First Time Tahoe

[pizzafan72]

Hello all!

New to the forum & GM ownership world overall (blocking my HHR out of my memory). Grew up in a family with plenty of Suburbans, Silverados, Yukons, etc. and learned to drive on these beasts, but was always hesitant to pull the trigger on one myself... until last weekend. I found a clean, single owner, 2020 Tahoe LT 5.3l, 4wd w/ 6spd, with 40k miles at a Chevy dealership and fell in love with it the minute it touched the road. In an attempt to catch myself up to speed on what to know about owning one of these trucks, I've been doing countless hours of research, and I'm a bit perplexed by some of the options on this specific truck for an LT.

First off, the color of this truck is astonishing (Black Cherry Metallic), and I don't think I've ever seen this color not on a Yukon. It also has captains chairs in place of the bench in the middle row, which are just instant nostalgia and remind me of my dad's old '06 Yukon XL. Also includes premium suspension & trailering package, which I honestly don't think was used very much, and is E85 capable. One odd thing is the complete lack of auto stop/start (not complaining), which I thought was standard on these by that point. I didn't think the 2020 models were affected by the chip shortage at the time either.

Planning to have trans fluid changed after first oil change and am curious if there is anything else I should have done to make this thing last. I know the EcoTec 5.3's have their issues, and was honestly quite shocked at how often the cylinder deactivation is kicking in on normal in-city commutes. I've already got a Range AFM Disabler on order to take care of that, and am going back and forth on how useful a catch can would be. Beyond that, any ownership advice anyone is willing to pass along would be greatly appreciated! I'm looking forward to many miles with my new truck and appreciate everyone's wisdom over the years to keep these alive.

 

[Doubeleive]

Hello all!

New to the forum & GM ownership world overall (blocking my HHR out of my memory). Grew up in a family with plenty of Suburbans, Silverados, Yukons, etc. and learned to drive on these beasts, but was always hesitant to pull the trigger on one myself... until last weekend. I found a clean, single owner, 2020 Tahoe LT 5.3l, 4wd w/ 6spd, with 40k miles at a Chevy dealership and fell in love with it the minute it touched the road. In an attempt to catch myself up to speed on what to know about owning one of these trucks, I've been doing countless hours of research, and I'm a bit perplexed by some of the options on this specific truck for an LT.

First off, the color of this truck is astonishing (Black Cherry Metallic), and I don't think I've ever seen this color not on a Yukon. It also has captains chairs in place of the bench in the middle row, which are just instant nostalgia and remind me of my dad's old '06 Yukon XL. Also includes premium suspension & trailering package, which I honestly don't think was used very much, and is E85 capable. One odd thing is the complete lack of auto stop/start (not complaining), which I thought was standard on these by that point. I didn't think the 2020 models were affected by the chip shortage at the time either.

Planning to have trans fluid changed after first oil change and am curious if there is anything else I should have done to make this thing last. I know the EcoTec 5.3's have their issues, and was honestly quite shocked at how often the cylinder deactivation is kicking in on normal in-city commutes. I've already got a Range AFM Disabler on order to take care of that, and am going back and forth on how useful a catch can would be. Beyond that, any ownership advice anyone is willing to pass along would be greatly appreciated! I'm looking forward to many miles with my new truck and appreciate everyone's wisdom over the years to keep these alive.

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Good choice going with a 2020, are you sure about the E85? that was phased out by gm on almost all of them after about 2016 due to no more cafe credits a few random 2016/2018 may have had it
if it is it will say so on the inside of the gas tank filler door.
and pretty sure none of the k2's had auto-stop

 

[Bigburb3500]

I think Doubeleive is correct. The K2s do not have auto start-stop. Definitely look into a Blackbear tune as well - it will really wake the truck up and help the transmission.
**hint hint look for their end of year sale… Christmas gift maybe?

Great color on the Tahoe! Absolutely love it

 

[pizzafan72]

Good choice going with a 2020, are you sure about the E85? that was phased out by gm on almost all of them after about 2016 due to no more cafe credits a few random 2016/2018 may have had it
if it is it will say so on the inside of the gas tank filler door.
and pretty sure none of the k2's had auto-stop

Nice rides, I was definitely tempted to hold out for a Yukon to pop up lol. did you do anything with the AFM/DOD on either?
Leaning towards probably not with E85. Double checked the RPO codes and only saw FHO, but the vin decoder I used mentioned it was. Honestly never really planned to put it in the truck, just thought it was an oddity.
I could be misremembering, but my mom had a '17 Tahoe Texas Edition and I could've sworn that had the auto stop. Either way, happier without it.

