Black Bear Tune on my 2011 5.3L Tahoe

[Zed 71]

Macho why are you running in Auto mode in Seattle? No snow there yet right? Try going back to 2WD mode!

I am getting around 16 mpgs with a level kit and heavy Nitto Trail Grapplers (90% city now). Although I have 4.10s in the diffs and the old 4L60E tranny.

 

[MACHO]

Wow Zed 71, that sounds pretty good.

Been in AUTO basically for peace of mind and extra grip if needed. No snow yet but It's been raining like crazy (roads were actually flooded yesterday) here and I like the security of the wife and kids having "AWD" if things get out of control.

My understanding is that AUTO allows power to be applied the front wheels when slipping occurs like if the truck hydroplanes or slips around the corner.

Is that accurate? or is the stability control enough? Should I not worry about the family driving around in 2HI in wet conditions?

 

[Zed 71]

Of course keeping the family safe and having peace of mind is important .

Report back when the weather is drier (maybe next year for you ), and try 2WD mode.

 

[tx tahoe z71]

Good to hear it's coming back up. Once it settles in, should be a nice improvement.

Also consider that you might be comparing summer gas to winter gas. Winter gas usually drops a mpg or so.

 

[MACHO]

Thanks guys. I will continue to update. I'm sure the winter gas and the recent switch to Auto mode have contributed to it although the severe mpg drop happened immediately after the tune so ill be interested to compare it to the stock tune just for ***** and giggles. DIC is at 13.7 after being reset and wife commuting two days.

 

[2011Tahoe]

Def. auto mode if it makes the wife feel a little better driving around. Maybe over the weekend when your driving throw it in 2wd and see if it improves. Just so you know these rigs are tanks we haven't had any problem with ours and it has been in 2wd, freeway, back country roads and city driving have all been great no hydroplaining. We use 2wd all the time, then when there is a skiff of snow or only 1-2 inches or possible ice we use AUTO (going over snoqualmie pass), we use 4HI when there is anymore than 3" snow or bad ice. 4LO hasn't been used yet and hopefully will never have to be unless I'm pulling someone out of a ditch. But Me and my wife have both grown up driving in the snowy mountains and around 4wd's so were pretty use too it. I will say that SIPING the tires helps out tremendously, your local les Schwab can do it for about $65 bucks.

 

[MACHO]

Ok Thanks man that helps. I hear ya. I'm a pretty confident bad-weather driver. It's funny when I'm passing 4x4's on the completely whited out freeway every winter in my Altima.

maybe I'll just switch to 2HI and see how it goes then until the snow shows up. The stability control should help if things get squirrelly in the rain.

I put some good tires on my Altima this year--Michelin Defenders and they came factory siped. I know it's not JUST the sipping but damn can I tell the difference between good tires and the discount brands. I have no doubt the siping would be a good investment

We used 4HI once when we had the bad snow last year and that was a blast! The hoe was a beast on the hills

 

[2011Tahoe]

Yeah they are awesome to drive in the snow, I sometimes wish I had a lifted, built Tahoe to cruise around I can't imagine how well it would get around with a good set of mud terrains.

 

[Zed 71]

I know it's not JUST the sipping but damn can I tell the difference between good tires and the discount brands.

We used 4HI once when we had the bad snow last year and that was a blast! The hoe was a beast on the hills

Yep you can definitely tell the difference between good and discount tires.

Yeah they are awesome to drive in the snow, I sometimes wish I had a lifted, built Tahoe to cruise around I can't imagine how well it would get around with a good set of mud terrains.

Yeah I love driving in the snow up here. It is fun blasting through deep offroad snow with the Nitto Trail Grapplers !

 

[MACHO]

Yeah I love driving in the snow up here. It is fun blasting through deep offroad snow with the Nitto Trail Grapplers !

I bet! Those tires look legit. Plus I see you have the z71. We test drove one. Loved the suspension! I know its beefier, but it almost felt a little more supple on the road than the standard.