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One bit of warning though--IIRC I believe it was (late?) '05 model-year that GM took away the instant fuel economy from their fullsize trucks/SUVs; not only that, they took away the "Personal" and "Business" trip meters (not that big of a loss since I believe they now just display "A" and "B")...and the worse thing of all (as far as convenience is concerned)--the Driver 1/Driver 2 memorized seat/mirror/radio settings recall feature via keyfob remote was also taken away for '05-'06...you can still set/recall memory settings, but ONLY via the recall buttons on the door panel.
I can open the rear glass without hitting anything, even with the garage door closed, but the tailgate is too tall.
Have a good weekend, everyone. It might snow in Dallas today, I think I'll go find an empty parking lot and play with Stabilitrak and ABS.
Man, what a hassle to change the tire. I'm sure it will be easier and faster the next time, but the first run through was a challenge. That little jack sure moves slowly doesn't it? Like twenty turns to move it one inch. And at first, the spare tire didn't want to come all the way down, there is some sort of "catch". The manual said to try cranking it back up again until you hear two clicks. If that doesn't work, you have to balance the jack on the tire blocks and raise it up to release some lock or something. Luckily, it came down on its own eventually. Then once it was down, it took me a while to figure out how to turn that bracket just right so it would fit through the wheel.
I've learned my lesson - practice changing the tire on a new car in your free time so it's not a hassle and a completely new experience when you're in a real hurry. I really have been meaning to, but it's been a busy 7 months...
So I am definitely going to renew OnStar when it comes due. I hate to think of my wife trying to change a tire on her own. Much more laborious and time consuming than doing a donut on a regular car. She watched me do it and understands how it works, but it takes a long time. I hate to think of her working on the side of a busy road for so long, or in a parking lot attracting the attention of strange men. And truck tires are heavy (surprise surprise)! It was hard even for me to lift the spare into place, and then to get the flat up inside the back. If she's alone, I'd rather she just call for roadside assistance. Heck, I'd call OnStar myself if it was raining. I hate to look like a wimp, but that job takes a long time. You're going to get soaked, and you absolutely have to get down on the ground to place the jack and get the spare out.
Overall, I am impressed with the new vehicle. This is my first large SUV. The storage system for the spare is a neat design. It's a full size spare, and you can store the flat in the same place after changing. It has a lock that prevents other people from stealing the spare tire. And the TPMS is great. I had the kids loaded up and was ready to drive off when it warned me that I was low, down to 17 psi. I'm glad this is becoming a standard feature on new vehicles.
Sounds like GM knows there is a problem but doesn't want to announce a full scale recall.
Thanks for the reply.
Just curious--what kind of tranny temps do you get in your truck? I know it'll vary somewhat depending on outside temp, so if you could provide tranny temps at different outside temps (no tow, little or no cargo load)...I'd appreciate it! I ask because everywhere else I've read/asked, other folks say that their tranny temps hardly reach 150 even on a decently-warm summer day.
Thanks!
I ran a round-trip from Minneapolis to New Orleans and got an average of just over 20 MPG! Even my "old" '01 Silverado couldn't get that.
The trick is to keep your speed from being excessive but also keeping it steady.
Also, keep in mind how much you're going to enjoy and spend on the vehicle in the long-run. There are much more imortant factors than simple fuel economy, even if your priorities might be tilted in that direction.
I routinely tow a 3000 lb. boat/trailer with surge brakes and it seems to work fine. Is there a reason to do anything differently?
Grinding: probably front wheel bearings.
Stalling: likely a failing fuel pump.
Squeal: likely A/C compressor.
http://www.autosite.com/content/own/service/index.cfm/action/RecallsView/seriesi- d/17581
Others can be referenced from the same site.
I currently have 116,000 miles on a '03 Yukon XL that was bought in 12/02. I ALWAYS buy the GMPP Extended Warranty to cover my butt for the standard problems that may occur. This truck is a POOR excuse for a well built vehicle. The vehicle is WELL maintained by GM dealers on the East Coast. I have NO issues with my main dealer as they have bent over backwards to keep me a customer. If I were a dealer I would be embarrassed to represent such a product. To date my vehicle has had to have both Front Hubs replaced. One under extended warranty at 75K miles the other out of my pocket at 98K miles. I have 4 friends with a total of 7 Yukon’s including mine. On these vehicles 5 hubs have had to be replaced. Sounds like an issue to me. If the truck was used in city driving or off road I would understand but for an ON THE ROAD truck this is not an acceptable quality level for a $48,000. truck.
