Four-wheel drive trailblazer. All characteristics of the Chevrolet Trailblazer: old and new SUV

Chevrolet noticed that in the logical chain of models between Blazer and Tahoe there is not enough car. And at the turn of the century, in 2001, a model was released that had a derivative name from Blazer, but resembled Tahoe in appearance - it was called TrailBlazer. Contrary to the opinion of buyers, the newcomer, apart from the name, had nothing in common with the Blazer; the model platforms were completely different.

TrailBlazer - real SUV with powerful naturally aspirated engine and frame structure. It's not as huge as the Tahoe, but that's exactly how Chevrolet intended it to be. The car immediately attracted the attention of buyers in its homeland - in the USA; a strong half of the US population fell in love with it for its brutal appearance and general style. But the Trailblazer was also adapted for European residents; the gearbox selector moved from the steering column to its usual place between the front seats. Workplace the driver's seat is clearly defined and has an easy angle of rotation towards the person sitting behind the wheel, and the number of drawers and niches for small items cannot be counted for the joy of a large family.

The first generation of the car from 2001 to 2006

It was created as an off-road conqueror and had very impressive dimensions, chevrolet trailblazer specifications:

• length 4893 mm
• width 1905 mm
• height 1826 mm
• ground clearance 203 mm
• wheelbase 2869 mm
• tank volume 94 liters
• curb weight 2155 kg
• total weight 2608 kg.

Before us is a large and heavy car, which was driven by an equally large and powerful engine:

• petrol V-shaped, six-cylinder engine with a volume of 4.2 liters and a power of 273 hp. and a torque of 373 Nm. With it, the Trailblazer accelerated to 100 km/h in just 9 seconds, but was not particularly economical - 17.9 liters in the city and 10.1 on the highway. There is only one transmission - automatic with 4 gears. But this was not a simple automatic machine, but one of the first adaptive automatic machines that could adapt to the driving style, which car owners really liked.

The Trailblazer also has everything in order with safety, side and front airbags, a powerful body frame and steel bars in the doors. Volume luggage compartment simply huge - minimum 1577 liters, maximum 2268 liters, more than one competitor could boast of such a volume.

After a year of production life, Trailblazer received an extended version and new engine. New model called TrailBlazer ETX:

• length 4279 mm
• width 1894 mm
• height 1957 mm
• ground clearance 203 mm
• wheelbase 3277 mm
• tank volume 98 liters
• curb weight 2325 kg
• total weight 2903 kg.

The ETX had a significantly longer wheelbase and, as a result, a third row of seats. A more powerful motor was allocated for it:

• petrol V-shaped 8-cylinder unit with a volume of 5.3 liters and a power of 294 hp. Torque 441 Nm. The ETX accelerated to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds, and the top speed was 175 km/h. The gearbox is the same automatic with 4 steps.

But Chevrolet miscalculated with the enlarged version of the trailblazer. Buyers were inclined to favor the Tahoe, considering it more solid. The ETX version lasted on the assembly line until 2006, after which it was discontinued.

Model update from 2006 to 2009

The original version was not subject to repression and continued to be produced. In 2006, the model was updated. Externally, the model did not receive major changes, since the image of the car was quite fresh and solid.

There were several more changes in technology: it became possible to order a Trailblazer with a drive only for rear wheels, and some of the engines were modified:

• 4.2 l 273 hp - switched to the updated Trailblazer without changes.
• the updated 4.2 liter engine now produced 295 hp. and a torque of 375 Nm. The changes in power were not significant, but the modification was aimed at increasing engine efficiency and the goal was achieved: 14.7 liters in the city and 9.2 liters on the highway.
• the modernized 5.3 liter now produced 304 hp. and torque 447 Nm. This engine was equipped with both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Fuel consumption is 15.9 liters in the city and 12.4 on the highway.
• new 6-liter monster with 400 hp. Torque - 542 Nm. This engine came from the Corvette sports car. The Trailbizer with this engine received the SS nameplate and was produced for only a couple of years, from 2006 to 2007. The sports direction with the SS label was the first to fine-tune an SUV, and in this sense, the Trailblazer was a pioneer. Acceleration to "100" with such a powerful power unit took 5.5 seconds, and the top speed was 210 km/h.

All second-generation models were equipped with a non-alternative 4-speed automatic transmission.
In 2009, Chevrolet decided to discontinue the TrailBlazer in the United States. After that, for some time it was produced in Asian countries.

The all-wheel drive system of the first generation Trailblazer is advanced. In 2001, it was even patented as know-how. It is based on a computer-controlled transfer case. At his discretion, the driver can engage rear-wheel drive, plug-in front-wheel drive, or lock the torque in a 50 to 50 ratio with low gear engaged. Thanks to such an arsenal and an impressive engine, the TrailBlazer is a serious rogue.

Second generation of the car since 2012

The new Trailblazer was shown at the 2011 Dubai Motor Show and went on sale in 2012 in the US, Canada and Australia. He reached Russia in 2013. Contrary to expectations and fashion trends, TrailBlazer did not turn into a crossover. It remains the same SUV with a frame, but the platform used is completely different - from the Chevrolet Colorado.

• length 4878 mm
• width 1902 mm
• height 1848 mm
• ground clearance 255 mm
• wheelbase 2845 mm
• tank volume 77 liters
• curb weight 2091 kg
• total weight 2750 kg.

