"AWD" on Silverados?

ken_01 · March 19, 2016

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 came back today to ask the question - "I see some pictures with a floor shifter, what's that?" Thank you for already providing the answer.

OK, no A4wd on the 1WT trim. I've seen pictures online of 2WT trim trucks that appear to have 4x4 but no floor shifter. Is it possible?

But at least the LT is not too high a trim - basically the lowest non-work-truck trim, which is a lot more affordable than the Lariat or the On-Demand option on a Ram (which you can only get on higher trims too boot).

twoheeldrive · March 19, 2016

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.

This is an interesting question. I think 4WD is the most mis-understood part of cars and trucks. To be a proper, full-time capable 4WD system, the transfer case must have an internal differential or a viscous coupling. I am not aware of any current production light duty truck that has either one of these. AFAIK, every light duty truck uses a part-time transfer case that cannot (should not) be used (engaged) on dry pavement because it locks the front and rear axles together causing them bind up. The front and rear axles do not turn at the exact same rate, especially in turns.

GM has a good work around to make a part-time system function like a full time system. It is called "Auto 4WD" and will engage and disengage the front axle when/ if the rear tires lose traction/ gain traction. It is a pretty good system and for 99% of the drivers out there who don't know when to use part-time 4WD, it is perfect. It shouldn't be left 'on' all the time though, because it causes extra wear on the transfer case and front axle and uses more fuel.

The only question you need to ask about 4WD is: "Is it a part time or full time system".

Don't ask the sales guys. I have yet to find one that knows how to properly use 4WD.

redwngr · March 19, 2016

I came back today to ask the question - "I see some pictures with a floor shifter, what's that?" Thank you for already providing the answer.

OK, no A4wd on the 1WT trim. I've seen pictures online of 2WT trim trucks that appear to have 4x4 but no floor shifter. Is it possible?

But at least the LT is not too high a trim - basically the lowest non-work-truck trim, which is a lot more affordable than the Lariat or the On-Demand option on a Ram (which you can only get on higher trims too boot).

2016 order guide shows the 1WT, 1LS, and 1CX as only having floor shifter available. (Work, LS and Custom)

It shows 1LT, 2LT, 1LZ ,2LZ and 3LZ as only having the dial shift available.

1CX (custom) is a 'new' trim listing for 2016, but not used on 15 or 14

2WT doesn't appear to have been a trim level after 2014 model

1LS was introduced in 2015 (replacement for 2WT?)

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · March 19, 2016

2016 order guide shows the 1WT, 1LS, and 1CX as only having floor shifter available. (Work, LS and Custom)

It shows 1LT, 2LT, 1LZ ,2LZ and 3LZ as only having the dial shift available.

1CX (custom) is a 'new' trim listing for 2016, but not used on 15 or 14

2WT doesn't appear to have been a trim level after 2014 model

1LS was introduced in 2015 (replacement for 2WT?)

Ya I would think the LS trim replaced the 2WT because LS seems very similar to the WT and just being barely above the base WT. Also from what I've seen LS is also the lowest trim for a Chevy car if LS is a trim for the car and year.

RhinoGuy · March 19, 2016

I may be wrong, but "auto" is not the same as all all wheel drive like you will find in nicer cars.

redwngr · March 19, 2016

I may be wrong, but "auto" is not the same as all all wheel drive like you will find in nicer cars.

You are correct.

They do not currently offer an AWD like the one that used to be available on the 1500 Denali.

Auto 4wd isn't the same as All Wheel Drive.

sk · March 21, 2016

You wouldn't want to just set it in auto 4x4 and leave it.

Not true. According to GM you can leave it in Auto and it won't hurt the transmission (but your fuel mileage will suffer). On dry days I use 2 High but on snowy or rainy days I put it in Auto and leave it there. Even the locking rear spins a little in the rain but no problems once Auto is engaged.

And as others have said as long as you get an LT, LTZ, or High Country they come with Auto 4WD.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · March 21, 2016

I still can't wrap my head around why some people think it's necessary to put it in auto 4 just in the rain. I've never had a problem even in heavy rain (and I'm talking about a down pour where some roads might be flooding). These trucks have traction control and stabilitrak. If you're having trouble driving in the rain then you're not adjusting your driving to the conditions. My 98 Z71 without TC, stabilitrak and the auto 4 feature did fine in the rain. So did my 86 Chevy C10 2wd. If 2wd trucks and SUVs and RWD sports cars can handle the rain I think a truck can do fine in the rain without having it in auto 4. The auto feature isn't made for the rain. It may help in rain but it's certainly not needed.

martyw1977 · March 21, 2016

Another option for an AWD Silverado are the 2003-2007 Silverado SS or Intimidator SS trucks. My 03 was AWD, but i know for a fact the transfer case was different from a normal 4wd transfer case.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

newdude · March 21, 2016

This is an interesting question. I think 4WD is the most mis-understood part of cars and trucks. To be a proper, full-time capable 4WD system, the transfer case must have an internal differential or a viscous coupling. I am not aware of any current production light duty truck that has either one of these. AFAIK, every light duty truck uses a part-time transfer case that cannot (should not) be used (engaged) on dry pavement because it locks the front and rear axles together causing them bind up. The front and rear axles do not turn at the exact same rate, especially in turns.