Also note two of my friends are having issues with their transmissions as mentioned in other postings. If you are looking into buying a USED YUKON make sure you know the signs of transmissions that are in the process of breaking down as this is NOT an inexpensive repair on the 4x4’s.
The truck currently has EXTREME rust on poorly plated or painted components both INSIDE the truck and UNDER the hood. 50% of the mounting bolts, brake lines, mounting brackets, brackets inside the truck that are components to the seats. This case has caused me to have to replace the Idler pulley on the AC due to being RUSTED solid to a point the IDLER wheel froze. This is an under the hood component.
My last issue was the straw that broke the camel back. I have had a rotational noise that was reported to the dealer at appox 68K miles. The dealer in multiple visits replaced the Rotors, rear brakes, emergency brake (that has NEVER been used) at a cost of $600. Seemed like the issue was gone. Go back home to a warmer climate and the noise is back. One month later take the car back and it is diagnosed as the front hub as discussed above. Once again seems like problem solved. Wrong noise still there. Take it into the dealer again and say it is defiantly coming from the passenger rear wheel area. Dealer finds it is the Backing Plate to the brakes. The part is rusted thru and rubbing on the housing part of the Emergency Brake. I flipped. I can understand a part that is worn due to rotational wear BUT a part that DOES NOT MOVE and its only function is to keep material away from the housing to RUST thru is BS. This truck is just over 3 years old. My European Vehicles NEVER had this issue. I guess they can afford a little extra plating and paint on the vehicle instead of putting $4000. in retirement and health benefits for employees. The part is less that $20. but the WHOLE rear end has to be pulled to be replaced. $400. to replace both sides. I also had to replace for the 2nd time the Rear Brake pads AND Emergency Brake Pads. If you search on this post you will note other people complaining about this issue with the emergency brake shoes. Overall the WHOLE rear end of this truck is a poor 1960 design that has never been updated. In GM's mind at least they put real brakes on this truck unlike the older Yukons and Suburban’s that had CAR Rotors and Drums.
I asked my dealer to speak to the regional service advisor and I have NEVER met a more complete description of a Talking Head, Rubber Stamp that this individual was in my life. He had NO interest in hearing about the problems with my Yukon due to the fact it had over 100K miles. I guess his take is "What do you expect?" I should be happy I got 100K miles on it and why don't you look at a NEW UGLY '07. What I expect is a maintained vehicle to last. TO NOT have planned obselessance built in. He said if they put an extra $1.00 in every part of this truck that it would be too expensive. Once again other manufacturers have figured out how to do it but Americas Big 3 are all lip service.
The cheap plastic look that they feel is quality on the inside of this truck is a joke. NO European or Japanese manufacturer would allow witness lines from the tools to show on any plastic parts that are visible to a passenger. They are all over this vehicle. Take a look at the bottom of the plastic pillar covers for the front windshield right below the afterthought tweeters. No reading lights in the 3rd row, have to turn on all the lights if someone all the way back wants to do anything with light. And YES that high pitched chirp in COLD weather above the drivers left ear that is a sensor for ambient temperature. Cheap bearing and a weak design. Again the Europeans have used this technique for years and in the 80's had the same problem. They fixed it, now GM puts it in a car and still does not know what Benchmarking is to other manufacturers. BTW this is the same noise you will hear from the Blower Motor for the Climate Control fan that pushes the air thru the Yukon as it starts to go. Just a little louder and a slightly lower pitch.
I have many other complaints that I will be taking up with GM directly if I can get to the person above the area guy. He would not give me any information on how to contact his manager or supervisor. He said write a letter to Detroit. I called the GM Customer Advisor Number and am still waiting for a return call.
Unfortunately this will probably be my last GM product. I read an article in Fortune magazine and a questioned was asked if GM needed to be bailed out by the Government like Chrysler did would the government help? GW’s answer was “GM-Drop Dead. I now feel the same.
If you want a true review of a GMC Yukon read the Forbes article. Pretty accurate non bias!
Feel free to e-mail on this post I will respond. I am VERY UPSET with GM and will tell anyone untainted opinions of the issues I have had.