If the digital values ​​do not differ much from the previous generation, then outwardly they are completely two different cars. The newcomer is clearly not aimed at the US market, but for Russia, Asia and Africa. It is produced in Thailand, Brazil or South Africa, where the cost of the car is significantly lower. For the domestic market, TrailBlazer will be assembled in Russia.

The cabin easily accommodates 7 passengers and their belongings; by the way, the trunk this time is not amazing, only from 235 liters to 878 liters. Due to the fact that the car was not created for the USA, there is an abundance of hard plastic in the interior and the finishing is not of high quality.

Displacement engines are a thing of the past, now everyone is fighting for savings and environment, as a result, the TrailBlazer has only two units:

• diesel 2.8 liters with a power of 180 hp and a torque of 440 Nm. This motor is a bit weak for a 2-ton vehicle. Acceleration is sluggish, but it can reach 100 km/h in 12.5 seconds. The element of a car is off-road, where with huge ground clearance and a torquey engine you don’t have to be afraid of getting stuck. Transmission - 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. Diesel fuel consumption in the city is 12 liters, on the highway - 8 liters.
• gasoline 3.6 liters with a power of 239 hp. Torque 329 Nm. This unit is noticeably faster than the base one; the TrailBlazer shoots up to “hundreds” in 8.8 seconds. But the maximum speed is the same as that of a diesel engine - 180 km/h. This engine is more suitable for asphalt due to its low torque (compared to a diesel engine) but good dynamic characteristics. Transmission - 6-speed automatic.

The all-wheel drive system is essentially the same, but slightly modernized technically. By default, the car is rear-wheel drive. Using the mode selector, you can connect front-wheel drive, or front-wheel drive with torque locking and “lowering.” Now install on TrailBlazer ESP system, traction control, brake force distribution system and other systems that make life easier for the owner.

Options and prices 2013

At the moment, TrailBlazer is available in two trim levels on our market:

1. LT - from 1,444,000 to 1,510,000 rubles. (only diesel with automatic or manual transmission) This version is equipped in a very spartan way: ABS, 2 airbags, air conditioning, on-board computer, audio system with 4 speakers, full electric windows, central locking, four-wheel drive with a lowering row, fabric 7-seater interior, steps on the sills, 16-piece steel wheels.
2. LTZ - from 1,650,000 to 1,777,000 rubles. (gasoline with automatic transmission). New options compared to LT: airbags - 6 pieces, including curtains, climate control, heating and power-folding mirrors, cruise control, parking sensors, ESP, interior trim with chrome inserts, lensed headlight optics, leather interior, 18-wheel alloys disks.

Conclusion

Originally created for America, the TrailBlazer was an SUV for comfortable movement on any surface. But with the change of generations, fundamental changes have occurred, as a result of which the car does not pretend to be comfortable, it is just a working car with good off-road potential for third world countries. The price is very high, and the equipment is empty. Compared to the same Mitsubishi Pajero, then the TrailBlazer does not stand up to any criticism in terms of price / technical characteristics / equipment. Perhaps the situation will change with the release of the car in the Russian Federation.

Chevrolet Trailblazer (Chevrolet Trailblazer) GMT360: description, problems, repairs

History of the Chevrolet Trailblazer

The TrailBlazer was introduced to the public in 2002, positioned as an intermediate link in the Chevrolet light truck line - the Trail Blazer is larger in size than the old Blazer, but smaller than the Chevrolet Tahoe. It was developed for the car new platform: GMT360, designed for the new line of GM Atlas engines. The layout is a front-engine frame design, with all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive transmission.

It is curious that this platform has become one of the most replicated: six cars were produced on its basis various brands: Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada, Isuzu Ascender, Buick Rainier and even SAAB 9-7X; all this does not include modifications to the GMT368 platform, which served as the basis for the Chevrolet SSR and GMT370, on which the TrailBlazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL are built.

Almost immediately after being released to the public, the Trailblazer received the title “Truck of the Year.” North America"(North American Truck Of The Year'2002), and the inline six Vortec Atlas 4200 LL8 included in Ward's 10 Best Engines list for three years (10 the best engines year according to the American magazine Ward's Autoworld), next to Chrysler's 5.7HEMI, Mazda's 1.3L Wankel engine and Audi's 4.2-liter V-8.

In 2003, the aforementioned TrailBlazer EXT (extended, enlarged) appears, which, at the buyer’s request, can be equipped with a V8 Vortec 5300 LM4 engine producing 290 hp. and a torque of 440 Nm. Gearbox is the only one, Hydramatic 4L6

In 2006, GM released a monster into the arena - a six-liter version of the SuperSport (SS) with an engine from a Corvette, which produces 395 horsepower and a torque of 542 Nm, which allows the massive SUV to accelerate to 60 mph (about 100 km/h) in 5 .7 seconds, a very significant indicator even for modern turbo Cayennes. At the same time, in 2006, for economical buyers, an optional Vortec 5300 LH6 engine was offered, which replaced the LM4 engine, with Volume On Demand technology, which allows you to turn off half the cylinders in a number of modes to save fuel.

