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!
See updated comments below… just got the truck back.
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.
Good for you Sabrina. How many miles do you have on it?
Mike I bought a new 1500 w 3.0 can’t seem to get over 22 mpg set cruise yesterday at 74 on freeway 14 degrees outside w/tail wind flat land Minnesota, no stops gets between 21.5 and 22 mpg, I have 7600 miles on it, dealer says it will break in at about 15,000 miles, i find this to be b.s. my first problem the check eng came on and off at 500 miles I took it in to be repaired the dealer said there was a anomaly in my ecu chevy sent them a reprogram for ecu after that light came on again 50 miles later I drove up to Pikes peak and down to Denver light went off then I got over 30 mpg for about 70 mile, I shut truck off when I restarted eng light came back on 1,000 miles later I got back home took to home dealer after 2weeks they had replaced inner cooler pump 2 times ecu once finally fouind bad fuze block for cooler motor, then at 6900 eng light came on after over a month dealer replaced Turbo, saying gate wasn’t moving, I had to leave truck in Colorado the light came on it gave me 175 miles before it would limit speed to 65mph after it did that it then limited to 55mph so I left my truck in Colorado, 2 months later I got it back in Minnesota, truck runs good, can’t tell the difference in running but it still only gets 21 to 22 mpg, any ideas what to do?
Wow… sorry for your troubles, but don’t think they’re related to mpg. At 74 mph, I probably get the same. At 65, more like 25 to 26. At 55, I’ll see 28 to 30. I did a shoreline drive going between 45 and 50 mph and my 50 mile average hit 36.4 mpg. I just don’t think you’re going to see the advertised 29 mpg at 74 mph.
My truck easily gets 28 mpg….except then the winter blend of fuel came out and the mpg was way down. I recently got a full tank of non winter blend of fuel and the mpg went way back up. I even took it to the dealer about the problem. Now I know the winter fuel really does change the mpg. Also on summer fuel, my full tank range is about 680 miles. On the winter blend it drops to about 580 mile range. Huge difference.
Saw the recent comments and I just got back from New Orleans, where my 2020 GMC AT4 Diesel with less than 10K miles had been in the shop for approximately 35 days. It was a lovely stay down south with no truck to haul my boat. Thank you GMC! My check engine light and decreased engine power lights have illuminated several times over the past 10 months and I have been without a truck for more than 45 days in less than 10 months of ownership. Once again, I love the truck … when it runs. I have reported my experiences to the BBB for ultimate resolution under the applicable laws. This is my 5th GM truck and I have never experienced anything like this.
Hi Michael Bristow, I really feel for you and i wonder if if the altitude has any thing to do with it? I picked mine up in Jan/2020 and right after i got it i got 34.1 best mileage. I live in north central Florida. I alway’s get 27, 28, 29 and 30 depending on distance and speed. I really have enjoyed mine hope you are Chevrolet figures it out. I did do some research on diesel fuel. Apparently there are 2/different grades. One for winter and the other for summer. Just wonder if you being in Minn. and probably getting a different grade than i get in Florida might effect your mileage. Man, i’m just throwing things out i’m not a diesel mechanic. In my younger day’s i rebuilt my 55 Belair sport coupe 2/dr w/a 327 and 3/speed turbo-hydromatic. But i’m new to the diesel game except for what i read and try to stay informed. Best of Luck, JMB
I guess you should feel good I had my truck for 4 months chevy had it for 64 days, what a competition? Made in Mexico!
I live in the metro Denver area. It’s not altitude. See my above comment.
John, I appreciate your feed back, I have tried many different fuels, in MN we get a blend between #1 and #2 however I spent 3 weeks in California not much change, also drove back home thru Denver, slightly better mileage thru the mountains, I almost got as good with 2018 5.3, I couldn’t be more disappointed, I almost bleed chevy blood.
I am thinking to swap my Toyota Tundra 2020 Limited wish I loved, for a Silverado 1500 diesel, I have owned diesel engines like power stroke and Cummins 5.9 and 6.7, just like diesel engines, what do you can recommend me? Thanks.
