Off-topic stuff…

[strider]

Need? Sometimes, but really it came down to price, availability with features, and personal preference for the style. It’s the AWD with the 82kwh pack, so even less on the range than the other one they had, still for the occasions we need to travel and use DcFc it’s a reasonable upgrade from the bolt. The unfortunate part it was a fleet vehicle so it’s only got 30k miles on it, but various Knicks and chips that I probably won’t ever get around to fixing, but it rides wonderfully

Thanks. I also prefer the look of the Blazer over the Equinox but also trying to get the best bang for the buck.

I like the look of the blazers. One of my favorite EV’s but based on past experience I would need a different brand emblem

Experience based on GM EVs or ICEs? I have heard great things about GM EVs over the years. They have been doing it way longer than the other majors and seem to have it pretty stable. I'm not a huge fan of how they charge for OnStar (and I've heard stories about slow response and such) but I'm interested in your experiences.

 

[RodorW]

Thanks. I also prefer the look of the Blazer over the Equinox but also trying to get the best bang for the buck.

That's understandable, around me the blazer was the best offer for an upgrade over the bolt, even got cheaper insurance

 

[J Alynn]

Thanks. I also prefer the look of the Blazer over the Equinox but also trying to get the best bang for the buck.


Experience based on GM EVs or ICEs? I have heard great things about GM EVs over the years. They have been doing it way longer than the other majors and seem to have it pretty stable. I'm not a huge fan of how they charge for OnStar (and I've heard stories about slow response and such) but I'm interested in your experiences.

Out of fairness it was ICE and mid-late 90’s. But fool me once shame on you, fool me twice….

 

[cyure]

I have had my Wrangler back for a few days. They did another diagnostic and this time said it was the fuel pump relay and a few fuses. I have no idea how much that repair should cost, but I just paid my $100 warranty deductible. So far so good. Fingers crossed.

 

[maynard]

I have had my Wrangler back for a few days. They did another diagnostic and this time said it was the fuel pump relay and a few fuses. I have no idea how much that repair should cost, but I just paid my $100 warranty deductible. So far so good. Fingers crossed.

Go Rain, Go...

 

[cyure]

I have nothing to do with this boot company in Spokane, other than my son has purchased boots from them.

They are outfitting firefighters who are fighting the fires in Spokane who need new boots with new boots for free. In a terrible situation it’s so nice when there are helpers.

 

[RodorW]

Took the blazer out to test things out, and get used to it before getting back to work. Did over 300 miles today, the range estimates are pretty close, and the Google infotainment was underestimating percentage on arrival, the first 100 miles was to buc-ee's when I left it was estimating 50% and I arrived with 57% with going slightly over the speed limit the entire way down the interstate. Did a quick charge while I ran in to buy breakfast, and was finished charging by the time I walked back, was also the first time testing GMs Energy Pass so I'm glad that worked without issue, just plug in and payment is managed by the Chevy app . That 80% battery drove all the way back and around town to pick up some cleaning supplies and try to find a rear wiper blade. Then at 29% we ran to target to use the SuperChargers and after a small issue with my card info, it started charging and ramped up to 153kw with 29 to 80 in around 30 minutes. Everything seems to be working as expected and so far I'm feeling right at home in what feels like a mix of the Rivian EDVs I used to drive, and the bolt

 

[J Alynn]

Took the blazer out to test things out, and get used to it before getting back to work. Did over 300 miles today, the range estimates are pretty close, and the Google infotainment was underestimating percentage on arrival, the first 100 miles was to buc-ee's when I left it was estimating 50% and I arrived with 57% with going slightly over the speed limit the entire way down the interstate. Did a quick charge while I ran in to buy breakfast, and was finished charging by the time I walked back, was also the first time testing GMs Energy Pass so I'm glad that worked without issue, just plug in and payment is managed by the Chevy app . That 80% battery drove all the way back and around town to pick up some cleaning supplies and try to find a rear wiper blade. Then at 29% we ran to target to use the SuperChargers and after a small issue with my card info, it started charging and ramped up to 153kw with 29 to 80 in around 30 minutes. Everything seems to be working as expected and so far I'm feeling right at home in what feels like a mix of the Rivian EDVs I used to drive, and the bolt

Was intend to try the different chargers on the blazer? Just wondering why 2 stops but I get it if this is the dating phase and you were just trying different scenarios. Thanks

 

[RodorW]

Was intend to try the different chargers on the blazer? Just wondering why 2 stops but I get it if this is the dating phase and you were just trying different scenarios. Thanks

Well I honestly expected to arrive at Buc-ee’s with less battery remaining, and was hoping to check the peak charge speeds, but from 57% percent the highest was 70kw. I know some blazers had an issue with not going over 50kw no matter the SoC and the only way to be sure was to drain and test, we have a trip at the end of September and if Theresa an issue I wouldn’t want to find out while away from home and well out of the “money back” guarantee, but since it wasn’t good enough to be sure and we happened to be out after running it to 30% and I the superchargers are at Target, I could test the rates and get some stuff for the house I needed to do anyway.

