Off road option on cluster info display

slovarado · March 17, 2015

So my 14's a/c quit working today, which is another story, but anyway i got a 15 as a loaner and i noticed that it has an off road option in the infomation section of the cluster. It shows lean angles and status of the driveline. My 14 doesnt have this option, is this an update or am i just s.o.l. Id really like to have that option!

18DenaliUltimate · March 17, 2015

I think this screen is only available on the 2015 4WD models. I thought it was just on the Z71 models originally then checked and my 2015 Sierra SLT Crew Cab 4WD does have the screen.

irish4life8911 · March 17, 2015

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MikeNH · March 17, 2015

So my 14's a/c quit working today, which is another story, but anyway i got a 15 as a loaner and i noticed that it has an off road option in the infomation section of the cluster. It shows lean angles and status of the driveline. My 14 doesnt have this option, is this an update or am i just s.o.l. Id really like to have that option!

The screen is most likely a few new lines of software because all that info already exists elsewhere in the electrical system but adding it isn't going to happen unfortunately.

I have it on my 2015 All Terrain. It was nice during the snow/ ice. That's how I figured that the auto 4wd in these trucks is just 4hi. It never goes into 2wd.

Not accurate. While it may display the front axle is being live at all times, auto 4wd absolutely runs in 2wd until slip occurs. Driving in snow will prove this- you accelerate and usually you'll get a brief moment of rear slip before the front axle comes on. The system also reverts to 2wd when coasting. I discovered that by accident last winter as I went around a corner in auto and the front end plowed ahead like I was in 2wd. If I stayed on the gas, no issue. Same if I locked it into 4 high.

irish4life8911 · March 17, 2015

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Silverado-Hareek · March 17, 2015

While what you state is what's supposed to happen, it isn't what happens with my 2015. I had an '05 Silverado with auto4wd, and I left it in that option 24/7. I know the difference between 2wd and 4hi.

On my 2015, if in auto 4wd, it's in 4hi at all times. Coasting, decelerating, driving 25mph on straight, flat road, it doesn't matter. You feel the extra strain on the motor and the higher gear wind, and lower mpgs. When I noticed that on normal roads in normal driving conditions, that's when I went to that screen and noticed front wheels engaged. Turned it to 2hi, and what do you know, no extra strain, no higher gear noise, regular mpgs, and only rear wd on the 4 wheel screen.

I'm sure it's part of the service recall on the trucks being stuck in 4wd when left in auto 4wd.

It's not how it's supposed to operate, but that is how it is operating right now. I do plan on bringing it up at my next service though

You should never drive in 4auto 24/7. 2HI is an option for a reason. And if your 2015 is locked in 4HI all the time when in 4auto, there's a problem with your 4WD system and you should get it serviced.

irish4life8911 · March 17, 2015

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Silverado-Hareek · March 17, 2015

I drove my '05 for ten years like that. Never one problem with transfer case or 4wd. Drive on the beach every weekend in the summer and have snow/ ice during winter.

I mean you can do it and not likely harm anything. I'm just saying you shouldn't. 4auto isn't a luxury feature put on the truck so you don't have to worry about when to use 4wheel drive. It's a feature designed to be used when 4wheel drive might be needed but the terrain doesn't continuously call for it such as a light snow covered road. Obviously do what you like it's your truck and that's great you didn't have an issue, I'm just pointing out the intent of the feature and how it should be used especially for the folks who aren't familiar with 4wheel drive systems. Again if it was meant to be used 24/7, they wouldn't offer 2HI as a select-able option they would just engage it from the factory and move on. 4wheel drive systems aren't built and calibrated the same way as All-wheel-drive systems found on certain luxury cars and SUV's. That's why you shouldn't drive with it engaged all the time. But to each his own. If you're constantly driving on the sand or snow, sure it makes sense to leave it engaged. But if you're driving around town on paved roads you should put it back in 2HI.

slovarado · March 17, 2015

Interesting, the rental they gave me is a standard LT 2wd, only big options it has are the 22 inch wheels and the exhaust

txchevy4ever · March 17, 2015

While what you state is what's supposed to happen, it isn't what happens with my 2015. I had an '05 Silverado with auto4wd, and I left it in that option 24/7. I know the difference between 2wd and 4hi.

On my 2015, if in auto 4wd, it's in 4hi at all times. Coasting, decelerating, driving 25mph on straight, flat road, it doesn't matter. You feel the extra strain on the motor and the higher gear wind, and lower mpgs. When I noticed that on normal roads in normal driving conditions, that's when I went to that screen and noticed front wheels engaged. Turned it to 2hi, and what do you know, no extra strain, no higher gear noise, regular mpgs, and only rear wd on the 4 wheel screen.

I'm sure it's part of the service recall on the trucks being stuck in 4wd when left in auto 4wd.

It's not how it's supposed to operate, but that is how it is operating right now. I do plan on bringing it up at my next service though

That's incorrect. If that is what is happening on your truck, (and you're not just feeling the resistance of the hubs locked) your truck is broken. This isn't what occurs in my truck (2015 LTZ Z71).

I drove my '05 for ten years like that. Never one problem with transfer case or 4wd. Drive on the beach every weekend in the summer and have snow/ ice during winter.

Plan on getting it looked at, but not a major concern since 2hi works fine, 4hi works fine, and 4low works fine. I just won't use the auto until it gets looked at. Not a big issue to me right now.

You should never drive if 4WD Auto all the time. It is only for "varying road surfaces" according to the manual. IE, some ice, some snow, etc.

MikeNH · March 17, 2015

Keep it nice guys.

fondupot · March 17, 2015

Funny, I just had a 2015 loaner and I noticed that screen. I think it's pretty neat. Wish I could get it on my 2014. I couldn't figure out the degree marking in the middle/top portion was supposed to show. the left one shows forward to back tilt, the right one shows side to side tilt. What is that middle one showing? Steering angle? I guess I never looked at it while I was turning.

Here is a short video I made of it.

irish4life8911 · March 17, 2015

Funny, I just had a 2015 loaner and I noticed that screen. I think it's pretty neat. Wish I could get it on my 2014. I couldn't figure out the degree marking in the middle/top portion was supposed to show. the left one shows forward to back tilt, the right one shows side to side tilt. What is that middle one showing? Steering angle? I guess I never looked at it while I was turning.

Here is a short video I made of it.

The middle shows the angle of your front wheels when turning and your front wheels will move in the dic in the direction you are turning as well. Full lock left or right is upper 30's or lower 40's. I forget

And when you put in 4wd, the front wheels will be green too

Bvonscott · March 17, 2015

All 2015 trucks with the color DIC have the offroad screen available, 2WD or 4WD. Obviously you have to go to settings and turn it on. What sucks is they cannot update a 2014 with it. Different BCM's apparently.