Chevrolet Trailbazer modifications

Chevrolet TrailBlazer manual

If for some reason you have lost your Chevrolet Trailblazer manual, we offer original materials.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Operating Instructions in Russian
Chevrolet Trailblazer Operating Instructions in English

Chevrolet Trailblazer Maintenance Schedule

For your convenience, we, based on own experience and manufacturer’s recommendations, we drew up regulations Maintenance Chevrolet cars.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Maintenance Schedule

Advantages and disadvantages of the Chevrolet Trailblazer

Pros of the Chevrolet Trailblazer:

• Despite its impressive dimensions, it has an amazing turning radius (only 5.5 meters)– a turn can be performed in one step where many cars are forced to “sway”. For comparison, three-door turning radius Chevrolet hatchback Aveo – 5.03 meters.
• Quiet motor: at first it takes a long time to get rid of attempts to restart the engine; however, the starter lock is made just for inattentive people who like to start the car twice :) When driving, the engine makes itself felt with a quiet, bass growl from under the hood, absolutely not interfering with the conversation even at high speed
• Dynamics: when driving on straight lines, the car is hardly inferior to anyone; However, it should be remembered that the Trailblazer is a truck at heart, so it is not advisable to actively accelerate on winding roads

Cons of the Chevrolet Trailblazer

• Fuel consumption rarely below 16 liters per hundred kilometers; The normal value for a “mixed cycle” with moderately active pedaling is 17-19 liters of 92 gasoline
• Transport tax: unfortunately, it should be noted that the tax on the Trailblazer is very high: in 2010 in Moscow, the owners of this car had to pay almost 50,000 rubles to the state treasury, which is very close to its “big brother” - Chevrolet Tahoe.
• Ascetic salon: Trailblazer, let us remind you, is, in fact, a truck - the interior, as a result, has a very spartan appearance (especially the “torpedo”); In justification, it is worth noting that leather chairs, which have a very wide range of electrical adjustments, are very, very comfortable.
• Low thresholds: when driving outside the asyalta, the standard thresholds, the lowest point of the car, try to get caught on something. We know of cases where an unlucky car enthusiast lost a plastic door sill trim while moving. Note that a pair of standard thresholds costs almost a thousand dollars.
• Certain problems with the control electronics can cause the car owner to have a constantly burning light. Check Engine.
• Trailblazer is not an SUV! If maneuvering unsuccessfully in mud or snow, the car lies on its belly and, in the absence of blocking, helplessly kneads with its two most unloaded wheels: before getting into the mud, evaluate your strength, the quality of the road and the preparation of the car (quality of tires, performance of transmission systems, etc.). P.). Please note that we are engaged tuning Chevrolet Trailblazer, including, off-road training car: suspension lift and car body and installation lockable differentials, which allows you to move more confidently off-road

reference Information

Chevrolet TrailBlazer wiper sizes:

• Front wipers: 56 cm (22 in)
• Rear wiper: 41 cm (16 in)

Direct speech

To supplement the information as much as possible, we decided to add, whenever possible, the opinions of our experts. This time, the technical director of the Vita-Motors service station, Sergey Lovtsov, aka Car-a-puzz.

So, in 2000, the “old man” Blazer C-10 (Blazer S-10), with its always problematic suspension, which had to be sorted out with almost every oil change, terrifying handling due to the stupid narrow gauge and other “delights” of operation, came completely new, one might say fundamentally new (and not an updated/restyling-facelift), a car designed to fill the niche of medium-sized SUVs - Chevrolet Trail Blazer (some believe that it is a Trial Blazer, which is incorrect), aka GMC Envoy, aka Oldsmobile Bravada. At first, they treated him with caution because... it had grown significantly compared to its predecessor and now competed, in the opinion of potential buyers, not with the Cherokee, as before (when compared with Chrysler/Jeep products), and not even with the Grand Cherokee ( Grand Cherokee), but rather with Durango. Subsequently, however, they “tried” the car and fell in love... They loved it in their own way, because the Trail did not turn out to be a full-fledged SUV, like the Blazer, it rather belonged to the class of semi-urban slickers - thanks, in part, to the low seating position and an engine of similar volume (I6 / 4.2L Vortec 4200 versus V6 / 4.3L in Blazer/Jimmy) but works great (thanks to tuning) in the middle and upper modes, and not in the lower range, as previous admirers of the model are used to.

Let's continue - the Trail has acquired a comfortable interior, much more bigger size than before, which couldn’t help but rejoice. The smoothness of the ride is amazing, the acceleration is amazing, which in general is completely normal, because under the hood of the first versions there were as many as 275 mares, later from 2005 - 295 l/s! Let me remind you that the “old man”, with a similar volume, has only 196. Despite the almost fifty percent increase in engine power, thanks to new design, improved injection and timing systems, turned out to be more economical than the previous generation engine.

But the fly in the ointment, although to many it seemed more like a barrel, GM designers still added a fly in the ointment - due to reduced (a la “Mother Japan”) gaps in the timing system, namely in the valve bushings, the engines began to jam. They jammed at runs of about 20,000 km on average due to the reduction of the already practically zero gap to such an extent that the valve could no longer move completely in the vertical plane, clamped in the bushing, as if in a vice. The gap was “removed” domestic gasoline– deposited with “varnish” and slag on the inner surface of the valve sleeve, precisely for this reason: use of low-quality fuel that does not meet the manufacturer’s requirements dealers refused warranty repairs, and even the courts were unable to oblige them to restore cars at their own expense. The General Motors Russia representative office was inundated with complaints and requests, domestic customers managed to “reach out” to those people on whom the solution to the problem really depended and......three years later, the design was changed and the defect no longer appeared! Perhaps GM simply did not want to lose face in such a promising market as Russia.

Another controversial design decision (it’s hard to call it a find) is integration of the front axle into the engine crankcase. There are very few cases where problems with the engine occurred due to a collapsed/jammed front axle, and they are more likely an accident than a pattern, but, nevertheless, this greatly annoys the owners. The cost of repairs (maintenance) is, of course, also reflected in the complexity of the design, and, alas, not in the direction of reduction.

