4sp Vs 6sp

LT1MCSS · October 20, 2011

Hey everyone, I'm not exactly new here. I joined back in 2004 when i got my 2000 Silverado 2500 Extended Cab. The truck has been a great truck over the years and I still have it but the mileage is starting to get up there. I gave it to my dad last year to drive every day since he likes the truck and I have driven an Impala the last year and a half or so. As much as I like the Impala I really miss driving a truck. I decided I wanted to get a new Chevy/GMC 1500. I do not need he 2500 and 6.0L anymore. Anything I tow will be small and I do not plan on plowing with the 1500.

I'm looking at 2008-2012. It is possible I could buy new or a left over but I will probably just be getting the All Star Package, Convenience Package, 60/40 split bench. I prefer buckets and a console but they seem to be hard to find in the lower optioned LT's. Insurance on all the years is about the same. The biggest difference i see in these trucks is the 2010's and newer all have the new 6 speed automatic transmission as opposed to the 4 speed. Is the 6 speed automatic reliable and that much better than the 4 speeds? The main feature i see is they are saying 15/21 miles per gallon vs 14/18 miles per gallon with the 4 speed. At least this is what they claim but I don't know anyone with a newer 5.3/6sp combo. I know people the the 5.3/4sp, 6.0/4sp, 6.2/6sp, and dmax/6speed combos but that doesn't help.

The type of driving I do now I probably wouldn't notice a difference. I drive the highway everyday for about 15 miles but most of the time it is in traffic at speeds from 5mph to 45mph. I do plan on keeping the truck a long time so it may very well make a difference for me. I have been searching online and some of the articles i came across were surprising with the 6 speed. Depending on the rear end gears, some people were not really seeing close to the 21mpg advertised on the window sticker.

The benefits to me buying a 2008-2009 is I could find something with low mileage and probably an LTZ package and maybe nav for a decent price.

The benefits of the 2010-2012 are that it has the 6 speed and a couple years newer. A new one will have the 10yr/100K powertrain warranty. I thought 2008 and newer trucks had this warranty along with the 3yr/36K bumper to bumper but I would have to check into this and if it is transferable.

I was just curious what everyone's opinion was. Is it worth finding a 2010-2012 I like and getting the 6sp or is it not really worth it and grab a 08-09 for the right deal. Feel free to post up what you think or ask any questions if I missed anything.

Thanks

LT1MCSS · October 20, 2011

DO IT

which one?

Hoe-n-it · October 20, 2011

I had a 02 Yukon and now an 11 Tahoe. Before I got a tune for the Tahoe I much preferred the driveability of the 4 speed. Now I like the 6 speed much better. You can read some recent threads about the factory tune and driveability issues with the 6 speed. It seems to have gotten worse with the 2011 models.

As far as mileage you won't see the EPA numbers but mileage is better with the later model trucks at least in part due to the 6 speed. I would look for a truck with at least 3:42 gears for better performance and about the same MPG as the 3:08.

I may be wrong but I thought GM introduced the 6 speed in 2009 instead of 2010.

LT1MCSS · October 20, 2011

I had a 02 Yukon and now an 11 Tahoe. Before I got a tune for the Tahoe I much preferred the driveability of the 4 speed. Now I like the 6 speed much better. You can read some recent threads about the factory tune and drivability issues with the 6 speed. It seems to have gotten worse with the 2011 models.

As far as mileage you won't see the EPA numbers but mileage is better with the later model trucks at least in part due to the 6 speed. I would look for a truck with at least 3:42 gears for better performance and about the same MPG as the 3:08.

I may be wrong but I thought GM introduced the 6 speed in 2009 instead of 2010.

I think you are right with the 2009. I was going to put that in but from what i have saw most of the 2009's had the 4 speed. I have only seen 1 2009 with this option so I don't know how widely available it was. It also might not be the best idea to get the first production year of it. I would have to research the 2009's more.

pm26 · October 20, 2011

DO IT

which one?

Wait until 2018 for a new 8 speed automatic

I think the 6 speed would be better than the 4 speed if mileage is your priority, but there are issues some people have with the 6 speed, like surging and delayed shifting. 4 speed is pretty much bulletproof as long as there are no bullets fired into it.

Stevens03 · October 20, 2011

DO IT

which one?

Wait until 2018 for a new 8 speed automatic

I think the 6 speed would be better than the 4 speed if mileage is your priority, but there are issues some people have with the 6 speed, like surging and delayed shifting. 4 speed is pretty much bulletproof as long as there are no bullets fired into it.

I don't believe that. I was a nah-sayer when it came to the 6-speed but I'm a firm believer in it now especially since I own one. I've not had any of those issues you claim and the 6-speed FAR exceeds the 4-speed in all areas. JMO There's issues with everything but I've seen far fewer issues with this transmission than I have with the 4-speed.

