A bit late to post but I've had both issues the OP had.
Key fob range was awful and the linked forum post on the previous page covers that. I replaced the receiver in the rear of the truck (cheap part, less than $100) and that fixed it right away. No programming at all, just plug and play...
Unless absolutely needed (such as in snow), never use Auto 4WD on these trucks. Have been told by mechanics in the past that running it when unnecessary will cause damage to the 4WD system, and to not drive faster than 55mph when using it. Unfortunately it seems that is for "everyday driving"...
After having a Denali with the 8 speed and now having one with the 10 speed, skip right over the 8 speed and get one with the 10 speed. My 10 speed is 100x better than the 8 speed I had and do not anticipate my 10 speed failing, like my 8 speed did at 175k miles (even with the proper TSB fluid)...
I've been told driving in Auto on dry pavement will slowly destroy the 4WD system. I always avoid it and only use Auto in snow, and Auto 4WD is only to be used at 55mph and less (been told by GM Mechanics). Not sure why you're sliding all over the place in 2WD - could be the tires on the truck...
I would 100% go with the 2018+ with the 6.2L and 10 speed. I had a 15 with the 8 speed that made it to 175k and then needed to have a total transmission replacement. I have a friend with a 16 and the 8 speed with over 160k on it now, but he said it's been starting to slowly act up and he did...
I replaced my battery last year after it died on my 18 Denali. No issues after I replaced it and everything ran just fine. Think I paid a little under $200 for a battery from Napa and have no clue what brand it was at this point.
You've got the 6 speed which has issues of its own... Can't say I know a ton about these transmissions besides others on the forum who have discussed "flipping the pill" to run it cooler and prevent it from overheating.
With that said, I know of two instances of a 2016 and 2017 Suburban with...
Agree with everything Bigkevschopshop said above... avoid the 8 speed!
My last truck had 175k when it went out (a 2015 w/ 8 speed). But the 10 speed I have now is significantly better. The issue with the 8 speed is you could get lucky and get high miles out of it... other ones you'll see...
Fantastic write up.
Great call on looking for a 10 speed vs 8 speed. The 10 speed has been a huge improvement over the 8 speed in my 2015. Michelin Defenders are the way to go with these trucks. Have had them on both of mine, current set has 40k miles on and no need to replace for at least...
I had a similar or same issue a couple years back... constantly alerting me on a 1200 mile road trip to service trailer brake controller. I honestly cannot remember if we ever fixed it or not... but the quote was like $1000 something to replace the faulty electronic causing it. Either way it...
If he's got a 2020 Denali like it says below his post, he's got the 10 speed. Odd to hear of it failing, I have yet to come across anyone with a failed 10 speed as there are not enough high mileage examples (or at least that we have heard of). But if he's only got about 12k miles on it he may...
Never found a solution to this one... ended up getting rid of the truck April of 2021 as the 8-speed failed at 175k. Could have been premature failure of the transmission at that point.
Kept my wheels and swapped them onto the 2018 with the 10-speed we have... still get shaking occasionally...
Does this occur when not towing? Kind of hard to tell if you have a bunch of weight behind you... When I tow my boat (roughly 8000lbs with trailer and boat together), I get thrown around all sorts of ways. How many miles on the truck?
Both my '15 that had 175k miles and my '18 with 85k make that noise. '18 isn't as loud as '15 was when I got rid of it. Never was loud enough to bother me though... music loud enough I can't hear it and I really don't care if other people hear it outside. A solution would be nice but as long as...
There is no pill to flip on the trans for an 18 Denali... they have the 10 speeds while the temp sensor that needs to be corrected is on the 6 speeds which the Denali in question does not have.
How many miles and do you have the 6 or 8 speed?
Unfortunately, that sounds pretty similar to the sound my 8 speed was making when it failed at 175k miles. Dealer said at first "It cloud be something loose on the exhaust" but the sound ended up being from inside the transmission. It made it on...
I've had A/C repairs, engine oil cooler lines and rear axel seals replaced by dealer in past.
A/C repair is complicated and something I don't mess with. My 15 was leaking from the rear A/C line. Was $1300 to replace 2 years ago. That same truck had a rear axel seal leaking and repaired that...
I've seen the 10 speed on my 2018 Denali with the 6.2L reach maybe 205/210 when towing 8,000lb (surf boat with a full tank of gas and the trailer). But that was only in 90+ degree weather towing up some decent hills. Usually well under 200 degrees under normal driving. Dealer said anything that...
My 5.3L had the heavy duty trailer package so it did have the 3.42 gears. Had the trailer brake controller and everything.
Unsure if I get any whine sound coming out of the trans, nothing that I can really hear as of now. As far as I can remember from the 15 with the 8 speed (got rid of it a...
I second that.. same issue here on my 18. Replaced the amplifier as well and fixed my issue. Could be more of drivers side issue as the amplifier is on the passenger side in the rear above the headliner.
I second the tires on this one too... The stock Continentals that came on two of the trucks we bought new (they come on the 20" rims) sucked so bad, between terrible wear patterns and rough ride. Replaced them by 25k miles on both trucks. Highly recommend Michelin Defenders for these trucks.
10 speed has been a huge upgrade from the 8 speed in my 15 Denali... have an 18 Denali now both Denalis had/have the 6.2L. Used to have a 15 XL SLT with the 5.3L and 6 speed. Both my 6 speed and 8 speed transmissions sucked... the 6 speed would randomly clunk on shifts up or down and the 8 speed...
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