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2009 Six Speed Transmission

Sierra_AVY said:
Anyone been checking their trans temp on an 09' while towing?  I was at 217 deg for quite a while the other day.  Seems a bit hot.

Look at how small the factory transmission cooler is, it honestly should be used for the power steering cooler.
 
Bought an 09 AV Z71 last week, this is my third AV, had 02 Z71 and just traded an 07 LT2 AV.  I hate the new 6 speed trans.  This thing really lags from a dead stop and down shifts hard when passing.  My 07 pulled right off the line with no effort.  I really notice the difference and have to change my driving habits considerably.  I always downshifted my 07 due to living in mountain environment to save the brakes.  The 09 downshift is cumbersome and will be impossible in an emergency stop due to the several - buttons to get into 3rd gear. This will be hard to get used to.  Thinking about having the dealer check it out due to the severe lag.  Seems that my old 07 with 75k miles would blow the doors off this 09.
 
Traded my 02 Z71 Avy in for the 09 Avy.  I love the 6 speed much better.  It is so much smoother in everyday driving and if you are gentle on the throttle you will never get above 1500 rpm as you accelerate. 
Towing my boat (@4000 lb), there is a difference.  The truck goes to the most effecient gear for gas mileage, which may not be the best for power. 
Overall, the 6 speed is a big improvement over the old 4 speed.
 
I like the 6 speed, but to be honest it is so smooth it is mostly out of your thoughts when driving.  I would agree if you are driving for gas mileage it will keep the rev's low at around 1500.
I would say the rack and pinion steering is what I notice constantly.  This is the nicest driving, quick response steering I have ever had on any of my GM vehicles.
The 20" wheels may be a contributor to that nice quick "sports car ish" steering.  I love driving this truck.
 
Bringing this back up here, I have a 2009 and am thinking about doing an upgrade and beuild it with new components, but it isnt the 4L60E like the earlier ones. What is the code for this one? Is it the 6L80E?
 
09chevyavy said:
Bringing this back up here, I have a 2009 and am thinking about doing an upgrade and beuild it with new components, but it isnt the 4L60E like the earlier ones. What is the code for this one? Is it the 6L80E?

(y)
 
I have an 09 z71 with the 6 spd.  It shifts fine for a truck.  Its a little busier than the old 4 spd.  Kind of miss the way the 4 spds torque converter locks up.  Some folks complain that it is slow to shift.  I agree that it is slow when cold but once your trans temp comes up it really performs much better. I am below 70k miles on mine and had the trans oil changed around 60k.  zero issues.  Having driven the new GM 8 spds there is no comparison.  the 8spd is a quicker smoother shifting transmission. Maybe if they bring the Avy back we will get it with a 6.2L and an 8spd.  :)
 
My 2011 with 5.3 and 6sp trans, gets worst mileage than my 2004 with 5.3 and 4sp trans.  Average with the 2011 is 15.5mpg with very best tank at 19mpg.  The 2004 average was about 17.5 with the very best tank of 22mpg.
The 2011 is spinning 500 rpms less at 60 mph than the 2004.  And when pulling the camper look out, the 2004 dropped to 12 and the 2011 drops to 8.  :(

Otherwise the 6sp is much smoother and handles the hills with the camper better.

The other difference is the 2011 has the 20" wheels vs. the 17" on the 2004, but I don't think that would make much difference.
 
Sierra_AVY said:
Anyone been checking their trans temp on an 09' while towing?  I was at 217 deg for quite a while the other day.  Seems a bit hot.

I'm interested about this subject...

Just for my own information.
 
MikeES said:
My 2011 with 5.3 and 6sp trans, gets worst mileage than my 2004 with 5.3 and 4sp trans.  Average with the 2011 is 15.5mpg with very best tank at 19mpg.  The 2004 average was about 17.5 with the very best tank of 22mpg.
The 2011 is spinning 500 rpms less at 60 mph than the 2004.   And when pulling the camper look out, the 2004 dropped to 12 and the 2011 drops to 8.  :(

Otherwise the 6sp is much smoother and handles the hills with the camper better.

The other difference is the 2011 has the 20" wheels vs. the 17" on the 2004, but I don't think that would make much difference.

Our '04 get's 14.5 normally, with our best being 16.5. That seems on par with what most people get. Maybe your '04 had something done to it to increase abnormally?
 
Forge04 said:
Our '04 get's 14.5 normally, with our best being 16.5. That seems on par with what most people get. Maybe your '04 had something done to it to increase obnormally?

I would agree with this.  We have an 03 that we bought new, we generally see about 17 on straight highway and 12-13 in city traffic.  Recently bought a 2010, it definitely gets better mileage.  I typically see over 20 on the highway and 14-15 in the city.  So far the only thing I'm not crazy about with the 2010 is if I floor it from a low speed, like under 10 mph, there's a delay before it kicks down to 1st and goes.  Not sure if that's normal or not, it shifts beautifully otherwise. 
 
Have an 02 (270000 miles)  and an 09 i like them both the 09 gets better gas milage  but dogs down on hills. Have not towed anything with it yet to see how it preforms on that aspect. The 02 still hauls a$$ on the hills and tows awesome maybe i need to just get used to the 09 and put the throttle down on the hills but been trying to stay out of it to see what kind of fuel milage i can get.
Usually towing a single car trailer with my other toy a 1949 dodge rat rod and thats only to car shows that are over 100 miles away
 
TheSpartanKnight said:
I'm interested about this subject...

