Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I'm looking at a two wheel drive with the Duramax & Allison six speed.
I have to ask...
Why in the hell would purchase a 2500HD Duramax to use as a 100 mile/day commuter vehicle? Have you lost your mind?
Why wouldn't you buy an inexpensive, new or used car that gets 35-40 MPG on the highway to commute in?
Today I drive a 97 F150 and depending on the wind, get anywhere from 19 to 21 MPG. I do plan on driving the wheels off of it but want to be prepared for the after FORD years.
ALSO DO NOT trust the damn computer! Use a calculator and figure it yourself and it will always be better than what their display says. The engineers planned that display to have an actual fuel flow meter to gauge gallons used but it is NOT in the trucks as yet so they go by the fuel tank float position. NOT at all accurate. Mine usually says I am getting 16 mpg or so and the ONLY time it was close was towing 12,000 lbs of camper in the mountains at 80 mph(don't ask, involves wife and mother-in-law) when it said 8.1 mpg and I got 8.5 mpg.
My other pet peeve is the damn automatic climate control! WHY did they put so far down on the dash and WHY not put controls for it on the wheel too? I think they want to sell front bumpers to you each time you hit the guy in front of you while trying to figure out how to control the cool air flow. No i have not done that YET but it feels all wrong. Other than that I love my Duramax, especially when people with their V-6 cars and trucks are getting worse mileage and spending more to maintain their vehicles.
Kacansas
How do you lock in the torque converter? Are you referring to putting the transmission into the tow-haul mode?
Another pet peeve of mine that you missed is the little button to put the vehicle into 4 x 4... way too close to the light controls and way too easy to engage without knowing. There should be a light on the dash that comes on or something. I am going to hate to ruin the 4 x 4 by running on dry pavement and not knowing its engaged.
I knew the best mpg was down around 55. Pulling my 12,000 camper in Florida for 115 miles over to the interstate back in March I got 12.5 mpg or so (indicated via computer) and watching it drop when I hit the Interstate around Jacksonville to 10.5 at 70 mph.
So on to the Duramax. I won't be towing alot, but need the 4X4 and travel alot, so want a larger more secure vehicle, hence my desire for the 2500. I have been reading many of the posts and have seen the recs for keeping it under 65 and K&N air filters plus synthetic oils for better mileage. My concern is the Allison tranny -- great reputation but has anyone had any problems. Also anyone out there with more than 100,000 miles having any major problems or repairs.
Thanks in advance,
Doc
Torque converter lock up occurs automatically when the vehicle reaches 45 or better and is in either 5th or 6th. It does it when the acceleration mode levels out and the load on the transmission and torque converter goes down. Putting it in Tow/Hual mode prevents lock-up. Also putting it in the M position prevents lock-up. The assumption behind this is that you require more power from the transmission. Did you know that the amount of power that goes to the rear wheels goes up in Tow/Haul because the torque converter oges into a higher fluid pressure mode? On the other hand you CAN tow a trailer in regular Drive setting IF you are not climbing or decending a lot of hills and do not have a load that equals over 75% of the Gross Carriage Weight Rating of the truck. For our 2500HD's that is a total load of 16,700 lbs so to be in Drive you must be under 12,500lbs for your TOTAL load. That includes fuel and people and anything in the bed plus the trailer. I carry extra fuel so I can take advantage of the best fuel prices while traveling. I use gasbuddy.com everywhere I travel with the truck and get the best priced diesel. When we retire and start traveling in it more I plan to sign up with a couple of truck stops for their fuel discount cards.
Kacansas
IF you are not going to tow, then ORDER your truck and tell them to override the standard 3.73 axle ratio and get the 3.42 and if possible get the 3500HD SRW which comes stock with 265 tires. WHATever you do ALWAYS check with your serviceing dealer about any tire size changes or addon computer controllers such as the Superchips because GM usually looks for ANY excuse to not payup on a warranty claim. Most dealers will allow you to use larger diameter tires and a computer controller if you let them know all about it so then you are covered because they enter the approval into the truck's VIN records with GM. At that point there will be no problems with warranty issues.
DO NOT consider a propane injection, NitrusOxide, hydrogen injection, exhaust changes or any other physical changes to the truck until after the 100,000 miles for that WILL void the warranty. It says so in BOLD print in the owners manual so they can say you were warned. Good Luck!
Kacansas
Getting close to the model end of year and have only been able to find a couple of trucks. Found a tricked out one that I like but they want 48,500 for it OTD --- literally has everything in it but is a 2500 SRW, not a 3500 SRW.
The motor / Allison trans combo works great right out of the box. Loads of power, smooth. And it should get even better up to about 10K miles as "break in" continues.
