Q: If I am fifth
wheel trailering with a 2500HD or 3500 model, what is the maximum amount
of weight I can have in the pickup box?
A: There are a number of variables such as engine choice, axle ratio,
trailer weight, payload, altitude, etc. See your Chevrolet or GMC dealer
for more information.
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Q: What does a
PTO do? What does PTO stand for?
A: A PTO, or "power takeoff", allows you to power auxiliary equipment.
(Some optional equipment is required for PTO installation.)
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Q: Which
lubricant(s) is recommended for the Duramax Diesel?
A:Engine oil designated as API CH-4 or API CG-4 is best for your vehicle.
Oils lacking these designations can cause engine damage, which is not
covered by the warranty. SAE 15W-40 is best for your vehicle. SAE 10W-30
can be used if the temperature is colder than 32-degrees.
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Q: Which
transmission fluid is recommended the Allison transmission?
A: Only use fluid labeled DEXTRON-III, as it is made especially for your
automatic transmission. Any other fluid can cause transmission damage,
which is not covered by the warranty.
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Q: If I get my
Silverado or Sierra HD with the Duramax Diesel, must I also equip the
truck with the Allison transmission? Is the 4L60E transmission available?
A: The 6-speed manual transmission is standard with the available Duramax
Diesel. The Allison 5-speed automatic transmission is an option with the
Duramax Diesel. The 4-speed automatic transmission is not compatible with
the Duramax Diesel.
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Q: Is a
transmission oil cooler standard with the Silverado or Sierra HD pickups
equipped with the Duramax Diesel and Allison transmission? Is a towing
package standard with these pickups?
A: The transmission oil cooler is standard with the Duramax Diesel and
Allison transmission. The Z82 Heavy-Duty Trailering Package, featuring a
trailer hitch platform and seven-pin connector, is optional.
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Q: Are there any discounts or low finance rates available on the
Duramax Diesel?
A: Please see your local Chevrolet or GMC dealer for Duramax Diesel
pricing information.
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Q: Will the Duramax Diesel be available in any other Chevy van or truck
models?
A: At this time Chevy Silverado is the only Chevy brand that can be
equipped with the available Duramax Diesel.
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Q: Is the Duramax Diesel available in Europe or overseas?
A: The Duramax Diesel is only available in the US and Canada.
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Q: Can I use alternative fuels in my Duramax Diesel-equipped Silverado?
A: No, you should not use any other fuel other than what is recommended in
the Owner's Manual.
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Q: Can I use synthetic oils in my Duramax Diesel-equipped Silverado?
A: Synthetic oil can be used as long as it meets the grade and viscosity
requirements stated in the Owner's Manual. The use of synthetic oil does
not allow the oil change interval to be extended past what is specified in
the Owner's Manual.
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Q: Is there additional maintenance the Duramax Diesel needs beyond the
basic gasoline engine maintenance?
A: The only engine maintenance required is specified in the Owner's Manual
and includes oil, oil filter, air filter and fuel filter changes.
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Q: What kind of mileage can I expect to get in my Duramax
Diesel-equipped Silverado?
A: Because mileage can vary depending on variables such as trailer weight,
payload, road conditions and varying terrain, mileage cannot be accurately
determined.
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Q: Where is the final assembly point for the Duramax Diesel?
A: Flint and Pontiac East (both located in Michigan) manufacturing
facilities are the final assembly locations for the Duramax Diesel.
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Q: If you buy a Silverado 2500HD or 3500 or Sierra
2500HD or 3500 with an Allison transmission, do you automatically get PTO
capabilities?
A: No. Only the Chassis Cab models (2WD or 4WD)
have PTO capabilities. On these models, the frame and floor pan
construction will only accommodate the PTO off the right side of the
transmission. On pickup models, the frame and floor pan construction does
not allow for PTO use.
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Q: On the new Silverado and Sierra HD pickups, does
the Allison transmission have the ability to operate two PTOs, one off the
left side of the transmission and one off the right side?
A: No. Current capabilities on the Chassis Cab
models allow the PTO to operate off the right side only. The frame and
floor pan construction prevents PTO operation on the left side of the
transmission.
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Q: Is there currently a PTO available for the
Silverado and Sierra Heavy Duty Chassis Cab models?
A: Yes. There are two different kits (one for
the Allison 1000 Series automatic transmission and one for the ZF-6 manual
transmission).
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Q: Does GM have part ownership in Isuzu and Allison,
and was that part of the reason in selecting them as a vendor?
A: Yes, General Motors owns a piece of Isuzu.
However, GM looked at every diesel manufacturer individually to develop a
new diesel engine. Isuzu offered the best product. GM owns all of Allison,
but it is an independent business. In the medium-duty truck market,
Allison is the sole supplier of transmissions.
