New 2008 Sierra Denali - Some Observations...

Raymond Lowe · October 29, 2007

My truck came 5 1/2 weeks after I ordered it. That's pretty quick. Only 4.5 miles on the clock after the PDI run. No salesmen/customers had access to my ride as per my agreement.

The power this thing has is quite a rush. I've been playing with the rpm under light load to break it in so I haven't really wailed on it yet. My first impression is like - wow! The exhaust system on the Denali is large. Maybe 3 1/2 to 4" at the tailpipe and it has a serious growl anytime you put your foot into it. I wouldn't even consider an aftermarket exhaust which would just likely move the powerband way up. It's just right the way it is and would be the equivalent of a Corsa touring for sound.

The window sticker required by Transport Canada to show the mileage says 26 Hwy (approx 20.8 U.S.) and it is specific to the Denali 6.2. They are supposed to be proven attainable numbers so I was surprised to see it that high. My old Vortec was rated 24 hwy and it would do that if you did 55 and babied it. (but who drives like that... except maybe the wife)

On my full-load 96, I had all the button/knobs figured out in 20 minutes. This thing's gonna take days with the menu's and sub-menu's and a shipload of buttons everywhere. Eg; you can set up the On-star phone to dial pre-programmed numbers and initiate the call with your thumb on the steering wheel. I'm still looking at button symbols I have no idea what they do. You can program stuff like departure lighting. Holy crap!

Dealer only earns a B- for the PDI. Tires were 3-4 lbs over-inflated. The gas tank was filled with regular gas. The wheel nuts broke loose around 80 ft-lbs. The oil was overfilled by almost a quart.

Accessories. The front molded flaps went on easy. Rear's required removal of the wheels and drilling. GM molded flaps are so-so on size and quality. I guess I'll live with them. The chrome fuel door requires drilling out a couple of steel rivets but no big deal. Hoping the weather gets dry and warm enough for the window and hood deflectors.

One thing that really looks neat on these GM's is the dash profile. It's the same height roughly as the hood so it just flows right through the windshield. It's very pleasing on the eyes.

dietz4ibanez · October 29, 2007

Congratulations on new truck cant wait to see some photos

redvett · October 29, 2007

My truck came 5 1/2 weeks after I ordered it. That's pretty quick. Only 4.5 miles on the clock after the PDI run. No salesmen/customers had access to my ride as per my agreement.

The power this thing has is quite a rush. I've been playing with the rpm under light load to break it in so I haven't really wailed on it yet. My first impression is like - wow! The exhaust system on the Denali is large. Maybe 3 1/2 to 4" at the tailpipe and it has a serious growl anytime you put your foot into it. I wouldn't even consider an aftermarket exhaust which would just likely move the powerband way up. It's just right the way it is and would be the equivalent of a Corsa touring for sound.

The window sticker required by Transport Canada to show the mileage says 26 Hwy (approx 20.8 U.S.) and it is specific to the Denali 6.2. They are supposed to be proven attainable numbers so I was surprised to see it that high. My old Vortec was rated 24 hwy and it would do that if you did 55 and babied it. (but who drives like that... except maybe the wife)

On my full-load 96, I had all the button/knobs figured out in 20 minutes. This thing's gonna take days with the menu's and sub-menu's and a shipload of buttons everywhere. Eg; you can set up the On-star phone to dial pre-programmed numbers and initiate the call with your thumb on the steering wheel. I'm still looking at button symbols I have no idea what they do. You can program stuff like departure lighting. Holy crap!

Dealer only earns a B- for the PDI. Tires were 3-4 lbs over-inflated. The gas tank was filled with regular gas. The wheel nuts broke loose around 80 ft-lbs. The oil was overfilled by almost a quart.

Accessories. The front molded flaps went on easy. Rear's required removal of the wheels and drilling. GM molded flaps are so-so on size and quality. I guess I'll live with them. The chrome fuel door requires drilling out a couple of steel rivets but no big deal. Hoping the weather gets dry and warm enough for the window and hood deflectors.

One thing that really looks neat on these GM's is the dash profile. It's the same height roughly as the hood so it just flows right through the windshield. It's very pleasing on the eyes.

