Terrain mode

15 Z71 · October 28

So I have had my my 2024 silverado crew 1500 LT about 3 months now. Really happy with it. My question is, coming from last 2 trucks being Z71's and having 4wheel low. What are people using in place of it, if needed? Manual says terrain mode mimics it but not to spin tires or to much strain can over heat transfer case. Has any one really used it like four wheel low? And how did it work?

newdude · October 28

28 minutes ago, 15 Z71 said:

So I have had my my 2024 silverado crew 1500 LT about 3 months now. Really happy with it. My question is, coming from last 2 trucks being Z71's and having 4wheel low. What are people using in place of it, if needed? Manual says terrain mode mimics it but not to spin tires or to much strain can over heat transfer case. Has any one really used it like four wheel low? And how did it work?

I used it once on a hill in my yard. Works as described. Uses the brakes/abs, along with throttle mapping changes to mimic a 4LO operation.

I can also say I used it just to try it. I've never had a scenario to use 4LO in any of the trucks I had prior, so non issue for me, but at least I know Terrain mode works if I need it.

Also, if you own an RV and flat tow your vehicle, you can NOT flat tow with the single speed transfer case as it does not have the ability to enter a neutral position. You have to trailer it or 4 wheel dolly it.

Terrain Mode

Use for finer control during low speed, off-road driving. When using this mode it will mimic the characteristics of four-wheel-drive low (4 n) without the torque capabilities.

Use when:

Traveling on very rough roads at very low speeds, such as a two-track or heavily rutted road.
Traveling slowly in grassy fields.
Pulling a boat out of the water on a trailer.
Using the vehicle for public off-road recreational driving. See Off-Road Driving and Hill and Mountain Roads.

Using terrain mode in extreme conditions that cause the wheel(s) to slip can lead to excessive heat in the transfer case causing four-wheel drive and terrain mode to automatically turn off, leaving the vehicle in two-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive will automatically re-engage once the transfer case has cooled, then terrain mode can be turned back on.

When in Terrain Mode, the vehicle will shift automatically but may hold a lower gear longer to maximize engine torque. A unique pedal map, transmission shift pattern, and rpm control are utilized to give better control at lower speeds and over rough terrain. When the vehicle comes to a stop, Vehicle Hold is engaged. TCS will be optimized for maximum torque transfer across axles, and Active Braking During Lift Throttle will be engaged.

Active Braking During Lift Throttle:

Automatically applies light braking, similar to heavy engine braking of four-wheel-drive low.
Applies light braking in D (Drive) until the vehicle is at idle speeds. In Manual L1 and Manual L2, moderate braking may stop the vehicle.
Reduces trailer braking.

Terrain Mode Drive Select

Expected Vehicle Behavior

Ideal Terrain

Drive (L3-Lx)

Minor deceleration when off throttle and mild ability to modulate throttle; mimics performance of 4 n without torque multiplication.

Grassy fields,

mild two tracks,

rutted roads,

large rolling hills

L2

Moderate deceleration when off throttle and moderate ability to modulate throttle; will bring vehicle to a stop in most cases.

Mild rock crawling,

heavy ruts,

short, steeper grades

L1

Significant deceleration when off throttle and significant ability to modulate throttle; will bring vehicle to a stop in most cases.

Rock crawling downhill

Active Braking During Lift Throttle will reduce the back and forth between the accelerator and brake pedals.

Vehicle Hold Features:

When the vehicle comes to a stop on an incline grade in forward gear or on a decline grade in reverse gear, Vehicle Hold is engaged until the accelerator pedal is pressed.
When the vehicle is in forward gear on a decline, the vehicle is allowed to creep down the hill when the brake pedal is released without pressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle will also creep forward on flat ground.
If the driver seat belt is removed and the driver door is opened while the vehicle is being held, Electric Parking Brake (EPB) will be engaged.
EPB will engage if the vehicle is held for an extended period.

Terrain Mode is only available on vehicles equipped with the single speed transfer case.

