Really odd that awd systems may not like all terrain tires.ine came with all terrain tires and the transfer case seems fine. Oh well.
I read that somewhere but while searching for cars lately have seen more than a few AWD Denalis with AT tires on them. I reckon as long as they are the same tread depth it should be fine; causing no more wear to the drivetrain than if it was 2WD or in 4WD.
The stock thermostat is 187. Has been forever, but for some reason our gauges point straight up at 210. I think GM did that on purpose just so it looked “right”. I’m pretty sure they’re not running 210.
The dash gauge is purposely dumb so as not to raise alarms with little fluctuations. I see the same temps with mine, she runs between 192-197 most days.
The thermostat is called a 187 as that is when it begins to open and is fully open by 195. In the old days we ditched those 180 thermostats for 160s and saw better performance. There is all kinds of debate as to why it should not be done today and based on my own experience am not buying it. Heat does make horsepower but my main reason for leaving the thermostat is to keep that steady temperature which in my mind keeps the aluminum block and heads happy and together (thermal expansion) along with that plastic intake. Having said that, I do believe that the cooling system has the capacity to handle a slightly cooler thermostat, a 174 and I may do that one day. Too much heat is an engine's enemy as well.
A fella with one of these modern trucks has used a cooler thermostat and improved his fuel economy, just like in the old days and counter to current thinking. I think the "current thinking" is more focused on emissions than performance, horsepower, gas mileage or otherwise.