The off-road potential on the Trail Blazer is realized, as on the Chevrolet Tahoe/Silverado/Avalanche, which means that the car has four transmission modes, activated from the cabin using a switch in the manner of old Soviet TVs:

1. Rear drive
2. All-wheel drive (rigidly connected front axle, no differential in the transfer case!)
3. All-wheel drive in low version,
4. “Auto” mode when the axle shaft is engaged (the front axle gearbox is activated), and the clutch in the transfer case is activated by a signal from ABS sensors- with a difference in the rotation speed of the rear and front axles. When the speeds are equalized along the axes, the clutch is turned off and the car becomes rear-wheel drive until the next slip.

General Motors decided not to follow the path of the Chrysler Corporation - not to use a viscous coupling in its transmission to connect all-wheel drive, thereby reducing the cost of production (and slightly products) by abandoning the differential. It's not great for use, but it's nice for the plant. Lyrical digression - GM has a full-fledged full-time transfer case, and, moreover, it was installed on the Trailblazer in the “SS” (SuperSport) variation, but this is an “isolated case” in our story and we will not consider it (99.9% cars in Russia have a conventional AWD transfer case!) although this type of transmission is, in principle, unnecessary for this car, it, as I already wrote, was created for the city, not off-road. Trail could easily get by with a simple transfer case, with a free differential, like the Cadillac Escalade or SRX, without locks and a reduction range. Indeed, for most cars equipped with standard thresholds, such an “obstacle” as an ordinary curb is simply not possible!

Very rare (much rarer than the predecessor S-10), but you can find a Trail Blazer with a lifted suspension, MUD tires, larger than the standard size and, of course, power bumpers with an integrated winch. This picture is usually crowned with an expeditionary trunk.

A common defect of the transfer case is the lack of rotation on the front axle when all-wheel drive is engaged and the indication of its inclusion on dashboard. Moreover, there is one strange thing - in the “auto” mode, everything works great, but when “4Hi” is connected, the bridge seems to have been turned off. The problem usually lies in the encoder motor, saying in ordinary language– in the electric drive for switching transfer case modes. What's going on? And everything, as usual, is primitive - in permanent all-wheel drive mode, the electric motor turns the axle to the desired position and “falls asleep”, weakening its “tension”. If the transfer case is “fresh,” there are no problems, but if there is any wear, the clutch is not enough to transmit torque and the transfer case simply “slips.” In the "auto" mode, everything is completely different - the encoder is under constant nutrition and while waiting for a command from the control module, the module, which has calculated the difference in the rotation of the wheels along the axes, “orders” to engage the clutch and the drive constantly presses the clutch pack, selecting natural wear. Of course, there are cases where the clutch pack is completely worn out and nothing but replacement can be recommended; the switching sector in the clutch can also wear out, this often happens when there is a lack of oil that has escaped from the unit through the seals (a clogged ventilation breather is the main cause of leaks!) - also repair and replacement part.

Such a trifle as burnt-out button backlight bulbs can also irritate the owner, because replacing them simply cannot be done - the manufacturer only offers replacement of entire buttons. On the other hand, this is not bad - the paint wears off very quickly from the button, and replacing it refreshes the interior. It is much worse if the buttons on the standard radio begin to peel off, here, unfortunately, we can only recommend replacing the device, but this costs not quite sane money... many companies offer coloring of the buttons - you can consider it as a solution.

Replacing the headlight bulb yourself, as it was before (remember the Volga and Lada), or rather, not everyone will succeed, because you will have to dismantle the bumper (fortunately, this will surprise almost no one), such a solution is all more common on modern cars, and the Trail has an undeniable advantage - unlike the same Dodge Caliber on the Trail Blazer there is no need to erase with a system scanner the faulty headlight circuit error, without resetting it we will in no way make it burn and the fact that it is 100% serviceable is not at all of interest BCM (Body Control Module), from which the signal to turn on actually comes, but excuse me, I digress - this is already from the article about Dodge Caliber :)

Electrics - well, the electrics on a Chevrolet have always been reliable if they were not touched by a craftsman with playful hands. The TrailBlazer is no exception and there are no problems here. Although, there is a common problem for everyone American cars(I don’t want to guess about others - which cars I know, I’ll write about those) - EVAP system, in other words - ventilation system fuel tank. Yes, yes, yes, over time (progress, however, does not stand still), the Zhiguli tube, located under the filler hatch, degenerated into a whole system with valves, pressure sensors, a pump and an absorbent element (horror). And as soon as even one element of the system goes beyond the tolerance limits, the check engine indicator will notify you of the problem. The most common reason“alarms” - depressurization of the ventilation circuit - starting from the filler plug (or its valve) not closed while the engine is running, to a non-working (not closed) solenoid and a damaged line. In the USA, unlike Russia, they are very sensitive to the environment (or so they pretend...) and similar problem With fuel tank ventilation system (EVAP) faces a serious fine.

