2019/2020 5.3 with 10 speed

wacko · January 17, 2020

Have a 2020 Sierra SLT 5.3 10-speed loaner and it is a very good combo. Haven’t had any shifting issues

redwngr · January 17, 2020

For 2020, the 10 speed is available on SLE. Elevation, SLT, AT4 and Denali. Not available on base Sierra.

MQB Transmission, 10-speed automatic, electronically controlled with overdrive and tow/haul mode. Includes Cruise Grade Braking and Powertrain Grade Braking
SLE and Elevation - Included and only available with (L84) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine on 4WD models or (LM2) Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I6 engine.
SLT and Denali - Included and only available with (L84) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine on 4WD models, (L87) 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine or (LM2) Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I6 engine.

On AT4 the 10 speed is standard.

Edited January 17, 2020 by redwngr

ILSilverado · January 18, 2020

On 1/14/2020 at 1:47 PM, MurphDDm4 said:

I know GM says the low gear transmission clunk is normal its just that when you pay what we pay for these trucks I plan on keeping it for a long time. The clunk in the transmission does not give me confidence in the longevity department. If the new 10 speed mated to the 5.3 does not have any of this then there is a good chance I pick up another GMC.

The 8 speed is a piece of shit no other way to put it. I have it in my Corvette and had it in my lemon law buyback 2019 Silverado no good in either vehicle worse in my Silverado. It works but it’s the crudest shifting mess I have ever owned. My replacement truck is the 3.0 diesel mated to the Ford/GM 10 speed and it is GOLDEN! It shifts like you would expect any well engineered automatic should. If you have the opportunity to order the 10 speed it’s worth every penny.

Edited January 18, 2020 by ILSilverado

RaisedByWolves · January 18, 2020

On 1/15/2020 at 10:56 AM, MurphDDm4 said:

Yeah this is the issue I have with these trucks. both my 14 and 16 started out smooth as butter but as miles were put on the hard shift from 1 to 2 showed up and progressively got worse. Sometimes to the point at low speeds in say a parking lot the shift was so hard it was as if someone rear ended the truck. Non of the GM truck/suv products I have driven in that are 2013 and earlier showed sings of this clunk. It just doesnt speak longevity to me but i am not a mechanical engineer so I cant say one way or the other on that.

What would speak longevity to you?

Soft shifts are not good at all for slushboxes.

Just drive your truck and enjoy it.

ShamrockShooter · January 19, 2020

Read the rear window leak thread before you buy a new Silverado. Can't say we didn't warn you.

I have driven probably 9 different loaner trucks with the 8 speed. Some were good some were not.

The 5.3 10 speed in my 2020 is a marked improvement over the 8 speed. 2400 miles on mine. As the other user mentioned I have the tiniest 1 to 2 hesitation shift if I am really light on the throttle going up hill. Other than that it has been quite remarkable so far. Considering how bad my 19 8 speed was I can't believe the 10 speed isn't in every truck Chevy sells.

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Philip Leonelli · September 18, 2022

I purchased a 2019 Silverado (new body) 5.3L 8-speed with 50k miles and noticed the problematic shifting patterns soon thereafter. I immediately brought it to the dealer's attention but they treated the complaint as if I was nuts. I purposely did not drive the truck that much in order to keep mileage under the 60k power train warranty threshold. During that time I stayed in contact with the service and sales departments and reminded them of the ongoing transmission issues. Now at 64k miles I feel I've been put out to pasture!

Update: No resolution from service department after several visits (they wont take the truck and drive it as their own for a few days) and after they performed "reprogramming".

So here's what I have @64k miles:

*Hard hitting shifting between 1-2-3 both warm and cold

*Delayed shifting especially noticeble when making turns from a stop

*Lurching and erratic downshifts

*Intermittant, very hard (banging) from FWD-REV-FWD (real teeth clanker!)

*Very noticelable and discomforting high frequency vibration from center tunnel area (like an out-of-balance driveshaft)

My concern over the long-term is drivetrain damage to other components and failure on the road.

If I was the original owner I'd "lemon law" this truck in a heartbeat!

I'd really like to know if the 10-speed can be retrofit into my truck since it's now offered on the 2022.

Thanks!

Offroad9730 · December 30, 2024

I can tell you from REAL experiences, that the 6.2L in the Chevy trucks are not all what they are cracked up to be. We test drove a 2020 Trail Boss with the 6.2 Liter and 8 speed in it and it went like a raped ape but we could see the gas gauge going down. We instead went with a 2020 High country with 5.3 liter and 10 speed auto. I feel it is the best possible 'combo'. I get a solid 20 mpg on the highway (70-85 MPH) and 15 in town (NO EXAGGERATION). The ride difference alone was worth the upgrade to the High Country. A very comfortable truck. I have tried the DFM disablers out there and was told by a GM mechanic they do not work on a 10 speed auto YET. But with 28,000 miles on the truck now, I have had zero lifter issues so far. I change my oil MORE frequently than required, only use full synthetic MOBIL 1 (0-20W) with a WIX XP filter and I think that is what's saving my cam and lifters. GM really messed up with cylinder deactivation. Didn't they learn anything from the early Cadillac's that had the 2-4-6-8 deal? I guess not. But DFM is better than AFM overall. AFM has a pattern. DFM does not (again from a gm mechanic) It changes the combination of cylinder deactivation every 17 seconds and it's a different pattern every time (Again from a GM mechanic) It's just way too much money to do a complete DFM delete. 355 horsepower is plenty. That's like old school big block power. Never lacking for power and passes pretty much everything on the highway if you put your foot into it. Apparently, there were not many 5.3's that came with the 10 speed auto. But that was a must have criteria in our buy. I hate the auto stop feature. You can disable that fortunately by touching one button. In my 65 years of owning Chevrolet trucks, this has to be the 'nicest' truck yet. I try not to think about the DFM. You really can't work on these trucks much (again from a gm mechanic - they want you to come back to the dealer for any service). Change the oil frequently. Use a WIX XP filter, check the oil regularly because they do consume oil but do not blow oil. I think it is because of the DFM. Oil is cheap. Engines are not. You CAN put it in L9 to avoid DFM but your mileage goes to hell. I've left this engine completely stock and hope it lasts. That's about all a guy can do.