 

[strider]

Took the blazer out to test things out, and get used to it before getting back to work. Did over 300 miles today, the range estimates are pretty close, and the Google infotainment was underestimating percentage on arrival, the first 100 miles was to buc-ee's when I left it was estimating 50% and I arrived with 57% with going slightly over the speed limit the entire way down the interstate. Did a quick charge while I ran in to buy breakfast, and was finished charging by the time I walked back, was also the first time testing GMs Energy Pass so I'm glad that worked without issue, just plug in and payment is managed by the Chevy app . That 80% battery drove all the way back and around town to pick up some cleaning supplies and try to find a rear wiper blade. Then at 29% we ran to target to use the SuperChargers and after a small issue with my card info, it started charging and ramped up to 153kw with 29 to 80 in around 30 minutes. Everything seems to be working as expected and so far I'm feeling right at home in what feels like a mix of the Rivian EDVs I used to drive, and the bolt

Thank you for the updates. Do you mind summarizing how the mobile app works with Chevy? I assume the Blazer and Equinox will be the same. I am used to Tesla where the app is completely free to be able to access the car, precondition, lock/unlock, locate, etc. I have tried to read the OnStar stuff but ICE and EV features are all munged together and I can't make heads or tails of what is included with purchase, what is free after that period, and what you have to pay for what capabilities. Or if there is a site you've found that easily explains it that would be great too. Thanks!

 

[J Alynn]

SUPER DUPER BIG THANK YOU to @maynard !!!!!!!!!! You know why but thank you again. Not sure it will end up working out but I appreciate you sir!

 

[maynard]

SUPER DUPER BIG THANK YOU to @maynard !!!!!!!!!! You know why but thank you again. Not sure it will end up working out but I appreciate you sir!

No problem!

 

[RodorW]

Thank you for the updates. Do you mind summarizing how the mobile app works with Chevy? I assume the Blazer and Equinox will be the same. I am used to Tesla where the app is completely free to be able to access the car, precondition, lock/unlock, locate, etc. I have tried to read the OnStar stuff but ICE and EV features are all munged together and I can't make heads or tails of what is included with purchase, what is free after that period, and what you have to pay for what capabilities. Or if there is a site you've found that easily explains it that would be great too. Thanks!

I was already paying for OnStar on the bolt with WiFi and family location, and when I called to transfer my WiFi to the blazer I was given 3 months free of my subscription, but from my understanding the app is 95% pay to use for the EVs the SoC is available for for something like 8 years after the vehicles manufacture date, but lock/unlock, climate with temperature, panic, and “lights” which just flashes the hazards 3 times. But they definitely lock away most of the mobile app features from what I remember behind OnStar. And while it seems to update better on the blazer than the bolt with showing my SoC, I tried starting climate before we left a store this afternoon and over 2 minutes later we got the car and it hadn’t started until just before I opened the trunk. They’re app isn’t the worst and can be had for a cheaper subscription than the hornet, but the hornet gets lock control from the app for free, but requires a $16 WiFi subscription for climate.

 

[Gottesacker]

I was already paying for OnStar on the bolt with WiFi and family location, and when I called to transfer my WiFi to the blazer I was given 3 months free of my subscription, but from my understanding the app is 95% pay to use for the EVs the SoC is available for for something like 8 years after the vehicles manufacture date, but lock/unlock, climate with temperature, panic, and “lights” which just flashes the hazards 3 times. But they definitely lock away most of the mobile app features from what I remember behind OnStar. And while it seems to update better on the blazer than the bolt with showing my SoC, I tried starting climate before we left a store this afternoon and over 2 minutes later we got the car and it hadn’t started until just before I opened the trunk. They’re app isn’t the worst and can be had for a cheaper subscription than the hornet, but the hornet gets lock control from the app for free, but requires a $16 WiFi subscription for climate.

Do both of those vehicles still have a key fob you can remote start from?

 

[RodorW]

Do both of those vehicles still have a key fob you can remote start from?

Yes, the bolt required a lock press before remote start the blazer is just double press, and as someone that doesn’t like to pull out my key it’s much easier to press the buttons for the blazer fob through my jeans

 

[RodorW]

Yes, the bolt required a lock press before remote start the blazer is just double press, and as someone that doesn’t like to pull out my key it’s much easier to press the buttons for the blazer fob through my jeans

Also the blazer doesn’t have a start button, personally I prefer it that way, however I liked how it works with the Rivian vans, you get close with the fob, the hvac would start, you get in and sit down the vehicle powered up you exit the seat and van stayed on until you got a certain radius away with the fob, we’d often leave the fob in the phone tray to keep hvac on while running packages.

