Do you guys go fast on the highway?

[fonzy]

Hi Everyone;

 

I have an 04 silverado and I am taking the time to break it in but I was wondering if the trannsmission can handle constant 80mph without it burning up after it is broken in? I don't know the exact model but it is the 4sp auto with a tranny cooler.

 

Also I hear that some of the new transmissions are having problems. Anyone heard of this?

 

 

Thankyou

[seadoons]

Hello and welcome to the board...I have honestly never heard of the transmission buring up by going too fast...I travel long distances a lot and usually set it on cruise between 75-80 MPH and it purrs right aloing. Something to take note about breaking it in...

 

If you read in your owners manual it does not say to not go over a certain speed, it says you shouldn't maintain one speed over a certain time. So if you are traveling a long distance, run it at 60 for a while, then 70, then 55, etc.

[Black02Silverado]

I can say this much for my 02 with the 4L60E tranny. I have made several trips to Florida totaling 9 hours of driving one way with a loaded truck cruising between 70 and 80 the entire trip down stopping once for gas and so far no problems. I have 43k on the truck so far. Every now and then I make an hour cruise up the interstate to the closest city from my small one light town and I generally run 80 the whole trip just keeping up with traffic. I even did some towing with my boat in the mountains of Va. This past summer and the temp of my tranny never got above 180. I don't see a problem at all.

 

Now some of these other guys might see something different with the tonage they tow, but not my tiny 4k boat.

[elboberino]

I do a 12 hour drive ever now and then from Denver to Phoenix and back and I constantly go over 80 mph for as long as my gas tank will let me. There should be nothing wrong with it, especially with the tranny cooler. I don't have one of those and I have no problems yet.

[JayMan]

Welcome aboard!

 

Not too sure if you really have to worry about break-in, as by 1,000 miles it should be good to go. If you intend to keep it a long time, then you can change all the fluids.

 

If something DOES overheat, you should get plenty of warning from the Driver Information Center. Scary things like "TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE."

 

Looks like GM has copied something from Long Haul rental truck fleets, where you can realistically expect a driver to keep going with the temp needle buried or the oil pressure on zero.

[Bish]

I have a tranny temp guage via the Escalade cluster. I routinely drive 80-90 for long distances. Got 110K on it now and the tranny temp never gets high as long as the torque converter is locked. If you have cruise on, nothing to worry about. I even tow around 5,000lbs a few times a year for long haul. Now then I can heat up the tranny if I don't watch it

[fonzy]

Hi everyone;

 

Thankyou for your replies. I have a base work truck with the snow plow prep package. Will the driver information center still tell me that the transmission is hot or is that an option. Sorry for the stupid questions.

Also does the tow button disable overdrive? I used tow mode when i drove my plow home because i was worried about all that weight on the new engine and tranny.

 

You guys are great!!!

[JayMan]

The DIC should still warn you. I think it's in the manual in the section that explains the instrument cluster.

 

The Tow/Haul modifies the following on LD trucks: shift points are much higher, shifts are much firmer, and torque converter locks earlier. This helps keep the trans and motor cooler, as there is less slippage. The HD trucks with Allision 1000 trans get the added benefit of Grade Braking.

 

Overdrive is NOT disabled but it shifts into OD at a MUCH higher speed / RPM. Depending on your highway speed, you might not see OD. With Tow/Haul on, mine won't shif into OD until I hit 65 MPH.

 

The Tow/Haul is good to use even if you're empty and driving in city traffic in summer with the A/C on: the shift points are a lot higher so the cooling and A/C operation is a lot more efficient. When in doubt, use Tow/Haul.

 

I've found in very cold winter temps with my towing package, even with a winter front if you have the heat or defrost at full blast, the truck will NOT maintain temp. The thermostat is fine and has been replaced under warranty. If I drive in winter city traffic with Tow/Haul on, the motor can keep temp better.

 

Bish brings up a very good point and a real pet peeve of mine: the LD trucks have the same instrument cluster as the HD trucks. So why doesn't GM put a trans temp gage on ALL trucks with factory Trailer Towing? I don't see why the LD 2500, HD 2500, and 3500 get the trans temp gage but we're stuck without one.

 

Though I've never had the scary "TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE" even towing a 7,200 lb trailer. There were a few flakes in the trans pan when I changed the oil / filter at 1,000 miles. When I changed it again at 15,000 miles, the trans pan and filter were spotless.

[tmoreau]

...you should get plenty of warning from the Driver Information Center. Scary things...

LMAO!

[BlackSilver]

Your tranny won't be bothered, but your rear-end gears ain't gonna like you.

[TedHam]

My Trans sees 70-75mph steadily when driving on long trips up and down I-75 and I-95. So, 80mph wouldn't seem to be an incredible stretch.

[JayMan]

...you should get plenty of warning from the Driver Information Center. Scary things...

LMAO!

 

Hey, I didn't say it works ALL THE TIME!?!

 

[JayMan]

Your tranny won't be bothered, but your rear-end gears ain't gonna like you.

For the first 600 miles of use, moderate speeds and NO towing. Change the gear oil.

 

Drive normally. When you tow heavy for the first time, after another 600 miles, change the gear oil again. That will get all the wear particles out.

 

FWIW with this regime and towing the occasional 7,200 lb trailer, my yearly ring gear inspection looks good. Just a light fuzz on the magnets, no scoring or checking or galling at all.

[titanium10k]

black 02 silverado...you said that your tranny temp never got above 180 do you have the escalade gauges with the tranny temp???? I was looking at adding a temp for my truck but I dont like the idea of pulling the instrument cluster..I though about a pod mounted gauge but am not sure how easy the install is....

[fonzy]

Your tranny won't be bothered, but your rear-end gears ain't gonna like you.

Hi I was wondering why you said this? Just curious.

Thanks alot