2015 GMC Denali - Two Things I Hate...Grade Braking Assist and Auto Co

luckydog125 · July 31, 2015

Hello All and thanks for taking a look. LOVING my new (3 months) 2015 GMC Denali 1500. There are however two things that are driving me crazy and I wondered if these features can be turned off. The first is the automatic Grade Breaking Assist. Driving down hills, the truck downshifts and literally revs to over 4000 RPM. Seriously rather stupid and annoying............I am just putting it in neutral and coasting to avoid this, but tell me there is a way to turn off this feature.

The 2nd thing is the auto collision avoidance system. I get it, but it isnt very accurate and even trips when there is nothing in front of me. Maybe I need to have it adjusted by the dealer, but I much rather be able to shut it off if possible.

Thanks!

sahls01gmc · July 31, 2015

I imagine there is a learning curve with your transmission. Is it in tow/haul mode when it does that?

I agree with your 2nd one, I wish they would have this as an option on the vehicle. What ever happened to the days where you had to PAY ATTENTION WHILE DRIVING?!? These new "safety features" just allow everyone to be lazy behind the wheel so the can be distracted by something else.

newdude · July 31, 2015

Grade brake assist in Drive without Tow/Haul on, you have to hold the Tow/Haul button in for a few seconds and it turns grade brake off.

Normal Mode Grade Braking
If equipped with a gasoline engine and an automatic transmission, Normal Mode Grade Braking is enabled when the vehicle is started, but is not enabled in Range Selection Mode. It assists in maintaining desired vehicle speeds when driving on downhill grades by using the engine and transmission to slow the vehicle. The first time the system engages for each ignition key cycle, a DIC message will be displayed. See Transmission Messages.

To disable or enable Normal Mode Grade Braking within the current ignition key cycle, press and hold the Tow/Haul button for five seconds. When the button is released, the requested mode change is made. A DIC message displays. See Transmission Messages.

For other forms of grade braking, see Tow/Haul Mode and Cruise Control.

As for the safety features, under the Collision/Detection Systems section under Settings via the radio screen, you should be able to change and possibly turn them off, or via the button on the steering wheel.

Golfnem · July 31, 2015

Hello All and thanks for taking a look. LOVING my new (3 months) 2015 GMC Denali 1500. There are however two things that are driving me crazy and I wondered if these features can be turned off. The first is the automatic Grade Breaking Assist. Driving down hills, the truck downshifts and literally revs to over 4000 RPM. Seriously rather stupid and annoying............I am just putting it in neutral and coasting to avoid this, but tell me there is a way to turn off this feature.

The 2nd thing is the auto collision avoidance system. I get it, but it isnt very accurate and even trips when there is nothing in front of me. Maybe I need to have it adjusted by the dealer, but I much rather be able to shut it off if possible.

Thanks!

You should be able to turn off the auto collision avoidance. I am pretty sure you can

luckydog125 · July 31, 2015

Thanks for the suggestions......................I have not seen anywhere that indicates being able to turn off the auto collision avoidance - if someone knows how to do it, that would be great.

LSXTC · July 31, 2015

Why would you not like engine braking VS wearing down your brake pads? Grade braking assist is one of my favorite features of the truck while towing or even while not towing. How it activates and stuff might depend on how you've driven the truck during the "learn mode".

kevin_nj · July 31, 2015

Owners Manual says it can be turned off.

RhinoGuy · July 31, 2015

Mine is not a Denali but it has a button on the steering wheel that adjust the collision alert.

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j-ten-ner · July 31, 2015

...These new "safety features" just allow everyone to be lazy behind the wheel so the can be distracted by something else...

They can't even read their owners manual anymore.

so long

j-ten-ner

miles5241 · July 31, 2015

Thanks for the suggestions......................I have not seen anywhere that indicates being able to turn off the auto collision avoidance - if someone knows how to do it, that would be great.

There should be a button on the left side of the steering wheel next to the heated steering wheel button. Don't recall if this turns it off or just adjusts it though.

ghgmi · July 31, 2015

I agree with your 2nd one, I wish they would have this as an option on the vehicle. What ever happened to the days where you had to PAY ATTENTION WHILE DRIVING?!? These new "safety features" just allow everyone to be lazy behind the wheel so the can be distracted by something else.

I'm all for safety, but I don't like this stuff. The car hitting its brakes or turning its wheels when I don't ask for it may as well cause an accident as prevent one.

Just the other day, in heavy but still fast rush-hour traffic, the guy a couple cars ahead of me took a piece of retread right in the nose. Would collision avoidance have slammed on the brakes in that case? If so, it would have caused an accident.

Or worse, if I swerve out to pass a jogger or something, would one of those active lane minders swerve me right back into him?

But as for the OP's first point, count me among those who don't get the complaint. I hate ATs that just freewheel downhill.

bass mechanic · July 31, 2015

to turn off AGB all you need to do is press and hold the tow haul mode switch at the end of the shifter for about 3 seconds and release. I don't recall if it gives a message that is deactivated or not but I think it will say it is active.

also it only comes into play when in tow mode anyway.

it's all in your owners manual, while I do not generally read everything like how to start it and how to adjust the seats and seat belts I read a lot of the manual youll find a lot of neat features you did not know you had.

Robert.jean1 · July 31, 2015

The first time the red LED lights flashed on my windshield and the seat vibrated like crazy I almost wrecked. Scared the ? out of me! Maybe it's my fault for not letting the dealership guide me through all the functions of the truck.

beetle · July 31, 2015

My owners manual indicates that mine has Hill Descent Control, and there is no switch on my dash. The first time I noticed it was during a long ride down a hill, I looked at the tach and it was over 3 grand. Pressing and holding the tow/haul button deactivated this stupid ass feature. Whoever dreamed this up I'd like put his head in a vise and tighten it up.

Lawnmower2020 · July 31, 2015

I read a lot of the manual youll find a lot of neat features you did not know you had.

The problem comes in when you read about a lot of neat features you DON'T have. It's really irritating to read through the OM and have every other paragraph set off with the "If equipped" disclaimer. Fact is, you sometimes can't tell whether it's "equipped" or not. And then there are features that no longer work like the manual says or features that exist (e.g. software updates) that the manual doesn't mention. All in all, it can amount to a frustrating experience for someone looking for specific information.

I think it's a cheap shot to say "Read your manual" or "Take the plastic off your manual", when in fact, the manual may have been read or de-plastic-ed and no answer was forthcoming. Been there, done that.

What makes it most irritating is that technology readily exists that could create a customized manual for your EXACT vehicle at virtually no cost. Not printed, maybe, but certainly a PDF that could come on a $2 UFD in the glove box.