Since 2003, like other General Motors Corporation products, the TrailBlazer has lost its cabin filter and fine filter on the fuel line. In this regard, owners are advised to be more careful when choosing a gas station - replacing spark plugs and washing injectors is not such an expensive procedure (everything is relatively clear), but still. The absence of a cabin filter entails not only the accumulation of dirt on the A/C evaporator, which, when moistened (condensation from the evaporator itself), provides excellent breeding ground for pathogens that cause allergies and inflammation of the respiratory tract, but also rapid rotting of the evaporator itself! The evaporator is not a very expensive part, but replacing it will require not only refilling the air conditioning system, but also completely dismantling the entire dashboard! By the way, if the evaporator rots, freon (R-134A) can leak into the cabin, and if the driver or passenger smokes, then big problems– when burning, freon turns into phosgene (a poisonous substance!). Therefore, inhaling gas through a burning cigarette can cause “temporary tetanus”! Be attentive and careful, or better yet, quit smoking - you will be healthier :) Of course, this “modernization” (removing filters even from the list of options) is in the category of reducing the cost of production, which has nothing to do with the cleanliness of fuel in the USA and the sudden absence of dust/sand in the territory. ..By the way, install cabin filter will not be difficult at any specialized service, and even more so at Vita-Motors.

Very often we carry out similar work on Chevrolet Tahoe, Silverado, Cadillac Escalade and others, fortunately the manufacturer does not change the configuration of the stove body and it is possible, by removing the technological plug, to return the useful device to its rightful place. Much more difficult with fuel filter– it’s not realistic to just cut it into its original place, changing the line is expensive, but this problem can be solved – if only there was a desire!

I also advise you to handle the lifting glass of the rear door (trunk) very carefully; no, it is clear that glass in general must be handled carefully, but this is a special case. I don’t even know what exactly is causing such inhumane pricing for this part, but the fact is the fact - the cost of glass....attention: 64,000 rubles. (dealer price) and practically no one has it in stock, well, it’s understandable, who would want to “freeze” money in such an unsaleable product.

Trali-wali

Hello everybody! I haven’t written reviews on this site for a long time, but now I have time and decided to write a few words about my latest cars.

Once again, I was tired of changing cars every month (I work in the automotive business), and I decided to buy a device for a more or less long term. The requirements were the following: a budget of about 500,000 rubles, all-wheel drive, an honorable appearance, and not go down the drain in the event of unplanned repairs. Considered Trailblazer, Cadillac SRX, ML W163. The trail, in my opinion, turned out to be the most balanced according to the available criteria. I agreed to view several cars. The first one is 2006, LTZ equipment, one owner, honest mileage of 150,000 km, service history for the entire time, not a single painted part, excellent condition of the body, and technically everything is OK. Price 510,000 rub. At the time of purchase (January 2014) - the lower level of the market. “So lucky,” I thought. And I bought it.

Well, I'll start in order.

Design.The springy look of the Trailblazer has always appealed to me. Despite the considerable age of the model, this car does not look very outdated on the road. Double-decker headlights, nice body lines. The appearance is somewhat spoiled by small wheels, an ugly protruding muffler, multi-colored tail lights in the style of "traffic light". During operation, I corrected these shortcomings, and it became generally wonderful.

Interior. A typical American car of the 2000s: many options, but simple interior design. On the plus side, there is dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, seat memory, light sensor, decent Bose audio system, tire pressure sensors, on-board computer, DVD for rear passengers. All I missed was seat ventilation and steering wheel heating - with these things it would be simply fabulous. But all these options are for configuration LTZ, and then there is LT – with velor interior. When I was choosing a car, I also considered such versions. Only here is the first car I saw in real life in the complete set LT upset me. I didn’t like the feel and look of the seat upholstery material, it looked really old... Moreover, the car only had front airbags and no heated seats. “Buying a jeep in 2014 without side airbags and heating is no longer a good idea,” I thought and decided to definitely buy the LTZ . Despite the hard plastic, the interior is quiet over bumps - it does not creak or rattle. The only thing that bothered me was the rattling sound insulation on one of the doors when playing acoustically low frequencies. I kept meaning to do this, but never got around to it. The seats are comfortable, long journey my back doesn't get tired. All buttons are at hand, ergonomics are at a good level. It's a bit cramped in the back. The size of the trunk satisfied me completely. If necessary, the seats fold out into a flat floor.

TechnicallyThe car evokes two impressions. Some I like, some I don’t. The engine is an ancient six-cylinder in-line paired with an equally ancient 4-speed automatic transmission. Despite the high power according to the passport, you won’t be able to feel any supernatural sensations from the acceleration dynamics. I think the reason for this is a completely outdated gearbox. Yes, you can feel quite confident when overtaking, yes, you can feel the reserve of power under the pedal. But as soon as you try to press the gas to the floor, disappointment sets in - there is a lot of sound, but no acceleration. It’s as if there are not 290 forces, but 190... I would even say that it doesn’t matter how you press the pedal, to the floor or halfway, the sensations are the same. Almost all of my motorist passengers noticed this and chuckled a little. Well, okay, I didn’t buy Trailik for racing. Fuel consumption is “as usual” for American SUVs. My riding is a mixed cycle. Through traffic jams to work, on the highway to the country. In this mode it fit into 15-16 liters. In traffic jams up to 19-20 liters per hundred, the minimum on the highway was 12-13 liters. My driving style is careful and thrifty. Only occasionally do I get stuck at a traffic light, but usually I try to barely touch the accelerator pedal.

The brakes on this SUV are typical American. When you drive slowly around the city with smooth planned braking, the pedal feels soft, and it seems that in an extreme situation the brakes will not be enough. But as soon as such a situation occurs, and you instinctively press the pedal sharply and firmly, the car slows down surprisingly well. Not ideal, of course, but the brakes are enough for a measured ride.

