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kirstie_h
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Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions
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Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
My past experience with the 5.3L is that it's about the most fuel efficient V8 out there in the truck market. The EPA numbers might be off on the Hemi if it has MDS. The vehicles with MDS (VCM/DOD/whatever you want to call multi-cylinder operation) tend to exagerate the EPA numbers a bit, sort of like the hybrids. The folks I know running Hemi's are getting more in the 14mpg range as an average. My 5.3L would average around 16mpg.
My biggest dislike of the Dodges (i have a 3500 diesel Ram as well) is that they sit so much higher than the Chevy. The Chevy is much easier to get in/out of but you still sit fairly high. They handle and ride better as well. I personally think the Dodge is put together a bit better, but it is a newer chassis. The Mega cab is also just plain HUGE. I didn't want anything THAT big, a standard crew cab has plenty of room for me and I'd rather have something more maneuverable.
As far as the mileage goes, I fully agree about the 5.3l. I drive 90% highway here, including steep grades on my daily commute, and I still have averaged well over 18.5 overall (19+ usually) with my truck. But I've always beaten EPA estimates for whatever type of driving I've done in any of my vehicles, so maybe I really do drive like grandpa (wife says so!). :P
new $pendy console. The lock assembly broke in my 01
but I was lucky and it was under warranty.
Did you consider doing a junkyard search or even try flea-bay?
1. Low Coolant light comes on. When checking the reservoir, it only appears to be down about 1/2". I purchased a gallon of the pre-mixed Dex Cool to use to top off, but still can't figure out if there is a leak, or if it something worse.
2. Low Washer Fluid. I believe I might have a leak in one of the seams of the white plastic bottle. When I got underneath the truck, the bottom of the bottle was wet, but I couldn't pinpoint a leak.
3. Gear Indicator. When the truck is warmed up (usually after I have been driving it for about 1/2 hour, and shift from drive to reverse, the gear indicator on the dash will sometimes remain in drive, then move to reverse. When I shift to Park, the gear indicator will either show the vehicle as being in "R", or sometimes moves to "Drive". Although the vehicle is actually in Park, the gear indicator is showing as being in another gear but will not allow the doors to unlock automatically as it's supposed to do when it is put in Park.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
So far 111K of nearly trouble free miles.
getting 18mpg with 5.3 & 3.42 gears @ speeds up to 80 mph.
Have had excellent experience using Firestone Indy 265/70 16 tires & synthetic Castrol oil
K&N air filters. Frame seems kind of rubbery compared to the newer Fords and Dodges. However they are way too huge...
If the Colorado/Canyon offered a 5.3 it would be my next, but at nearly 4000 lbs the I5 3.5 engine doesn't get it.
My previous trucks I had 3" round blind spot mirrors-worked well, but not sure if I want to use them on this truck-it covers all but the very top of these signal lights.
The 2" spots look too small to be useful.
They work okay unless it is raining. P.
Anyone have any experience (Good or Bad) with the Truxedo-brand Truxport tonneau cover?
I originally was planning on going with a fiberglass shell/cap on my crew cab w/5'8" bed, but having hard time justifying $1600-1800 for the styles I like.
I've found the Truxport at a few places for around $225.
On previous trucks I've had ARE-brand hard tonneaus but they limited you on what could be hauled, but it was secure.
PS: I have also noticed my truck's suspension sags lower on one side (like many others posted here), and would also appreciate any advice/opinions regarding this!
Thanks in advance for any help!!!
Interested to know how well it works, ease of installation.
I'm going to put a Truxport cover on my truck, and thought maybe this tailgate lock would help to get in more security.
So why does GM still not incorporate a lock in the handle of the tailgate-couldn't they just use a driver's door handle assembly?
If this does not eliminate the problem, there is also possibility that either the clutch master cylinder or clutch slave cylinder are internally leaking, causing incomplete clutch release. I had this problem with a Mazda 626 car, but at 130K miles. Rebuilding the clutch master and slave cylinders and bleeding the hydraulic clutch circuit solved the problem of hard shifting into 1st gear.
A: Because they are cheapskates, trying to save a buck everywhere.
