3000 mile round trip to Florida and the engine held up

[Fireman591]

Well we rolled the dice and decided to take our Tahoe to Florida. Since it was just my wife and I we decided if we blow and engine we blow an engine. The vehicle did great and averaged around 20 mpg going an average speed of 75 mph when moving. we also had plenty of stop and go traffic coming home from a ton of spring break traffic. The interior is super quiet and easy on the body for those 10 hour driving days.

I took the Tahoe to the Auto Salon of Orlando and had them install some 50% window tint on the front side windows. I would have liked 35% but that will get ya pulled over in Michigan. They did a great job and it cost $85.00 with a lifetime guarantee.

We now have just under 5000 miles on the odometer. I will be doing a second engine oil change soon and sending in another sample to Blackstone Labs to make sure everything is wearing well. I also need to rotate the tires. Does anyone know if the Tahoe TPS self learn their new position or do I need to use my reprogramming tool for GM TPS? I also need to have the dealer order me a new tailgate led bow tie light/sensor. It got some condensation in it and it will open sometimes on it's own if you get close enough to the back with the key fob. I'll have the dealer order me one and have them swap it out when I do the 3rd row seat recall. I attached a few pics of the tint and the bad led bow tie.

 

[Stbentoak]

Glad it ran well for you...
This is exactly why we are looking/waiting for the right Duramax Denali or Esky.. this year or 22. We make this trip at least 2 times a year. Michigan border to deep southwest FL. There is no doubt in my mind this is a superior road trip vehicle, and with the Dmax, you should be able to crack 25 MPG MIN with some decent range.... but not willing to compromise on the build, and pickens are pretty slim out there...

 

[adventurenali92]

Funny, my best friends parents just picked a freshly built 6.2 XL Denali, came home Tuesday and I ceramic coated it Friday. Tailgate never once opened on me (when I didn’t want it to) while I was working on it and I had the key fob in my pocket the whole time. I say that cuz when I detail the 2015 Escalade ESV that they have, anytime I get near the tailgate with like the water hose or a power cord it opens on its own. I either have to leave the key in the garage or disengage the automatic tailgate so that it doesn’t open mid wash. Lol.

 

[swathdiver]

Well we rolled the dice and decided to take our Tahoe to Florida.

Awesome! Should have stopped by for coffee and a danish!

Glad it ran well for you...
This is exactly why we are looking/waiting for the right Duramax Denali or Esky.. ...and with the Dmax, you should be able to crack 25 MPG MIN with some decent range....

TFL Truck got over 27.6 mpg on a test run.

 

[Brett776]

Awesome! Should have stopped by for coffee and a danish!



TFL Truck got over 27.6 mpg on a test run.

That’s awesome, we averaged 26.5 on our 3 hour drive home from the dealer. Tahoe RST Duramax

 

[avalonandl]

Why would your engine blow? That 5.3 is bullet proof assuming you dont have a bad valvespring ( they would fail quickly)

 

[Fireman591]

Why would your engine blow? That 5.3 is bullet proof assuming you dont have a bad valvespring ( they would fail quickly)

Not quite. Some folks are blowing lifters and valve springs well over 6000 miles. My engine was built right in the middle of the TSB reporting the bad valve springs and lifters. I was hoping for a recall but GM is rolling the dice that no one will get hurt with a blown engine and power loss and fixing them when they blow. But hey I get to return to the dealership for my 4th recall. This time to inspect the 3rd row seat belts. That will make me feel so much safer over a blown engine from bad springs and lifters LOL

 

[avalonandl]

Fire591: If your valve springs have not collapsed/broken you are probably safe. I have 30k miles on my 6.2 Camaro SS LT1 and these engines are very reliable.

Sorry you have to return for the seatbelt TSB but they are kind of important.

 

[B520044]

I'm on my 2nd FL trip and have over 11k miles on mine. It really is a great road trip vehicle and I've seen many new Yukons on this trip. There are 4 at my resort building. Averaging 20.5 mpg. I do wish it had the diesel or 6.2. Just feels sluggish when I need it to move.

 

[lasallen]

Well we rolled the dice and decided to take our Tahoe to Florida. Since it was just my wife and I we decided if we blow and engine we blow an engine. The vehicle did great and averaged around 20 mpg going an average speed of 75 mph when moving. we also had plenty of stop and go traffic coming home from a ton of spring break traffic. The interior is super quiet and easy on the body for those 10 hour driving days.

I took the Tahoe to the Auto Salon of Orlando and had them install some 50% window tint on the front side windows. I would have liked 35% but that will get ya pulled over in Michigan. They did a great job and it cost $85.00 with a lifetime guarantee.