I strongly recommend buying a 1500 with a 5.3 gas, I just bought a 3.0 diesel, it gets very little better mpg and costs way more to operate, everything else about it is fine, I have 10700 miles on it and it isn’t getting better mpg, it gets 22.7 or close but when running at higher freeway speeds 5.3 gets much better, I am not happy, it’s not even close to what chevy claims. I have had 3 5.3 gas trucks all of them met their estimated mpg and no down time from service, no engine lights, combined 350,000 miles, my 3.0 has spent well over 2 months in repair shops, no help from chevy they don’t think i know how to calculate mpg, so I am on my own, road tests of chevy and competitors seems to be total B.S., my friend has a new Dodge he is getting 25 mpg, but watch out, take for test ride and look at average mpg over the last 25 miles, it has to be in high twenty’s, I used over 7 gallons of DEF fluid in 2,000 miles only toeing 4500 pound trailer 1/2 of that trip, started trip with 8600 miles on it. DON’T DO IT!
I bought a new 1500 3.0 to get longer distance between fuel stops and something close to 29mpg, but after 10,700 miles I think it should be broke in, I only get around 23 running around 65 to 70 mph after 70 mph drops of real bad and uses lots of def, I took a 2,000 mile trip pulling 4,500 lbs gross low profile 7’inline trailer for 1,000 miles and empty the other 1,000 miles with wind to my back, got 11.5 pulling trailer but only got 20. empty an d a 6,000 ft altitude drop, anything over 70 mph running 16 to 17 mpg, over whole trip used over 7 gallons of DEF, started trip at 8,600 miles finished trip at just over 10,700 miles on truck. fuel mpg over last 8,00 miles is 18.4 gets better mpg running in town, been. in shop over 2 months total totally wrecked 3 trips, no complete trips without time down, I have logged over 350,000 miles on my 3 previous 5.3 gas jobs, they all averaged what was posted on sticker, with 0 time down, what a disappointment, no help from chevy or dealer, they think I don’t know how to calculate mpg. I have talked to dodge owners and they aren’t getting much better, road tests on you-tube must be complete B.S.
Sorry Michael, I traded in my 2012 Avalanche 4×4 w/5.3 and 3.42 rear end. Best milage i ever got was 19.8 on a trip to Yellowstone. That 19.8 was in AZ. I traded for a 2020 LTZ 2/wd 3.0 I6 diesel. It has 3.23 gears and it is consistently getting in the 26-29 mpg range. Best was 34.1 and that was during the break in period. I pulled a 27′ travel trailer last year over 600mi and my best mpg was 15.2 going and 13.6 coming back and i was really dogging it on the way back. I have no complaints w/mine only praise. People still walk up to me and comment on what a nice truck it is and are even more surprised to find out it is a diesel and how quite it is when i start it up for them. The DEF was full on the 600 mile trip and above half full when we got back. I check my mpg on the on board computer and it is as close to perfect as trying to figure it out on a calculator.
John make it 4×4 , much heavier, more stuff turning, but they claim to be driving a 4×4, yes a 2wh drive will get better mileage but certainly won’t do it in the mountains, they also claim to be driving 73 mph, your truck is lighter and lower profile, no real comparison, I would be happy to be in mid twenties just once in a while.
The new 3.0 diesel is a dog of an engine. My GMC AT4 has less than 12,000 miles and it has been in the shop for engine-related issues for 64 of the past 120-days. Perhaps it’s just me and my truck is the one true “lemon” that made it out of the factory. At any rate, I highly recommend the 5.3 or 6.2 engines. This is my 8th GM product in the last 25 years (wife has had 4 Suburbans, me 4 pickups) and they have all been gas — not one major issue like this. This truck needs to be placed down range as an Army Tank Table VIII static target. For those of you who don’t know what Tank Table 8 is — it is the live-fire certification course for tank crews. The M1 was much more reliable than this truck — and more fun!