jnjnolan

I accidently drove my 2006 Chev 3500 dually with camper and towed vehicle at highway speeds for over 500 miles. My dash indicator light had malfuctioned. My speed averaged about 65 MPH. When I turn off on a secondary road the "service 4x4 WD " warning came up on the dash. That's when I noticed I was driving in 4WD high. When I shut off the truck and checked under the front end (no leaks). When I started the truck , switched in 2WD the "service 4WD light" did not appear again. My Chev is a deisel so I don't really hear any "howling or unsual sound from the front end. I can not identify any abnormal wear on the front tires.
My questions are: Would this driving event cause serious damage to the 4WD system? Can I safley drive in 2 WD until I have the opporunity to have it 4WD system checked out by a quaified mechanic (I'm traveling in Mexico at this time)?
I'd appreciate any advise or suggestion.
jnjnolan

Chevrolet Customer Service

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <wontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> jnjnolan,

To be on the safe side, I would suggest you take the vehicle in for an inspection at your earliest convenience.

Enjoy your road trip!

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me.

Louis
GM Customer Service

jnjnolan

Louis:
Thanks for your prompt reply regarding "driving in 4WD at highway speed". I plan to return to Tucson in mid March, and as you have suggested, I'll have the 4x4 system on my 2006 Chev 3500 inspected when I arrive in the US. I hasitate to have the truck inspected in Mexico unless I have no choice! We do not drive the truck when we are parked at the RV park so we will only drive the Chev when we travel back north (about a 950 mile trip). What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
jnjnolan

Chevrolet Customer Service

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <wontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> jnjnolan,

I understand your hesitation. A diagnosis hasn't been made on the vehicle, so I cannot comment on whether or not to wait. I encourage you to get an inspection at your earliest convenience.

Please note: driving on clean, dry pavement in four-wheel drive for an extended period of time may cause premature wear on your vehicle’s powertrain. Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in four-wheel drive for extended periods of time.

Please keep me posted.

Louis
GM Customer Service