Just for my own information.
Mine is normally running at 200 degrees when towing, this summer was a little warmer and I hit 212 degrees. I thought that's a little high. I have the HD cooling as well.
 
Bassman Z71 said:
Mine is normally running at 200 degrees when towing, this summer was a little warmer and I hit 212 degrees. I thought that's a little high. I have the HD cooling as well.

There's another discussion on this very topic. There's the HD cooler, which I believe is an added reservoir on the bottom of the radiator, then there's the AUX transmission cooler that is another radiator mounted in the front/center of the radiator. I checked the other day when I remembered and mine's there.
 
My understanding from the spec sheets is that the Chevy HD cooling package is:  1) Aux external Trans cooler and 2) Engine oil cooler and 3) Trans oil temp gauge. Never heard of additional reservoir??  Funny you stall have to order the Integrated Brake controller separately...

See from 2011 Brochure below:

Trailering Heavy-Duty Cooling Package
? includes external transmission and engine oil coolers (standard on Suburban
2500 models), 2-speed Autotrac transfer case on 4x4 models
and electric brake controller
 
See this thread: http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,83237.0.html

I CHNGE said:
IMHO there is every reason to install an aux trans fluid cooler...especially if you tow

There has been and is still a lot of confusion that exists with owners and dealers (they should know but often don't) regarding OEM installed equipment.

Without discussing the pros/cons of it...the OEM tranny cooler that IS "installed" in our Avs...is merely a tank attached to the bottom portion of the radiator...hardly effective for towing IMHO

So "technically"...the Av comes with a tranny cooler...and this is part of the reason you get so many conflicting answers and why there is so much confusion about listed equipment on the window sticker etc

As many of the excellent responses above indicate...for better trans fluid cooling...install the Aux Tranny Cooler that mounts in front of the radiator...especially if you tow

edit: please note the carefully worded terms I used (tranny cooler vs. aux tranny cooler)

lmychajluk said:
Avid, I think you're mis-informed (re: the 2007s, anyway)...

In the 2007 Order Guide, there's the following RPO code:
KNP - Cooling, external transmission oil cooler, heavy-duty air-to-oil
1 - Required when (GT5) 4.10 rear axle ratio is ordered.
Not available with (GT4) 3.73 rear axle ratio.

Also:
GT5 - Rear axle, 4.10 ratio
1 - Requires (G80) heavy-duty locking rear differential. Requires (KNP) external transmission oil cooler.
2 - Requires (G80) heavy-duty locking rear differential. Requires (KNP) external transmission oil cooler. Required with (L76) Vortec 6.0L V8 SFI engine.

So, basically, getting the 4.10 rear (which is optional w/ the 5.3, required w/ the 6.0L) will also require you to get the Transmission Oil Cooler (KNP), which will get installed at the factory. Also, though I think this is the same cooler that can be ordered via and installed by the dealer as an accessory (Part# 19171483 for the '07s, #12497071 for the '06 (& previous?)), keep in mind that if it was obtained in this manner it won't be in the list of codes in the glove box.

So there's a bit of research to do, especially when it comes down to HD and Aux coolers. Basically, go look at your grill. I did, I have the L76 and 6L80E, and I have the Aux, as I'm supposed to. From what I gather, this also means I have the 4.10 gearing, as I did in my 1979 IH Scout II. Funny how the world turns... :D
 
You can't compare the older AV with the 07 up AV different animals. You don't have 4.10s with a 6 speed tranny with have 3.42 with a towing package.

See if this helps you.

https://archives.media.gm.com/us/gm/en/news/events/pig_index.html
 
MS03 2500 said:
You can't compare the older AV with the 07 up AV different animals. You don't have 4.10s with a 6 speed tranny with have 3.42 with a towing package.

See if this helps you.

https://archives.media.gm.com/us/gm/en/news/events/pig_index.html

I'm confused by this MS03... did you mean "will" instead of "with"?
 
You can not get 4.10 with  6 speed tranny in the 09 up.

GM switched to the 6 speed tranny in 2009 model year you could only get 3.08 and 3.42.  It had to do with getting better gas mileage.

The 07 and 08 you could go 4.10 with the older 4 speed tranny

Click that link and look up your year and it will tell ya what came with it.
 
Actually love the 6 speed in my 13 AV. I am not even going to bother with a tune because the shifting is so good. Can't say the same for my 14 Silvy I use to have. Black Bear straighten it out.

Also for the people with 6 speeds, push and hold the tow haul button until you get the message in the DIC, grade braking disabled. Post if you feel a difference on how it shifts.
 
ttt

No one has a 6sp?
I know this is a old, like myself, but my beautiful 09 avy inforno orange,has a 6 speed tranny. I love everything about it, I am spoiled on self shifting. I added straight duals pipes with a h pipe and 5"tips, sounds great. I also added a cold air intake. I have had so many compliments on the looks and sound that I can't count. I am 65 years old,all of the young folks in my small town ride by racing their motors. I have been dusted by a Charger, but I didn't challenge it,he is a local,he got a 2-3car jump on me, I did air it out and at 122mph, I quit,top end is endless.
 
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