If you’re a current Chevy Truck owner, you might want to know about the potential problems that could be causing the vehicle to bog down. Chevrolet Trucks with 320-horsepower engines are rated at 8 miles per gallon in the city and 14 on the highway, but on a highway ride, fuel efficiency is just not enough. Unless your truck has been in for servicing and repairs, it’s possible that there are some costly engine issues causing your truck to be less than efficient as it accelerates. Chevy truck bogs down when accelerating (Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra) and here are some things to know and do.
First, it’s important that you make sure your truck is in top shape before taking a long trip. If you have just had the truck serviced, take it on a trial run before setting off on a 400 mile trip across the country. For example, if your truck is running rough, or hesitating at certain speeds, you won’t save any gas by going on a long trip until these issues have been corrected by your mechanic or service advisor. Here are seven things you should do if your Chevy Truck bogs down when accelerating :
1. You shouldn’t use alcohol on the roads
Chevy Trucks with 4-cylinder engines tend to be more susceptible than their 6-cylinder counterparts. If you want to avoid trouble, it’s best not to drink alcohol at all while driving a Chevy Truck . Alcohol will only add extra engine stress and can cause more serious problems that could cost you a lot of money in repairs. The worst thing about drinking and operating a car is that both substances will make the vehicle run less efficiently. The best thing about drinking and operating a car is that it will make you warm for hours afterwards. Consequently, you’ll be happy when there are no less than two hundred miles between you and home or your next stop.
2. It’s Time to Have Your Truck Checked at a Gas Station
A common problem with Chevy Trucks is that of idling, or the engine running without being engaged. This means that air is blowing through the system without any gas going in and burning. While you’re filling your tank, keep an eye out for any strange noises coming from the truck’s engine. If you hear a rattling sound while you are pumping your gas, look at the shiny underside of your truck bed. Unlike most modern vehicles, the Chevy Truck has a long-lasting metal bed on it to protect the cab from falling off (and to let others know that you do some serious business). If you notice that something is sticking out under the truck, it probably means you have a serious problem.
3. Timing is everything when it comes to repairs
If your Chevy Truck has been in the shop, several things could be causing it to bog down while accelerating and cause more stress on other parts of the engine. If you have had a tune up recently, your mechanic should have checked all of the timing belts and chains in your vehicle. As well as this, there are chain guides that are worn or broken on most modern engines which can cause chain slippage, resulting in less than optimal fuel efficiency and a less-than-perfect drive. Timing belts and chain guides should be looked at by an experienced mechanic.
4. Fuel filters are important, too
If you happen to be in the middle of a field or interstate and your Chevy Truck bogs down when accelerating, the best thing to do is get it on a flat surface. The front wheels of any car are also responsible for steering, so unless you want to keep driving around in circles, simply put the truck into park and wait until someone can come out to help you. Make sure that your truck is turned off before making any adjustments underneath it because the fuel filter can cause gas fumes to come back towards your face (and trust me, they aren’t great for your health in high doses). It’s also important to make sure that your truck is in neutral or park.
5. It’s time to check your air filter
In order for your Chevy Truck to get the air it needs, you will need a good air filter. If it isn’t clean and free from dust, your engine is going to choke on the dirt in the air and the results won’t be good for your driving experience. A dirty filter means a dirty engine, which means that you’re going to end up spending more money in the long run just trying to keep everything running smoothly. Keep them cleaned in order to keep up with gas mileage and maintain a better environmental impact.
6. You’ll need to check the fluids in your Chevy Truck
Oil, transmission fluid and coolant. These three great fluids fill your Chevy Truck’s engine and keep it running smoothly. Unfortunately, they also require maintenance and upkeep to ensure their continued functionality. Anytime you change these fluids or have them serviced, it’s a good idea to also change the engine oil on your truck. Make sure that you get an oil that has the right grade for your truck (e.g., 15w-30 to replace what was in there). If you aren’t sure how to change your engine oil, let a professional do it for you (worth the money).
7. If you’ve tried all of the above, you may want to pay for service ASAP
If none of the above fixes work and your truck is getting worse every day-then it’s time to have it fixed. For anything that has been in the shop for a long time, there’s a good chance that other issues are causing extra stress on your vehicle. For example, if a transmission is worn out and needs replacing due to faulty parts or seals-you can expect that the engine will be more stressed than it was before.