Get the 6-speed, it's worth it.

music · October 20, 2011

The 6-spd was standard in the crew cab 5.3 starting in 2009, and was mated to all 5.3 trucks (I think) in 2010. If you don't tow pretty heavy or race, it doesn't matter which one you get. If you do either of these, you'll prefer the 6-spd. Fuel economy differences between the two are minimal to non-existent. The 4-spd will use 4-cyl mode (AFM) more than the 6-spd, so those two "features" tend to cancel one another out. Something of interest: contrary to folks here (sorry Stephen!), the number one complaint on the new trucks to the GM at our local dealer has been the 6-spd transmission. I'm assuming this is due to folks not racing or towing, and not liking the extra shifting.

That said, my next truck will have the 6-spd if I have a choice. I tow a pretty heavy camper, though, and can see some benefit there. For my daily driving, I like the 4spd a great deal (much better than the 5spd in our Sienna).

Hoe-n-it · October 20, 2011

DO IT

which one?

Wait until 2018 for a new 8 speed automatic

I think the 6 speed would be better than the 4 speed if mileage is your priority, but there are issues some people have with the 6 speed, like surging and delayed shifting. 4 speed is pretty much bulletproof as long as there are no bullets fired into it.

I don't believe that. I was a nah-sayer when it came to the 6-speed but I'm a firm believer in it now especially since I own one. I've not had any of those issues you claim and the 6-speed FAR exceeds the 4-speed in all areas. JMO There's issues with everything but I've seen far fewer issues with this transmission than I have with the 4-speed.

Get the 6-speed, it's worth it.

Yes, but you have yours tuned which takes care of the shifting and surge issues right?

Although most people have not had issues with the 4 speed I personally don't agree it is bulletproof since mine went out at 22K with a broken sun shield/gear.

tjm80 · October 20, 2011

I traded in an 08 4 speed a few weeks ago for an 11 6 speed. The transmission wasn't the reason for the trade, but I do have experience with both. I prefer the 6 speed over the 4. I've experienced the "surging" maybe twice, and it's not a big deal when it happens. It just feels like it may downshift a bit too soon occasionally.

As far as you preferring the bucket seats w/ the console over the 40/20/40 split bench, I'm the same. Both of my trucks have/had the bucket seats, and both have been LT models. In fact, my dealership had 3 on the lot when I bought mine. And if you're looking to buy used to save some money, I'd suggest looking into a 2011 model with the "red tag clearance sales" they have trying to get them off the lots. I didn't pay much more for a brand new 11 than I would have for a used 09 with 20,000 miles. Otherwise they were identical trucks.

Stevens03 · October 20, 2011

I traded in an 08 4 speed a few weeks ago for an 11 6 speed. The transmission wasn't the reason for the trade, but I do have experience with both. I prefer the 6 speed over the 4. I've experienced the "surging" maybe twice, and it's not a big deal when it happens. It just feels like it may downshift a bit too soon occasionally.

How many miles, because the transmission is adaptive and is continually learning how you drive I think they drive like poo at first and why I was so reluctant to get one. Once "dialed" in... they perform awesome.

LT1MCSS · October 20, 2011

It seems like people are split. I will most likely end up going with the 6 speed unless i find a really really good deal on a 2008 or 2009. I have been trying to find a 2011 that I like but unless I want to buy a truck that stickers for over $40K I'm not going to find all the features I want. Al lmy other vehicles I have bought I bought used and I have never had a problem with 1 of them so I'm not really afraid of going the used route. Its all about where the deals are. Normally I wouldn't even waste time with a dealership but dealers are willing to deal.

As for use of the truck most of my driving is done split between the city and highway and 50% of the highway driving is in traffic where it can be stop and go. Back when i got my 2000 we had a couple of boats and trailers that got hauled around but not anymore. Currently I have 0 trailers with no plans to get another one in the near future. If i do it will be a 25' boat that gets pulled maybe 4-5 times a year and only for a distance of maybe 5 miles from my house to the boat ramp. I'm not a huge fan of plowing so I wouldn't be getting a plow.

Based on what people have said I don't think I will see a huge difference in either the 4 speed or the 6 speed. I'm just thinking down the road if my job changed and I find myself commuting further maybe the 6sp would come in handy only if it was hitting mpg's of 20+ like that claim. Other reports I read said people were struggling to get 18.5-19mpg but it depending on the gearing. I was a little surprised to see the 3.08 guys seemed to do worse than the 3.42 or 3.73's.

My friend has an 08 LT with the 5.3 and 4 speed. I liked how the truck road, it was comfortable, if i end up going with the extended cab again I like how both rear doors open 170 degrees and the windows roll all the way down. He did tell me though that by putting 285's on and taking the air dam off his mpg went from mid 15's to 13.9mpg.

tjm80 · October 20, 2011

I traded in an 08 4 speed a few weeks ago for an 11 6 speed. The transmission wasn't the reason for the trade, but I do have experience with both. I prefer the 6 speed over the 4. I've experienced the "surging" maybe twice, and it's not a big deal when it happens. It just feels like it may downshift a bit too soon occasionally.

How many miles, because the transmission is adaptive and is continually learning how you drive I think they drive like poo at first and why I was so reluctant to get one. Once "dialed" in... they perform awesome.

