Chevrolet trucks and SUVs are a fixture on Central Avenue, and they have been coming through our bays at 9328 N Central for five decades. We service the full range – Silverado 1500 and HD, Tahoe, Suburban, Equinox, Traverse, Blazer, Colorado, Malibu, Trax and Camaro – with the same ASE-certified technicians handling everything from a 30,000-mile service to a lifter failure diagnosis.
Two things define Chevrolet repair in Phoenix. The first is cylinder deactivation: GM’s Active Fuel Management and Dynamic Fuel Management systems are responsible for a large share of the V8 engine work we do. The second is heat, which shortens the life of every fluid, seal and plastic cooling component on the vehicle well ahead of the maintenance schedule printed in the glovebox.
Models we service: Silverado 1500, Silverado HD, Tahoe, Suburban, Equinox, Traverse, Blazer, Colorado, Malibu, Trax, Camaro and Express.
GM’s 5.3L and 6.2L V8s deactivate cylinders to save fuel, and the lifters that make that possible are the most common serious failure we see on Silverados and Tahoes. Oil condition is the controlling variable, and in Arizona heat oil degrades faster than the oil life monitor assumes. A ticking noise on a V8 Chevy is never something to wait out.
Interval | What we perform |
30,000 miles | Full synthetic oil and filter, tire rotation, brake inspection, cabin and engine air filters, cooling system pressure test, battery and charging system test |
60,000 miles | Transmission fluid service, spark plugs, coolant condition check, brake fluid flush, front end and alignment inspection, transfer case fluid on 4WD |
90,000 miles | Full coolant flush, water pump and thermostat inspection, front and rear differential fluid, serpentine belt and tensioner, fuel system cleaning, timing chain stretch check on 2.4L Ecotec |
A tick or tap at idle that grows louder, often with a misfire code on cylinder 1, 4, 6 or 7. The collapsed-lifter design used for cylinder deactivation fails when oil pressure or oil condition slips, and a collapsed lifter can wipe the camshaft lobe beneath it. Diagnosed early it is a lifter and possibly camshaft job. Driven on, it becomes a full engine repair.
A rattle on startup and oil that disappears between changes on Equinox, Malibu and Terrain models. The 2.4L Ecotec has a documented combination of timing chain wear and piston ring oil consumption, and both are accelerated by heat and stretched oil intervals. Owners of these engines in Phoenix should check oil level monthly rather than relying on the change reminder.
A shimmy or vibration during light throttle at highway speed that feels like driving over rumble strips. The torque converter clutch is slipping, usually because the transmission fluid has broken down. Phoenix heat is brutal on automatic transmission fluid, especially in a truck that tows. Fluid service at 45,000 to 60,000 miles is the most effective prevention available.
Air that blows cool at highway speed and warm at a stoplight, then eventually warm everywhere. Chevrolet condensers sit exposed at the front of the vehicle and take a beating from road debris and sustained 110-degree ambient temperatures. A leak test and dye inspection tells you whether you need a recharge, a condenser or a compressor before you spend money guessing.
Silverados and Tahoes running larger wheels, a leveling kit or a loaded bed will burn through tire tread on the inside edge if the alignment is not corrected for the change. We check alignment with every tire installation and correct it on our own rack, which matters more on a truck than on anything else in the driveway.
Schedule your Chevrolet service today. Written estimates, correct specifications, no pressure – and an honest answer if the work belongs somewhere else.
Beat the Phoenix heat with a fast, reliable AC checkup from Pete Kelley’s.
Quick, affordable oil changes to keep your engine running smooth.
Expert engine diagnostics and repair from Phoenix’s local experts.
Restore performance and quiet the ride with expert exhaust repairs.
Stay safe on the road with thorough brake inspections and repairs.
Expert transmission care to keep your ride shifting smoothly.
Battery testing and electrical repairs, done right the first time.
Prevent overheating with cooling system repairs from Pete Kelley’s
Silverado 1500 and HD, Tahoe, Suburban, Equinox, Traverse, Blazer, Colorado, Malibu, Trax, Camaro and Express vans, in gasoline and Duramax diesel.
Very possibly. On 5.3L and 6.2L V8s, a tick at idle with a misfire code usually points to an AFM or DFM lifter. Do not drive it more than you must – a collapsed lifter can damage the camshaft, which turns a manageable repair into a major one.
Yes. We handle Duramax maintenance, diagnostics and repair. Call with your year and engine code so we can confirm what is in scope before you make the trip.
Sooner than the manual suggests. For Phoenix driving, and especially for towing, we recommend transmission fluid service every 45,000 to 60,000 miles. Heat is the primary enemy of automatic transmission fluid and it is the cheapest repair you will ever avoid.
Free written estimate. No pressure. Honest advice from a shop that has been on North Central since 1972.