2015 buying advice, what to look for?

[Chevy_59]

I am going to be looking at a 2015 Suburban LTZ next week and was wondering what should I be looking out for? I've had a 2002 for the last ten years and it has been a tank, but is showing it's age. So far from what the seller has told me it sounds like a good vehicle and the pictures look good, but no idea how old they are. He did say that to his knowledge it hasn't been wrecked and that the trans was rebuilt. I have no problem handling maintenance and repairs, I keep my fleet and most of my family's on the road. I've been lurking around here for a few years researching issues on the '02 but decided to register and ask for some knowledge.

 

[Big Mama]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia. How about some pictures of the ‘59 Chevy?

As you know the maintenance records and a carfax report are number 1. Having wrenched on your cars you know where to look for poor maintenance.

How many miles are on it? You might also look at the TSB list for common known issues. Being an LTZ be sure to check the front and rear shocks and struts.

Listen for the lifter tick that’s more common on the 6.2 but can be on the 5.3. If they replaced the transmission get the particulars and see if it came with a warranty. The 8 speed seems to have more trouble reported. The TC can be a problem. Also check the AC as the early models have had condenser issues.

As with any car some folks never have issues and love them whereas others haven’t been so lucky.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

 

[ReaperHWK]

Also be aware that with a 2015 you are missing some features the later trucks have. Like wireless charging, CarPlay, and adaptive cruise. Maybe some more?

If I knew what I do now I would have gotten a later model year than the 2015 I have. I added the wireless charging but the CarPlay and adaptive cruise aren’t cheap/easy to add. Just FYI.

 

[ReaperHWK]

As far as checks:

1) check your mag ride shocks for leaking or blown rear air suspension.
2)if you have a bidirectional code reader bring it and scan all modules. Stored codes could show issues.
3) these trucks have AFM and need good clean oil. Make sure the truck has oil changes often preferably with synthetic.
4)these are also DI engines; oil builds up in the intake and can foul the valves. I’d recommend a catch can.
5) lots of electronics and motors. Check all the power seats, lift gate, etc.
6)cosmetically the hood and roof have paint issues on some trucks. Look for fading and if you do it will get worse and will require a repaint.
7) the LTZ has a lot of electronics and for the most part it will tell you what’s wrong with troubleshooting codes and warnings. If you’re going to work on this in your future invest in a good scan tool; you won’t be able to do much without one.

 

[Fless]

Was this year part of the run of trucks with AC condenser issues?

 

[Chevy_59]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia. How about some pictures of the ‘59 Chevy?

As you know the maintenance records and a carfax report are number 1. Having wrenched on your cars you know where to look for poor maintenance.

How many miles are on it? You might also look at the TSB list for common known issues. Being an LTZ be sure to check the front and rear shocks and struts.

Listen for the lifter tick that’s more common on the 6.2 but can be on the 5.3. If they replaced the transmission get the particulars and see if it came with a warranty. The 8 speed seems to have more trouble reported. The TC can be a problem. Also check the AC as the early models have had condenser issues.

As with any car some folks never have issues and love them whereas others haven’t been so lucky.

I did run a carfax on it and no major accidents show up, just two reports of minor damage early in it's life when it looks like it was a rental, and from the pictures I've seen it must have been repaired as I can't see anything wrong in the areas reported. Not a lot of service records, but if the previous owners were like me and did their own maintenance that's not going to show up.

 

[Chevy_59]

Also be aware that with a 2015 you are missing some features the later trucks have. Like wireless charging, CarPlay, and adaptive cruise. Maybe some more?

If I knew what I do now I would have gotten a later model year than the 2015 I have. I added the wireless charging but the CarPlay and adaptive cruise aren’t cheap/easy to add. Just FYI.

I ran the vin on GMpartsgiant and got the rpo codes for it and it shows "K4C-Charger Inductive Portable Wireless Device". Wouldn't that be the wireless charging? What is Carplay? Our newest vehicle right now is an 08 Impala and I'm not familiar that.

 

[Chevy_59]

As far as checks:

1) check your mag ride shocks for leaking or blown rear air suspension.
2)if you have a bidirectional code reader bring it and scan all modules. Stored codes could show issues.
3) these trucks have AFM and need good clean oil. Make sure the truck has oil changes often preferably with synthetic.
4)these are also DI engines; oil builds up in the intake and can foul the valves. I’d recommend a catch can.
5) lots of electronics and motors. Check all the power seats, lift gate, etc.
6)cosmetically the hood and roof have paint issues on some trucks. Look for fading and if you do it will get worse and will require a repaint.
7) the LTZ has a lot of electronics and for the most part it will tell you what’s wrong with troubleshooting codes and warnings. If you’re going to work on this in your future invest in a good scan tool; you won’t be able to do much without one.