The blazer on the other hand, you get close it lights up, but that’s all it does, the doors stay locked hvac off, you can sit in the seat with legs out of the car and nothing happens, sit down with feet in the foot well and it powers up, moving the seat and starting hvac, everything online will say you have to press the brake pedal for the vehicle to turn on, but all I do is sit down with my feet in the car and it starts, but with the key in the car from the passenger seat or even standing outside, tapping the brake pedal will turn the car on. Once the car is on if it has not been put into Gear, you can open the door and get out and it will stay on, if you have put it in gear and place it back in park when you open the door the vehicle will turn off unless you tap the continue run button on the screen. The vehicle turning off shuts down HVAC, which can be annoying. When you exit the vehicle and close the door if you have the auto locks turned on in the settings the vehicle will wait about 20 seconds or so and then it will lock itself doesn’t matter how close you are. It just has a time limit. It’s not bad but not having any true passive entry is disappointing. When you get close just having your vehicle open to you is nice but having to either press the fob or the button on the door handles can be a bit much sometimes. Both on the Bolt and the blazer if you left the vehicle running, and you got out closed the doors. The only way to lock them is the key fob. You cannot use the button on the inside of the doors to lock the car if you are standing outside of it on the bolt it would lock and then immediately unlock, and you cannot use the door handle buttons used for passive lock and unlock if the vehicle is running, but you are outside of it with the key fob. I would say there are things GM could’ve done that could have made their vehicles just a little bit nicer of an experience, but I think my viewpoint is definitely skewed based heavily on my experience with the Rivian EDV‘s.

 

[strider]

Fantastic update, thanks. Yes, seems like a bit of clunkiness in the software. In the Tesla, it will fire up the HVAC when you open the door, and also leave it running until you close the door (unless you engaged either the "keep" or "pet" modes). If there is a key (phone or fob) inside the car it will not lock, period. It does have true passive in that as you walk up it will light up and then the doors will open for you.

I think there is still a lot of ICE thinking in the legacy vehicles. I am thrilled they got rid of the stop/start button so they are on the path. Hopefully GM will continue to refine the experience via OTA.

 

[RodorW]

GM and their EV’s have a way to make them stay on longer than an hour because once the vehicle is on, there’s a button on the screen so long as it is in park that will tell the vehicle to run for one hour, but if you get in before starting it and press the accelerator pedal three times followed by the break. It will enter a indefinite run mode so I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone talk much about it beyond how to do it my testing of it if you then drive the vehicle for about five minutes or so, and put it in park and get out it shuts off.

And from my understanding in some of my research, GM seems to be neglecting the 24 models with the OTA Updates at the moment but hopefully that will change somewhat. They are definitely signs of teasing issues from GM being a legacy auto maker venturing this deep into EV‘s but overall I’m definitely very pleased with this car as an upgrade from the Bolt and if for any reason, things didn’t work out with being able to get scout, this is a car I could happily keep for years to come.

Also, just as a sidenote, automatic lift gates, I don’t know if Scout is planning to do some sort of automatic lift for the frunk since the tire carrier would get in the way on the traveler, but as both of our “new” cars have automatic lift gates. I have to say I think the kick sensor is a little nicer on the hornet. You can use it to both open and close the gate as well as tell the vehicle specifically when you want it open. GM’s take is key fob within a 3 to 4 foot radius from the gate. It will beep four times and then open and there is no automatic close, but the timer for that opening countdown can be just quick enough to trigger when I’m walking behind the car in the morning in the garage to get in it.

 

[cyure]

GM and their EV’s have a way to make them stay on longer than an hour because once the vehicle is on, there’s a button on the screen so long as it is in park that will tell the vehicle to run for one hour, but if you get in before starting it and press the accelerator pedal three times followed by the break. It will enter a indefinite run mode so I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone talk much about it beyond how to do it my testing of it if you then drive the vehicle for about five minutes or so, and put it in park and get out it shuts off.

And from my understanding in some of my research, GM seems to be neglecting the 24 models with the OTA Updates at the moment but hopefully that will change somewhat. They are definitely signs of teasing issues from GM being a legacy auto maker venturing this deep into EV‘s but overall I’m definitely very pleased with this car as an upgrade from the Bolt and if for any reason, things didn’t work out with being able to get scout, this is a car I could happily keep for years to come.

Also, just as a sidenote, automatic lift gates, I don’t know if Scout is planning to do some sort of automatic lift for the frunk since the tire carrier would get in the way on the traveler, but as both of our “new” cars have automatic lift gates. I have to say I think the kick sensor is a little nicer on the hornet. You can use it to both open and close the gate as well as tell the vehicle specifically when you want it open. GM’s take is key fob within a 3 to 4 foot radius from the gate. It will beep four times and then open and there is no automatic clothes, but the timer for that opening countdown can be just quick enough to trigger when I’m walking behind the car in the morning in the garage to get in it.

It was my understanding that the frunk would be power. I thought the rear would be power too. Obviously you just have to swing the tire carrier out of the way, but it’s a big vehicle. I think it’s needs a power lift gate.

 

[RodorW]

It was my understanding that the frunk would be power. I thought the rear would be power too. Obviously you just have to swing the tire carrier out of the way, but it’s a big vehicle. I think it’s needs a power lift gate.

Power of course, but automatic is when your hands are full and you can signal the vehicle to open for you