'25 Yukon - 5.3L or 6.2L?

[sdp9427]

I'm considering a '25 Yukon and am leaning towards the Elevation. The Elevation trim checks most of the boxes for me and I just can't justify the extra $ for the 6.2L, even if the issues have been ironed out. I was originally considering the LZ0 a while ago but the truck would be short tripped a lot and again, it's more money than I'd like to part with. Also, the dealer I am working with offers a lifetime powertrain warranty on all gas models. They are reputable and I have a friend who vouched for them, as the honored the warranty as expected when he had an issue on the top end of his Sierra's motor.

I'm reading that the lifters are no longer an issue to get too concerned about. I don't plan on towing anything and the truck will be used as a family hauler, with probably no more than 8-10k miles per year. I'd appreciate feedback from '24 and '25 5.3L owners on their experience. Is anybody experiencing oil burning? What's the real world experience on fuel economy (my understanding is that 87 is fine)? Does the 5.3L have the same trans as the 6.2L? Anything else I should be mindful of?

If I move forward I'd plan on keeping it for a long time - and making that lifetime powertrain warranty work for me.

 

[blanchard7684]

I'm considering a '25 Yukon and am leaning towards the Elevation. The Elevation trim checks most of the boxes for me and I just can't justify the extra $ for the 6.2L, even if the issues have been ironed out. I was originally considering the LZ0 a while ago but the truck would be short tripped a lot and again, it's more money than I'd like to part with. Also, the dealer I am working with offers a lifetime powertrain warranty on all gas models. They are reputable and I have a friend who vouched for them, as the honored the warranty as expected when he had an issue on the top end of his Sierra's motor.

I'm reading that the lifters are no longer an issue to get too concerned about. I don't plan on towing anything and the truck will be used as a family hauler, with probably no more than 8-10k miles per year. I'd appreciate feedback from '24 and '25 5.3L owners on their experience. Is anybody experiencing oil burning? What's the real world experience on fuel economy (my understanding is that 87 is fine)? Does the 5.3L have the same trans as the 6.2L? Anything else I should be mindful of?

If I move forward I'd plan on keeping it for a long time - and making that lifetime powertrain warranty work for me.

5.3 has been a solid engine for a good while now.

You aren’t winning any races with the 5.3 but the acceleration is no where near as bad as the internet would have you believe.

No oil burning in my 24 suburban with 14,000 miles.

Mpg is about 18-20 driving in L9.

Driving with 10th gear active and dfm system operational makes a meaningless increase in fuel economy: I average .4-.6 mpg increase using dfm and the lower tenth gear.

This is on long highway runs at 78 mph.

Yes 6.2 and 5.3 share same transmission.

Things to be mindful of

Run a bottle of Techron every once in a while for carbon deposit control… big concern in direct injection engines

Install a catch can ( a very easy install)… again to keep intake as clean as you can with direct injection

To defeat the dfm system you can drive in L9 or install a dfm disabler.

Direct injection engines generate more soot than port fuel injection so I would advise to keep oil change intervals at or below 5,000 miles. The lifters and dfm system will also benefit.

Stick to dexos spec for oil or at least find one with low calcium.

Try to get max trailer tow package. My transmission temps are ice cold.

Transmission servicing is pita because of an exhaust cross over that blocks the pan. A top solution is to change to aftermarket pan with a drain plug.

Some 5.3 make a strange ticking sound on first start in lower ambient temps. It goes away after 5 minutes or less. My investigation shows it to be a catalytic converter ticking as it warms up. The first time you hear it you are going to think it is a lifter but it isn’t. I’ve put a stethoscope all over the intake and cylinder heads on both banks and the lifters are dead quiet.

Gm had a rash of fuel pump driver module failures in years past. Haven’t seen anything in 2024 or 2025. Current part number 13554821 seems to work well. I keep a spare because it is cheap and takes up no room and can be done on side of road easily.

87 Octane is the minimum octane requirement. The 5.3 seems to tolerate it well. However if you are consistently in a warmer climate or pulling long hills you might consider a higher octane.

 

[sdp9427]

Thanks for the feedback. Your suggestions make sense, but I wouldn’t be able to act on some of them (AFM disabler, catch can, etc.) without putting the warranty at risk. I’m not concerned about it not winning races (I have a heads/cam C6 Z06 as a fun car), as long as it’s not underpowered.

How do I activate L9 to avoid DFM?

 

[blanchard7684]

Thanks for the feedback. Your suggestions make sense, but I wouldn’t be able to act on some of them (AFM disabler, catch can, etc.) without putting the warranty at risk. I’m not concerned about it not winning races (I have a heads/cam C6 Z06 as a fun car), as long as it’s not underpowered.

How do I activate L9 to avoid DFM?

Engage D as normal. Then hit L and then hit + multiple times to get to L9 ( indicator on dash).

