Silverados benefit from 12.5 million miles of durability testing

[Josh]

Here's a press release from GM yesterday regarding the durability testing done in the new trucks.

Highlights from the release:

• Stronger frame to ensure it wont crack under full load.
• New four wheel disc brake system double the service life and improve braking feel and performance.
• New anti-chip coating on lower side of body protects paint.
• Trucks underwent 4 million miles of driving at proving grounds.
• Additional 8 million miles of real world testing by fleet vehicles.
• Trucks were loaded to gross vehicle weight.
• Tests subjected trucks to Belgian blocks, off road simulating grit trough, climbing and descending a 30 percent grade, as well as high speed testing.
• Trucks were checked for dirt intrusion, confirming all seals function properly.

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Splash Test

Official Press Release

 

All-new full-size pickups engineered to outlast the toughest tasks

DETROIT – Each of those shiny new Silverados in Chevrolet dealerships benefits from 12.5 million miles of durability testing before the first customer ever receives the keys.

From the scorching desert of Yuma, Ariz. to the sub-zero cold of Kapuskasing, Ontario, and the outdoor torture tests of General Motors’ Milford Proving Ground in Milford, Mich., the all-new full-size trucks completed more than 4 million miles of combined vehicle durability testing. In addition, a fleet of test vehicles racked up 8.2 million miles of real-world mileage.

Validation and durability testing pushed the trucks to their limits before they went into production in Silao, Mexico, Flint, Mich., and Fort Wayne, Ind. In many of the tests, the trucks are loaded to gross vehicle weight. While most customers do not drive fully loaded on a regular basis, these tests ensure the Silverado can withstand even the most demanding conditions.

“It takes refinement and testing to build the strength that our customers expect and rely on from their trucks,” said Phillip Hubler, vehicle system engineer. “Our philosophy with the 2014 trucks was to improve what needed to be improved and leave alone what was already considered world class.”

The trucks proved their mettle by traversing the Belgian blocks, splashing though the off-road-simulating grit trough, climbing and descending a 30 percent grade and driving at high speeds.

Grit intrusion is a challenge for any off road vehicle. The grit trough test ensures the trucks have enough sealing to protect bearings and key suspension points, while a trip along the dust road helps determine all seals are functioning properly and that dust does not contaminate the bearings or other moving parts.

Some of the key durability improvements from the previous generation trucks include:

• A frame formed from high-strength steel to ensure it will not crack, even when loaded to full capacity
• New four-wheel-disc brake system with Duralife™ brake rotors offer up to double the service life, along with brake-tuning revisions that improve pedal feel for more confident braking performance on any driving surface
• Anti-chip coating on the lower body side for extra protection from stones or gravel

[joshw1303]

My paint is chipping off underneath front wheel wheels rockers. Right behind wheels. And it's only like 2.5yrs old. Brutal paint quality. Now I see why ford puts that plastic around all those areas so it doesn't chip.

[Nargg]

I've also got an '11 Z71 and also see some tremendous paint chipping issues, especially on the front of the hood. My 2000 Silverado didn't do this at all. I hope Chevy figures out their paint issues and soon.

[MikeNH]

I've also got an '11 Z71 and also see some tremendous paint chipping issues, especially on the front of the hood. My 2000 Silverado didn't do this at all. I hope Chevy figures out their paint issues and soon.

 

Every automaker these days (at least the mainstream ones) has crap paint. It's thin, usually has little depth and it'll chip if a rabbit farts too close to it. I don't know if it's some stupid environmentally safe process or maybe they're laying it on thinner to save cost or weight but it all sucks. And that is really too bad. You shouldn't have to go out and have protection films or other treatments applied just to keep your paint from being ruined.

[j-ten-ner]

"Silverados benefit from 12.5 million miles of durability testing".........

 

u-hu

...

Where?

On planet 51?

 

lmao

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[ATMINF]

The new paints are worse due to the newer environmental laws. It will take several years before they figure out a good cheaper paint method.

[2016 Sierra Owner]

I've also got an '11 Z71 and also see some tremendous paint chipping issues, especially on the front of the hood. My 2000 Silverado didn't do this at all. I hope Chevy figures out their paint issues and soon.

When I traded my 2001 on my 2009 the dealer tried to sell me the paint protection. I didn't take it as my 01 looked brand new still. However I soon learned the difference. The paint on my 09 and even my 2014 I have now is just too thin. Colored water is what I tell people now. Just enough paint to cover the metal. I did not get a bed liner in my 01 or 09. The bed of the 09 looked like the 01 after only a year. It took 8 years for the 01 to get that bad.

[marksoldtowne]

It takes testing and look refinement to build the strength that our users and customers expect and rely on from their trucks Validation and durability testing pushed the trucks to their limits before they went into production in countries, In many of the tests, the trucks are loaded to gross vehicle weight. While most customers do not drive fully loaded on a regular basis, these tests ensure the most demanding conditions.it creates good and sexy effects to the customers,

[2happyhicks]

When I traded my 2001 on my 2009 the dealer tried to sell me the paint protection. I didn't take it as my 01 looked brand new still. However I soon learned the difference. The paint on my 09 and even my 2014 I have now is just too thin. Colored water is what I tell people now. Just enough paint to cover the metal. I did not get a bed liner in my 01 or 09. The bed of the 09 looked like the 01 after only a year. It took 8 years for the 01 to get that bad.

 

"Silverados benefit from 12.5 million miles of durability testing".........

 

u-hu

...

Where?

On planet 51?

 

lmao

 

so long

j-ten-ner

yeah with all the issues whether minor or major that Im having as well as many many others.. im wondering the same thing... must have been several thousand silverados, with a cumulative 12.5 million miles.. all made with stronger, beafier, 1st hand parts before china and mexico got the spec sheets.

[2happyhicks]

Blue Sierra owner,, Ive hauled an ATV once, a piece of Plywood once and a couple 2x4s and my bed looks like crap allready...im going to have to pay to have a spray in bed liner cuz the paint (if you can call it that is like scraping of half dry model paint from a plastic model... i can probably scrape it off with my finger if i tried... ....the things you dont know about untill you "find them"