GM's New Battery Saver Feature Can Save Tailgaters

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GM's New Battery Saver Feature Can Save Tailgaters

Posted by Mike Levine | November 13, 2009

If you’ve ever used your truck for tailgating, you know you can kill the battery by running a 12-volt TV, cooler or stereo. It’s easy to forget to turn off these items while you’re barbecuing and enjoying the celebration in the parking lot outside the big game.

For 2010, GM has quietly introduced a solution that will help ensure you’ll be able to start your truck after the party has ended. It’s called Battery Saver: Instead of automatically shutting off the headlights or interior lights after 10 minutes, if you forget to turn them off, Battery Saver monitors your battery voltage. When the voltage drops too low, the truck flashes “Battery Saver: Restart Truck” on the driver information display in the gauge cluster and shuts power to 12-volt accessories, leaving just enough juice to turn the engine over, so your battery can recharge.

Of course, if you’re looking for a longer-lasting tailgate vehicle that you don’t have to worry about pausing the party, you may want to consider the Two-Mode Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra Hybrids. On a full tank of fuel, they can power the party for a full 2.5 days before needing a refill. The engine starts up and shuts off automatically, as needed, to keep the batteries fully charged.

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Comments

Good job GM , its sounds like a nice feature .

Posted by: Taylor | Nov 13, 2009 4:22:38 PM

Ford F-150 has had the battery saver feature for a few years. Welcome to the party GM.

Posted by: Mark G | Nov 13, 2009 6:48:47 PM

My 2006 silverado and my 2003 had something similar. I bumped a map light and it cut the power.

Posted by: Brian | Nov 13, 2009 7:39:09 PM

Mark G, so has GM.

Like Brian said above, my uncles 2004 GMC Sierra has something Similar as well.

Posted by: Jake | Nov 13, 2009 8:21:35 PM

My 2004 Silverado has the run down protection too .

Posted by: Taylor | Nov 13, 2009 9:15:32 PM

Whoppie Ding Dong, must be a slow news day

Posted by: JO | Nov 14, 2009 9:04:59 AM

How about a "tailgate" mode where even the gas engine will start and stop automatically when the battery gets low?

With the autostart feature available on the gas trucks, there is no reason why an auto start/stop is limited to the hybrid rigs.

Posted by: Onug | Nov 14, 2009 12:03:03 PM

I could save alot of money and have more electric power functionality by buying a power generator.

Whoopie ding dong indeed. :)

Posted by: ken | Nov 14, 2009 12:20:59 PM

LOL !!!! Chevy guys laugh at other trucks when they have features like this and other features,(complain its not a real truck)but when they get them its the cats a** !!! Chevy sucks..

Posted by: David Shift Kit | Nov 14, 2009 12:47:03 PM

gm always do better...

Posted by: miath | Nov 14, 2009 3:36:03 PM

Not so fast. Read more carefully. The older battery rundown protection systems worked by shutting off the dome lights or headlights, not by shutting off the 12v accessories or monitoring battery voltage. I know because I've had 3 Chevy's and a Ford that all were capable of losing a charge due to accessories, even though they had the battery run down protection. It isn't a huge difference, but it is enough to be noteworthy.

Posted by: Dan | Nov 15, 2009 7:47:56 AM

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