Offroad9730 · December 30, 2024

When we test drove the 6.2..with the 8 speed....before getting the 5.3 with ten speed auto.........the tranny was doing the same as what you said. Erratic, HARD shifts. Something was wrong from the get go.

See if you can maybe find a totalled truck with a 10 speed in it with low miles. Service the tranny, front and rear seals, pan gasket, new fluid and do "whatever" reprogramming you need to do and that might be the cheapest BEST way to get away from the 8 speed POS and into a 10 speed. Just my 2 cents

Offroad9730 · December 30, 2024

I'm not sure though if the tranny tail shafts are the same or not. That 'could' be another issue too as well as drive shaft length , mounting bracket, and on and on. Nothin's easy on these trucks.

newdude · December 30, 2024

1 hour ago, Offroad9730 said:

I can tell you from REAL experiences, that the 6.2L in the Chevy trucks are not all what they are cracked up to be. We test drove a 2020 Trail Boss with the 6.2 Liter and 8 speed in it and it went like a raped ape but we could see the gas gauge going down.

All 6.2s for 2019-2025 are 10 speed.

redwngr · December 30, 2024

10 hours ago, Offroad9730 said:

It changes the combination of cylinder deactivation every 17 seconds and it's a different pattern every time (Again from a GM mechanic)

I think you mis-heard or the mechanic mis-spoke.

Active Fuel Management

AFM was designed to provide maximum fuel economy under light load driving conditions by deactivating the lifters on specific cylinders. On V8 engines, half of the cylinders are deactivated and on V6 engines, two of the cylinders are deactivated.

Under certain operating conditions, the Engine Control Module (ECM) commands the cylinder deactivation system to deactivate engine cylinders 1, 7, 6, and 4 on V8 engines or to deactivate engine cylinders 3 and 6 on a V6 engine. The engine will operate on all cylinders during engine starting, engine idling and medium-to-heavy throttle applications.

The Lifter Oil Manifold Assembly (LOMA) is only used on AFM applications.

Dynamic Fuel Management

DFM is the next generation in cylinder deactivation systems. It features AFM technology with the additional ability to deactivate any combination of cylinder valves to optimize fuel consumption. The control of every cylinder event allows peak efficiency to be obtained throughout the range of engine operation. (Fig. 15)

Fig. 15

By extending cylinder deactivation to all cylinders, DFM allows for a large variety of firing sequences. DFM can have rotating cylinder deactivation patterns, such as 1/5, 1/3, 2/5, or 2/3, as well as fixed patterns, such as 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4. For rotating patterns, which are only available on small block engine (L84,L87), the cylinders being deactivated can change with each subsequent engine cycle. Transitions between firing sequences is done in a continuous fashion, making the transitions seamless and transparent to the driver.

Oil Control Valves (OCV), only used on small block engines, replace the LOMA. OCVs provide faster response times than the LOMA and are required for DFM. OCVs also are used on L82 engines with AFM.

Offroad9730 · January 1, 2025

Thanks for clarifying all that !

Offroad9730 · January 1, 2025

On 12/30/2024 at 5:32 AM, newdude said:

All 6.2s for 2019-2025 are 10 speed.

I stand corrected. Salesman told me it was an 8 speed and I never really checked, because we just turned around and came back to the dealer. We weren't impressed. The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss has a 10-speed automatic transmission:

The LT Trail Boss comes with a 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Custom Trail Boss has a 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Some say the 10-speed transmission is reactive and always seems to be in the right gear.

Others say that while GM's 10-speed transmission has some challenges, they are manageable with proper maintenance. Thanks

Offroad9730 · January 1, 2025

Just now, Offroad9730 said:

I stand corrected. Salesman told me it was an 8 speed and I never really checked, because we just turned around and came back to the dealer. We weren't impressed. The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss has a 10-speed automatic transmission:

The LT Trail Boss comes with a 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Custom Trail Boss has a 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Some say the 10-speed transmission is reactive and always seems to be in the right gear.

Others say that while GM's 10-speed transmission has some challenges, they are manageable with proper maintenance. Thanks

Either way, I'm glad we have the 5.3 in the High Country with 10 speed auto. I was also told by salesman that only the 4x4's High Country were 10 speed autos. The 2WD were 8 speed. Is that correct?

Offroad9730 · January 1, 2025

On 12/30/2024 at 5:19 AM, Offroad9730 said:

When we test drove the 6.2..with the 8 speed....before getting the 5.3 with ten speed auto.........the tranny was doing the same as what you said. Erratic, HARD shifts. Something was wrong from the get go.

See if you can maybe find a totalled truck with a 10 speed in it with low miles. Service the tranny, front and rear seals, pan gasket, new fluid and do "whatever" reprogramming you need to do and that might be the cheapest BEST way to get away from the 8 speed POS and into a 10 speed. Just my 2 cents

Gee, I hope that my ten speed doesn't start that erratic hard shifting then ! So far so good. We have a 2500 mile trip coming up. Guess I'll be checking BOTH oils now. Tranny oil when warm after a days run, and engine oil level first thing in the morning. I always appreciate getting the CORRECT information. Thank you.