck when driving on forest roads. If you disagree, please explain.
I also think I need the air suspension. If you disagree, tell me why.
If you have either of these packages, tell me what you like/dislike about your choice.
-John.
(You can't have everything... Where would you put it? -s.wright)
I love all the toys but don't really like leather in the hot climate. As with most vehicles you can't have one without the other. Decisions, decisions.
The polished wheels are so polished that they look almost chrome. They really look nice. Before I ordered, I went to the Tire Rack website to see what aftermarket wheels there were for the Envoy that were better looking than the standard ones. There were NO aftermarket wheels available. This new 17" size with the 6 lug nut pattern must be a brand new wheel that only fits the GMT360 platform. In time, I am sure that some aftermarket wheels will become available. They just are not right now. So, if you want a nicer looking wheel, go for the polished ones. I did and am really happy about it.
The reason for this is that in 4HI mode, wheel speeds are locked. This actually gives you worse traction on many surfaces, because in 2HI the front wheels rotate freely - in 4HI they are locked together. AWD is better in those type of conditions. 4HI works best for loose surfaces and pretty badly on most roads.
I'm sure there are other people out there who can explain it better than I can, but I look at it this way:
2HI - driving _on_ stuff
4HI - driving _through_ stuff
4LO - wallowing through stuff
Really like the new GM Suv 'Trio' specially the Trailblazer and Envoy. I had the opportunity to drive both back in April at GM's Auto Show In Motion test drive event. Very, very nice trucks!
Enjoy your rides!
PS: You probably won't see much of a difference in your gas mileage. I have had automatic A/C for many cars and on all of the ones in recent years ('98 newer) I have tried full tanks of gas, during the winter, with the A/C compressor off. The results were always mixed (sometimes a couple MPG less, sometimes a couple MPG more)than when I just ran it on auto with the a/c pump on.
You see, in todays cars the actual belts that drive the A/C compressor are not as (ratio wise) dependent on the camshaft. Instead of the old serpentine belts than ran all things off of the same belts that was connected to a wheel from the camshaft, there is a much different ratio as to much power it draws from the engine. In short, if you notice any difference in MPG it should be inconsistent.
I just spent 4 days in Orlando, Fl at Disney World. Rented a Ford Escape (much happier with this than the Mercury Mystique that they reserved for me). I was surprised that the Escape has gotten the good press that it has in the reviews, given my experience. It is not a bad vehicle for the price, but Ford has its work cut out for it if it intends to compete in this space.
At Epcot Center, GM has sponsored an attraction called Test Track which I'm sure many of you are familiar with. At the end of the ride, there is an area where you can diddle-daddle with driving simulators and also there is a showroom where GM shows off some cars. Behind the stage area where there is a sliding curtain-wall, is an Oldsmobile Bravada '02. Apparently Disney was not informed of the demise of Olds, or were they? The curtain slide open to reveal the "piece de resistance" that is different every time it opens. The Bravada was one of them - an indigo Blue one.
If GM tests their designs prior to production as this "Test Track" ride indicates, it convinces me that there isn't some evil intent by GM to produce "bad" products. They ring everything out in their testing facility - manufacturing variations are responsible for the issues that buyers have. I'm sure this is one area that GM is focusing on, how to reduce the amount of variation during volume manufacturing. It is one thing to make a few pre-production units and to test the crap out of them, but a whole other subject to actually product tens or hundreds of thousands per year and not have any of them have some defect that will cut into their profit margins.
Seeing this show (if true) gives me confidence that my Bravada was built with the intent of making an exceptional vehicle (not to con me into buying a piece of junk).
I then called several dealers, and got prices ranging from $500 to $760. One funny thing was I heard someone in the background on one call saying the computer showed it as a 30 minute job! On a whim, I called my dealer's parts department direct (instead of the aftermarket guy), and asked for the OEM running board kit. He searched for a while, and came back and said they were $299! At that point I ordered them, and just put them on this morning.
The installation took me an hour. The only reason it took that long was I had to jack each side of the truck up a couple of inches, and do the job laying on my back. With the truck on a lift, this is a 20 minute job max! There are 12 bolts each side that go into predrilled & tapped holes on the back of the rocker panels. I am so PO'd at my dealer for trying to stick it to me by charging $300 to do a 20 minute job (after buying a $32K truck). I think I will stop by and personally thank the General Manager for all their help!
Also, I did receive a $100 travelers check from Chevy today via registered letter. It was compensation for the recall. I like!
On the way to Oklahoma empty trailer, 17 - 18 miles per gallon. It handled great. True test was when the car was on the trailer. Made sure to take the time to properly set everything up, center the weight on the trailer so not to much tongue weight, and we were back on the road.
Drive home was great. Easier than with my 1 ton truck, which couldn't be use, needed work before long trip. The Envoy handled excellent. Between 14 - 15 miles per gallon with car on trailer. No problems stopping or slowing down. Power was there. Most of the time on the highway you wouldn't even notice that a trailer was there. We went through hills, heavy downpours of rain and rush hour traffic. We drove in 2 wheel drive, except during rain, then was in all wheel drive.
After some of the comments about gas guage we made sure to fill up when between 1/4 and 1/2. In Oklahoma in the middle of the night not all stations are open on the turnpike.
So 21 hours and 1000 miles later, wouldn't trade my Envoy for anything else. The 410 gears and load leveler made all the difference. I don't recommend driving 21 hours with no sleep. But if I had to do it again, I wouldn't worry about whether or not the Envoy could handle it.
Needless to say, we're pretty sure the Neon is totaled. But the kids are fine and that's all that matters! The kids are happy to be home, but are not happy that mom said that they owe me a wash job on the Envoy. It needs to have a few bugs cleaned off.
Has anyone heard what GM's plans might be on this in the Envoy or the talked about 7 passenger stretch version?
http://detnews.com/2001/autos/0106/10/autos-234113.htm
http://www.thecarconnection.com/
Regarding the sun visor, anyone who's owned an Explorer knows about the great 2-way sun visor they had. It extends at a 90 degree angle to cover both the front and side windows. Has anyone seen anything similar available after market?
Thanks to all--this board has answered more questions than my owners manual!