What Did I Just Get Myself In To?

[SnowBuck]

I just bought a 2005 GMC Yukon XL SLT.
Didn't buy the Denali 'cause I didn't want AWD. I thought this had 2W-high/4W-high & 4W-low. IT DOESN'T!!! It has something like StabilaTrak, some other button and 4W low.

What did I get ?!?!?!?!? Am I better off? Worse off? My use is WV snowy mountain roads...no off roading.

 

[dropmech]

Some other button?

 

[ScottyBoy]

Its the auto 4wd. It's normally in 2wd unless it senses a loss of traction then it automatically goes into 4wdH mode.

 

[ScottL4619]

I think you actually have an AWD version....pretty much the same as the Denali and Escalade. The auto 4WD has a 2High, 4High, 4Low and auto buttons.

They are not very common on Tahoes and Yukons, but I have seen a few. I believe they are full time AWD transfer cases, not part time.

 

[SnowBuck]

I think I have the only 2005 XL SLT AWD Yukon (not Denali) in the world. I've looked at 1,000's of Yukons on Cars.com, eBay, CraigsList...there is not one single one that has the 3 buttons = Stabilitack/squggly button/4low vs the 2h/4h/4l and round Auto buttons on every other Yukon in existance.

But is a one-of-a-kind a "good" thing?!?!?!? Bin Laden was "one-of-a-kind" too !!!

Some people tell me this highly unusual option is not AWD all the time as in the Denali, but the front only engages as needed. But I don't know. I'm fighting for a buyback with the Dealer as he sold it as "FWD"!

 

[jdpber]

I think I have the only 2005 XL SLT AWD Yukon (not Denali) in the world. I've looked at 1,000's of Yukons on Cars.com, eBay, CraigsList...there is not one single one that has the 3 buttons = Stabilitack/squggly button/4low vs the 2h/4h/4l and round Auto buttons on every other Yukon in existance.

But is a one-of-a-kind a "good" thing?!?!?!? Bin Laden was "one-of-a-kind" too !!!

Some people tell me this highly unusual option is not AWD all the time as in the Denali, but the front only engages as needed. But I don't know. I'm fighting for a buyback with the Dealer as he sold it as "FWD"!

correct.. dad has this on his burb.. its AWD basically..

 

[SnowBuck]

But...does it run in 2x4 unless it "senses" it needs the front wheels???

 

[ScottL4619]

No, all 4 are powered all the time...it is not a 2HI until you need it system like the auto 4wd button is. The stabilitrac senses slippage and adjusts the power output accordingly if certain wheels have better traction.

Not sure if this is preferable or not. Some people would tell you they would never use a system in which they cannot choose between 2wd and 4wd. Other people just want to drive and not think about switching the transfer case (or lack the knowledge to know when to use what). I have seen a few of them. A buddy of mine has one and I have seen a few people on here asking about their buttons being different than others'.

---------- Post added at 08:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ----------

No, all 4 are powered all the time...it is not a 2HI until you need it system like the auto 4wd button is. The stabilitrac senses slippage and adjusts the power output accordingly if certain wheels have better traction.

Not sure if this is preferable or not. Some people would tell you they would never use a system in which they cannot choose between 2wd and 4wd. Other people just want to drive and not think about switching the transfer case (or lack the knowledge to know when to use what). I have seen a few of them. A buddy of mine has one and I have seen a few people on here asking about their buttons being different than others'.

 

[SnowBuck]

"Other people just want to drive and not think about switching the transfer case" LOL - you mean like every Denali ?

 

[yates ™]

"Other people just want to drive and not think about switching the transfer case" LOL - you mean like every Denali ?

One of the exact reasons my cousin opted for the Denali as he felt safer with his wife not having to switch to 4wd.