Chevrolet Avalanche - READ ONLY

2035 messages, Last post on Dec 20, 2003 at 9:44 AM

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#1914 of 2035 grat1 by beach15 Oct 27, 2002 (2:31 pm)
We have a 2002 Avalanche 2wd Z66 and haven't yet had experience in snow or other poor conditions, but from all that I've read and seen on the Chevy Avalanche Fan Club forum, current 02's with traction control alone do quite well in such conditions. It's actually one of those times that unless you really want it or are going far off-road, 4wd just isn't needed. So why bother carrying around the extra weight from the components everyday, increasing the chance for something to break, all the while saving a couple of grand? I'm really curious myself as to what a 2003 Z66 with Stabilitrack is like, with ours already being so sure-footed.
#1915 of 2035 Avalanche gears by syaco Nov 10, 2002 (4:33 pm)
I am in the process of purchasing a 03 Alalanche and I am debating whether to order 3.73 or 4.11 gears. I am more interested in on road than off road use and I will take all the fuel economy I can get. I don't want a vehicle that can't get out of it's own way though. Does anyone have any input on this subject?
#1916 of 2035 Avalanche gears by syaco by dmathews3 Nov 11, 2002 (8:06 am)
You answered your own question when you stated you wanted fuel mileage and weren't worried about off road. Get the 3:73's even though I doubt you would really notice the difference in gas mileage of either, which won't be good to start with.
#1917 of 2035 Gears by mlm4 Nov 11, 2002 (2:50 pm)
I don't have any experience with the 4:11 ratio but I've read posts on the Silverado boards that basically indicate the following: - Use 4:11 if you're towing or want to increase the tow weight capacity; otherwise, no need for it (you can still pull stumps with the 3:73) - The 4:11 will cause the engine to rev higher for a given speed than with the 3:73; therefore, fuel economy may be worse - Because the engine has to work harder with the 4:11, high-speed crusing (e.g., 80mph+) is more difficult, if not impractical. The 4:11 basically improves low-end torque for getting going with a heavy trailer (such as pulling a boat up the boat ramp).
#1918 of 2035 Get the -- by minikin Nov 15, 2002 (6:50 pm)
4:10s!! With the transmission OD ratios there's no real difference in cruise mileage and the low/midrange torque is better when you need it. Especially so with all the AV's extra weight; I've never understood why this thing weighs so much more than a Sub. -- Don
#1919 of 2035 Purchase my Av last sat. by phkck Dec 05, 2002 (4:07 am)
Chevy showroom was quiet. Traded in our 00 Excursion. Was able to negotiate fairly aggressively as there are many dealers here in KC. Really enjoying the AV but am taking time getting familiar with the brakes. Quite a bit of travel, guess I am use to a quicker response from the brakes. (Guess more brake pedal travel before getting a response).
#1920 of 2035 RE: Purchase my Av last sat. by brucecr_ms Dec 06, 2002 (12:47 pm)
Welcome to the growing club of AV owners! If you 'like' the service brake travel, wait until you try the parking brake. It still gets me that the pedal goes ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I'm used to older cars where that means the brake cable need tightening. This is normal for Chevy's. In the AV the parking brake holds the truck just fine on a hill and low engine speed. There must be a take-up spring somewhere in the system. Enjoy your new truck!
#1921 of 2035 Z71 (4WD) + 4:10 / My Avalanche is GREAT!!!!!!!! by scherfdotcom Dec 15, 2002 (9:57 pm)
Well, let me say that I really enjoy and even love my Avalanche Z71 (4WD) which has the 4:10 rear axle ratio. The 4:10 axle makes the AV a rocketship with 0-60 in less than 8 seconds--the 3:73 axle ratio doesn't have the edge like the 4:10 and is therefore recognizably slower than the 4:10. The AV is as solid on and off the road in any road condition as a vehicle can be. I've driven it now for 11,000 miles over a 10-months period. I live in Las Vegas and I normally wouldn't need a 4WD, but I bought the AV up in Montana in February and driving it down through Idaho and Utah during extreme winter conditions through extremely heavy snow storms incl. a couple of blizzards (heavy winds and you couldn't see the road) with ice beneath the fresh snow on the road, even at speeds of 70-75 mph (I was scared at first and it took me a while to increase my highway speed to 70-75mph) the AV was as rock solid like I've never experienced with any other car or SUV. Driving the AV even in the worst of road and weather conditions was a dream--this SUV didn't slide or slip even once and I was very surprised. The AV was quiet and handled perfectly! Regarding the brakes it takes a while to get used to it as they seemed a little weak initially, but other AV owners and also the dealership said that this normal because it's a heavy car. But the brakes work perfectly and to get them a little firmer it can help if you pump it once before you come to a stop--in emergency braking situations you just got to step on it and the AV will stop, even if the pedal goes down to the floor. The only thing that bothered me a bit was that the Onstar communications system speaker in the headliner above the driver seat is a little noisy, but when you turn the radio/CD player on and/or open the window a bit then that noise is not recognizable (I'm a little spoiled from all the luxury cruisers I used to drive, but now I just love this AV and I don't even want to get into another car/SUV). The Auto 4WD is excellent and I wouldn't like it any other way. Of course on dry surfaces I drive this rig only in 2WD mode and everything is fine, but on wet and any kind of slippery surface (snow, ice, mud, etc.) you absolutely need the 4WD as otherwise the rear end will break out due to the power of 285hp on the rear axle unless you tiptoe on the pedal and that's no fun. If you want to be in control and have a safe trip get the 4WD--it's well worth it and also for resale value considerations. The gas mileage is excellent for this type of vehicle: City is around 15-16 mpg and on the Highway at around 75mph (cruise control on) you can get approx. 20-21 mpg using Medium Grade. People still stop me in parking lots and at gas stations and asked all kinds of questions about this excellent vehicle. And I get more stares with the Avalanche than with the Beemer or Vette. The Avalanche is just a breathtaking vehicle. And using the different GM pricing specials (incl. the GM card rebates) no other vehicle (car or SUV) will be able to beat the price: in fact you will pay at least 10-20 grand more for any other vehicle that may come close to the overall value and benefits of the Avalanche.
#1922 of 2035 scherfdotcom...You seem to have gotten by txyank1 Dec 16, 2002 (4:25 am)
a rare one. Faster than most Z71s and better gas mileage to boot.
#1923 of 2035 2wd/1500/base/avalanche by beer47 Dec 16, 2002 (7:03 pm)
A Jersey paper has the aforementioned $24,700. That does not sound half bad to me. Throw in GM card points and what ever else and I think you would have a pretty decent vehicle. Any thoughts?