GM has a good work around to make a part-time system function like a full time system. It is called "Auto 4WD" and will engage and disengage the front axle when/ if the rear tires lose traction/ gain traction. It is a pretty good system and for 99% of the drivers out there who don't know when to use part-time 4WD, it is perfect. It shouldn't be left 'on' all the time though, because it causes extra wear on the transfer case and front axle and uses more fuel.

The only question you need to ask about 4WD is: "Is it a part time or full time system".

Don't ask the sales guys. I have yet to find one that knows how to properly use 4WD.

In AUTO 4x4 the front axle in engaged or locked if you will. Its the transfer case that does the power split. With no slip detected it is 5% front/95% rear. When slip is detected, the clutch pack set in the transfer case engages to transmit up to 50% to the front axle.

15 Z71 · March 21, 2016

I still can't wrap my head around why some people think it's necessary to put it in auto 4 just in the rain. I've never had a problem even in heavy rain (and I'm talking about a down pour where some roads might be flooding). These trucks have traction control and stabilitrak. If you're having trouble driving in the rain then you're not adjusting your driving to the conditions. My 98 Z71 without TC, stabilitrak and the auto 4 feature did fine in the rain. So did my 86 Chevy C10 2wd. If 2wd trucks and SUVs and RWD sports cars can handle the rain I think a truck can do fine in the rain without having it in auto 4. The auto feature isn't made for the rain. It may help in rain but it's certainly not needed.

well put. I 100% agree with you.

Bvonscott · March 21, 2016

I think some of you are confused on how the Magna transfer case works. When in AUTO the voltage set to the control module allows it to switch the transfer case from 2HI to 4HI depending on computer controlled conditions. It is not running a torque split like an AWD open differential transfer case.

TJay74 · March 21, 2016

Correct, when in auto the system engages the transfer case clutches at 10% load, the moment the system senses any wheel slippage it engages the transfer case fully and goes into 4HI mode.

Jon A · March 21, 2016

I still can't wrap my head around why some people think it's necessary to put it in auto 4 just in the rain. I've never had a problem even in heavy rain (and I'm talking about a down pour where some roads might be flooding). These trucks have traction control and stabilitrak.

Nobody says it's "needed." No more than about 100 HP is "needed" to drive down the road either. I think we should buy restrictor plates.....

Sometimes you feel like accelerating faster than a grandma in a wheelchair. Traction control doesn't add traction. The front tires do.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · March 21, 2016

Nobody says it's "needed." No more than about 100 HP is "needed" to drive down the road either. I think we should buy restrictor plates.....

Sometimes you feel like accelerating faster than a grandma in a wheelchair. Traction control doesn't add traction. The front tires do.

Again the auto 4x4 feature isn't made to use in just rain. I don't drive like grandpa at all and I've never had trouble with the '14 in the rain. Actually my 98 had more trouble with the rear scratching off or the G80 locking in the rain. When it's raining, especially enough to lose traction then you need to drive different according to the conditions. I don't take off like grandpa, but I also don't drive like it's a race everywhere like I used to. Never had a problem in the rain even with my driving style. I normally take off a little faster than a normal person but I don't WOT it or anything. So if someone is having problems in the rain then it's their driving. You're actually supposed to go 5 miles under the speed limit when it's raining and common sense tells you that you have to start slowing down a little sooner than normal and give more braking distance between you and any vehicle in front of you. Again, auto 4x4 isn't made for rain, it's made for conditions where it's patches of snow or ice and dry or wet road where it's not consistent. Maybe I need to be a smartass to get my point across. If you think you need auto 4x4 in the rain to feel safer then you can't drive and don't know the simple rules of driving so you need to take driver's ed again. It wasn't until I got my class A CDL that I learned to respect driving and to drive like you have some sense. I think of my POS 86 Chevy C10, 98 Z71, RWD sports cars and so on can drive in the rain without feeling the need to have AWD or 4x4 then I think a '14+ Silverado or Sierra has the ability to drive in the rain without having to put it in auto 4x4. It's common sense that when it's raining hard enough where it changes traction then you need to change how your driving. Maybe I'm just making stuff up...... I've driven both this truck in regular 2hi and my 98 on roads that are flooding and still pouring down rain with no problem

Traction control as far as I know limits the power so the tire can regain traction. If I can drive an 86 C10 and a 98 Z71 neither with any kind of traciton control or stabilitrak and the 98 didn't have the auto feature then I think a '14+ with those systems can handle rain without having it in auto 4x4.

Insurance is for peace of mind, auto 4x4 in the rain is fake peace of mind that's not needed at all.

If you look at your manual on page 9-45 (at least on mine) it tells you the surfaces that 4hi is made for. Auto 4x4 only goes between 2 hi and 4 hi. So common sense tells you whatever 4hi is made for is what auto is made for and the only difference is that auto 4x4 is when the road surface is inconsistent. The manual where it talks about 4hi doesn't say it's made for rain, but is made for snowy, ice and loose surfaces like off-roading.