Some other examples of cheapness on part of GM:
1. the trip computer, which is built into each truck, but only functions if you buy the $ 125 optional steering wheel with 'redundant radio controls". Only LT3 Silverado has this as standard equipment.
2. lack of transmission oil temperature gauge on 1500 series trucks (even the ones with factory tow package), even though all trucks have a temperature sending unit already installed and prewired.
3. cheap plastic door handles standard even on fully optioned LT3 Silverado trucks. LT Suburbans and Tahoes get body colored door handles, which are much nicer.
4. cheap black plastic outside mirrors standard on all Silverado trucks, even if you order the optional power folding turn signal arrow mirros.
5. homelink transmitter not available as an individual option (even though you can get it on the Avalanche for about $ 120), unless you buy the sunroof with it for close to $ 1,000.
6. no power sliding rear window, not even available as a factory option on any Silverado truck (this being standard equipment now on many Titan and Tundra trucks)
7. deleting foglights as standard equipment in '06 LT1 Z71 Silverados
8. not providing a 7 pin to 4 flat pin adapter for tow package equipped trucks as a part of the package
9. not offering an electric brake controller as factory installed option, even with the towing pacakage equipped trucks
-Underhood light
-Cabin air filter
-Std. Locking spare tire
I missed those when I bought an '03. I didn't buy an '06.
side outer door lock, lumbar seat, glove box light,
bed side and cab corner bang strips.............
For the spare tire lock-I took mine out of my '03 before I traded it, and had a key made to fit it-put it in the '06.
I personally would rather have a locking tailgate than a lock for the spare tire-haven't heard of many spare tires getting stolen.
http://advancecover.com
well it don't seal very well, so oil seeps past it back to the pump, also when running unfiltered oil seeps past it goes into motor.
The Truxport mounts on top of the rails, and covers the stake pocket holes, and it still has the convenience to roll up like the others mentioned at about half the cost. So far it seems to keep the rain out.
so it matches the black bumber cover on the rear bumper.
Off the subject: Some of the companies are painting the front bumper and are still using the chromed bumper on the rear. I certainly do not like that approach. P.
Thanks
Add a supercharger
with certain mods.
A PCM (computer) burn tune is your best bet for better
mpg and performance at a reasonable cost.............
-David
Here is what usually happens. I come to the incline and give the pedal a nudge. I start to slow down with the incline. I give the pedal another nudge and continue to decelerate. When I give the pedal another slight nudge I usually shift into passing gear with a roar. :confuse:
It's really just a little nuisance, but I'd prefer to have more control over accelleration and passing gear.
Has anyone else had a similar problem? Is a v6 underpowered for the vehicle size? Does anyone have any advice?
of its torque and power band in OD UPHILL. You
have to expect it to drop a gear or 2 to keep up to
your desired speed.
Its just the nature of the v-6 beast............
BTW: My dad had a couple 90s v-6 full sizers and they
did the same thing.....................
Add to the fact these trannys are also very lazy about downshifting from OD....and you've got the "problem" figured out. My 5.3L never did this so IMHO, the 4.8 and (obviously) V6 are underpowered for this vehicle. I didn't benefit from better mpg either....15mpg was doing quite good on the highway. Usually averaged 13-14mpg in a mix regardless of how it was driven. Maybe your V6 will do better, but I figure mine had to work so much harder it made no difference. My 5.3L would average 18-20mpg on the highway and usually averaged 15-16mpg. Lesson learned I suppose.
I had to call the dealer and get the procedure to reset the alarm - I thought I wrote it down & it was safely stored in my glove box - wrong.
Anyone know what the correct procedure is? Or How to look it up.
It goes something like -
Put key in the ignition - turn on but do not start engine
Push lock then unlock button on remote three times - while holding your breath - do a handstand - start truck with one eye open - one eye closed.
Anyway, he said that headers, intake, exhaust, throttle body, rims etc were no problem as far as he was concerned. He did say that if I were to put in a supercharger I'd be hard pressed to convince him to warrant anything in the driveline and engine.
Course there are many that don't worry about such matters even if it is a GM product.