rdonarski

Not related to your problem, but about a month ago I started getting a fluttering noise in mine. It kept getting worse. I decided it was definitely speed related. Being basically lazy in my retirement, I ignored it. Took a trip with my noise sensitive wife. That upped the priority on finding the problem. Got about 30 miles when I decided it would need immediate attention or I would have to listen to it and my wife. Stopped and started checking. Turned out the hood deflector had worked loose on one side. Bought some foam tape and inserted a piece of that. Problem solved.

I have the stock Firestone Transforcer tires on my truck (12K). Last week I backed down to my house to unload the truck (normally park in garage up the hill). My driveway is a little steep and curved. With 4" of snow on the driveway, I absolutely could not get back up. Definitely won't be buying those tires again. I've never had a problem before getting up the drive with 4WD or AWD.

I always remove it when It’s not in use. My shins prefer it.

I agree on the road noise and that alone may be cause us to switch. Looking for more comfort in our old age. I've bought 3 used and 2 new. I currently own a 2003 Accord that we bought new and has been a great car. It won't do my driveway in the winter though, so that caused us to buy a 2016 CRV in 2017. At that point, the 2003 wasn't worth much on paper, and since I had taken excellent care of it, and even limited its winter driving, we decided to keep it. It's our main vehicle in the summer (parked in the winter). It had been a lease vehicle. It's also been a good vehicle and doesn't use significant oil.

My son's 1st new vehicle was a 98 Ram. Using Mobil 1 oil, it used a quart every 1000 miles. He traded for a Chevy in 2000 and never looked back. I've been running all Honda cars and SUVs since the mid-90s and have been very happy with them. My daughter bought a new CRV in 2012 (on my recommendation). It used a quart every 500 miles and Honda called that 'standard'. She switched to Mazda in 2016. That experience has me thinking about changing brands for my next vehicle. I've gotten lazy and don't check oil often. Just count on my vehicles not using it. One bad experience will definitely sour me on a brand.

I've been using Kirkland in my car, truck, and SUV. Before that, I always used Mobil 1 (since 1987). I bought a new skid steer back in 2000 and have always used Amsoil in that. I'm thinking as I deplete my Kirkland inventory, I'm going to switch to all Amsoil. I live less than 50 miles from the Amsoil factory (can pick it up there). I've also swapped my car and SUV transmissions to Amsoil. With the price of engines and transmissions, oil is cheap.

I was talking to my cousin who retired as a GMC service manager. He owns a 2022 Yukon Denali with a 6.2L and a 2025 Sierra 1500 with a 3L diesel. He has gotten the recall on the 6.2. He says that they put a senser on it to test for engine vibration. If it fails, they replace the engine. If it passes, they put in heavier oil and replace the oil cap (heavier oil indication). He's a huge GM fan, but even he says "How do you tell me my engine is fine......but I have to run heavier oil"

I have 2 friends who are into drag racing at a professional level. They both say using a higher octane than what is specified by the manufacturer is a waste of money. I know one drives a newer corvette as a daily drive and uses 87 in it. My last pickup had a 5.3 and required 87 but knocked if I didn't use premium, so I always used premium. I use 87 with my 6.6. Hard enough trying to slip the fuel bills by my wife.

I totally agree with this. My son and I both had extended cab half tons with short beds. We both decided we wanted the 8 ft beds. He bought a crew cab. I bought a regular cab. I decided that since I was buying it mainly for pulling and hauling and am retired and seldom have more than 2 passengers, the standard cab would do. His is an absolute nightmare in a parking lot. I love mine.

I won't be a lot of help here since I have a 2020 with the 6 speed. I do want to say that this was my 1st 3/4 ton. I pull a skid steer that probably is close to 10K. I love the truck. With this truck, I control the trailer rather than the trailer controlling me.

True. Drove through Houston last winter on a way to a cruise. Put that on my list of places never to go to again. Company up here in the wintertime is sparce and even in the summer people balk at the distance. Love the winter solitude.

I totally agree. From what I've seen in many years in N WI and N MN, 4WDs just end up further in the ditch.