The suspension of this car deserves great respect. I felt its charm a long time ago, when I had the opportunity to ride on different Trails for a short time. And this beauty lies in the fact that, despite its simplicity and cheapness (there are no air struts, inflation, expensive magnetic shock absorbers, etc.), the Trailblazer suspension perfectly handles joints, bumps and large holes. The car literally floats above the road, swaying slightly. And even when I installed large 20-radius rollers instead of the original 17 wheels, this effect remained. I was driving along a broken road in the Yaroslavl region at a speed of 110 km/h, and there was not the slightest desire to start avoiding potholes or slow down. Great!

The Trail has the following transfer case modes: classic rear-wheel drive, “auto” mode, when rear-wheel drive is engaged and the front is engaged when the rear wheels slip, and two all-wheel drive modes – with high and low gear ratios. In the summer we drive in the back and don’t worry. But in winter, all these modes have disadvantages. On rear wheel drive If you lack experience, you can fly off the road. If you constantly drive in " Auto", then sooner or later the transfer case will get tired of constant connections and disconnections, and it will have to be repaired. In rigidly connected all-wheel drive mode, you should not accelerate over 100 km/h, and it is also very difficult to maneuver. This type of transfer case is rightly criticized by many for the fact that there is no normal mode of permanent all-wheel drive with the ability to drive on any surface at any speed. Personally, I decided to do this for myself: In summer and winter, in tolerable weather, I drive rear-wheel drive. In the Trail good systems anti-slip and stabilization, so I drove with rear-wheel drive almost the entire winter on good tires without feeling any discomfort. But when there are concrete snowdrifts on the street or you need to park in the yard, I turn on the 4x4H mode. So don’t worry, you can get used to the transfer case and it doesn’t cause any problems while driving.

What didn't I like about using it?Overall, the car is cool and I enjoyed driving it, but some little things are worth mentioning. As I wrote above, due to the dull automatic transmission, active and dynamic driving is not possible. Although there are professionals who wire brains for 15-20 thousand rubles. I read the reviews - people are happy, they say the car is being transformed. I wanted to do the same, but these 15 thousand rubles were always needed for more important things. And one more thing related to the box. In almost all Trails, switching from 1st to 2nd gear is accompanied by a slight push or jerk. A lot has been written about this on the specialized forum. The proposed solution is automatic transmission tuning. For 25 thousand rubles they change something there, adapt some kind of stove... In short, I heard the figure 25 thousand and realized that for that kind of money I’d better put up with this push. And after a couple of months, I unexpectedly cured this effect. One evening he was running around like crazy. Gas to the floor, sharp brake, then gas again. I drove sharply in the style of “finish the box” for about forty minutes. The next day I went to work in a relaxed manner, and what do you think? The gearbox is unrecognizable; it shifts softly and smoothly. I thought it wouldn’t last long, but no - I drove for 4 months after that, the effect never returned. Miracles! Next... The standard radio only chews regular audio CDs, it doesn't even read MP-3. You need to install a good head unit, and the problem that arises with the high-quality sound of standard acoustics and maintaining the operation of the amplifier is solved with the help of an adapter from the company PAC (PAK). Windshield washer. Sometimes you have to wait a long time until the liquid starts pouring onto the glass. This problem can be corrected by introducing a valve into the washer line so that the liquid does not flow far from the nozzles. Details can be found on the forum of the profile club. Like many SUVs, the brake discs often slip and vibration begins when braking. It can be treated either by sharpening or replacement if the residual thickness of the disk no longer allows sharpening. At speed, the howling of the wind can be heard. This sound comes from loose glass seals. Over time, they begin to bristle and become the cause of extraneous noise in the car. It is treated by replacing substandard rubber bands. I also removed the roof rack crossbars and it became a little quieter. The standard light shines mediocre. I solved this problem by installing collective farm xenon 4300K. It became great, I stopped using the distant one altogether. That seems to be all. As you can see, there are shortcomings, but they are not critical; they can be corrected or accepted.

In general, after the purchase, I wanted to style this car as a version SS : order bumpers, grille, wheels from SS, luscious Magnaflow exhaust . But this desire was dashed by financial reality - when it came to finding out prices, I realized that I couldn’t handle it. Bumpers 100 thousand, wheels 100 thousand, exhaust 80 thousand... It’s easier to sell, add this money, buy a Taha 900 and not worry. But I was lucky with the wheels - an advertisement for the sale of 20th wheels popped up Boss is very similar in design to the wheels of the SS version. I took them.

Among the modifications: I removed the exhaust system resonator (the one that sticks out from the back) and simply moved the pipe with a beautiful nozzle to the side. The sound changed just a little; when driving along the highway, the monotonous, disgusting hum of the engine did not appear, which I was very happy about. And here appearance became much better. Also, the standard taillights went to the shelf, and their place was taken by Chinese LED ones. Depo. The turn signals are really red now, but oh well.

