Anybody Have A 2009 Xfe Truck?

[pm26]

Today I looked at a new 2WD '09 crew cab Silverado with the XFE (extra fuel efficient, I think)package, which includes the 5.3 engine, locking differential, 6 speed auto transmission, 3.08 rear end ratio, tow package, lowered suspension height, tonneau cover for the bed, aluminum lower control arms, and a few other gimmicks to get better fuel economy. The mileage rating HWY is 21. Can one reasonably expect this out of this truck? I understand that the 3.08 rear end gears are due to the 6 speed transmission ratios, but even then they are equivalent to 3.23s with the 4 speed. Not a good ratio for towing, for sure.

[Silverado4x4]

Hell I get 22 mpg on the highway and its NOT a XFE.

[hockeypro1411]

Aren't the regular truck with the 5.3 rated to 20 mpg on the highway anyway? If that's true, I can't see 1 mpg being worth the extra cost.

[pm26]

Aren't the regular truck with the 5.3 rated to 20 mpg on the highway anyway? If that's true, I can't see 1 mpg being worth the extra cost.

 

The cost was not really that bad - the sticker was something like $ 33,500, which is in line for an LT1 crew cab. I could not help noticing deletion of the rear defogger, auto dimming rear view mirror, and use of horribly cheap looking plastic on the inner door panels.

 

On the plus side, you get a tonneau cover with the truck, plus flex fuel engine, but they were too cheap to include a locking tailgate with that cover. Go figure.

[Visegrip117]

This is a 5.3 ext cab with 3.42 gears and a 4 speed (the truck in my sig)

 

Click link below

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...c=108324&hl

[pm26]

I assume that an OEM tailgate lock can be added to a 2009 truck? Can you get one to match your ignition key though?

 

This is the first time I drove a new GM 1500 series truck with a 6 speed automatic and it performed very nicely. I could not feel the blasted AFM, but the question is, would it stay that way for the next 100k miles?

[LeoS41280]

Bet it was made in Mexico also.

[jro909]

xfe=marketing scam...don't waste the money, your paying through your teeth for a tonnau cover and crap gears for an extra mile per gallon whoopy, the normal silvy/sierras get just as good or even better tuned...

[Rat4go]

It's been covered lots of times here, but a 3.08 axle with a 6-speed (4:1 first gear) will launch very similarly to a 4.10 gear with the 4L60 (3.06 first gear) and not like the 3.23 with 4-speed as your post suggests. It will also turn much lower revs at highway speeds than that 4.10 gear with a 4-speed. On the same day with the same road with the same driver and the same 5.3L motor, I'd bet my arse that the 3.08 6-speed truck would outrun a 3.73 4-speed truck to 60 mph, and once you got to 70 mph, would get 2-3 mph better fuel economy rolling down the road. We had a 3.73/4-speed 5.3L 2007 YukonXL in the family until about 8 months ago when the lease expired. Got a 2009 3.42/6-speed 5.3L YukonXL to replace it. Equipped almost identically EXCEPT the 2009 had factory 20" wheels/tires and the 2009 gets at least 2mpg better than the truck it replaced running the same roads with the same driver, and it's not even the 3.08 axle.

 

There are a few others here that have the XFE package....we should let them weigh in with real comments on what they see for fuel economy, but even for towing moderate loads, the numbers I've seen wouldn't make me scared of the performance of the 3.08 axle and we'd have tried to find a YukonXL with the 3.08 if they made 'em in 2009. Like I said, better launch than a 4-speed with a 4.10!!!. I'm not sure if the rest of the XFE package (besides the tonneau that you mentioned) means much to the end user....that's for you to decide.

[dlewis1111]

I assume that an OEM tailgate lock can be added to a 2009 truck? Can you get one to match your ignition key though?

 

This is the first time I drove a new GM 1500 series truck with a 6 speed automatic and it performed very nicely. I could not feel the blasted AFM, but the question is, would it stay that way for the next 100k miles?

 

Yes you can get the locking handle that will "key itself" to your key the first time that you put in a key and work the lock for about 55-75 from the dealer.

[Prokopchuk_9]

those xfe's are a dumb scam man...just buy a normal one. save your money. the extra 1-2mpg isnt gonna pay you back dude...

[pm26]

Bet it was made in Mexico also.

 

Yes, it was.

[66nova]

I wouldn't shy away from one if I could get it for a comparable price. I don't think I would pay much more for one then a nonXFE model. I think they come with a GM CAI also, if I remember correctly??

 

I think 21+ on the highway with that truck on a consistent basis is not unrealistic. I know Michael (Darkanion) has averaged over 20mpg with his 6.2 Denali on long trips (his is 2 wheel drive, not AWD).

 

As far as towing, 3.08 gears with the six speed should be fine as long as you are not towing huge loads. Worse case, you down shift to 4th and you are still gear fairly comparably to a 4spd with 3.73s.

[pm26]

I just remembered - one unusual feature of the XFE package is that they used an aluminum 5.3 engine block. I believe that GM has gone back to using cast iron on all other trucks, because it is cheaper.

[C. Charles Hahn]

I just remembered - one unusual feature of the XFE package is that they used an aluminum 5.3 engine block. I believe that GM has gone back to using cast iron on all other trucks, because it is cheaper.

 

The GM order guide shows that the aluminum block is still an option on non XFE trucks, but it may cost extra, I'm not sure.