First Drive Review: 2011 GM Heavy Duty Pickups Summary, Part 5
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Other Notable Items
Like Ford’s Power Stroke, the Duramax uses selective catalytic reduction to scrub nitrogen oxide emissions down to no more than 0.2 grams per horsepower/hour. It’s a new EPA requirement as of Jan. 1.
The SCR system uses diesel exhaust fluid, or DEF. The urea-based solution (32.5 percent industrial urea and 67.5 percent deionized water) is held in a 5.3-gallon storage tank and injected as a fine mist into the Duramax’s hot exhaust gases. The heat turns the urea into ammonia that, when combined with a special catalytic converter, breaks down the nitrogen oxide emissions into harmless nitrogen gas and water vapor.
The DEF refill point for the Silverado HD is mounted under the hood of the engine instead of next to the diesel refueling cap on the side of the cargo box, as it is on the 2011 Super Duty.
We’re told to expect about a 5,000-mile range on DEF, but we couldn't see how much we used in our heavy towing and hauling exercises because we moved from truck to truck quickly. We’ll have to wait and see how it goes once we do an extended drive later this summer with a Sierra HD.
The GM HD pickups are also B20 biodiesel compatible, able to run on a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent conventional diesel fuel.
Summary
After sampling a wide range of 2011 GM HD pickups in varying towing and hauling situations, we’re very impressed with the changes that GM has made just three years after the last major revision to these trucks.
With towing, hauling and power ratings that surpass almost every truck in the segment, GM has gotten closer to challenging Ford’s best-selling F-Series Super Duty lineup than ever before. The new frame, ride and handling and diesel powertrain improvements have class-leading performance and are certain to work well in almost every situation we can imagine, unless you’re a swamp road logger and need a solid front axle for that extra bit of off-road capability.
We only wish that GM’s trucks received more extensive exterior makeovers and all-new high-quality interiors with modern information technology.
What We Like
- 6.6-liter Duramax V-8 diesel and Allison six-speed automatic transmission are better than ever
- Standard diesel exhaust brake is best in class, along with best-in-class cruise control that makes long-distance towing and hauling a snap
- Bigger wheel brakes have best-in-class feel and add confidence while towing larger loads than ever before
- Newly available 18-inch and 20-inch wheels
- Confidence-instilling ride and handling characteristics on all pickup models
- Mobile Wi-Fi is a productivity enhancer while you’re on the go
- Trailer sway control for SRW HD pickups
- GMC Sierra Denali HD is a classy workhorse
What We Don’t
- Big louver on the hood of the Sierra HDs has to go. Should be a deletable feature.
- Interior fit and finish should match the excellent driving performance
- Revised six-speed 6L90 transmission needs more calibration
- Lacks a rich driver information computer like Ford’s productivity screen and Ram’s in-dash LCD
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