At least you were here on a warm day. -19 yesterday morning, -22 the day before

https://www.harborfreight.com/1300-lb-capacity-self-loading-positioning-wheel-dolly-64601.htm I’ve always done my own. Recently bought a dolly to help. Getting too old to wrangle truck tires.

At 75 and 5' 5", things get tougher.

Thought I responded to this, but don't see it. Yes, they are the Transforce ATs. They have worked fine for me in the winter, but with this being my 'Till death do us part' truck, I try to minimalize winter use.

As it would turn out, I checked this morning, and my closest Harbor Freight (50 miles away) doesn't stock them. Said I could go to the store, order it and have it shipped to the store for free (2 trips to store). Checked on shipping it - $6.99 - oh hell yes! Wouldn't make one trip for $6.99.

I like the thought of the wheel dolly. I was just by Harbor Freight on Tuesday. Wish I'd known about it then. I'm at the age too where tires are not getting lighter and I rotate my own. I live in N WI, so am very familiar with snow. I had a 2-wheel drive car that couldn't make it up my driveway with 2 inches of snow with all-season tires (misnomer). I bought an extra set of tires/wheels for that. Problem was storage plus when I got rid of the vehicle the new owner didn't want them, so I had to get rid of them. I replaced the car with a SUV. 1st snow I went right into the ditch with the all-season tires that came on that. Put snow tires on it immediately. Looked at my options. Another set of wheels and tires, another set of tires to swap on rims twice a year and running snow tires year around. Due to storage logistics and convenience, I went to running snow tires year around. Probably a little rougher ride and I only get half the miles on them that I get on regular tires, but it works for me. My truck came with the all-terrain tire option, and they seem to be doing just fine in the snow.

Oil can certainly make a big difference. My cousin had a yacht with twin 8L GM gas engines. He was running the best grade Shell in them and one of them started consuming oil. He switched to Amsoil and problem solved. I've always run Amsoil in my skid steer with no problems and am thinking about changing my truck to it (currently running Kirkland). Oil is cheap.

The seats on my truck are not the highlight. I do think it’s crazy when people cover up nice furniture. My last truck had leather seats. I eventually nicked them with a tool in my pocket. My truck sits in my main repair bay in my shop so I have to move it whenever I’m working on other vehicles or equipment. My fear is grease on my clothes or tools in my pocket.

I got my seat covers a couple of weeks ago and finally made some time to install them (whoever said retirement was boring?). I was in a hurry and probably didn't do the best installation job. I have the 40/20/40 bench seat with non-opening console. I'm happy with the passenger and driver's seats. Not thrilled with the center console though. It's adequate when the console is up and it is used as a seat. When the console is down however it is clumsy with a partial cover over the console. Since I very seldom use the center for a seat, I think I will remove the cover for the back on that. Again, I was in a hurry and didn't do the best installation job. When I get some time, I will probably redo some of that.

I lost a FOB for my 2003 Honda Accord many years ago. Bought one over Ebay that said it included programming instructions because I didn't want to pay the Honda price. Then I had to find a locksmith that could cut it. After I got it cut, I went through the programming instructions. Turns out it only programmed the doors, windows and trunk. Did not program starting. Honda was the only option for that. Had to take all my keys and go to them. By the time I was done, I had spent about the same amount of money Honda charged for the whole process and went thru a lot of grief and running around.

I ended up ordering the Saddleman. They were on sale bringing them down to about $200. I put them in my cart and checked out some other options. They came back 3 days later and offered me $30 off. Sold! They called me after I placed the order and verified exactly what seat I have. I was impressed with that. Nothing worse than getting the wrong fit. They apparently custom make them. I got notification when they went to cutting and again when they went to sewing. I'll let you know how they work out.

The were from Ebay Chevy All Weather Floor Mats / Seat Covers / Steering Wheel Cover / Sun Shade | eBay They were only $50. Another case of getting what you paid for. My cousin who works for a GM dealer says they use Saddleman.

I have cloth seats. I originally put seat covers on it but haven't been satisfied with them because they don't fully cover the back and fold over when I slide in. Any recommendations?