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Chevy Suburban

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#903 of 944 Re: Wanting to replace our Suburban [aggie10] by tsf7 Jan 14, 2009 (9:27 am)
Replying to: aggie10 (Jan 13, 2009 9:31 pm) Good luck. I think odds of several more years of trouble-free use are highly in your favor. In my opinion, virtually every car on the road will run to 150k miles without major problems. I and my family drive a lot (as you can see from the high mileage vehicles I identified above), so nearly every vehicle I've ever had has quickly gotten into the "high mileage" category. My first car, an 83 Ford Escort, ran until about 200k (died as a hand-me-down when my brother didn't put the oil plug back in properly after a change). Three subsequent jeeps all above 150k. My daily current daily driver, an '02 VW Passat, currently has 123k. I name the vehicles b/c some of those are rated lower on the reliability scale by a lot of car people. But I've maintained them religiously, and never had a drivetrain-related problem with any of them. Same goes for pretty much all the vehicles my family has owned. Incidentially, the only car I've had any drivetrain problems with was an '01 Acura TL, made by Honda. It went through 2 transmissions in 50k miles, due to an engineering defect that Honda has admitted to. Of course, freak problems sometimes arise, but I think generally speaking, a Sub w/ 60k miles is just getting started! Replies to this message: aggie10 (Jan 14, 2009 9:35 am) arrie (Jan 15, 2009 8:08 am) tsf7 (Jan 15, 2009 9:04 am)
#904 of 944 Re: Wanting to replace our Suburban [tsf7] by aggie10 Jan 14, 2009 (9:35 am)
Replying to: tsf7 (Jan 14, 2009 9:27 am) Thank you so much! Honestly, I don't know a ton about vehicle maintenance. I can follow directions, and I know when to get my oil changed, etc... However, is there anything special that you do to get this type of longevity out of your vehicles? When you say "maintenance," is there something specific you do besides regular oil changes, etc...? This is incredible. Unfortunately, as you can tell from my posts, I get a little nervous when the mileage gets up there. We have traditionally traded our cars in (which makes me feel like a fool now). Thanks for any advice. I really, really appreciate it. I'm excited because we love our Suburban. I was just afraid of having to spend a ton of cash in the near future. Again, I don't have any reason to anticipate any problems...just the mileage. Thanks so much! Replies to this message: arrie (Jan 15, 2009 8:08 am) tsf7 (Jan 15, 2009 9:04 am)
#905 of 944 Re: Wanting to replace our Suburban [aggie10] by arrie Jan 15, 2009 (8:08 am)
Replying to: aggie10 (Jan 14, 2009 9:35 am) aggie10,   For my '04 Tahoe I do nothing special other than I closely watch engine coolant level. I change my oil between every 3000-4000 miles, closer to 3000 miles even though my oil life indicator says I have 70% oil life left at change. My driving is almost all highway so I really should not need to change oil at 3000 miles but I do it anyway.   About the engine coolant level. I don't want to make you nervous about this but if you read on this Edmunds or other forums you will learn that GM had some issues with some cylinder head castings. The problem sounds to be porous castings that cause engine coolant to leak inside the engine, which can be very bad for the engine and lead to engine failure.   I have posted about this but I write it here so you do not need to go find for it. What happened to me is that on July 4th last year my engine temperature suddenly went close to the maximum reading on the meter and I got the "Engine Coolant High Temperature" warning message. My engine coolant had leaked but I never saw it because it was not leaking outside the engine. I also had some level in the coolant expansion reservoir under the hood but it was not at half way as it should be and it was a false indication too. I added almost 2 gallons of coolant to bring the level back so I was very dry. For some reason (probably vapor pressure) the expansion reservoir never went completely empty.   After reading about this under the "Engine Cooling" topic I went and bought a $3.50 bottle of Bar's radiator sealant and poured it in the coolant expansion reservoir. I have not lost any coolant since so I am quite sure I had one of those porosity leak issues and the radiator sealant fixed it.   Because of the issue with this I weekly look at the coolant level under the hood. If it drops any I will use another sealant bottle but as I said so far I have not lost any.   As your Sub is also an '04 this would be the only "special" point of attention for you, i.e. keep an eye on the engine coolant level so you can act before it gets too low. Mine was so low that I am just amazed that I did not have my engine burn.   It also is that not all Tahoe / Suburban engines have these cylinder heads with possible problem. It pertains only to heads from a specific manufacturer at a specific time.   Other than this change oil and just drive.   Arrie
#906 of 944 Re: Wanting to replace our Suburban [aggie10] by tsf7 Jan 15, 2009 (9:04 am)
Replying to: aggie10 (Jan 14, 2009 9:35 am) No special tricks to maintenance. Other people will have different ideas (ie, change oil every 3000 miles), but I just follow the recommendations/requirements in the owners manual as far as intervals for changing fluids, filters, ect. On the Chevy, I change the engine oil when the indicator tells me to. On my VW, I change every 5k miles like the manual says. Don't forget to maintain things like transmission, transfer case, and differential fluids as the manual directs, whether the dealership does it or an independent. Opinions will vary, but I use high quality synthetic engine oil (Mobile 1) and transmission fluid -- adds a little money to services, but it isn't much in the long run.   Beyond maintenance, I go through and check my fluids about once a month -- check transmission, engine oil, coolant level, power steering fluid, refill wiper fluid bottle. Your owners manual explains how to properly check these (especially the transmission). Takes about 2 minutes. Also, pay attention to noises, changes in operation, ect. Drive with the radio off on occasion and listen.   As far as coolant leak problems, I haven't had any problems. The coolant level on my '04 hasn't changed since I've owned the vehicle. The temp gauge never goes above the center point on the gauge, either, even towing the 6000 lb travel trailer in hot summer temps and steep highway grades we have out here in the West. Again, good luck.
