Chevrolet Silverado Gears Up for 2015 | All American Chevrolet of Slaton

The all-new, GM-developed Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed transmission is matched with the available 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 engine in the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, supporting the pickup’s capabilities with greater efficiency and refinement.

It was designed with 11 percent greater torque capacity than GM’s 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission, complementing the output of the 6.2L, which – at 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque – is the most powerful engine offered in a light-duty pickup.

EPA estimated fuel economy will be announced closer to the start of production in the fourth quarter of 2014.

“The new 8L90 eight-speed is designed tougher to handle the greater power of the Silverado’s powertrains, with great improvements in spin loss to complement that capability with greater efficiency,” said Kavoos Kaveh, global chief engineer for eight-speed automatic transmissions. “It is a marvel of packaging efficiency and driving efficiency that has garnered more than two dozen patents for General Motors.”

With four simple gearsets for optimal efficiency and five clutches (two brake clutches and three rotating clutches), creative packaging enables the new eight-speed automatic to fit the same space as the previous six-speed automatic, with a lower weight. A wider 7.0 overall gear ratio spread provides a numerically higher 4.56 first gear ratio, helping drivers start off more confidently with a heavy load or when trailering.

The 2015 Silverado 1500 equipped with the 6.2L engine and eight-speed automatic transmission will have amaximum available trailer rating of 12,000 pounds, based on SAE J2807 Recommended Practices.

Smaller steps between gears, compared to the 6L80 (see chart below), keep the engine within the sweet spot of the rpm band, making the most of its horsepower and torque to optimize performance and efficiency. They also enable numerically lower rear axle ratios, which reduce engine rpm on the highway for reduced fuel consumption.

Additionally, friction-reducing design features – including all-new synthetic fluid – and lower spin losses via a powerflow that uses only two open clutches contribute further to efficiency. A new torque converter design with turbine damper enhances refinement, particularly during low-speed gear changes, for smoother performance when the truck is loaded or pulling a trailer.

Ratios compared: Hydra-Matic 8L90 vs. 6L80

Type:	8L90 eight-speed automatic	6L80 six-speed automatic
Gear ratios (:1)
First:	4.56	4.03
Second:	2.97	2.36
Third:	2.08	1.53
Fourth:	1.69	1.15
Fifth:	1.27	0.85
Sixth:	1.00	0.67
Seventh:	0.85	N/A
Eighth	0.65	N/A
Reverse:	3.82	3.06

Architectural and design features
More than 550 computer-aided engineering analysis were made during the development of the 8L90 to ensure strength, durability, performance and refinement. The architecture features a one-piece case with an integral bell housing for enhanced powertrain stiffness.

Similar to GM’s six-speed automatic design, the eight-speed’s architecture locates the grounding clutches rearward of the middle of the structure, outside the gearsets. However, the grounding clutches are splined to the case, eliminating the center support, which reduces weight.

This architecture also features a turbine shaft node that reaches to the outside of the barrel, enabling easy execution of a high-resolution magnetic speed sensor. The turbine shaft itself is very short, keeping oil channel drill lengths to a minimum. The rotating clutches are located near the front of the transmission, with short oil feed channels, supporting very fast shifts.

Additional design and performance features include:

• Clutch compensators are fed by lubrication oil rather than the dedicated and regulated feed design of the 6L80. There are two benefits of this new design feature: The reduction of one oil channel between the valve body and the rotating clutches, which reduces the number of rotating oil seals and oil channels within the turbine shaft; and secondly, the capability for rapid discharge of oil in the compensators during clutch apply, for greater control.
• An industry-first off-axis, chain-driven binary vane-type pump – located within the valve body – effectively allows for two pumps in the packaging size of a single, which contributes to lower parasitic losses and optimal priming capability, as well as ideal oil routing to the controls system.
• The binary pump enables a 60-percent reduction in pump torque at points that represent large portions of the operating duty cycle, compared to the 6L80 six-speed, which is a significant contributor to the overall efficiency gains offered by the 8L90.
• The binary pump is located very low in the sump, for greater cold prime operation – as low as -40 F (-40 C) and excellent high-speed operation with stable line pressure.
• Thanks to a new torque converter clutch friction lining and a new control strategy, the 8L90’s squashed torque converter uses conventional dual-path converter feeds.
• New synthetic fluid with improved cold temperature performance and reduced friction characteristics.

Shift time quickness and improved responsiveness are accomplished with a new Gen II controls system. VFS solenoid technology and three internal speed sensors give the 8L90 the capability for world-class shift performance. The new transmission controller is mounted external to the transmission and has processor that executes hundreds of calculations and commands every 6.25 milliseconds.

The 8L90 is built at GM’s Toledo, Ohio, transmission facility.

Source: http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2014/Aug/0820-8speed/0820-silverado-8-speed.html

Full-size SUV keeps modern families entertained and connected, too | All American Chevrolet of Slaton

Chevrolet’s full-size Suburban SUV has ample space and comfort to carry up to nine passengers and their gear on long hauls – and brings cutting-edge technology along for the ride.

Summer is in full swing and with it comes the traditional American road trip. Last year, an estimated 40 million travelers hit the road for the July 4 holiday, according to AAA. While travelers once relied on the alphabet or license plate games to pass the time on long trips, the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban entertains passengers in the most high-tech way.

