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Diesel - FAQ - Start Here First

58K views 30 replies 28 participants last post by  daveishi 
#1 · (Edited)
Hoping the Moderators might be kind enough to sticky this. If possible please point out anything pertinent missing (or anything we should delete) so we can keep this valuable for new forum members / lurkers / etc.


Q: How are you getting weekly updates on your diesel orders?

1. Proceed to GMC or Chevy website
2. Click on the "Contact Us" link
3. Click on the "Chat" or "Chat with us" buttons
4. Provide your order number (6 Digits Alphanumeric from Dealer)
5. Request weekly updates from CSR*

*Note recently Chat has been requiring a TPW before sending weekly updates to some forum members.


Q: How long will a diesel take to come in?

As of March 2016 we are seeing 3 months from order date based on forum member data supplied within the TPW spreadsheet.

(Yes diesels have been delivered to forum members despite what your Dealer is telling you).


Q: Where is this "TPW Spreadsheet" at?

The TPW Spreadsheet is a Google Doc that anyone can update with their order information at the link below:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...U6MfN2eDid05KdWaQi9NQ/edit?pref=2&pli=1#gid=0


Q: What real world MPG can I expect with the diesel?

Fuelly Real World Results - Canyon:

http://www.fuelly.com/car/gmc/canyon?engineconfig_id=229&bodytype_id=&submodel_id=

Fuelly Real World Results - Colorado:

http://www.fuelly.com/car/chevrolet/colorado/2016?engineconfig_id=229&bodytype_id=&submodel_id=

Otherwise... official media test results:

- Motor Trend (`16 Canyon 4WD): 22/30/25 (Link)


Q: What technical articles exist about the diesel?

Owner's Manual Supplement:

http://www.gmc.com/content/dam/GMC/.../01_Images/2016-gmc-duramax-diesel-manual.pdf

http://www.chevrolet.com/content/da...eos/02_pdf/2016 Duramax Diesel Supplement.pdf

2.8 Duramax:

http://coloradofans.com/forums/185-...n/272930-2-8-duramax-gm-techlink-article.html

Centrifugal Vibration Pendulum Absorber:

http://coloradofans.com/forums/185-...ion/272938-6l50-cpva-gm-techlink-article.html

DEF System Techlink:

http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=5699


Q: Why are you buying a diesel when it takes so long for the gasoline / diesel price differences to show ROI?

This is a complicated question that some prefer to evaluate with one piece of the equation: fuel price comparisons. Others prefer to look at the total cost of ownership (TCO) figures instead. TCO accounts for gasoline, repairs, maintenance, insurance, depreciation, fees, and taxes. For example, in 2013 the University of Michigan analyzed (Link) thousands of diesel and gasoline vehicles sold at auction with the diesel variants saving buyers $2,000 - $7,000 over a 3-5 year window.

Others need features the diesel offers such as:

- Improved towing capacity
- Improved MPG while towing heavy capacities
- Trailer controls / engine braking for towing in mountains
- Auto 4WD (Canyon AND Colorado Diesels both have Auto 4WD)
Finally some simply enjoy owning diesels: If you have the means, we highly recommend picking one up. :smile2:
 
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#6 ·
Very nice work ekko.

Only thing that might be a little questionable, is the order lead times. True many are and have waited that long, or longer, but they also placed orders 2 and 3 months before production started, also that was before the fed had appoved the emmisions making them legal to sell in the US market, there was also typical holiday plant shutdow for several weeks only days after productuction really got up and going on the diesels.

Now that those major delays are behind us, with production actualy up and running, i fully expect 14 to 18 weeks (3-4 months) to cover most orders here on out. The 5-7 month waits should be over.
 
#10 ·
Can anyone confirm if the Colorado Diesel comes with Auto 4WD (Autotrac) mode? It doesn't seem to come other Colorado gasoline models, only on the Canyon.

I like the styling of the Colorado and I have Chev dealer I want to deal with. If I can't the Auto 4WD in the Colorado it might be a deal breaker.

Thanks.
 
#15 ·
Have a 2015 Canyon SLT V6. Purchased a new 4000# travel trailer to do some trial tours before my wife and I retire. After picking up the trailer and towing it back home (approx 220 miles), traveling down a relatively flat highway the V6 had a difficult holding 60 - 65 and some trouble finding the correct gear. 9.5 mpg. Transmission temp over 210F at times. Outside temp. 85F. Would the diesel do any better?
(Off topic: Do I need an aftermarket tranny cooler?)
 
#16 ·
Yes, probably double the mileage. See if you can borrow a dmax and do a test tow, I think you will be impressed. There was an article posted here a few months ago where someone put an F150 V8 and the Colorado Dmax in a test tow. The V8 accelerated faster but it also used almost twice the fuel. I love myDmax!
 