My '08 4 speed had about 55k miles on it, and the '11 6 speed has almost 1,000. Now that you mention it "learning" your driving habits, I have only felt it surge twice while braking to a stop. I've felt it surge a few times when I am coasting and it downshifts. Maybe it's learning!

How long did yours take to "dial in"? And does your transmission occasionally "clunk" when downshifting? My '08 did it horribly bad. I think greasing the yoke was the fix for that, was going to do that until the wife "nudged" me to trade it! lol

tjm80 · October 20, 2011

It seems like people are split. I will most likely end up going with the 6 speed unless i find a really really good deal on a 2008 or 2009. I have been trying to find a 2011 that I like but unless I want to buy a truck that stickers for over $40K I'm not going to find all the features I want. Al lmy other vehicles I have bought I bought used and I have never had a problem with 1 of them so I'm not really afraid of going the used route. Its all about where the deals are. Normally I wouldn't even waste time with a dealership but dealers are willing to deal.

As for use of the truck most of my driving is done split between the city and highway and 50% of the highway driving is in traffic where it can be stop and go. Back when i got my 2000 we had a couple of boats and trailers that got hauled around but not anymore. Currently I have 0 trailers with no plans to get another one in the near future. If i do it will be a 25' boat that gets pulled maybe 4-5 times a year and only for a distance of maybe 5 miles from my house to the boat ramp. I'm not a huge fan of plowing so I wouldn't be getting a plow.

Based on what people have said I don't think I will see a huge difference in either the 4 speed or the 6 speed. I'm just thinking down the road if my job changed and I find myself commuting further maybe the 6sp would come in handy only if it was hitting mpg's of 20+ like that claim. Other reports I read said people were struggling to get 18.5-19mpg but it depending on the gearing. I was a little surprised to see the 3.08 guys seemed to do worse than the 3.42 or 3.73's.

My friend has an 08 LT with the 5.3 and 4 speed. I liked how the truck road, it was comfortable, if i end up going with the extended cab again I like how both rear doors open 170 degrees and the windows roll all the way down. He did tell me though that by putting 285's on and taking the air dam off his mpg went from mid 15's to 13.9mpg.

Those doors on the extended cabs are deceiving. It looks like it won't be a PITA, because they open so wide. Try loading groceries into the backseat when some jackass parks right by you. ;) Having a toddler, and plans to grow the family in the future, accompanied by the inconvenience of the extended cab was enough for me to bite the bullet and get the crew cab.

And both of mine were 3.42, 5.3Ls. On the interstate going 70 mph, the RPM's on the 4 speed were over 2000. With the 6 speed they seem to be between 1,500 and 1,600 RPM's.

Stevens03 · October 20, 2011

My '08 4 speed had about 55k miles on it, and the '11 6 speed has almost 1,000. Now that you mention it "learning" your driving habits, I have only felt it surge twice while braking to a stop. I've felt it surge a few times when I am coasting and it downshifts. Maybe it's learning!

How long did yours take to "dial in"? And does your transmission occasionally "clunk" when downshifting? My '08 did it horribly bad. I think greasing the yoke was the fix for that, was going to do that until the wife "nudged" me to trade it! lol

About 1000 miles, but mines been flawess

LT1MCSS · October 20, 2011

Those doors on the extended cabs are deceiving. It looks like it won't be a PITA, because they open so wide. Try loading groceries into the backseat when some jackass parks right by you. ;) Having a toddler, and plans to grow the family in the future, accompanied by the inconvenience of the extended cab was enough for me to bite the bullet and get the crew cab.

And both of mine were 3.42, 5.3Ls. On the interstate going 70 mph, the RPM's on the 4 speed were over 2000. With the 6 speed they seem to be between 1,500 and 1,600 RPM's.

Lol, yeah I always park far away from people. I suppose sound could park right on me but as long as your not taking up 2 spots people usually leave me alone. The extended cab doors are a pain in tight spots. I have run into that with my 2000 which is only a 3 door so you have to get in and out of the back on the passenger side.

Everyone I know who had an extended cab truck a few years ago has went to a quad cab now. A quad cab might be a better option since i plan on keeping whatever i buy at least 8-10 years. I think I would definitely want the 5 1/2' bed though. I don't really use the bed for a whole lot.

Truth be told I don't even need a truck. I could easily get by with an SUV or maybe even an AWD car.

Like i said i don't tow, plow or use the bed (85% of the time). Most of the time I have used the bed is when other people need to move their $hit. I just need 4WD and the extra ground clearance at times. The problem is whats out there for other options. I'm really a GM guy but I am not that impressed with GM's lineup right now aside from the pickup trucks and the corvette. What other options are there, the equinox or acadia? I'm not totally sold on either of their looks and even though I haven't driven one those things have to be dogs. Neither the 2.4 or the 3.0 make any power and the under powered 3.0 AWD gets about the same mileage as a full size truck and the SUV's are more to insure so I'd rather buy another truck. If i went with an SUV I think I would have to bite the bullet and maybe get the new explorer. At the least i think it looks good and the interior is nicer than most of what GM offers I hate to say it.