Changing Rims on a Hybrid

[soulsea]

Greetings,

As I mentioned in my intro thread I recently purchased a low mileage 2009 Tahoe Hybrid. Keeping in mind it is my first Tahoe and that I am automobilistically (tm pending) challenged, I have several questions regarding making changes to the vehicle in order to personalize it. Any input and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

The main source of my vexation is the tiny wheels this beast is currently equipped with. They're light and great for mileage purposes but are unacceptable in every possible aesthetic regard. So I was thinking of upgrading to the following Chevy/GM oem 22s:

The are one of "the crown jewels" rims that come as an option with LTZs and I would purchase them with the manufacturer recommended tires.

Now, as I understand it there's no issue with the tpm system as these are compatible ... but my question is, does anyone know of a valid reason (other than looks) NOT to install these wheels on my truck?

That is to say, would for example bigger wheels have a negative mechanical impact on the hybrid/two mode system?

Also, would installing these negate the manufacturer's warranty?

My apologies for what are likely very basic questions, but I'd like to improve the look of my Tahoe without damage to the engine.

Thanks in advance for any help. :up:

Cheers!

- soulsea

 

[stevek]

I mean I could see that in the aspect of regenerative braking, but I'm not smart when it comes to hybrids

 

[Grocery Getter]

It is my understanding changing the wheels will void the warranty, or at least that is what a salesman told me once. The electric motor is calibrated to
Work on the vehicle as is....... The guy went as far to say the warranty could potentially be voided for something as simple as a changing the grille.... He said if the electric motor went out and you have messed with anything at all it may not get covered. This was about 3yrs ago. If the truck didn't come with 22's the change could effect how the systems work for sure........

Again..... Just what I was told once I have no first hand knowledge....

 

[THE YETI]

i did a google search and it showed a thread on a hybrid site. No one could give a specific answer, it was all speculation. I cannot imagine GM voiding the warranty on a vehicle when they used GM recommended wheels and tires, just my $.02. As long as the tire height was the same, I'd assume it'd work, but then again, i know zero about hybrids. I know the rotational mass would be different, so maybe that would pose an issue?

I can see their argument for some 24" Chrome chinese wheels, but not sure what their argument would be if utilizing GM branded parts.

 

[soulsea]

i did a google search and it showed a thread on a hybrid site. No one could give a specific answer, it was all speculation.

Yup yup ... this has also been my experience. I even asked a service rep at a local dealer and his exact answer was "it shouldn't be an issue." Neither his comment nor his tone was very convincing ... hopefully I will be able to solicit a definitive answer through GM customer service.

If it does turn out that I can, I will pm you about your pending sale.

Cheers!

- soulsea

 

[THE YETI]

Sounds good, look forward to hearing about this issue and a confirmed source. make sure you get something from them in writing, lol, or atleast an operator ID to note the conversation. :shake:

---------- Post added at 11:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 PM ----------

know what i just noticed... hybrid escalades have the OEM 22s on them just like the gas escalades...

 

[soulsea]

know what i just noticed... hybrid escalades have the OEM 22s on them just like the gas escalades...

That is an excellent observation ... I didn't even think to look.

Ok so I will mention this fact to GM when I call them and will let you know. Seems reasonable to assume that I should be good to go.

Thanks so much ScSS.

Cheers!

- soulsea

ETA: I just checked and the Yukon Denali H also has 22s ...

 

[THE YETI]

haha, please keep us informed. This looks like one of those unanswered questions that might finally get resolution!

 

[Grocery Getter]

I tbought they had 22's stock but wasn't sure..... I thought you were looking into aftermarket wheels..... even if the size is the same a difference in weight could ecfect the electric motor/trans thingy... I'm not saying I think it's all legit but I'd bet $$ that if you modded a hybrid at all and the electric motor had issues, related or unrelated, the stealership is gonna use it as an excuse not to cover repairs......also if your rig came with 18/20" wheels there may be some recalibration that needs to be done to put on the GM 22's but the dealership would peobabaly do it..... Changing the weight, tire size, aerodynamics of the vehichle could hypothetically effect the hybrid system and that is why I was told any mofs at all COULD void the warranty. It makes sense, it suck....... But it makes sense........I mean why would the guy tell me that when he was trying to sell me on it if it wasn't somewhat true??? then again he could have just been trying to move the used rigs with upgraded wheels when I mentioned I wanted 22's.......hahaaaaaahaas

Let us know what u find out. Ive been thinking about the hybrids but not unless I can mod it..... but then again I already get 16/17 city and 20/21 highway...........

 

[THE YETI]

intresting points Justin, however, just FYI, salesmen don't know shit. The last salesman I dealt with didn't know the difference between a 4L80 and 4L60.

 

[soulsea]

Hi folks,

Just popping in quickly to relay what a chevy dealer on ebay said regarding the rims in my OP ...

Dear soulsea,

YES, tbey will fit the Hybrid. No, they will not void the warranty
as they are GM Accessory Wheels. No, you cannot reuse the sensors on larger wheels.