#18 ·
My trailer is about 4,800lbs loaded. I get about 14 mpg going 60 mph on the flats. 50 mile round trip to work and I get 29 mpg.
 
#19 ·
Any issues with the tuner?
Mine was in for 12 hours and now has to go to the dealer to have a manual ReGen because it went into limp mode and has not stopped wanting to ReGen yet even though I have driven it (in limp mode) as well as ran it above 2k rpm for an extended period.
Rather nerve racking to have to take my truck in immediately after putting in the tune. I put it back to stock on Monday and have a service appointment for Thursday. I have been working with Duramax tuner on the issue. They say it's very isolated. The truck did run like much better for the 20 miles I drove it before it falling limp.
 
#20 ·
Were you running tune 4? How hard were you driving it before the issues arose? Another member here did have the same issue after running tune 4 and some very spirited driving.
 
#24 ·
Hello, my name is Larry I'm a 41 year old (no kidding) Diesel Virgin. and tonight I brought home a brand new 2018 Colorado ZR2 Diesel in Summit White with the Dusk package and sportbar / light set and I freaking Love it. All I know about diesel engines is:

-They burn a fuel-oil that's almost difficult to light with a match
-Diesel fuel used to be cheaper than gas
-Tiny European cars and Container ships have diesel engines
-The ignition of the fuel comes from the high pressure alone
-They have lots of torque at low RPM
-Diesel guys use the following terms a lot: EGR, DEF, ECM, TCM, TCI, Delete, Tune, Down-pipe, Regen.

I'm not asking anyone to explain all this, but could someone point me to a post or website or youtube vid that would get me started in the right direction?
Thank you very much in advance!
-Larry
 

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#30 ·
Hello, my name is Larry I'm a 41 year old (no kidding) Diesel Virgin. and tonight I brought home a brand new 2018 Colorado ZR2 Diesel in Summit White with the Dusk package and sportbar / light set and I freaking Love it. All I know about diesel engines is:

-They burn a fuel-oil that's almost difficult to light with a match
-Diesel fuel used to be cheaper than gas
I did not see this until today. Diesel is still cheaper that regular in parts of the country. I'm still in my first year of ownership in Washington state, and I was expecting the price of diesel to rise in the winter. Sure enough it did. Regular is now cheaper at Costco than diesel by 9 cents. April through October it was cheaper. I think it's the effect of heating oil demand.
 
#25 ·
Welcome to the club... don't get too hung up on the acronyms, you'll pick up the importance along the way. If you're planning on getting in and driving your truck as it is, the only 1 you will need is DEF. Someday your truck will need DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) if your dealer filled it you won't need it for 6,000 miles or so, the dashboard will tell you. The others you'll learn if you decide to modify your truck as many do!

Just drive and enjoy it though!
 
#26 ·
My truck is a 4wd Canyon Diesel. In July 2018, I took an 8,000 mile trip to Canada from my home in Texas. Mostly drove on main highways, although did some side trips on county roads - maybe 1,000 miles of the total. I towed my 22' Airstream, which weighs about 4,500 pounds loaded with supplies for a long trip (beer is heavy). I normally drove 60-65 mph. I averaged 14.5 mpg. I used cruise control where I could, which seems to optimize mileage. The main thing I noticed is that with the higher fuel burn, you have to add BluDef quite a bit more often. I have had a commercial license and have towed horse trailers cross-country - we used all types of diesel pickup trucks, and towed a 40' trailer with a Kenworth. This GMC is by far the quietest, most comfortable, economical and perhaps safest truck I have driven in the past 15 years. The engine brake is almost silent and works great. I would highly recommend to anyone towing.
 
#28 ·
I normally drove 60-65 mph. I averaged 14.5 mpg. I used cruise control where I could, which seems to optimize mileage. The main thing I noticed is that with the higher fuel burn, you have to add BluDef quite a bit more often recommend to anyone towing.
I tow a 21 foot 5th wheel and loaded for traveling it weighs 4800 lbs. I average 19 MPG while towing. I also see the higher than normal use of def fluid while towing. On another note I only use DEF fluid pumped at truck stops. I never buy the DEF in bottle/box from box stores.
 

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#27 ·
towing

Hi,


I also tow a 22 ft Airstream with my diesel! Thanks for the post, like you I'm so happy with this truck. It's comfortable, quiet, does not lack for power when towing and the mileage is amazing. I'm getting 19-21 while towing! (I like buying beer when I get there) Hope to be making a trip out west from NY this year.
BTW, my Airstream is a 2003 CCD, probably similar weight to yours.


Anyway, happy traveling!
James
 

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#31 ·
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