#907 of 944 Replace 2001 Chevy Suburban Foglight Assembly by AB_aka_BeeZZie Jan 19, 2009 (12:57 pm)
Anyone know how to replace a foglight assembly on a 2001 Chevy Suburban 4WD 2500?   I found that the driver side foglight lens on my Suburban is missing; I've already purchased a new assembly, but now can't figure out how to replace without removing the whole front bumper....Haven't been able to find an answer anywhere online.......... ...... is there an easier way to do this?
#908 of 944 Re: Wanting to replace our Suburban [aggie10] by sbatncpl Jan 28, 2009 (4:01 pm)
Replying to: aggie10 (Jan 12, 2009 1:40 pm) I to am at the contemplation stage of trading in my Suburban. BUT. Mine is a 1995 model with only 95,000 miles. Excellent shape, kept in the garage and everything works. The answer why do I want another one is simple, I've got a bug for another Suburban! The only years I'm interested in are 07 and 08. I like the body styles better. Trade-in for mine is $3,000 max! and an 07 will easily cost 28,900 and an 08 I can work on for about 35k. But is it worth it? I do plan to keep it for 13 years, but will the new one last as long as the one I have? Dealers are not dealing like I wish they would on 07 and 08 models, they have the price up there and they aren't moving. So. Should I trade or stay with what I have? Replies to this message: kiawah (Jan 28, 2009 4:17 pm) rockman59 (Jan 28, 2009 9:18 pm) ahightower (Jan 29, 2009 4:36 pm) murphy4 (Mar 10, 2009 2:07 pm) 94burban (Jun 23, 2009 4:18 am)
#909 of 944 Re: Wanting to replace our Suburban [sbatncpl] by kiawah Jan 28, 2009 (4:17 pm)
Replying to: sbatncpl (Jan 28, 2009 4:01 pm) I had similar situation over a year ago, went from a 97 to an 07.   My observations: ride is substantially nicer, less interior space, many more creature comforts and technology improvements, smaller gas tank (loved the old 42 gallon drive a whole vacation day tank).   I like you, will have (I need to tow or travel) a Suburban for years to come.   Did I "need" to upgrade, no. Could I have gone another couple of years without it, probably (nothing major wrong). Do I feel like I made the right decision a year ago, yes.
#910 of 944 Re: Wanting to replace our Suburban [sbatncpl] by rockman59 Jan 28, 2009 (9:18 pm)
Replying to: sbatncpl (Jan 28, 2009 4:01 pm) Mine is a 1995 model with only 95,000 miles. Excellent shape, kept in the garage and everything works. ____________________________________________________________________ Don't even think about trading for one of the later models. Keep driving your '95 until you use it up....then upgrade. You won't be sorry.
#911 of 944 Re: Wanting to replace our Suburban [sbatncpl] by ahightower Jan 29, 2009 (4:36 pm)
Replying to: sbatncpl (Jan 28, 2009 4:01 pm) If you want new, I'd get an 09 with the six-speed transmission. If you want used, wait another year or two and pick up a used 09. That's one significant upgrade that I think is worth either paying for or waiting for. Replies to this message: murphy4 (Mar 10, 2009 2:07 pm)
#912 of 944 Re: Radio buttons -- paint coming off [tsf7] by northernliving Feb 16, 2009 (7:58 pm)
Replying to: tsf7 (Mar 31, 2008 12:20 pm) Mine looks the same (wife's fingernails!). You can get repalcement buttons from http://replacementradios.com/product_info.php?products_id=1032

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