When choosing and purchasingI would recommend driving a car at a decent speed (at least 100-130 km/h) to identify hums and vibrations, because the sources of possible hums and vibrations in four-wheel drive vehicle so many. And if something similar comes to light, be sure to inform the mechanic who will be involved in the diagnostics. And before buying, you should definitely do a diagnosis! Moreover, in a specialized service, because each car has its own subtleties, and only an experienced mechanic who has eaten more than one dog on this brand will be able to identify all hidden defects. Despite the apparent cheapness, this car has problems, the cost of eliminating which can leave you without a penny in your pocket. One of weak points– this is the front axle gearbox. It starts to “hurt” sooner or later in all cars with a mileage of 150 to 190 thousand kilometers. Repairs will cost about 30-50 thousand rubles depending on the quantity necessary spare parts. But I would recommend not saving, and if you are going to get into the gearbox, change it there as much as possible, so that you don’t have to do this a second time - it’s too labor-intensive and expensive to get to it. Next comes the handout. Be sure to check when purchasing. Failure to turn on the modes can result in repairs ranging from 10 thousand to a complete overhaul, which is about 40-60 thousand. If your car has noticeable vibration at idle, get ready to replace the engine mounts. Each costs 5 thousand rubles plus the labor-intensive replacement process. I don’t remember anything criminally expensive about the suspension – everything is the same as always. Often on Trails the “Check Engine” light comes on on the dashboard. Usually sellers explain this by low-quality fuel and other nonsense. In fact, the most common cause is a malfunction EVAP system responsible for fuel evaporation. There can be several reasons for a burning check: from a loose fuel tank cap, faulty sensors and solenoids to leaky lines. A good one will help here computer diagnostics. Another problem is that when you start driving, the stabilization system light occasionally comes on. Restarting the engine helps to deal with this. The reason in 98% of cases is the steering position sensor. Repairs are about 5 thousand.

All the work above was carried out by the first owner at Chevy Plus. The car came into my hands with a mileage of 156,000 km. At the time of purchase, it was in perfect order. What I did:

160,000 km Replacing the front right drive (RUB 8,000), re-grooving the front brake discs, replacing front pads (RUB 5,000) 175,000 km Changing the engine oil, filters, changing the gearbox oil, spark plugs, upper shock absorber mounts, cardan crosspieces and some others small items (RUB 25,000) 180,000 km Replacement of the front upper lever, left steering tip, wheel alignment (RUB 13,000)

Sold with mileage of 183,000 km. Among the shortcomings at the time of sale were the following: the front gearbox began to fog up a little - they said it would require repairs in 3-4 months; The shock absorbers started to sweat - replacement soon. There was some strange vibration at a speed of 120-140 km/h. I balanced the wheels, changed everything that needed to be done on the suspension, and it remained the same. By the way, it appeared unexpectedly, out of the blue... I also had trouble with the steering wheel position sensor (sometimes an error in the stabilization system would come on, but the system would not stop working). Also sometimes the check light came on due to the ventilation system mentioned above fuel system, a certain EVAP Purge Solenoid was sentenced. I entrusted the new owner with defeating these shoals.

Overall, I really liked this car. She earned her money one hundred percent. There are definitely more advantages than disadvantages. I didn’t want to sell it, but a Mercedes ML turned up in the 164th body with low mileage. I couldn’t resist and castled. Mercedes, of course, is cooler and more modern, but it is more expensive to maintain and in the first month I already rode on a tow truck once. But that's a completely different story...

Author's advice to buyers of Chevrolet Trailblazer 4.2i 4WD 2006

Chevrolet TrailBlazer a good choice for the money it costs. And even if you add to the price the amount transport tax, say for two years, then no matter how you look at it, the price tag turns out to be adequate. So I advise you to carefully diagnose the car before buying, bargain and buy! Good luck!

Advantages:

• Low cost
• Reliability of main components
• Presentable appearance
• Rich equipment (LTZ)
• Wonderful pendant
• Comfortable movement

Flaws:

• An ancient gearbox that does not allow the engine power to be realized
• You will have to pay a large transport tax

Comfort Ride quality Reliability Appearance

I completely forgot to answer the question of my dear LJ friends - my “trail” was produced in St. Petersburg. But despite his St. Petersburg roots and Moscow residence, there is not an ounce of intelligence in him. This is brutal American redneck. And I really like this clearly masculine character of the car. We decided to check how the character of the “trailblazer” corresponds to its real off-road capabilities in a place called. Mud, sand, holes, mountains and huge puddles - everything here is as we wanted.

Since the car did not undergo special training and is serviced exclusively in Moscow, where we still need to get there, we decided to do without extreme sports - we didn’t allow more than 80 in the mud and drifted just a little. Watch the video)

You know, I've never tested SUVs before. And I don’t even know what to write here. I will just share my emotions. But for now I’ll tell you about the technical part - this is important.

The ground clearance of this giant is 220 mm. Short overhangs and the absence of plastic in the lower parts, as well as severe steel protection, allow you not to be afraid of damage even on the most difficult routes. The crankcase protection here actually resembles a sheet of armor. The driver's seating position is very high, visibility is ideal. In the rearview mirror you can only see the top part of the roof of the cars driving behind. This car is not honked at, but only given reproachful looks if it has done something wrong. Huge side mirrors They would make any car a chebarshka, but not this one. Everything is visible - great!

Hidden under the hood is a 2.8 liter turbodiesel, 180 horsepower, torque - 470 Nm. Maximum speed- 180 km/h, acceleration to hundreds in 12.5 seconds. The transmission is automatic, 6-speed. Connectable all-wheel drive, low gear with differential locks. Suspension - independent front and multi-link rear. In addition to the usual safety and stabilization systems (ABS, HSA, EBD, ESC, ESC, CBC, HBA), there is a switchable traction control system (TCS) and a hill descent control (HDC).

But enough words - a forest trail awaits us! What is unusual is that a huge city is noisy a kilometer away, but here there is complete silence.

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It rained yesterday, so the mud and puddles were just right - just how we like it)

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I'm sure the car will pass through dirt even with rear-wheel drive. But just in case, right on the move, I use a puck to switch the car to four-wheel drive. To lower it, you would have to stop and shift through neutral - there is no other way... But with it, the car rushes like a tank. Slow and inexorable.