I was averaging about 17 MPG at an indicated 77 MPH on the interstates ( 70 mph speed limit areas ). After adding a tonneau cover, up to about 18 mpg. This is from refueling records, not the trip computer, which is about 5% off of actual per my tracking. And, per my dealer, that's pretty good for the trip computer, they see worse at around 10% off regularly. The trip computer runs off the fuel levels in the tank ( sending unit ), not actual useage by the motor. So that's a useful guide for comparison, not a completely accurate record.
I also had a Transfer Flow 50 gallon auxilliary tank installed in the bed, giving me 76 gallons total on board. It's nice to have REAL range and buy fuel where and when I see the best prices. Very nice equipment and a great install at TF's headquarters in Chico, CA.
I really like the additional information the trip computer provides, like the transmission temperature, the tire pressure monitoring system, remaining oil life, remaining fuel filter life, etc.
I have yet to notice the burning cycle clearing the exhaust "soot box". I guess if I am not noticing, that's a good thing, it's not obvious or intrusive to the driving experience.
For those in the Northern California area, I can highly recommend Dennis at GMC Vacaville ( CA ) for sales, a very professional gentleman to deal with. To date, the service department at GMC Vacaville has also exceeded my expectations. See Scott or Carlos there. Very easy to deal with, timely service, and very good attitude towards dealing with a few initial warranty items.
I only have a few gripes:
1) The gauges ( speedo, tach, etc. ) are very hard to read during the day. The white lettering and gauge indicators simply wash out in any kind of light, especially while wearing ( needed ) sunglasses of any kind ( polorized lenses or not ). This appears to be a "live with it" kind of thing and, yes, I did notice it before buying and bought anyway. ( Note - Great gauges and appearance at night! ) Anyone know of a vendor ( aftermarket ) with a fix for this?
2) GMC did not provide an entry assist handle for the driver although all three other doors ( crew cab ) get one. I can't see any reason for this ommission, there is nothing on that windshield pillar to prevent putting a nice handle there except GMC failing to do so. I'll probably end up having some additional gauges installed there to get some benefit ( EGT? ).
So far, so good.
Saulster
I own a 2006 crew cab chevy 4x4 duramax with the allison but currently only have around 35,000 miles on it. I love the truck and the only problem I have experienced was the power steering pump, which was replaced under warranty.
But I do deal with a few Hot shot drivers that have 300,000 miles plus and they love the truck and have not had any problems, Talking to these people was the reason I decided to get one for myself. I totally decided against the Ford for the reasons you mentioned because several people I know had the same issues.
Hope this helps
dealer filled it up, I did not reset fuel econ and it was 13.3 mpg / I drove total 475 miles @ 55/65/70 mph the DIC said I used 27.1 gallons and 17.9 mpg.
When i filled up I put 24.1 gallons in tank to fill it up.
Where did the other 3 gallons go???? you can't always believe the DIC. 19.7 mpg's first tank of fuel.
Changed to oil to Delo 15-40 LE.
I would like to change air, exhaust, whatever to get more MPG's if I find someone who has done it successfully.
Yesterday morning it started and stalled and re-started fine. No other noticable indications prior to this event. Saturday after Thanksgiving, raining in Houston unable to get anybody to have a look until Monday. Any suggestions?
Thanks to all,
Great48
(for the 48 chev I'm rebuilding in my spare time)
Last point to make is that you have the wrong tires for the transmission programming. If you bought it this way you may need to find out if the computers were recalibrated for a larger tire BUT the largest GM calibrates for on a 3/4 ton is 265 and on a 1 ton 285. The computers CAN be set for your tire size on a 3/4 ton but you will have to find s dealer or other shop that will exceed GM reccomendations. Your problems are the biggest reasons GM did not recomend 285's or larger. I towed 12k travel trailer last year and averaged 12.5mpg on the whole 4000 mile trip but some of it was in mountains where it dropped to 8mpg. In the flatlands at interstate speeds I got 12 to 15 mpg depending on speed. Off the interstates I got 15 to 17 running 50 to 55mph. Pushing the brick that is our truck through the air gets harder over 50 mph.
Happy Motoring,
Golddig
I think this is a programmable problem. Have not had the first service yet. Milage is 15.2 average so far. Very pleased with the towing. 7500 lb 5th wheel. Need larger wheels and tires. Any ideas would be appreciated.
LNI
http://www.pureenergysystems.com/news/2005/03/17/6900069_Acetone/
and this:
http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Acetone_as_a_Fuel_Additive
Hope this helps.
Since this is not a diesel issue, you'll get a better response asking your question over in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Audio/Radio discussion.
kcram - Pickups Host