To anyone who still buys one, I wish you better luck.
at any rate to my question:
sometimes when i start my car cold, i hear a "chunk" coming from the engine compartment. sometimes it is louder than others and it does not always happen. usually when it does occur it is after the car has been sitting overnight or for a while. the best way i can describe it is a "chunk" sound. could this be the starter? i'm hesitant to take it in because it doesn't do it all the time, but at the same time, i'm a little concerned it could be something serious. any ideas?
to clarify, this happens about one to two seconds after the car starts, but before i go to shift. i don't have any shifting problems or anything like that.
I suppose it would be nice to have an exact match so you could rotate them all through. But then we'd have to pay more for a matching wheel as well.
"About" is the operating word here; I dunno what size spare comes w/ the YXL, but on my DXL w/ OEM 265-70-17 tires, the OEM spare is--believe it or not--a 245-75-16...which is clearly smaller in circumference than the stock wheel. Dunno how well this would work out on an AWD vehicle if you had a flat, but that's the size of the OEM spare tire on my rig.
I will agree, a 50K $$$ vehicle should never be having the problems we experience. Should be just oil changes for the first 50,000 miles. No skimping in the areas of motor, tranny, brakes, rotors, tires, tie rods, shocks, A/C, hoses, radiator, steering shaft, light assemblies, bulbs, exhaust, heater cores. Just put an extra grand into better components.
Here's a tire size calculator:
link title
The hitch assembly is quite ugly, so when not towing, I put the cover back on.
But of course it's not completely unsafe. I drove around for years with 31x10.50R15 tires on my Wrangler with the original 225/75R15 spare still mounted. Had I ever had to use it, I couldn't use 4wd unless on sand or some other very soft terrain. AWD isn't so touchy because there is a differential in the transfer case. One thing to remember is that if you have different size tires on either axle (since they're both drive axles, all the time) the front and rear differentials, which are designed to only work in turns, will now be constantly working to allow the smaller tire to spin faster. Might be a problem over an extended period.
I'm about a week away from replacing the 265 Duelers with some 285/70R17 BFG All-Terrain T/As--can anyone tell me if they'll definitely fit? If I do, I won't be upgrading the spare to match.
1) My vehicle is over 2 years old;
2) Unless I can find another '04 Denali/XL Denali owner that I can ask to see if his/her spare is a 265, I can see the dealer arguing that my DXL is supposed to come w/ a 245 spare;
3) Even if the dealer gives me the correct-sized spare, it won't do me much good anyways since I'm running a Baer Alumasport big-brake kit, which requires at least an 18" wheel.
I can only assume that that 265 tire on your ride came like that straight from the factory--i.e., said spare tire size wasn't mounted onto the spare wheel sometime between when you bought your truck and now.
Have a similar situation with my 2001 Yukon XL. I have been unable to find any assistance.
If you a reolution, please share with me.
Thanks
Fred
Did you ever find the location of the sensor?
Does anyone have access to service manual so I can trace wires and connections?
I am very pleased with this vehicle for long trips. It's very comfortable, with plenty of room for everyone and our stuff. Two kids in the thrd row, one in the middle, and an empty middle row seat for my wife or me to sit in back and play games with the kid or hand out snacks from time to time. There is surprisingly little road and wind noise. The rear end never sagged under all the weight. I'm guessing we're using maybe half the maximum payload capacity of this thing. We don't tow or go off road as of yet, but it's comforting to know your vehicle is over-qualifed and can handle whatever you throw at it. We saw many smaller cars sagging from the weight of 5 passengers, with all kinds of amateur-looking containers roped to the roof. (You see a lot of that in South Texas...) And we saw a lot of regular length Tahoes and Yukons with roof or hitch mounted cargo carriers. It's sure nice to just be able to fit it all inside of an XL or Suburban. We even folded down one center bucket seat so we could take to dogs in their travel case to the kennel on our way out of town. Didn't have to make two trips for that.
Now that we're spoiled, we wouldn't dream of going back to something smaller.
You should read a little deeper in this forum. Appears YOU are the only one being serviced by GM. Note the individual who JUST bought a truck and feels he is getting nothing from the dealer or GM. I wonder if someone in your family has something to do with this failing car company as I said you appear to be the ONLY satisfied customer here. BTW GM's sales are down over 25% for the month. Maybe the car they are giving you can boost up there failing lineup. Best of Luck! Yukon No Truck
Fuel Pump.