Chevy diesel questions and concerns
Not sure if this is the correct blog category but I'll start here.
I bought my used 2011 Chevy Duramax/Allison tranny a year ago. Love it. It was the first diesel I had ever driven, and because of that I believe that I am still learning stuff. I heard/learned some stuff the other day that I am considering which I will relate here.
My neighbor has basically the same truck as me: a 2012 GMC Denali Duramax/Allison tranny. He is towing a large 5th wheel and has had several diesels before this. You can see my TT below in my signature.
When I tow I always push in the "tow" button at the end of gear station. My neighbor only pushes his button when going up hills and mt. passes.
When I tow I have rarely used my jake brake, thinking that the gearing in my "tow button" position is sufficient when descending hills/mt. passes, having heard that my Allison transmission is "bullet proof". When towing my neighbor immediately pushes his jake brake button when he starts the engine and keeps it on all day.
My questions: Who is towing correctly? By keeping his jake break button activated all the time is his engine at any risk? Or are my brakes/transmission at a risk because of the way I rarely use my jake brake?
I have searched my truck's owner's manual and also the internet for answers to these questions and neither was much help to me.
My dashboard readout states that my average overall MPG is 15.2 mph while my neighbor's overall readout is 18.1 mph. Neighbor says it's because I am using the "tow button" feature when I am towing, and he is only using it when the tranny starts "searching" going up hill.
Feedback to my questions and concerns are appreciated. I have a great tow vehicle, and I want to get the most out of it when towing and I want to be able to be towing with it for a long, long time.
Aside: I am, and have always been, a stickler for keeping up with planned maintenance on all of my vehicles.
I bought my used 2011 Chevy Duramax/Allison tranny a year ago. Love it. It was the first diesel I had ever driven, and because of that I believe that I am still learning stuff. I heard/learned some stuff the other day that I am considering which I will relate here.
My neighbor has basically the same truck as me: a 2012 GMC Denali Duramax/Allison tranny. He is towing a large 5th wheel and has had several diesels before this. You can see my TT below in my signature.
When I tow I always push in the "tow" button at the end of gear station. My neighbor only pushes his button when going up hills and mt. passes.
When I tow I have rarely used my jake brake, thinking that the gearing in my "tow button" position is sufficient when descending hills/mt. passes, having heard that my Allison transmission is "bullet proof". When towing my neighbor immediately pushes his jake brake button when he starts the engine and keeps it on all day.
My questions: Who is towing correctly? By keeping his jake break button activated all the time is his engine at any risk? Or are my brakes/transmission at a risk because of the way I rarely use my jake brake?
I have searched my truck's owner's manual and also the internet for answers to these questions and neither was much help to me.
My dashboard readout states that my average overall MPG is 15.2 mph while my neighbor's overall readout is 18.1 mph. Neighbor says it's because I am using the "tow button" feature when I am towing, and he is only using it when the tranny starts "searching" going up hill.
Feedback to my questions and concerns are appreciated. I have a great tow vehicle, and I want to get the most out of it when towing and I want to be able to be towing with it for a long, long time.
Aside: I am, and have always been, a stickler for keeping up with planned maintenance on all of my vehicles.
