"AWD" on Silverados?

[ken_01]

Hello - first post from a new member.

 

Looking at buying my first GM truck - I like the reviews of the Silverado that say these trucks emphasize solid design and build rather than fancy doodads.

 

But one doodad I really like and want is all wheel drive. By that I mean, full-time 4x4 that you can drive on the road, not fully locked 4wd. I've read references to this on the Silverado, but wanted to check with the enthusiasts - do 4x4 Silverados have this?

 

Thanks.

[gmckenzie]

Yes. You have 2wd, Auto, 4Hi and 4Lo. Auto is doing what you are asking for.

 

Mind you, these things do have a lot of fancy doo-dads.

[jamesonjc]

Auto is essentially AWD where 10% of the power goes to the front wheels all the time (90 to the rear) and when the rear slips a little the front gets more - in AWD.

 

4wd splits it 50/50 100% of the time its in 4wd (hi or lo)

[ken_01]

Hey, thank you for the quick replies.

 

That's very encouraging. So, I don't know if Silverado's have various types of 4wd drives. For example, the Ram 1500's have two diferent 4wd drives - what they call "part time 4wd" and "On demand 4wd". Only the On-Demand has the kind of AWD we're talking about, and it's an expensive option, and it's only available on higher trims.

 

Is the AWD standard on all Silverado 4x4 drives? When I build a Silverado on the GM website, I find a 2wd/4wd option, but no sub-options within 4wd.

[scott19677]

Hey, thank you for the quick replies.

 

That's very encouraging. So, I don't know if Silverado's have various types of 4wd drives. For example, the Ram 1500's have two diferent 4wd drives - what they call "part time 4wd" and "On demand 4wd". Only the On-Demand has the kind of AWD we're talking about, and it's an expensive option, and it's only available on higher trims.

 

Is the AWD standard on all Silverado 4x4 drives? When I build a Silverado on the GM website, I find a 2wd/4wd option, but no sub-options within 4wd.

 

 

I think there is a little confusion with "AWD". Silverado 4X4s have "AUTO" four wheel drive not really the "ALL WHEEL DRIVE" that I suspect you are looking for. You wouldn't want to just set it in auto 4x4 and leave it. It is only meant to be used when conditions permit. But I have to say that the auto function works extremely good in the GM twins, especially in slick rainy roads or snow. It is seamless and smooth with the ability to shift on the fly. Also it is VERY strong. Just look on youtube at some of the twin turbo trucks performing a four wheel drive launch. Like a rocket ship. Hope this helps. Happy truck shopping and welcome to the site.

[ken_01]

 

 

I think there is a little confusion with "AWD". Silverado 4X4s have "AUTO" four wheel drive not really the "ALL WHEEL DRIVE" that I suspect you are looking for. You wouldn't want to just set it in auto 4x4 and leave it. It is only meant to be used when conditions permit.....

 

Yes, that's exactly what I have in mind - Auto 4wd - that you use in rain and snow on the road. Just not fully locked 4x4 that you can only use off-road.

 

So my only remaining question is if the Auto4WD is standard on all 4x4 Silverados, or if it's an expensive option available only on higher trims like some other makers.

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

You don't need to have it in even auto 4x4 just in rain. It's not designed for rain. These trucks already have traction control and stabilitrak so I think they can do fine in rain. Also think about 2wd trucks, wouldn't they be unsafe if you needed auto 4x4 to drive in the rain? My 86 C10 and 98 Z71 both did fine in the rain and they didn't have TC or stabilitrak. Auto 4x4 is for instances where you would need 4x4 but not the whole time, like if it's patches of ice and snow but the road isn't fully covered in it. Just leave it in 2wd on dry and wet roads and use 4x4 for loose surfaces, snow and ice.

[scott19677]

 

Yes, that's exactly what I have in mind - Auto 4wd - that you use in rain and snow on the road. Just not fully locked 4x4 that you can only use off-road.

 

So my only remaining question is if the Auto4WD is standard on all 4x4 Silverados, or if it's an expensive option available only on higher trims like some other makers.

 

 

I think the auto feature is on all 4X4's. Like SSG85 said you won't normally need it in the rain but like for me I have a few roads I drive on daily that are old smooth asphalt that are up hill on a busy road and damn near impossible to pull out on. It is just muscle memory now for me to reach over and switch it in auto for a minute and it is like velcro tires. Works perfect along with the TC and stabilitrak.

 

.

[ken_01]

 

 

I think the auto feature is on all 4X4's.

.

 

This is really the important bit of information. I've been looking online - looks like all Silverado 4x4's have the Auto setting on the 4wd dial. This is a deciding factor versu other brands that only offer it on higher trims. Loks like there really is a Silverado in my future....

[scottie350]

 

 

I think there is a little confusion with "AWD". Silverado 4X4s have "AUTO" four wheel drive not really the "ALL WHEEL DRIVE" that I suspect you are looking for. You wouldn't want to just set it in auto 4x4 and leave it. It is only meant to be used when conditions permit. But I have to say that the auto function works extremely good in the GM twins, especially in slick rainy roads or snow. It is seamless and smooth with the ability to shift on the fly. Also it is VERY strong. Just look on youtube at some of the twin turbo trucks performing a four wheel drive launch. Like a rocket ship. Hope this helps. Happy truck shopping and welcome to the site.

I watch armageddons videos atleast once a week haha

 

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

[Imcrazy]

The auto feature is great, it's not really needed for the rain though.

[redwngr]

 

 

I think the auto feature is on all 4X4's.

.

 

 

 

This is really the important bit of information. I've been looking online - looks like all Silverado 4x4's have the Auto setting on the 4wd dial. This is a deciding factor versu other brands that only offer it on higher trims. Loks like there really is a Silverado in my future....

 

They don't all have auto 4wd.

There are 2 transfer cases available, and the lower trims have a floor shift truck that does not have auto mode.

 

If you're only looking at higher trims, then you will only see the 'electronic with auto' version.

 

 

And for the curious, none of the 2500/3500's have an 'auto' mode. (They do have a dial shift and a floor shift, but no 'auto')

[15 Z71]

 

 

 

They don't all have auto 4wd.

There are 2 transfer cases available, and the lower trims have a floor shift truck that does not have auto mode.

 

If you're only looking at higher trims, then you will only see the 'electronic with auto' version.

 

 

And for the curious, none of the 2500/3500's have an 'auto' mode. (They do have a dial shift and a floor shift, but no 'auto')

. I had no idea that the 2500/3500's did not have 'auto'4wd. Thanks for the info!

[smrr1]

There are a couple new versions of the gmc and chevy that do have awd i think. They are expensive and i forgot the name. Like some special version of the all terrain.

[Georgia1911]

 

 

 

They don't all have auto 4wd.

There are 2 transfer cases available, and the lower trims have a floor shift truck that does not have auto mode.

 

If you're only looking at higher trims, then you will only see the 'electronic with auto' version.

 

 

And for the curious, none of the 2500/3500's have an 'auto' mode. (They do have a dial shift and a floor shift, but no 'auto')

 

The mid-range LT and higher trim 4x4s have the NQH electronic transfer case. WT, LS and the Custom have the NQG floor mounted version.