 

[Chevy_59]

1) I was wondering if there was anything different to check on the magnaride other than the normal signs of leakage.
2) I have a Foxwell NT510 scantool. Not a very high-end tool, but it has done evrything I've needed it to do for my present vehicles.
3) The service records that I have seen on the carfax report indicate that it has had regular oil changes, a little longer intervals than I would personally go, but within what most newer vehicles seem to go if you let the dash tell you when to change the oil.
4) I had seen catch cans mentioned in a couple other threads but had not dug too deep into it yet, sounds l have some reading to do

 

[Doubeleive]

Also be aware that with a 2015 you are missing some features the later trucks have. Like wireless charging, CarPlay, and adaptive cruise. Maybe some more?

If I knew what I do now I would have gotten a later model year than the 2015 I have. I added the wireless charging but the CarPlay and adaptive cruise aren’t cheap/easy to add. Just FYI.

Adaptive cruise would be a no-go but adding carplay Android auto is not hard at all. You could do it with the OBD genie. That's about $100 plus a used HMI off eBay then it's pretty much plug and Play. That's about the cheapest route to go to add it, wouldn't be 100% perfectly synced to the vehicle but it will work. How much it syncs depends on the vehicle the hmi came out of idealy you want one from the same make/model just a later year like 2016

 

[the 18th letter]

Unless I’m confused on what adaptive cruise is, my 2015 YSLT has it. That’s when cruise adjusts speed for cars in front correct? It has 3 setting’s as well 1, 2, or 3 car lengths.

 

[Doubeleive]

Unless I’m confused on what adaptive cruise is, my 2015 YSLT has it. That’s when cruise adjusts speed for cars in front correct? It has 3 setting’s as well 1, 2, or 3 car lengths.

yes, but it was not a option offered on all vehicles, some have standard cruise, some have adaptive cruise and some have both.

 

[Carfan]

If you can find one with adaptive cruise get it. We love it in our 2020. I don't know if I'd want to drive a vehicle this large and powerful without it. Helps tremendously with keeping the speed you plan without fear of getting distracted and creeping up into high priced ticketing territory.

 

[ReaperHWK]

Early model 2015’s didn’t get wireless charging or adaptive cruise. They added wireless charging in the second half of the model year and o am not sure when adaptive cruise was added(google says 2017 got adaptive cruise).

My early model 2015 has standard cruise on a LTZ; meaning it won’t adjust for car speed in front of you. It will plow right through the car in front of you in slower traffic lol

 

[ReaperHWK]

Look up CarPlay and android auto; better description online than I could ever type. Basically syncs a smart phone to your car and you can use the apps on your truck screen like google maps. Also can read and create texts while driving.

 

[ReaperHWK]

1) I was wondering if there was anything different to check on the magnaride other than the normal signs of leakage.
2) I have a Foxwell NT510 scantool. Not a very high-end tool, but it has done evrything I've needed it to do for my present vehicles.
3) The service records that I have seen on the carfax report indicate that it has had regular oil changes, a little longer intervals than I would personally go, but within what most newer vehicles seem to go if you let the dash tell you when to change the oil.
4) I had seen catch cans mentioned in a couple other threads but had not dug too deep into it yet, sounds l have some reading to do

Mag rides are expensive so I was just saying check if any of the magnetic ride special sauce is leaking. If they are you need new shocks and they are $500 a piece or more.

Your scan tool will only read the ECM; it won’t be able to read any of the computers in the truck such as the BCM, stab control modules, side detection modules, entertainment systems, collision detection and airbags, etc. those modules throw their own codes and have their own test routines.

Sometimes you need to recalibrate modules such as if you replace a mag ride shock it’s good to do the zero procedure which only a bi-directional scanner can do when it talks to the SCM.

 

[Big Mama]

Was this year part of the run of trucks with AC condenser issues?

Yes Sir

 

[ReaperHWK]

Unless I’m confused on what adaptive cruise is, my 2015 YSLT has it. That’s when cruise adjusts speed for cars in front correct? It has 3 setting’s as well 1, 2, or 3 car lengths.

Yours doesn’t have the true adaptive cruise. Mine also has the 3 settings but all that does is give you the distance warning on the dash. The cruise on our trucks won’t speed up and slow down the car to match the car speed in front of you.

 

[ReaperHWK]

I ran the vin on GMpartsgiant and got the rpo codes for it and it shows "K4C-Charger Inductive Portable Wireless Device". Wouldn't that be the wireless charging? What is Carplay? Our newest vehicle right now is an 08 Impala and I'm not familiar that.

Wow 08 impala to a 2015 LTZ. You’re in for a HUGE upgrade. My wife had an early 2000’s pilot before we got the LTZ and let’s say you go into the next level of luxury lol.