2003 Trailblazer 37.000 miles and changing gear

Seems like specially when engine is cold doesn't change gear easily.At last I feel that way. It is 4WD but I always use it on 2WD and in the morning when engine is cold engine gets laud before changing gear first to second and same second to third, if you listening the engine should change it before gets laud like that.
But when engine warm doesn't seem that way and changing gears are easy the way suppouse to be.
Any idea this is normal or not, maybe some TB owner has same feelings like mine.
Thanks guys this is a great forum.

Sounds like the clutch fan is roaring (over spinning) when cold. Very common for clutch fans. As long as it stops (quiets down) after a few minutes, it's OK. The roar noise makes the engine sound like its over-reving between gears. As far as 4x4 goes, you should exersize the system 1-2 times per month. Turn 4x4 on drive a few hundred feet and turn it off.

G/luck
Joel

Thank you I will try to use 4x4 like you said.
I never used 4x4

Thank you I will try to use 4x4 like you said.
I never used 4x4

Yes excersising the 4 wheel drive is a great tip. I replaced the converter drive twice on my s10 blazer before I got smart to that trick.

I just put on 4X4Hi and car acted like emergency break was on than got better, I drove like mile or so and switched to 2WDHi, should I try 4X4LO and A4WD too or this was enough?
Thanks again

I just put on 4X4Hi and car acted like emergency break was on than got better, I drove like mile or so and switched to 2WDHi, should I try 4X4LO and A4WD too or this was enough?
Thanks again
You shoudn't feel the 4x4 engage, its pretty smooth, in fact unless you turn really sharp or look at the indicator light you wouldn't know its in 4wd. I dont know why it did what it did unless it went into 4x4lo but i thought u had to be stopped to go into low range. i would try it again in 4HI if it goes smooth then try 4 LO. A4Wd you'll need a slippery surface(gravel road etc.) and see if it engages you'll notice it, it'l spin for a second then the front will grab and off you go. if that all works i would say ok. if u never used the 4wd then i would check the fluid levels in the transfer and front dif.

If your tires are not all exactly the same diameter, one or more worn more than the rest, you will feel some sluggishness/binding in 4x4 mode. Not real good for the drivetrain, but fine for short bursts.

G/luck
Joel

wouldn't it take more then a "worn" tire to bind. Depending on the kind of tire he has, if he has factory open trail tires there isn't really enuf tread on the tires that if he were to burn off one tire I wouldn't think it would make a difference.........would it? I know different size tires would but I would think that tire wear would be taking in account when designing the gearing. But of course those are the peolple that see it on paper and say "yup it'll work perfect". lol

It could, especially if the worn tire(s) is underinflated compared to the less worn tires. You are right about mixed matched tires. That's the more likely cause. I've seen threads where people came home from the tire shop to find one odd-ball new tire on their 4x4! That will cause some hellacious binding.

G/luck
Joel

Oh ya, I forgot about the underinflation being a factor. That'll do it.

A4Wd you'll need a slippery surface(gravel road etc.)

This is important. Never engage 4WD-LO on pavement (unless it's covered with snow).

.

4lo really isn't intended for driving at all. It more or less for crawling along a trail or getting you up a boat launch, etc.. You can engage 4lo (for testing) on pavement for a short burst without issue. Just make sure it's a straight away.

G/luck
Joel

When I put 4Lo yellow light flashes but nothing happens, I just tried all others and switched fine but 4Lo always flashes? is this because I was on the road instead of snow covered place or something?

When I put 4Lo yellow light flashes but nothing happens, I just tried all others and switched fine but 4Lo always flashes? is this because I was on the road instead of snow covered place or something?
Owner's manual says: engage in neutral at a standstill only.

Thats when I tried to switched 4LO I was stopped and put in on park then switched to 4LO and it does flashing and nothing happens.
All other 4HI AWD were fine.
Am I doing it wrong or something is wrong? (Not that I need 4LO too bad or anything but just wondering)
Thanks guys

try it in Neutral instead of park. 4lo is geard so low that it can only be put in 1 way (for the most part), as for 4hi is more forgiving to put in.

Yep, it's setup like any pushbutton part time 4x4 system. You have to be FULLY STOPPED and in NEUTRAL to engage 4lo. Park wont work, and if you are rolling or moving it wont work.

Joel

Yes in neutral I did it and switched to 4LO and now I have another problem.
In 4HI I drove the car half a mile or so and in a left turn tires felt like locked up and I stoped and realize that back of the car lifted up? I got in to car and switched to 2HI and rightaway car went down.
Again I tried later on 4HI and in a sharp left turn car did the same thing.
Any idea what is going on or anything I should know.
In 2HI mode no problem at all, AWD mode also has no problem.

when in 4wd DO NOT turn sharp on dry ground it can damage the front end. when turning and the front end starts hopping that means u are to sharp. A4wd works fine cuz its not engaged until the rear tires loose traction then it automatically engages thfront tires until traction is gained and then it releases the fron tires. how high was the rear end?

I have to say around 5 inches or so, when the sharp turn comes this is normal? I don't have to worry anything?

the hopping front end is normal, but dont do it. even on slippery surfaces when turned sharp you'll feel the front end kinda binding so on dry where there is no give for tires to slip the front end takes the abuse and being in 4 low that much tork could really do damage if rolling and turning. as far as the back end being that high, i know its not normal but i never turned that sharp in 4 lo so i couldn't say if mine raises up to compare. If it goes in all the 4wd gears the way they are suppose to it should be ok, just remember not to turn really sharp while in 4hi or lo, A4wd is fine to turn sharp in cuz you wont be losing traction.......typically.

Thank you for your replies.I really learned a lot from you.
Seems like everything is okay now. So if it is a heavy rainy or snow day and you driving in 4X4HI and had to make a sharp turn what do you suppouse to do? Stop and switched to 2WD and turned back to 4X4HI later or after every turn?
Thanks again

the only time i use my 4wd is in the snow. i never use it in the rain. if i were to, i would use A4wd then there is no issue w/ turning. i can drive through town in the snow in 4 hi and turn corners no problem. the TB has such a steering radius that you really have to be turned sharp to notice the front end. next time you get snow on the roads, do a u-turn (in 4wdhi) and you'll feel the front end not turning as sharp as it should be. turning corners or maneuvering through town u shoukldn't have any issues.......just no 4lo on raw pavement, if u must play in 4lo, wait for snow or mud or find a straight away on grass or dirt if u wanna feel the tork.....have fun