Yes, we would be glad to install them here. The wheels, sensors, tires
(Bridgestone H/L Alenza ) installed would be $3386.15
Breakdown on pricing.... wheel set as advertised $1995.000
tires $920.00, sensors $216.00 labor to install and recalibrate the tire pressure sensor sytem $125.00 plus tax on the parts.
we do stock everything.
thanks for the inquiry

I'm about to call GM customer service after I run some errands for further confirmation as I would expect a seller to tell me 'no problem' ... will let you know later what the deal is.

In the meantime, does anyone have an opinion about the prices quoted?

Thanks and cheers!

- soulsea

ETA: The 'official' price (for each wheel) for this package from the Chevy accessories site is:

Package Details
22 inch Wheel - CK366 Chrome 17800367 $ 612.86
Center Cap - Embossed Bowtie Logo, Chrome 12499424 $ 52.50
Spare Wheel Hoist Package - For Use With Accessory 22" Wheel Only 19158309 $ 50.00
Tire - 22 inch - Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza, P285/45R22 (TPC1344MS) 19143998 $ 248.19
Tire Pressure Monitor (Snap-In) - Black Rubber - Multipack (16 pc) 19118652 $ 35.71
Wheel Lock and Nut Package - Chrome, M14 x 1.5, (Includes 20 Nuts, 4 Locks and 1 Key) 17801711 $ 135.71
Package Total $ 1134.97

 

[THE YETI]

wonder why they told u that u cannot reuse the sensors?? Our sensors were on our 20" wheels and we have 24" now and reused them with no issues?

 

[soulsea]

wonder why they told u that u cannot reuse the sensors?? Our sensors were on our 20" wheels and we have 24" now and reused them with no issues?

I dunno ... I will ask though.

What is a Spare Wheel Hoist Package?

 

[THE YETI]

good question, never even heard of that?

---------- Post added at 11:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:39 AM ----------

ok, i just looked it up. its ONLY if you plan on using a 22" wheel as a spare. If you keep your regular spare, you don't need it.

 

[soulsea]

ok, i just looked it up. its ONLY if you plan on using a 22" wheel as a spare. If you keep your regular spare, you don't need it.

lol, I don't even have a spare wheel/tire ... just a compressor thingie presumably to repair the tire if it goes flat.

 

[Grocery Getter]

intresting points Justin, however, just FYI, salesmen don't know shit. The last salesman I dealt with didn't know the difference between a 4L80 and 4L60.

I agree........but it sure sounds right up GMs alley and it makes a bit of sense mechanically and I have never seen a modded hybrid.....but then again, I wouldn't know if it had been modded because I bit the number one thing to do it take than damn "HYBRID" decal off the sides...

If one could mod a hybrid and not void the warranty on the electric motor I'd look into one for sure....out the box getting 17/21 just think if you upgraded the intake, exhaust, and got a tune........

 

[soulsea]

Ugh, the whole thing is becoming so freaking frustrating ...

I was just at my local Chevy dealer to pick up/program a spare key/remote and so I asked the head of the service dept my question. His answer was a resounding 'as long as you use oem stuff it has zero affect on your warranty' ... in fact he said he has done it several times.

So I called Chevy customer service to double check. The lady took ten minutes to go ask somebody cause she had no clue, only to come back with the following gem: "upgrading to 22s COULD/MAY void your warranty."

WTF is 'could/may' supposed to mean and how does that help me?

So now I have two dealerships assuring me I can and customer service in ass covering mode hedging their position!

I swear if the new Tahoe design wasn't coming up for 2013 I'd drive to a dealer right now and trade for an LTZ.

I'm lost.

 

[THE YETI]

well, as long as its going to that dealership and the writer said its not a problem, sounds good to me! lol...

 

[stevek]

There is a law stating that the Dealer/GM must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the mods that were made to the car were the root of the issue.

As long as the tire/wheel combo is the same weight, I don't think there is a problem warranty wise.

 

[soulsea]

Hi folks,

Ok, so I think I have a definitive answer from Chevy customer/warranty services ... and I am waiting for the nice lady to send me this in writing via email.

But after they took two days to research my question the bottom line is this:

I can upgrade my wheels to GM oem 22s from the 18s I have on now without voiding my warranty, as long as I use the recommended tires and have the work done by a Chevy dealership.

Like I said, I will wait for this in writing, but I am happy on two fronts. First, I'magonnagetme some pretties ... second, it seems that I finally got an answer to a question that many peeps have asked but never got a clear and final answer. So hopefully some poor hybrid hippie like myself won't have to go through this frustrating process in the future.

Now off I go shopping!

ETA: Here's part of the email I just received:

Dear Serge,


Thank you for contacting the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center. We appreciate you taking the time to write us in regard to the changing the wheels on your 2009 Tahoe Hybrid.


We are sending you this email as a follow up to our conversation. We have consulted with Ourisman Chevrolet and were able to speak with ***** from the service department. We were advised that changing the wheels could be done and it would require smaller tires on the vehicle. Would increase the stopping distance and offset the speedometer but would not void the warranty. We would recommend that you have this done at a Chevrolet dealer.

There was a bit more but it was just my reference number and niceties.

Cheers!