Fixes and tricks to deal with those annoyances

[Donstar]

I spent months looking for my "ideal" truck armed with expectations from many years of owning a pickup truck. A balance between what I could afford and what the manufacturers produce played a major role in my decision. I look forward to reading this forum to find remedies and ideas to improve my truck and for me to offer suggestions where I am able. I most recently read a thread asking to submit annoyances with respect to your truck. There is nothing wrong with venting but we all had our reasons for buying our trucks. Let's continue to work together to reduce any annoyances. I welcome anyone to offer a quick fix or trick to deal with an annoyance. Here are a few that were identified recently: 1) "No rear vents"- There are floor ducts under the front seats directed to the back. Directing your controls to floor will feed air to the back. Separate rear controls with individual fan speeds would be a bonus but the stock system I find to be quite adequate.

2) "Door chimes too loud" - There is a previous thread on this topic. There is a fix for this from your dealer. In the meantime, buckling up before turning the ignition will eliminate that annoyance.

3) "Need a ladder to check oil level" - It is best to check you oil after your engine is warmed up. What I do is check my oil when I am at an uncrowded store parking lot. I park just shy of the curb stop and stand on the curb to reach the dip stick.

 

We all have tricks or fixes that we have discovered that others may or may not know. Let's hear yours!

 

 

[bigsby]

The door chime does not sound if the wiring harness is unplugged at the seat belt.

[14GMCZ71]

I like the tip about parking next to a curb then standing on the curb to provide additional elevation for reaching the oil dipstick!

 

I check my truck's engine oil in my garage using a two step white plastic "ladder". I think these were designed to be used in the kitchen but heck it works.

[Zachlovesfood]

The door chime does not sound if the wiring harness is unplugged at the seat belt.

True statement? My dog rides shotgun every day and she won't put on her seatbelt no matter how many times I ask her to. So I'm stuck with the seat belt chime often. Do you have more info on this harness trick?

[bigsby]

True statement? My dog rides shotgun every day and she won't put on her seatbelt no matter how many times I ask her to. So I'm stuck with the seat belt chime often. Do you have more info on this harness trick?

 

I'm not sure about the passenger side, I only did the driver side. I always wear my seat belt but have been forever in the habit of not clicking it until after I start my truck and that chime is insanely loud. As to why these trucks aren't like previous generations and do not chime until you are out of Park is beyond me.

 

It's kinda hard to get to, you have to reach your hand between the seat and feel for the harness. It's a small wire coming out of the seat belt receiver, but it unplugs.

 

Here is another thread detailing: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/161422-seat-belt-dinger/

[Debra in Cali]

True statement? My dog rides shotgun every day and she won't put on her seatbelt no matter how many times I ask her to. So I'm stuck with the seat belt chime often. Do you have more info on this harness trick?

My dog also trigger the seat belt sensor in my husbands Camry. It is real simple fix. Fasten the seat belt and then let the dog jump into the seat.

[Thomcat]

Really annoyed that there was no driver's assist handle on the "A" pillar like there is for the passenger side......then found that GM offers one for the driver's side.....replaces the existing molding with a handle that matches the passenger side and the "A" pillar already has the threaded inserts behind the stock molding to accept the new handle .....no more grabbing the steering wheel to get in..........gray color

 

Genuine GM Molding Pkg Part# - 23285090

[Rkaroll953]

Shove a paint stick behind the gas pedal bracket on the right to keep it from flexing it makes a difference trust me.

 

i cut an old seat belt latch out of a junk car and put it in the passenger plug. it will barely ding now only when the key is in the ignition off with the door open. passenger gets in they just put the clip in the cup holder and fasten seat belt.

 

Also hit the voice button on the steering wheel then turn the radio volume knob down it will lower the ding volume some but not much.

 

Lets see i clamped the exaust valve open sounds better idling.

[Donstar]

I really like the old seatbelt latch idea!

[Retired Bob]

Or, ask your dealer to give you a 'seat belt extender' (may need to order it) - most dealers will get you one for no charge (some will try to make you pay for one).

[tootall87]

The door chime does not sound if the wiring harness is unplugged at the seat belt.

I almost thought someone had come up with a solution for the door chime with the door open and key in the ignition. Bummer.

[MMC]

I almost thought someone had come up with a solution for the door chime with the door open and key in the ignition. Bummer.

Just pull the key part way out and reinsert and my chime stops.

[tootall87]

Just pull the key part way out and reinsert and my chime stops.

Doesn't work if the key is in the acc position for the radio. Can't just hit the radio button every 10 minutes either cause the sub is turned on by remote power with the key.

[ewbldavis]

Seatbelt Solution:

 

We have a "seatbelt" for our beagle. One end buckles in, the other has a hook that clips to her collar. Keeps her secure and contained. On Amazon it was like $12.

 

Any tricks for the dog hair?

[Donstar]

We had a Papillion and cloth seats in our 2009 Sierra. We kept lint rollers in the door pockets to minimize the hair in the seats. They were a cheap and easy fix found in bulk at the dollar store!. Now we have a Chihuahua and leather seats - not a cheap fix!