Additionally, the Suburban’s available maximum trailering package has the capability to tow 8,300 pounds, perfect for hauling a travel trailer, boats, jet skis and other seasonal toys.

“The 2015 Suburban has every creature comfort the modern family needs for a long haul,” said Sandor Piszar, director of Chevrolet Marketing. “With some of the most state-of-the-art technologies available in the industry, the Suburban is sure to give everyone something to do mile after mile.”

The Suburban offers passengers individual entertainment with wireless headphones so they can independently experience the available Blu-ray™ overhead entertainment screens, AM/FM or satellite radio, media devices synced through the available MyLink system’s Bluetooth^® connection, or media connected to built-in USB ports or SD card slots. A composite plug-in in the center console allows rear-seat passengers to play a game system through the overhead, 9-inch LCD entertainment screens.

To ensure the entertainment keeps rolling, 12 power outlets – including multiple 110-volt, three-prong outlets – are available to charge game systems, cell phones and tablets.

Gaming and other media are not limited to what passengers bring into the vehicle, either. This fall, the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban will be available with OnStar 4G LTE, providing a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot to seven devices on one data connection for as little as $5 per month. The stronger connection of the built-in 4G LTE antenna provides data service where traditional cellular service might not, perfect for accessing the Internet on that long trip down desolate roads.

The Wi-Fi connection has a range of 30 feet outside the vehicle, so the entertainment can continue even during roadside stops.

If the entertainment goes low-tech, an acoustic-laminated windshield and inlaid doors with triple seals reduce wind and exterior noise in the cabin, making conversations less of a shouting match.

Long road trips require lots of gear. With a maximum 121.1 cubic feet of cargo space available with the second- and third-row seats folded down, two passengers can pack enough for days on the road. If the traveling party is larger, the Suburban offers ample seating configurations, including a folding second row, and 60/40 split rear row.

The Suburban has class-leading fuel economy of 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, with a 31-gallon fuel tank.

Its comprehensive safety systems include available Adaptive Cruise Control to ensure the Suburban doesn’t get too close to a vehicle traveling in front of it. Front Automatic Braking automatically applies the brake if it gets too close to another vehicle while under the driver’s control. Side Blind Zone and Lane Change Alert make sure the driver knows what’s coming down the Suburban’s side, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert warns the driver if a car is crossing behind the vehicle while backing out of a parking space.

The all-new Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe went on sale earlier this year. Sales are up 14 percent year-over-year through May, with many customers opting for the top-of-the-line level LTZ trim package.

Source: http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2014/Jun/0624-suburban.html

Get a Grip! Why Buy Winter Tires?

Posted in Auto Blog, Vehicle Maintenance 
December 3rd, 2013 at 2:44 pm by Ally Auto

Not everyone has to worry about driving in cold weather, but if you do, you should know that a good set of winter tires can make a big difference. According to Sean Phillips, author of “All Season or Snow Tires,”it’s important to understand that winter and all-season tires are different and have distinct characteristics. If you’re on the fence about buying a set of winter tires, keep reading. We’ll help explain why it could be a good investment.

According to AOL Autos, winter tires are constructed differently than all-season tires. The tread pattern on winter tires is designed to help them dig into ice and snow. This gives them better traction in winter weather. But tread patterns aren’t the only difference. Bankrate.com explains that the rubber compounds in all-season tires harden in colder temperatures. This causes them to lose their grip on the road and become less effective. Winter tires, on the other hand, are made of a softer rubber that grips the road better in colder temperatures. With all these benefits, should you leave winter tires on your car all year? AOL Autos says that while you could leave them on, it’s not a good idea. Winter tires wear faster in warm weather because of the softer rubber². So it’s best to switch back to all-season or summer tires when the weather starts to heat up.

Still not sure if winter tires are right for you? This article from Bankrate.com can help you determine if your car is a candidate for winter tires.

Do you change your tires for the winter season? Tell us in the comments below.

Simple Scale Saves Lives

Posted by Mark Williams | Pickuptrucks.com November 21, 2013

Walking the aisles at the recent Las Vegas Specialty Equipment Market Association Show, an aftermarket showcase of just about every car and truck product known to man, we found a stunning new product that stopped us in our tracks. The idea is simple and will have pickup truck owners wondering why they didn't think of it themselves.

Called WeighSafe, the product uses a small, hydraulically based tongue-weight scale built right into the stock of a trailer hitch. Based on how much down force (or how little, because too little tongue weight is just as dangerous as too much) is being exerted on the ball mount, the scale will show you how much tongue weight (with a relatively small margin of error) is sitting on the back end of your tow vehicle.

The built-in scale was the brainchild of Kevin McAllister from Lehi, Utah, where, as he tells the story, his wife challenged him to invent something that could save lives. At the time the challenge was issued he happened to be studying some federal statistics on trailering accidents and found that more than 10,000 deaths and almost 350,000 injuries could be directly related to improper or unsafe towing.

The product varies in price and can be configured in many different ways. This was McAllister's first time at SEMA, where his new product won the coveted Best New Tools & Equipment Product award. We're hoping we'll see more towing inventions from him in the future.

For more information, call 801-820-7020 or go to www.weigh-safe.com.