Advice on 2021 Tahoe, 5.3 V8 vs. Duramax 3.0

[BrokerThis]

https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/g35917308/2021-gmc-yukon-denali-duramax-review/


Interesting article.... the writer must not realize that almost all diesels have a engine block heater regardless of the engine size.... Id much rather have it hidden, than a plug/cord popping out from the grille somewhere.

 

[Stbentoak]

https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/g35917308/2021-gmc-yukon-denali-duramax-review/


Interesting article.... the writer must not realize that almost all diesels have a engine block heater regardless of the engine size.... Id much rather have it hidden, than a plug/cord popping out from the grille somewhere.

I personally think this is a BS article. I own 3 diesels and 2 0f the 3 will start down to -15 without ANY plug in at all. I left my JEEP GC EcoDiesel at an airport for a week in the winter and when we landed at midnight it was -10. It was so cold my aluminum trim was growing frost hair on the inside of the vehicle. It turned over and fired up in less than 15 seconds after sitting for a week in minus zero temps. We drove it 140 miles home after midnight in -10 and some bad winter conditions. Not a plug in outlet in sight. I do plug my RAM Cummins in as 3 gal of practically frozen oil and a 1000# frozen block are hard to turn over.
Something is amiss with this article, as I'm pretty sure the DMax can handle zero deg weather no problem on its own....

 

[Holy Roller]

https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/g35917308/2021-gmc-yukon-denali-duramax-review/


Interesting article.... the writer must not realize that almost all diesels have a engine block heater regardless of the engine size.... Id much rather have it hidden, than a plug/cord popping out from the grille somewhere.

You know the author is stretching when the only criticism leveled is to relate a story about a diesel experience a decade earlier. And in that case was likely due to having a tank of summer fuel.

 

[txchevy4ever]

I've had the 6.2 and 5.3 in my last 3 vehicles (2 Tahoes and a Silverado Z71 LTZ)... I am AMAZED by the diesel in my new Tahoe Premiere...

 

[Haninoy]

Hey I want to thank everyone who responded to this post. There were some really good advice on both engine types.

I ended up ordering the 3.0 diesel on March 10th and I just took delivery today.

I only drove it a few miles home, but so far it's quieter than the 5.3 during idle and the diesel engine definitely sounds different. I've never owned diesel before, but drives pretty good so far.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[adventurenali92]

https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/g35917308/2021-gmc-yukon-denali-duramax-review/


Interesting article.... the writer must not realize that almost all diesels have a engine block heater regardless of the engine size.... Id much rather have it hidden, than a plug/cord popping out from the grille somewhere.

Yeah this article is pretty BS in my opinion. My family all lives in Vermont, but with one set of relatives in natick mass. We almost always fly into Boston, stay with them a few days and then drive up to Vermont to see the rest of the family. And while I’ve never had a diesel rental on the east coast, I’ve never come across a station that doesn’t have diesel fuel.... lol even in Vermont just about every station carries diesel....

 

[Geotrash]

Yeah this article is pretty BS in my opinion. My family all lives in Vermont, but with one set of relatives in natick mass. We almost always fly into Boston, stay with them a few days and then drive up to Vermont to see the rest of the family. And while I’ve never had a diesel rental on the east coast, I’ve never come across a station that doesn’t have diesel fuel.... lol even in Vermont just about every station carries diesel....

I agree. When I lived in Boston I had a BMW diesel and never had any problems either finding fuel anywhere in the northeast, or getting it to start easily in cold weather. Modern diesels have heaters built into the fuel system.

 

[adventurenali92]

I agree. When I lived in Boston I had a BMW diesel and never had any problems either finding fuel anywhere in the northeast, or getting it to start easily in cold weather. Modern diesels have heaters built into the fuel system.

I live in a ski town in the socal mountains and I regularly use the diesels that belong to my best friends parents when I house sit for them. And I never have problems starting them up in the winter either. Though its rare to be down below 20 degrees, though it occasionally happens. But still the trucks startup no problem.

 

[jac1304]

Question on the diesel if only doing local trips and occasionally long drive. Is it bad for these new diesels to go on short trips?

 

[Stbentoak]

If you truly only do short (less than 10 mile} trips 90% of the time, then yes. Buy the 5.3 and it will be fully sufficient. The diesel really only has 2 advantages... Mileage and towing efficiency. We roll 5-7K miles a year (along with other daily miles...) strictly on vacation and interstates and expect our incoming Denali Dmax to wow us as we rip up the miles. I'm also looking for the extended range that diesel gives you. We can drive 600 miles a day and appreciate that we don't have to stop for fuel. We pack food and drink and don't want to deal with truck stops and swamped traveler areas with our dog.
Diesels need to be run, they love long trips and hot conditions. Don't like short trips and cold. If you can't expose it to a good 30-50 mile drive once a week or so, it might not be the best choice....

 

[txchevy4ever]

Took our 4wd Tahoe Premiere Duramax with all options (basically it's a high country, even the stupid 22" wheels) on a 352 mile round trip yesterday. Averaged 29 mpg and didn't even dip below 1/2 a tank. The other thing, having had the 6.2 and 5.3 in my previous 3 vehicles, is how little this sucker reacts, fully loaded, up hills going 75 mph. The RPM's barely climb... smooth as butter with the mag ride. Best Chevy truck I've owned out of my 2 previous Tahoes and my 2015 Silverado LTZ Z71.

