Change in 2010 4WD

[hefty64]

I was a loyal Tahoe owner from 1997 until around the 2007 model year (last year of the old body style). My wife had some health issues which required us to go to a vehicle that was easier for her to get in and out of. She is fully recovered so we made the decision last week to join the Tahoe owner's club once again.

I had identified several LT Tahoes (dont need all the stuff on the LTZs-nav, etc.) I was interested in, and was even negotiating on line when I stumbled across a thread somewhere about one of the changes between the 09 and 10 Tahoe being a "single speed transfer case" for 4WDs.

I contacted the guy I was negotiating with who informed me, yes, the new Tahoes had Auto 4WD and low 4WD but no High 4WD. I downloaded a 2010 owners manual and it showed the single speed transfer case as having high 4WD (not low) and auto only. It also showed in the owners manual a 2 speed tranfer case (old school-high and low 4WD).

I stated searching on line and found some non Z71s that had the 2 speed transfer case, but not many. The guy I finally bought mine from called GM and found out the 2 speed transfer case comes only on the Z71 or when heavy duty trailering is ordered.

At any rate, just interesting I did not run across anything on this forum (certainly possible I missed it ) and also interesting that neither of the salesman I talked to knew exactly what had happened. One told me the ONLY way you could get the 2 speed transfer case was on the Z71.

We ended up going with a Z71, but the strange thing is we would have gone with the non Z71 with a single speed transfer case if if the 4WD option would have been low instead of high. Seems to be that would make more sense since Auto essentailly becomes 4WD high when needed. We have a vacation home high on a ridge in the mountains and MUST have low at times to traverse up and down.

Are folks aware of this change and any thoughts of whether or not it will be reconfigured/revised to where it was?

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

well

The escalade is AWD. I would personally prefer an AWD tahoe.

In 2009 the Tahoe was either 2WD, 4WD, 4WD auto or 4-low.

Auto is always 'high'

according to the Chevy web site, the 2010 LTZ (i love my LTZ, the autoride is amazing).

The 4x4 has a trailering option that is $230 and includes the low range in the transfer case.

the 'automatic 2 speed transfer case' is also an unpriced option, but shows the sat nav when you click it.

99% of Tahoes do not leave pavement, or even if they do 4WD high is most likely enough for 95% of people.

I use 4-low in my jeep for 'wheeling and the Tahoe for the street...

I'd rather have a more effecient all wheel drive in my daily driver.

Not having 2 gears in there saves weight, space, money, and satisfies 99% of drivers... so yes, if you look carefully you can find the year to year changes.

Dealers / salesmen aren't there to know their product, they are there to SELL a product... Some sales people know vehicles well, and some just know how to sell well. There job is to move cars. only a small part of that requires knowing anything about them.

The first time I checked out a factory Rubicon (Jeep Wrangler) I asked where the compressor was for the air lockers (all factory)... He pointed to part of the A/C system under the hood. I put him on time-out and layed under the jeep, finding them next to the transfer case... (stupid placement, but whatever). the point is, they only know what they have to know to move cars... everything else is in your owners manual (for a 2010) or online...

 

[Fast55]

This is another reason I did not get an Escalade or a 2010 Tahoe. That and the 6.2 is history (unless I wanted an AWD Escalade). The '09 LTZ was the only year that had real 4WD (and more importantly a 2 HI setting) with the 6.2 motor. I've only had it 4 LO twice, but it's nice to have so that I can creep it along if needed and not trash the truck off road, but more importantly I can run around in 2 HI on the street or in AUTO just like an AWD Escalade. That is the one and only thing the Tahoe had over the Caddy. Oh that, and a 10K cheaper price.

 

[hefty64]

The escalade is AWD. I would personally prefer an AWD tahoe.

4 years ago my nieghbor was hopelessly stuck in his AWD escalade in a deep snow while I happily crept by in my Tahoe in low 4WD. Is why I do not own an Escalade or Denali.


99% of Tahoes do not leave pavement, or even if they do 4WD high is most likely enough for 95% of people.

I'm sure most do not, and understand therefore the basis for the change, but I doubt the figure is 99%. I see too many on the outer banks beaches of NC. Yea, try an Escalade or Denali in deep sand.

I use 4-low in my jeep for 'wheeling and the Tahoe for the street...

A Tahoe with proper for 4WD is perfectly capable of "light" off roading.

I'd rather have a more effecient all wheel drive in my daily driver.

Not having 2 gears in there saves weight, space, money, and satisfies 99% of drivers... so yes, if you look carefully you can find the year to year changes.

Not much. The mpg is essentially the same. My guess is by taking out the third row seats, I save as much weight.

Dealers / salesmen aren't there to know their product, they are there to SELL a product... Some sales people know vehicles well, and some just know how to sell well. There job is to move cars. only a small part of that requires knowing anything about them.

The first time I checked out a factory Rubicon (Jeep Wrangler) I asked where the compressor was for the air lockers (all factory)... He pointed to part of the A/C system under the hood. I put him on time-out and layed under the jeep, finding them next to the transfer case... (stupid placement, but whatever). the point is, they only know what they have to know to move cars... everything else is in your owners manual (for a 2010) or online...

Agree, but in my mind this is a farily big change that salesman should at least me knowledgable about when questioned.

 

[Fast55]

Yes, they should know the difference, it's their job. And finally, if you want efficient, 2 HI beats the snot out of AWD any day of the week (on the street) and I don't get stuck off road because I have no way to lock the center differential like an AWD Denali or Escalade.

 

[Zed 71]

^ yeah AWD is always sending power to all four wheels (not efficient).

 

[williajj]

^ yeah AWD is always sending power to all four wheels (not efficient).

How's this for efficient... I consistently get 19-20 mpg HWY in my 6.2 AWD Denali. And if I ever decide to actually go the speed limit, I can get 1-2 better than that

 

[stevek]

How's this for efficient... I consistently get 19-20 mpg HWY in my 6.2 AWD Denali. And if I ever decide to actually go the speed limit, I can get 1-2 better than that

How the heck do you get that mileage? I mean I drive mainly stop and go around where I live/go to school, but I drive 30 miles on the highway two or 3 times a tank... I get 10mpg if I'm lucky

 

[williajj]

How the heck do you get that mileage? I mean I drive mainly stop and go around where I live/go to school, but I drive 30 miles on the highway two or 3 times a tank... I get 10mpg if I'm lucky

Don't get me wrong, city driving will kill my mileage too. I probably get 12-13 city, combined probably about 16. Overall I'd say my mileage improved 1-1.5 mpg from the BlackBear tune.

 

[dheadv8q]

My main excuse to the wife for the Tahoe was to tow 4 down behind the motorhome. That requires the 2 speed transfer case to place it in neutral. No Denali, no Esky, etc.
Love it...