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For a complete thrill, let's turn off the traction control system - it is displayed on a separate button. There is also a descent assist system, but in a month I used it once or twice...

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Pedal to the metal, let's go!

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Banzaaaay! Just so as not to lose the action cameras that are thickly stuck to the hood and wings of the car...

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We drove through the mud surprisingly quickly and easily. What about the climb?

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Eh, we could use different tires...

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We slide on the clay and slide down. What if in reverse?..

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No, not in this weather. I couldn't even get here on foot.

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Nothing, this is just the beginning!

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We'll take a break for now, and you watch the video!

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Let's see how the car does with hanging.

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Come on, "trailik", use it!

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Now he’s like a watchdog with his paw in the air)

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I passed! Now let’s drift in the sand, fortunately the power allows it!

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Cool car! A real tank!

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Here's another video to confirm this opinion:

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I like this beast. I hope to buy one for myself someday!

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Thank you for your help, moral and technical support during testing my friends Elmira

The second generation Trailblazer, which has just debuted on our market, is built according to classic recipe: durable frame, rigidly connected all-wheel drive and transfer case with reduction gear. It’s funny that in the press materials the rear suspension was called “independent five-link”, and this absurdity went for a walk in media articles. Don't believe it! The Trailblazer has a real axle at the rear, suspended from the frame by four trailing arms and a Panhard rod. Front - independent suspension on double wishbones.

Trailblazer is made according to the classic recipe: a durable frame and all-wheel drive.

The new Chevy looks quite massive due to the high window sill and hefty wheel arches, but I wouldn’t dare call it brutal. The design is consistent with the corporate style, the radiator grille is divided by a wide horizontal bar with a family cross... And yet the Trailblazer does not give the impression of a “purebred Yankee”. But what's surprising about this? It is not sold in the North American market. It is produced in Brazil and Thailand, and for Russia it is assembled using the large-knot method at the St. Petersburg GM plant.

Our Trailblazer is offered with two engines - a 180-horsepower 2.8-liter Duramax 4-cylinder turbodiesel and a 3.6-liter gasoline V6 developing 239 horsepower. There are also two complete sets. The basic LT is available only with a diesel engine and a manual or automatic transmission, the older LTZ is available with both engines, but only with an automatic transmission. Actually, the variety of modifications is exhausted by these four options.

Almost five-meter SUV in model range Chevrolet falls exactly into an empty niche - between Captiva and Tahoe. There are seven seats in the cabin. Moreover, the gallery is suitable for adult riders. Of course, there is no special space or amenities there, but it is quite possible to travel. Both rear rows of seats fold flat. True, provided that the optional floor box is installed in the trunk. Without it there will be a small step. But in any case, the cargo compartment is huge, so the Chevrolet Trailblazer is all right in terms of utility.

Practicality also shines through driver's seat. The front panel is made of unassuming-looking hard plastic. Window lifter with automatic closer - only for the driver's window. Audio system with a simple monochrome display. In general, no frills... The only thing non-standard solution- a climate control unit designed in the form of a ring of buttons with a round display inscribed inside it. The connector for gadgets is also perhaps unusual: for some reason it was made in mini-USB format. Therefore, in order to “plug in” a flash drive, you have to use an adapter wire that sticks out of the audio system panel in the most visible place. To put it mildly, a strange “creative”. But the landing and seats are quite comfortable. There are handles on the front pillars that you can hold on to when climbing inside. There are also footrests to help riders.

The dynamics of the diesel Trailblazer are not amazing. It is quite sufficient to keep up with city traffic, but nothing more. On the highway, the excellent torque of the turbodiesel helps out: the SUV can overtake without much stress.

Chevrolet Trailblazer is a little rude, but an honest hard worker - a real utilitarian!

The suspension is quite assembled and does not bother you with excessive swinging on the longitudinal wave of the surface. Roll in corners is also not too great. In any case, one could expect more from such a “boorish guy.” The suspension copes well with unevenness: it doesn’t come to breakdowns even on large potholes. But the vibrations of the unsprung masses are well felt in the cabin, which reduces comfort and somewhat blurs the overall impression. But you can’t find fault with the steering. It provides clear feedback. And although frame SUV with a dependent rear suspension It does not boast refined handling, the car behaves honestly and reliably even on steep mountain serpentines.

The gasoline version accelerates as expected more vigorously, but otherwise, in terms of habits, it completely repeats the behavior of a diesel car. The difference appears on serious off-road conditions. A turbodiesel looks preferable here. Its enormous torque allows you to push forward, climb steep hills and push through ambush spots with ease. And on descents, the diesel brakes much more effectively gasoline engine, therefore there is no need for a descent assistance system - just tuck in a lower gear. Off-road exercises are a little harder for the petrol Trailblazer, but in the end it also copes with them successfully. The key to this is the presence in the transmission of a range-multiplier with a gear ratio of 2.62, large ground clearance 255–267 mm (depending on wheel size) and decent approach and departure angles.

From two to seven

The interior of the Chevrolet Trailblazer is quite suitable for traveling with seven. Even the third row of seats can accommodate adult riders without much discomfort. The second one is really spacious, and the seat backs are adjustable for tilt. Of course rear seats you can add everything together or separately - in a variety of combinations (the middle row is divided in the proportion 40:60, and the third - 50:50). When the seats are folded, a flat loading area is created. However, this requires an optional floor box (in the photo - in the red circle).