2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax: We Answer Your Questions
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We recently spent a week driving the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax – the one powered by the turbo-diesel 3.0L LM2 I-6 turbo-diesel Duramax engine. Much like all-new GM T1 platform that underpins the new Silverado, the straight-six diesel motor is also all-new, rated at 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque while being mated to the GM 10-speed automatic transmission that sends either to the two rear wheels or to all four.
Many of you chimed in with questions about the truck, and we’re here to provide you the answers. Here we go.
Q: I have heard of overheating issues. Is this true? Are you having overheating issues?
A: A similar question was asked to us when we drove the 2020 GMC Sierra Duramax. Much like we said for the Sierra, we experienced no temperature-related issues while driving the Silverado. In addition, the engine also performed very much like a gasoline unit during cold starts, with the temperature gauge rising to optimal levels after only a short time driving. In other words, nothing alarming was observed. However, we should note that we didn’t perform any towing during this particular test.
Q: Is there an electric version?
A: Not yet. As we write this, there are no mass-production electric pickup trucks on the market, though several carmakers like Tesla, Rivian, Ford and GM have announced plans to bring such a product to market. In fact, General Motors was supposed reveal the much-anticipated GMC Hummer EV in May 2020, but the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Besides the GMC Hummer EV, we have also heard whispers of an all-electric Silverado in the works and we expect such a model to become available in the next few years.
Q: How is the NVH of the Duramax engine? How well does it accelerate off the line?
A: Consider us impressed by this new Duramax inline six. Thus far, we have drive it in two different applications – the Silverado High Country being discussed here, and the GMC Sierra Elevation. In both cases, we were very surprised by how quiet and smooth this diesel engine is compared to the competition.
As a matter of fact, we also recently drove the 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. We not only found the Duramax to be generally more refined than the Ram’s turbo-diesel V6, but a livelier motor, too. Throttle response is considerably better in the Chevrolet Silverado and the engine revs a full 1,000 rpm higher, allowing it to feel more energetic and eager. Off-the-line acceleration is more than ample, mostly due to the fact that the engine produces its 460 pound-feet of torque at just 1,500 rpm.
Q: How does it compare to the 6.2L? Pulling, passing, overall driving?
A: Although the Duramax’s maximum torque rating of 460 pound-feet is identical to that of the available gasoline 6.2L L87 V8, its power delivery isn’t quite as linear as its gasoline counterpart. That said, we weren’t disappointed by the engine’s grunt. Acceleration is brisk, better than the 5.3L L84 V8 due to the fact that torque is available almost immediately, lower on in the rev range. But the Duramax engine still can’t match the smoothness, linearity and high-rpm performance of the 6.2L.
Q: Can you turn off the start/stop feature?
A: Yes. We know that engine auto stop/start has been a source of many complaints from owners of various GM vehicles, and although it hasn’t yet been applied to Chevrolet’s entire lineup, we’re happy to report that yes, one can indeed turn it off in the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. This is the case for all models and trim levels.
Q: I also want to know about real-world performance, mileage and how that 10-speed transmission works.
A: We performed a similar fuel economy test on the Silverado as when we drove the Sierra Duramax and recorded similar readings. EPA-estimated ratings for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado Duramax are 29 mpg highway and 23 mpg city. These are actually better numbers than its mechanical twin, the GMC Sierra Duramax, which advertises 22 mpg city and 26 highway. The discrepancy between the two is explained in this GM Authority exclusive.
During our drive with the Silverado, we easily recorded 20 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway, numbers that are considerably better than delivered by the available V8 engines.
As for the ten-speed automatic gearbox, we have absolutely nothing negative to say. In every vehicle we’ve driven with the new transmission thus far, the gearbox has done a formidable job maximizing the engine’s powerband, shifting smoothly and never hesitating to downshift when asked.
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Does anyone have the average cost of an oil/filter change on the LM2? Most dealerships are not posting these. I know you can buy the 7L AC Delco oil kit with filter for ~$51. Not sure what the dealer would upcharge.
I have a 2020 LTZ I6 Turbo Diesel, it is burning about a quart of oil every 2500 mile, is this normal?
Dan, how many miles do you have on it? Mine is also a 2020 LTZ I6 turbo diesel and i do not have any issues w/oil. I only have about 5100 miles on it but we did pull our 27′ travel trailer about 600 miles this summer and i checked it before we left and after we got back and it was still good on oil. I would check w/your dealer about that. Good luck, jb
Not normal. Mine now has almost 8500k miles and has had no issues at all.
We purchased the 2020 2500HD Turbo-Diesel in June 2020. Great truck. Also purchased a new 5-wheel (retirement) 1 week later. Everything was great until October 2020. We were planning a trip to the east cost from the mid-west, and 1 day before we left, we got an alert on the display that said there was an environment system problem and it gave a mileage indication before the power would start to reduce. Took it in for service and they determined the DEF tank/Sensors were defective and parts were put on order, but gave no ETA. Drove the truck from the dealer and put it in my garage. After multiple calls over the next two weeks, never given an ETA, I had a case set up with CustomerCare. According to the owners manual, no legal action can happen until 30 days after the event, though I already contacted BBB and local DA for Consumer Affairs. I asked management at he dealer if GM was still making those trucks and was told yes, but they were special order. That means GM has the parts in their system but would rather install them in new vehicles being made than honor warranty commitments on purchased vehicles. Nice? I have purchased 15 consecutive Chevy products since leaving the Air Force in 1971. I’d say that was pretty good customer commitment. There will not be another GM product for me.
Sorry, you guy’s are having problems w/yours. I’ve only got 6700/mi on mine and pulled our 27′ t/trailer to Eufala and back about 700/mi roundtrip. Def was reading one notch above 1/2 when we got back. Mileage on trip was about 13.6. Best mi/34.1. I normally get 27- 29 making small road trips. I’m retired and i definitely enjoy the great fuel mileage i get and have numerous comments from people how much they like my 2020 LTZ crew/cab. Most were really surprised when they found out it had a diesel in it and were really surprised how quite it is.
I am trying to get a answer to my question on why I can not get 342 gears in a 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 truck with a 5.3 engine.
Gentlemen, I own a 2020 GMC AT4 with the new 3.0 Diesel. I love the truck, but the engine — at least for me — is a dog. As I write this, it is sitting in a shop in Slidell, LA following a trip to see my family. Here I sit, with no transportation from a truck with less than 10,000 miles on it. This is the 4th visit to the dealer in the past 6 months for “Decreased Engine Power” error message and “service engine” light illuminated. So far, 14-days off the road from summer to now. The decreased engine issue really inhibits driving and it is meant to protect the engine from something two different GMC dealers 1,000 miles apart cannot figure out. So, here I sit at Christmas with no truck to play Santa with. Now I’m getting angry and I’m turning up the Social Media heat on GMC to fix this or take the darn truck back. BTW, this is the 7th GM product I have owned and my wife drives a Suburban. Thanks for letting me vent. Merry Christmas!
I believe they went way to far with this diesel.
I have read about a lot of people complaining about DEF issues and Using a lot of DEF.
Oil usage is another complaint.
I would like to see this engine without the computer controlled cooling valve.
Drop the very low pressure variable oil pump.
Gear drive the oil pump and scrap that stupid belt running in hot dirty oil.
Use at least 5-30 oil
There has been way to many complaints with this engine.
It is at best one hell of a spooky design.
Yes we want a small diesel.
But we want a reliable small diesel.
All the bad engineering on this diesel is a real bad idea.
Rob
I haven’t had one problem. I leave it on the auto shut off mode. Sometimes it uses more def, sometimes less.