 

[Quark]

Took our 4wd Tahoe Premiere Duramax with all options (basically it's a high country, even the stupid 22" wheels) on a 352 mile round trip yesterday. Averaged 29 mpg and didn't even dip below 1/2 a tank. The other thing, having had the 6.2 and 5.3 in my previous 3 vehicles, is how little this sucker reacts, fully loaded, up hills going 75 mph. The RPM's barely climb... smooth as butter with the mag ride. Best Chevy truck I've owned out of my 2 previous Tahoes and my 2015 Silverado LTZ Z71.

How do the 22" wheels ride? Do yo have air ride, wonder if this is a requirement to smooth the road with 22" wheels.

Going the High Country or Denali route the Duramax is a $1500 credit and would be a simple decision when compared with the 6.2 gasser for economy even if one didn't tow or drive more than 10,000 miles per year, IMO.

 

[Holy Roller]

Question on the diesel if only doing local trips and occasionally long drive. Is it bad for these new diesels to go on short trips?

As already mentioned, diesels work best when run all day. Particularly on the highway.

But diesels can be used as grocery getters and mommy mobiles as long as your usage falls within the following suggested guidelines:

Diesels should never be started and stopped with less than 60 seconds running time. If you need to marshal your vehicle fleet around your driveway then a diesel is not a good fit for you.

A short trip would be defined as engine running 1-10 minutes.

A medium trip is engine running 11-29 minutes.

A long trip is engine running 30 or more minutes.

For every six short trips a diesel needs one long trip.

For every ten medium trips a diesel needs one long trip.

Most people’s driving patterns fall within these parameters. But not everyone.

Source: Eight years driving Chevrolet’s 2.0L diesel.

 

[txchevy4ever]

How do the 22" wheels ride? Do yo have air ride, wonder if this is a requirement to smooth the road with 22" wheels.

Going the High Country or Denali route the Duramax is a $1500 credit and would be a simple decision when compared with the 6.2 gasser for economy even if one didn't tow or drive more than 10,000 miles per year, IMO.

The 22"s ride smooth, I just prefer more sidewall protection offroad. I have had air-ride before on my previous GM's and would NEVER have it again. I have mag ride. only.

 

[Stbentoak]

As already mentioned, diesels work best when run all day. Particularly on the highway.

But diesels can be used as grocery getters and mommy mobiles as long as your usage falls within the following suggested guidelines:

Diesels should never be started and stopped with less than 60 seconds running time. If you need to marshal your vehicle fleet around your driveway then a diesel is not a good fit for you.

A short trip would be defined as engine running 1-10 minutes.

A medium trip is engine running 11-29 minutes.

A long trip is engine running 30 or more minutes.

For every six short trips a diesel needs one long trip.

For every ten medium trips a diesel needs one long trip.

Most people’s driving patterns fall within these parameters. But not everyone.

Source: Eight years driving Chevrolet’s 2.0L diesel.

This is some reasonable logic and a good guideline.....

 

[Quark]

The 22"s ride smooth, I just prefer more sidewall protection offroad. I have had air-ride before on my previous GM's and would NEVER have it again. I have mag ride. only.

Agree with having more sidewall. Did you have problems with the air ride? I would think it might reduce leaning and improve handling.

 

[txchevy4ever]

Agree with having more sidewall. Did you have problems with the air ride? I would think it might reduce leaning and improve handling.

Like the posts on here already showing problems with the 2021's... they're never level, when they break they never break level, they get "sticky" when the compressor gets warm (common here in Texas)...

I had terrible luck with them in my Tahoe prior to my 2015 Silverado. The suspension was never right day one off the lot... look up "Air ride delete" and you'll see lot of why folks look to replace them. They sound nice, but your geometry is always slightly out of whack unless they're in the neutral position.

 

[Holy Roller]

Like the posts on here already showing problems with the 2021's... they're never level, when they break they never break level, they get "sticky" when the compressor gets warm (common here in Texas)...

I had terrible luck with them in my Tahoe prior to my 2015 Silverado. The suspension was never right day one off the lot... look up "Air ride delete" and you'll see lot of why folks look to replace them. They sound nice, but your geometry is always slightly out of whack unless they're in the neutral position.

I don’t want to discount your past experience. But I believe your referencing the Z86 premium smooth ride with air leveller suspension used on the previous generation.

As I understand it, that was steel springs with rear air assist.

The current generation F47 air ride adaptive suspension, is an air spring at all four corners. There are no steel springs. It is similar in concept to the air suspension that GM used on city transit busses, back in the day.

 

[txchevy4ever]

I don’t want to discount your past experience. But I believe your referencing the Z86 premium smooth ride with air leveller suspension used on the previous generation.

As I understand it, that was steel springs with rear air assist.

The current generation F47 air ride adaptive suspension, is an air spring at all four corners. There are no steel springs. It is similar in concept to the air suspension that GM used on city transit busses, back in the day.

So now they've moved the problematic parts to all 4 corners. There are already posts on this board of folks with tilted Tahoe/Yukons. That's exactly what the previous generation did.

 

[Holy Roller]

So now they've moved the problematic parts to all 4 corners. There are already posts on this board of folks with tilted Tahoe/Yukons. That's exactly what the previous generation did.

No one is going to question your right to form an opinion regarding the current system based on a previous system. But truthfully I don’t recall reading any posts on tilted 2021s with adaptive air.