Terrain Mode can only be active when:

Vehicle speed is less than 80 km/h (50 mph).
The transfer case is in 4 m.

Frequent use of this mode may cause brake wear due to the light braking.

The vehicle will automatically exit the mode if the brakes get too hot. Terrain Mode can be turned back on after the brakes have cooled.

When Terrain Mode is selected:

Auto Engine Start/Stop will be disabled.
The Terrain Mode indicator displays on the instrument cluster.

15 Z71 · October 29

So do most people just use 4 hi on snowy roads or the offroad mode? See both look like they would be fine.

newdude · October 29

52 minutes ago, 15 Z71 said:

So do most people just use 4 hi on snowy roads or the offroad mode? See both look like they would be fine.

AUTO handles it most of the time for me. So variable conditions like a dusting or slush up to maybe a couple inches unplowed road. Beyond that, 4HI. No need for any special drive modes.

15 Z71 · October 29

On my 2015 I had I would use 4 hi and turn off traction control. I can't stand stepping on gas pedal and truck powering down. This will be 1st winter in my 24. Owners manual says not to turn off traction control or could hurt transmission. If driving around.

newdude · October 29

46 minutes ago, 15 Z71 said:

On my 2015 I had I would use 4 hi and turn off traction control. I can't stand stepping on gas pedal and truck powering down. This will be 1st winter in my 24. Owners manual says not to turn off traction control or could hurt transmission. If driving around.

You could experiment with the drive modes like off road or snow/ice if you have snow/ice mode. Snow/Ice though will enable more traction control input. Off road mode (if you have that) will remap the throttle and alter ABS, stabilitrak and traction control operations. I know on like the ZR2 Colorado/Silverado, some of the off road modes on those will cut the interference from those systems and only kick in when needed to, so I'd imagine off road mode would work similar but not as cut back as Baja mode in a ZR2.

Or just drive it how you used to. AUTO or 4HI and traction off.

Also, the no traction "warning" is only for aggressive driving with it off for driveline protection:

Caution: Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate heavily when the Traction Control System is off. The vehicle driveline could be damaged.

Edited October 29 by newdude

15 Z71 · October 29

39 minutes ago, newdude said:

You could experiment with the drive modes like off road or snow/ice if you have snow/ice mode. Snow/Ice though will enable more traction control input. Off road mode (if you have that) will remap the throttle and alter ABS, stabilitrak and traction control operations. I know on like the ZR2 Colorado/Silverado, some of the off road modes on those will cut the interference from those systems and only kick in when needed to, so I'd imagine off road mode would work similar but not as cut back as Baja mode in a ZR2.

Or just drive it how you used to. AUTO or 4HI and traction off.

Also, the no traction "warning" is only for aggressive driving with it off for driveline protection:

Caution: Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate heavily when the Traction Control System is off. The vehicle driveline could be damaged.

That's one thing I really miss on my 2006 z71. None that stuff,no traction control no stability control etc. You put it in 4 hi and it was up to you how it went. Best truck I ever had so far in snow. Handling was awesome in it. I don't understand how turning it off could hurt anything. What if your offloading or in mud?

redwngr · October 29

Deep snow/sand/mud conditions, traction control WILL get you stuck (the powering down already mentioned)

Slippery/wet/icy conditions it can save your butt.

As newdude suggested, give it a try and see what works for your conditions.

15 Z71 · October 30

3 hours ago, redwngr said:

Deep snow/sand/mud conditions, traction control WILL get you stuck (the powering down already mentioned)

Slippery/wet/icy conditions it can save your butt.

As newdude suggested, give it a try and see what works for your conditions.

Do you think it will really hurt anything driving on snowy roads with traction control off in 4 hi. Never hurt my 2015 doing it.

redwngr · October 30

No, I don't think running with traction control off will hurt anything.

repairman54 · Saturday at 03:17 PM

Some TC systems will turn themselves back on over 35 mph. Old jobs 2 WD Express vans would do that, a real pain trying to get a running start up a steep snowy driveway.

I haven't tested my '23 Z71 yet to see if it does that.