Wheels spin too fast for traction in 4 auto
I have a 2011 Silverado. When it's nice out, I keep it in 2 WD. In snow, I
keep the vehicle in 4 auto. In snow, The 4 wheel drive works at first. When
it's working, I get the dashboard notification that the truck is activating
traction control successfully. But after just a few minutes, the service 4
wheel drive light comes on and the wheels stop receiving accurate traction
control instructions. In other words, after the service 4 wheel drive message
comes on, pushing the gas pedal results in WAY to much power being sent
to the wheels.
When I push even LIGHT pressure on the gas pedal, the engine revs and
the wheels spin very fast in place. The wheels spin so fast that it's like I'm
doing a burnout in the snow so the truck will not move forward. The wheels
spin too fast to create traction. I've gotten "stuck" on a flat street in 6 inches
of snow because when I press the gas, the wheels just spin super fast so the
vehicle won't move forward.
I've taken my truck to Chevy and they've replaced my actuator every year for
the past 3 years (it's been under warranty every time after the first one).
They have told me, "We can't figure out what the problem is. But because
we THINK it could be the actuator, we just replaced it." Replacing the
actuator "fixes" the problem temporarily. I can drive in snow and "service 4
wheel drive" doesn't come on again for that season. But every year, when
winter snow starts falling again, the same problem reappears. I don't think
it's possible that I'm "burning through" an actuator every year... I use my
truck for commuting. No off road. Any thoughts?