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Q: Will the Allison transmission be segment
exclusive?
A: For the first two years, the only heavy duty
chassis cab models it will be available on will be the Silverado and
Sierra Heavy Duty Chassis Cab models.
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Q: Will the 1000 Series transmission be available in
a half-ton truck?
A: No, the 1000 Series transmission will be
available in the Chevrolet and GMC 2500HD and 3500 Series trucks only.
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Q: Is this transmission really complicated? Most
medium- and heavy-duty transmissions have different ranges and multiple
overdrives.
A: The 1000 Series transmission is a five-speed
fully automatic transmission with a single overdrive. It operates exactly
the same as other automatics as far as the driver is concerned.
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Q: How does the grade braking feature on the Allison
transmission work?
A: Grade braking is a feature of the 1000 Series
transmission in which the transmission automatically selects the proper
gear to match the vehicle's maximum braking effort for maximum braking
effort of the vehicle. It's an intuitive feature that automatically
downshifts to help slow the vehicle when hauling or pulling heavy loads
down long, steep grades.
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Q: If this is a medium-duty transmission, it must
weigh a lot. Approximately how much does it weigh?
A: The 1000 Series transmission weighs
approximately 330 lbs. This is approximately 90 lbs. heavier than the
4L80-E used for the 6000 V8. This is the result of building an extremely
durable and robust transmission.
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Q: Is there a special transmission fluid for the
Allison automatic?
A: The 1000 Series transmission is designed to
operate with either mineral-based Dexron III oil or TranSynd, the new
synthetic oil developed by Castrol and Allison.
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Q: What kind of warranty will the Allison
transmission have?
A: Separate warranties are not available for the
Allison transmission. It will be part of our three-year, 36-month
bumper-to-bumper warranty.
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Q: If I need service done on my transmission, will I
need to search out an Allison shop?
A: If you have a GMC Sierra or a Chevy Silverado
with the Allison 1000 Series automatic transmission, all warranty work
will be taken care of through a Chevy or GMC dealer.
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Q: What special tools are needed for certification
with the Allison transmission?
A: Special tools are required for the Duramax
diesel only. In the case of the Allison transmission, the transmissions
will be exchanged during the first six months of building for service.
Following this initial six-month period, Allison transmission training
will be offered so that transmissions may be fixed at the Chevy dealer.
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Q: Is this transmission fully compatible with my Big
Block or Duramax Diesel with all of the electronics involved these days?
A: The 1000 Series transmission is a fully
electronic transmission that is able to communicate directly with an
electronically controlled engine.
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Q: Will the Allison transmission have the typical
school bus whine?
A: The LCT-1000, which stands for light
commercial transmission, is a completely new series of transmissions for
Allison. The transmission capacity is rated higher than required for our
actual truck, and is more in tune with the requirements of a full-size
pickup than a medium-duty truck. The whines and so many other things that
you might be familiar with in the medium-duty segment, such as the Allison
transmission 545s and 645s, will not be heard.
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Q: What kind of fuel mileage will the Silverado and
Sierra 2500HD and 3500 pickups get?
A: The EPA doesn't rate 2500 or 3500 trucks (or
anything with a GVWR over 8500 lbs.) for fuel efficency. To obtain mileage
figures 2500HD and 3500 customers have been getting, check out
www.pickuptruck.com. Forums on the site had a discussion on this. For
information on link, click on
Copyright & Trademark Info.
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Q: Can you get a "Jake Brake" (exhaust brake) for
the Chevy or GMC 2500HD and 3500 pickups?
A: An exhaust brake is not available for the
Duramax through General Motors. After-market companies may offer this, but
keep in mind that any modifications to your truck may void your warranty.
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Q: Will a lowering kit or other consideration for
fifth wheel towing be offered for the 2500HD or 3500?
A: Any questions about clearance on a
fifth-wheel trailer are usually addressed by the trailer manufacturer or a
trailer retailer. Most of the concerns that have been voiced over the past
couple of years stem from the Ford Super Duty truck being too high to
accommodate some fifth-wheel trailers. The GM HD pickups, though higher
than our previous models, are not as tall as the Ford (measured at the top
rail of the pickup bed).
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Q: Is The Duramax engine another "converted gas
engine?"
A: No, this engine was designed from the ground
up with the most current technology by Isuzu Motors Limited. Isuzu has
designed and built high-quality diesel engines for over 60 years.
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Q: Do you have a question that wasn't listed above?
A: You can submit a question to us that has not
already been asked. We will periodically update this section, adding the
most popular frequently asked questions. To send us your question,
click here.
