2011 Chevy Suburban

[Texan2]

I have a 2011 Suburban in my driveway that I am probably going to buy Monday. Does anyone have any experience with the 5.3 v8 that has the variable displacement ability? I have never owned a vehicle that can shut off cylinders. Curious if it actually helps gas mileage or is it hype?

 

[ChunkyMonkey]

I've heard mixed reviews, even from my Sgt who bought one from his wife. If you hit the cruise control and it can maintain easily without bouncing up and down gears, its great.

 

[Charlie]

Nice vehicle, regardless of the mileage thing. A friend has a GMC truck with the "flex fuel" and it seems to work great for him on the highway.

 

[codygjohnson]

even from my Sgt who bought one from his wife.

That dude must work too much if he's THAT distant from his wife...or she just runs him like mine runs me. I wouldn't put it past my wife to end up selling me a car I bought her...lol

 

[Texan2]

this one has the Flex Fuel ability as well, but I tried that (E85) a few years ago with another truck I had. It kills your mileage. I hate E85 and the fact that it makes the price of corn go up.

 

[ChunkyMonkey]

LOL....meant "bought for.". Flex fuel is a joke too. Sorry, I'm not going to put something in my truck that'll reduce my mpg.

 

[ChunkyMonkey]

E85 reduced my Tundra 3mph. Now, E85 is awesome on the racetrack with a proper timer. That flexfuel is about a 1k add on...I didn't realize it until after my Tundra was delivered.

 

[robertc1216]

I heard that it disengages at a certain engine load and above like 75 mph.

 

[Texan2]

Yep, I understand the concept....just wondered how it works in the real world.

 

[sneekysnake]

I have worked on a few and i like them. Have had no problems with this feature . Also have a 2010 Camaro SS that has the same feature 429 hp and 19-21 miles per gallon . It kills the spark as well as the fuel to the cylinders. You are right E85 sucks it also ruins the rubber hoses in the fuel tank . makes them soft

 

[Texan2]

This Suburban has a 5.3 and 320 factory HP. I think that is pretty good for 21mpg.

 

[Jason]

This Suburban has a 5.3 and 320 factory HP. I think that is pretty good for 21mpg and EIGHT THOUSAND POUNDS.

eeeekkk!!!

 

[Texan2]

except they only weigh about 6k

 

[TXchoctaw]

I had a Caddy back in the early 80's that had this technology and it worked good back then, I'm sure they have improved on it considerably since.

 

[Jakashh]

This Suburban has a 5.3 and 320 factory HP. I think that is pretty good for 21mpg.

Didn't the Z06 Vette get 31 mpg highway from it's ridiculous 6th gear? That, and it has 505 hp lol.

 

[Texan2]

Didn't the Z06 Vette get 31 mpg highway from it's ridiculous 6th gear? That, and it has 505 hp lol.

Something like that. When its going 70 in 6th gear it is only turning 1400 RPMs....it crazy. But it proves you can make cars get good mileage if you want to.

 

[Texan2]

I had a Caddy back in the early 80's that had this technology and it worked good back then, I'm sure they have improved on it considerably since.

I would tend to think so. I remember those old Caddies with the 4-6-8 engines.

 

[M. Sage]

The 4-6-8 was a joke. This one runs on either 4 or 8, no "intermediate" steps. I haven't really heard of any issues, but am not a big fan of the added complexity.

The system does more than shut down spark and fuel - it shuts closes the valves to those cylinders by purposely collapsing the lifters for them. I'm not sure how they keep the lifters from beating themselves to death against the cam, but they (and Mopar) do it somehow.

 

[robertc1216]

I heard some one say it works pretty well, but you have to drive like an old lady.

 

[espy59lc]

My dad has it in his Silverado. Really works well. And if you're buying it brand new that 5y/100,000mi warranty isn't bad either!