 

[tom3]

Driving around town I usually shift in to low and toggle up to 5th gear (M5) to hold it in V8 mode. Even on the highway you can run 60 mph at about 1700 rpm which is great for the engine. I changed my ATF at just over 30k miles and the bottom of the pan was clean and shiny. Your vehicle was a good find I think.

 

[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.

Really nice find.

Definitely install an oil catch can, as your motor is a direct injection motor with nothing flushing the backs of the intake valves. The oil entering from the normal PCV operation puts deposits on the backs of these intake valves, and the oil catch can will dramatically reduce the amount of oil entering the intake passages and valves and the resulting accumulation of deposits.

 

[RST Dana]

Hello all!

New to the forum & GM ownership world overall (blocking my HHR out of my memory). Grew up in a family with plenty of Suburbans, Silverados, Yukons, etc. and learned to drive on these beasts, but was always hesitant to pull the trigger on one myself... until last weekend. I found a clean, single owner, 2020 Tahoe LT 5.3l, 4wd w/ 6spd, with 40k miles at a Chevy dealership and fell in love with it the minute it touched the road. In an attempt to catch myself up to speed on what to know about owning one of these trucks, I've been doing countless hours of research, and I'm a bit perplexed by some of the options on this specific truck for an LT.

First off, the color of this truck is astonishing (Black Cherry Metallic), and I don't think I've ever seen this color not on a Yukon. It also has captains chairs in place of the bench in the middle row, which are just instant nostalgia and remind me of my dad's old '06 Yukon XL. Also includes premium suspension & trailering package, which I honestly don't think was used very much, and is E85 capable. One odd thing is the complete lack of auto stop/start (not complaining), which I thought was standard on these by that point. I didn't think the 2020 models were affected by the chip shortage at the time either.

Planning to have trans fluid changed after first oil change and am curious if there is anything else I should have done to make this thing last. I know the EcoTec 5.3's have their issues, and was honestly quite shocked at how often the cylinder deactivation is kicking in on normal in-city commutes. I've already got a Range AFM Disabler on order to take care of that, and am going back and forth on how useful a catch can would be. Beyond that, any ownership advice anyone is willing to pass along would be greatly appreciated! I'm looking forward to many miles with my new truck and appreciate everyone's wisdom over the years to keep these alive.

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Sweet ride. What did you mean with the comment about it being only being a LT?

 

[Doubeleive]

Nice rides, I was definitely tempted to hold out for a Yukon to pop up lol. did you do anything with the AFM/DOD on either?
Leaning towards probably not with E85. Double checked the RPO codes and only saw FHO, but the vin decoder I used mentioned it was. Honestly never really planned to put it in the truck, just thought it was an oddity.
I could be misremembering, but my mom had a '17 Tahoe Texas Edition and I could've sworn that had the auto stop. Either way, happier without it.

all of mine have afm tuned / off

 

[pizzafan72]

Sweet ride. What did you mean with the comment about it being only being a LT?

Appreciate everyone's compliments & advice! I'll drop the top portion of the original window sticker down below for anyone interested.

From what I understand, LT trims are either 1LT's or 2LT's, with the latter being more well optioned. I'm not super familiar with the specific differences between the two, but the RPO code for the trim level on this one is 1LT. It has some extras like a sunroof, memory seats, Bose audio package, and the midrow captain's chairs that stand out foremost as more luxury items I'd attribute to a higher trim level. I'm guessing it was a custom order, just figured at some point the trim level would automatically bump itself up

 

[CMoore711]

That color is rare for sure, not many made it that color. I’ve seen K2XX Escalades in that color, but no Yukons.

Look into the transmission thermostat mod. I’ve seen it called “flipping the pill”, I know some even offer a lower temp thermostat. It will help lower the operating temp of your transmission which always extends the life.

I would also add a deeper transmission oil pan, look into the one from B&M. As long as it is for the GM 6l80 transmission it will fit. It’ll add additional trans fluid and has a drain plug. Swapping to that trans pan at the time of flush and filter change is the time to do it; And the added drain plug will make future transmission service intervals easier.

Maybe not now, but start looking into swapping out the stock torque converter for an aftermarket billet one. You can keep the same stall speed, but this would eliminate the weakest part about the 6l80e which is the torque converter.

Swapping torque converters is a bit more involved labor-wise and I’d say at 40K miles you got a bit more time on that; But I would consider it before you get into the 80-100K mile range depending on how you drive.

 

[tom3]

It seems like the biggest problem with the torque converter is not the converter itself but how it's abused by the programming to operate with the cylinder deactivation deal. Way too much slippage in the near 3 ton vehicle. Eliminating that AFM is probably the number one thing that will vastly prolong the drivetrain life.