First, i would like to know how you could determine that the dealer filled with regular. The factory only filles there vehicles with regular even the Corvette.

Second, The dealer wouldnt have touched the wheels is they are OEM.

Third, 3-4 PSI over what? You drove the vehicle did you wait at least 8 hours before checking and did you use a digital guage.

Your way to picky.

svensk · October 29, 2007

Your lucky you got gas at all dude.

Raymond Lowe · October 29, 2007

My truck came 5 1/2 weeks after I ordered it. That's pretty quick. Only 4.5 miles on the clock after the PDI run. No salesmen/customers had access to my ride as per my agreement.

The power this thing has is quite a rush. I've been playing with the rpm under light load to break it in so I haven't really wailed on it yet. My first impression is like - wow! The exhaust system on the Denali is large. Maybe 3 1/2 to 4" at the tailpipe and it has a serious growl anytime you put your foot into it. I wouldn't even consider an aftermarket exhaust which would just likely move the powerband way up. It's just right the way it is and would be the equivalent of a Corsa touring for sound.

The window sticker required by Transport Canada to show the mileage says 26 Hwy (approx 20.8 U.S.) and it is specific to the Denali 6.2. They are supposed to be proven attainable numbers so I was surprised to see it that high. My old Vortec was rated 24 hwy and it would do that if you did 55 and babied it. (but who drives like that... except maybe the wife)

On my full-load 96, I had all the button/knobs figured out in 20 minutes. This thing's gonna take days with the menu's and sub-menu's and a shipload of buttons everywhere. Eg; you can set up the On-star phone to dial pre-programmed numbers and initiate the call with your thumb on the steering wheel. I'm still looking at button symbols I have no idea what they do. You can program stuff like departure lighting. Holy crap!

Dealer only earns a B- for the PDI. Tires were 3-4 lbs over-inflated. The gas tank was filled with regular gas. The wheel nuts broke loose around 80 ft-lbs. The oil was overfilled by almost a quart.

Accessories. The front molded flaps went on easy. Rear's required removal of the wheels and drilling. GM molded flaps are so-so on size and quality. I guess I'll live with them. The chrome fuel door requires drilling out a couple of steel rivets but no big deal. Hoping the weather gets dry and warm enough for the window and hood deflectors.

One thing that really looks neat on these GM's is the dash profile. It's the same height roughly as the hood so it just flows right through the windshield. It's very pleasing on the eyes.

First, i would like to know how you could determine that the dealer filled with regular. The factory only filles there vehicles with regular even the Corvette.

Second, The dealer wouldnt have touched the wheels is they are OEM.

Third, 3-4 PSI over what? You drove the vehicle did you wait at least 8 hours before checking and did you use a digital guage.

Your way to picky.

First, I asked the lot girl who did it. And GM ships their vehicles with minimal fuel and they've done this like maybe forever...

Second, does 80 ft lbs sound safe to you? When the spec is 140 ft lbs? Wheel nuts are part of the PDI and the wheel center caps are shipped inside the vehicle.

Third, 3-4 PSI over what the sticker says on the door jamb. You don't need a gauge smart a--, it's a digital readout on the dash.

shedberg · October 29, 2007

Congrats on your new truck, post some pics when you get a chance.

SinisterSS · October 29, 2007

All Denali's get a "free" full tank of gas from every dealer at delivery. Mine too was filled with pinging low-octane crap.

Each tire pressure is shown real time on the dash so it's not too hard to see what's going on. At least you got "free" air; mine were low.

When taking off my wheels a few weeks ago, I checked the torque with my $450 Snap-On digital torque wrench and they ranged from 80 to 85 ft-lbs. After putting the wheels back on, I torqued them to 100 ft-lbs and could feel the studs seat deeper in the hubs.

svensk · October 29, 2007

3-4psi over spec is picking the fly s**t out of the pepper. That digital readout could be off by that much, and did you check the pressure after driving it or when it was cold?

