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jessjosh61's avatar
jessjosh61
Explorer
Sep 15, 2015

Chevy 2500 HD - ECM update?

Hi everyone. I have a 2500 HD that is 1.5 years old. I do all of my own maintenance, and have never taken the truck back to the dealer. I read on another post that Ford may update the ECM on their Super Duty trucks in a way that improves fuel mileage. Does anyone know if Chevy does a similar update on their HD trucks? Is there any other reason I should get it into the dealer?
  • If you REALLY want an "upgrade" to you ECM there are more than a few aftermarket tuners available, though most are for more HP/TQ and some claim doing so will give better MPG.
  • Had a software update on mine to take care of DEF freezing issues. Your gas engine should not need an update - if one was needed for emissions issues you would have gotten a letter from GM.
  • Software updates are generally done for a specific reason, like fixing or improving emission cycles, or to address a specific problem. No mfg is going to rewrite a software package just to give owners 0.05MPG inprovement.
  • Well, just because Ford is doing something doesn't necessarily mean GM will follow suit, especially if it is going to cost money.

    Even if they did, I can't imagine this would make any significant difference. It would probably cost you more in fuel to drive round trip to the dealer for the "fix" than you would save by getting the fix.

    If there is nothing wrong with your truck you should only take it in for normal maintenance. Any reputable dealer will tell you if there are any outstanding recalls at that time, and offer to perform them.

    The only other reason to take it in would be to sell it back to the dealer because worrying about whether there's some hidden thing that could/should be done to your truck is not worth the trouble. Just drive your truck and enjoy it. If it starts making funny noises drive it harder until it throws a code or something falls off. THEN take it to the dealer for repairs.