 

[Antonm]

Gm had a rash of fuel pump driver module failures in years past. Haven’t seen anything in 2024 or 2025. Current part number 13554821 seems to work well. I keep a spare because it is cheap and takes up no room and can be done on side of road easily.

I thought the fuel pump driver/ control module had to be programmed to the truck?

So while yeah, you could change the hardware on the side of the road easily, the truck still wouldn't run unless you also have the ability to program the software to accept /operate the new hardware.

And the scan tool that can do that is, AFAIK, dealer-specific at the moment. Eventually, the aftermarket will probably crack into it, but the last I knew, they hadn't yet for the 2021+ stuff.
...

 

[blanchard7684]

I thought the fuel pump driver/ control module had to be programmed to the truck?

So while yeah, you could change the hardware on the side of the road easily, the truck still wouldn't run unless you also have the ability to program the software to accept /operate the new hardware.

And the scan tool that can do that is, AFAIK, dealer-specific at the moment. Eventually, the aftermarket will probably crack into it, but the last I knew, they hadn't yet for the 2021+ stuff.
...

My understanding is that it’s plug and play. It’s essentially a vfd for the pump.

 

[Antonm]

My understanding is that it’s plug and play. It’s essentially a vfd for the pump.

Google AI ( which admittedly is often wrong) says it must be programmed to the VIN. See link to search below.

Google Search

Here's a screenshot if anyone is too afraid to click the link.

So who knows, maybe try swapping them out in the driveway since you have one, and letting everyone know if the truck works after the swap without programming.
...

 

[blanchard7684]

Google AI ( which admittedly is often wrong) says it must be programmed to the VIN. See link to search below.

Google Search

Here's a screenshot if anyone is too afraid to click the link.

View attachment 470587


So who knows, maybe try swapping them out in the driveway since you have one, and letting everyone know if the truck works after the swap without programming.
...

There are multiple YouTube videos of people swapping them without programming them.

 

[duke90]

Go with the 6.2. The 5.3 is a dog imo. I just traded my '17 XL Denali yesterday for a new '25 XL Denali. I had that 17 since new and didn't have any engine/lifter issues with it. 156k miles @ trade-in. Would have gone with the escalade V if I could afford it. These rigs are heavy and need all the power you can get.

 

[blanchard7684]

Google AI ( which admittedly is often wrong) says it must be programmed to the VIN. See link to search below.

Google Search

Here's a screenshot if anyone is too afraid to click the link.

View attachment 470587


So who knows, maybe try swapping them out in the driveway since you have one, and letting everyone know if the truck works after the swap without programming.
...

Antonm

Check this out. 5 minute mark to 8 minute mark. 2022 Silverado. Plugs in new unit and fires it up.

 

[Antonm]

Antonm

Check this out. 5 minute mark to 8 minute mark. 2022 Silverado. Plugs in new unit and fires it up.

Interesting for sure.

Be the first time GM actually made something simpler for the 21+ stuff compared to previous models. Unless the dealer dude bought the part from programmed it for him too, but you'd think as much as he talked in the video, he would have mentioned that if they did.

Have you tried / tested your spare module to see if it works plug-n-play style?
...

 

[blanchard7684]

Interesting for sure.

Be the first time GM actually made something simpler for the 21+ stuff compared to previous models. Unless the dealer dude bought the part from programmed it for him too, but you'd think as much as he talked in the video, he would have mentioned that if they did.

Have you tried / tested your spare module to see if it works plug-n-play style?
...

I have not. When do I’ll make a note of it for reference.

 

[Antonm]

I have not. When do I’ll make a note of it for reference.

Tasca parts (a reputable place/ online retailer to get real OEM parts) sells these modules for $26.57 (plus shipping and tax of course, link below).

Looks like this same part fits 102 different GM vehicles (even those with baby Duramax diesels, all the way down 1.2L turbo gassers and everything in between), so not exactly rare.

If they work play-n-play style (which would be amazing considering all the different vehicles and engines this same part fits), it may be worth throwing one of these modules (and a few zip ties) in where the jack is stored. It would sure beat waiting for hours on the side of the road for a tow truck should it fail (which they are known to do).

https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/gm-fuel-pump-driver-module-13554821

...

 

[sdp9427]

Engage D as normal. Then hit L and then hit + multiple times to get to L9 ( indicator on dash).

Can this same approach be used to avoid activating DFM in the 6.2L?

 

[blanchard7684]

Yes.

 

[coder]

Engage D as normal. Then hit L and then hit + multiple times to get to L9 ( indicator on dash).

This! Exactly what I do when I get into the vehicle. Will also add, putting vehicle into L9 automatically disables auto start/stop although the light still shows as on.

 

[ducfan]

I picked up a '26 Ultimate short bus with the LZ0. I'll have to find the window sticker, but I believe I got a small credit going with that motor. Got 800 miles on it now, and the mpg have crept up to 25.8 in mixed driving. I would say acceleration for me is adequate.

Nice truck. Only regret is that I could not get a fold down middle row.