We now have just under 5000 miles on the odometer. I will be doing a second engine oil change soon and sending in another sample to Blackstone Labs to make sure everything is wearing well. I also need to rotate the tires. Does anyone know if the Tahoe TPS self learn their new position or do I need to use my reprogramming tool for GM TPS? I also need to have the dealer order me a new tailgate led bow tie light/sensor. It got some condensation in it and it will open sometimes on it's own if you get close enough to the back with the key fob. I'll have the dealer order me one and have them swap it out when I do the 3rd row seat recall. I attached a few pics of the tint and the bad led bow tie.

View attachment 275346 View attachment 275347 View attachment 275348

TPMS sensors will relearn after a period of time on the road

 

[Fireman591]

I'm on my 2nd FL trip and have over 11k miles on mine. It really is a great road trip vehicle and I've seen many new Yukons on this trip. There are 4 at my resort building. Averaging 20.5 mpg. I do wish it had the diesel or 6.2. Just feels sluggish when I need it to move.

Ya I saw a ton of Tahoes , suburbans and Yukons this trip. If i stick with GM i will be getting the diesel in our 2023

 

[JasonHTX]

I'm on my 2nd FL trip and have over 11k miles on mine. It really is a great road trip vehicle and I've seen many new Yukons on this trip. There are 4 at my resort building. Averaging 20.5 mpg. I do wish it had the diesel or 6.2. Just feels sluggish when I need it to move.

We have some road trips planned started at the end of the month. The one in June, we're driving from Houston to Atlanta, so it's good to hear about all these positive road trip experiences.

 

[Northern Mi Rich]

Wait. What? Fireman591 posted something positive about his Tahoe? LOL!! So glad to hear your trip went well! Hoping it continues that way for you!

 

[Fireman591]

Wait. What? Fireman591 posted something positive about his Tahoe? LOL!! So glad to hear your trip went well! Hoping it continues that way for you!

 

[B520044]

Just made it back from my trip and now have 12k miles. Yukon did very well, but does require some control in windy conditions. I've said it before, but will say it again. I wish I had the diesel or 6.2. The 5.3 just doesn't have the power to really get out into traffic. Cargo capacity is great. I have 3 kids and fit everything we need in it for our two Florida trips. We fold down the 40% side of 3rd row seat and it works great. You can easily fit carry-on sized suitcases behind the third row. It also seems to ride smoother when loaded up. I averaged 23 mpg coming home, but may have had help from southern winds...

 

[LeonTexas]

At how many miles was your first oil change?

Currently have 4247 miles and did a round trip(After 500 mile break-in) from North Texas to Los Angeles CA. Oil percentage is at 44%

 

[Fireman591]

At how many miles was your first oil change?

Currently have 4247 miles and did a round trip(After 500 mile break-in) from North Texas to Los Angeles CA. Oil percentage is at 44%

Mine was done just under 1000 miles. I was worried about fuel in the oil because the dipstick showed it over filled. I'll change it again at 6000 miles. I usually change all my vehicles every 5000 miles.

 

[LeonTexas]

Mine was done just under 1000 miles. I was worried about fuel in the oil because the dipstick showed it over filled. I'll change it again at 6000 miles. I usually change all my vehicles every 5000 miles.

Im assuming you changed the oil yourself...

Having the first complementary oil change, i figured i minus well just take it to a California dealership(only 2 around central LA). When I arrived the tahoe had ~2745 miles and I was immediately turned down because they said it was too early. The guy said oil percentage needed to be at “10 percent” before they could validate the complementary oil change otherwise it would be out of my pocket. I grabbed key and left the State.

 

[Fireman591]

Im assuming you changed the oil yourself...

Having the first complementary oil change, i figured i minus well just take it to a California dealership(only 2 around central LA). When I arrived the tahoe had ~2745 miles and I was immediately turned down because they said it was too early. The guy said oil percentage needed to be at “10 percent” before they could validate the complementary oil change otherwise it would be out of my pocket. I grabbed key and left the State.

No the dealer did it due to the over fill situation. No cost to me

 

[Z71orAT4]

Just returned from an 1800 mile "shakedown" run from Orange County CA to Santa Fe NM and back with the Duramax Denali and here's the mileage from Flagstaff to home. Adaptive cruise set at 78 all the way, two short stops and still showing another 160 miles left in the tank! Not too shabby! The truck ran smooth and flawless the entire trip and soooo comfortable! Would recommend to anyone.