NathanL · October 29, 2007

I looked at a Toyota dealer at the smaller Toyota truck (Tacoma???) and they had "Full Tank of Gas" on the sticker lol.

topdj · October 29, 2007

I looked at a Toyota dealer at the smaller Toyota truck (Tacoma???) and they had "Full Tank of Gas" on the sticker lol.

and to the right of it the price you pay retail for the fill up LOL

NathanL · October 29, 2007

I looked at a Toyota dealer at the smaller Toyota truck (Tacoma???) and they had "Full Tank of Gas" on the sticker lol.

and to the right of it the price you pay retail for the fill up LOL

Nah it was part of the basic package deal. No doubt it's included in the price tho.

I've never heard of buying a new vehicle (or used one of the lot for that matter) that didn't come with a full tank of gas.

caddycruiser · October 29, 2007

I looked at a Toyota dealer at the smaller Toyota truck (Tacoma???) and they had "Full Tank of Gas" on the sticker lol.

The key difference with this now is, while for years automakers used to always reimburse dealers for the cost of filling up each new vehicle they sold, and most still do, more than a year ago, GM stopped making it a corporate practice--i.e., if you get a full tank now, and most still do, it's simply because the dealer alone is eating the full cost. With gas going up, it just got to be a huge expense when you total up how many new vehicles are sold every year, and whether they liked it or not, GM knew most dealers would still spend the money fully on their own to fill the tanks.

Others may have adopted the same policy by now, but I haven't seen it as a story anywhere, beyond GM.

-------------------------------------

Otherwise, Raymond, sounds like an AWESOME truck, and though there clearly could have been a more fully thorough PDI, missing a couple of things like that does tend to happen more than not...a lot just wouldn't ever think to check their tires, lugs, etc. after the fact early on.

VTSierra · October 29, 2007

First, I asked the lot girl who did it. And GM ships their vehicles with minimal fuel and they've done this like maybe forever...

Second, does 80 ft lbs sound safe to you? When the spec is 140 ft lbs? Wheel nuts are part of the PDI and the wheel center caps are shipped inside the vehicle.

Third, 3-4 PSI over what the sticker says on the door jamb. You don't need a gauge smart a--, it's a digital readout on the dash.

80 ftlbs is 100% safe. there is no need to have the wheels torqued to more than that. Torque them to 140 and you will be asking for problems down the line, ie warped rotors, damaged wheels, broken studs. If it makes you feel better, torque them to 90-95 ftlbs. Most manufacturers want aluminum wheels torqued to 80-90 ftlbs.

although pretty accurate, the tire pressure monitor is not dead on. I have a accugauge that measures in .10 increments. The TPM is always within a couple pounds, but by no means 100% accurate. Plus tire temperature and ambient temperature play a pretty big role in tire pressure.

Congrats on the new truck. I know I love mine.

ChrisNJ · October 29, 2007

the higher tire psi is most likely a result of the tires being at spec in canada where the s. denali is made, and usually colder. the dealer just didn't check, or thinks the higher psi is better, which i have found on mine that it results in a better ride and better handling. pressures can fluctuate 5 psi between 40 degrees and 90 degrees, approx. best of luck with the new truck.

dlstewart01 · October 29, 2007

First, I asked the lot girl who did it. And GM ships their vehicles with minimal fuel and they've done this like maybe forever...

Second, does 80 ft lbs sound safe to you? When the spec is 140 ft lbs? Wheel nuts are part of the PDI and the wheel center caps are shipped inside the vehicle.

Third, 3-4 PSI over what the sticker says on the door jamb. You don't need a gauge smart a--, it's a digital readout on the dash.

80 ftlbs is 100% safe. there is no need to have the wheels torqued to more than that. Torque them to 140 and you will be asking for problems down the line, ie warped rotors, damaged wheels, broken studs. If it makes you feel better, torque them to 90-95 ftlbs. Most manufacturers want aluminum wheels torqued to 80-90 ftlbs.

although pretty accurate, the tire pressure monitor is not dead on. I have a accugauge that measures in .10 increments. The TPM is always within a couple pounds, but by no means 100% accurate. Plus tire temperature and ambient temperature play a pretty big role in tire pressure.

Congrats on the new truck. I know I love mi

The reson for 140 ft lbs for lug-nuts--- Thats what the spec is. GM designed the wheels and studs for 140 foot pounds of torque. I don't run less. Have never had a problem.

When you get warped rotors is when some tire shop over torques them out of sequence.

Have a good one,

Don