Ok, so I am planning a long trip, and I know there are going to be one or two decent "grades" along the way. My question is on the downhill side of things, how does engine braking work?

I know some of the later models when your in tow mode will show on the dic that engine braking is activated or something like that. Will that also occur on the 2007?

I'm just trying to prepare for something I've not done before. So anyone that has experience with how this works, please let me know. Even better if you also have a 2007 tahoe/burb/yukon etc.

 

are you hauling something?

you can enable tow mode, which, no does not show engine braking on the DIC... just a light that you are in tow mode.

using the brakes to brake to say 40 mph, and if you then let off the brakes, will cause the vehicle to use the engine to slow you down, keeping you as close to your speed as it can.

if you press the throttle, it will stop.

it's a fairly smart system, I had a 4-wheeler that used to do the same thing... 10 years ago.

or you can shift to manual and put it in 3/2, since you have a 07 I believe you have a 4 speed.

 

I have not seen anything like that in my 07 but do use the tow mode and as SabrToothSqrl suggested down shift to 3... also feather your braking to prevent excess heating...

 

SabrToothSqrl haha yes I'll be pulling my travel trailer. Guess I should have included that lol.

Thanks for the tips, now I know what to do and expect.

 

Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load. The
purpose of the Tow/Haul mode is to:
• Reduce the frequency and improve the
predictability of transmission shifts when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
• Provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load as when
the vehicle is unloaded.
• Improve control of vehicle speed while
requiring less throttle pedal activity when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
• Increase the charging system voltage to assist
in recharging a battery installed in a trailer.
Press this button at the end of the shift lever to
enable/disable the tow/haul mode.
A light on the instrument
panel will illuminate to
indicate that tow/haul
mode has been
selected.



Your vehicle is equipped with a button at the end of
the shift lever which, when pressed, enables
tow/haul. Your vehicle may be equipped with
Autoride® which further improves your vehicle’s ride
while towing. See Autoride® on page 416 for more
information. When the button is pressed, a light on
the instrument panel will illuminate to indicate that
Tow/Haul has been selected. Tow/Haul may be
turned off by pressing the button again, at which
time the indicator light on the instrument panel will
turn off. The vehicle will automatically turn off
Tow/Haul every time it is started.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most effective when
the vehicle and trailer combined weight is at
least 75 percent of the vehicle’s Gross Combined
Weight Rating (GCWR). See Weight of the
Trailer later in this section. Tow/Haul is most useful
under the following driving conditions:
• When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load through rolling terrain.
• When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load in stop and go traffic.
• When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load in busy parking lots where
improved low speed control of the vehicle is
desired.
Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly
loaded or with no trailer at all will not cause
damage. However, there is no benefit to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the vehicle is
unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded may
result in unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy.
Tow/Haul is recommended only when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.