Duramax 2.8L Diesel Engine

General Motors has announced that it has incorporated the Duramax 2.8 liter turbo diesel engine in to its 2016 Chevrolet and GMC Canyon trucks.  In addition, General Motors has announced that the EPA has certified the trucks for getting 31 mpg on the highway.  On November 17, Engineering News Record reported that the engine is a four cylinder diesel and generates 181 horsepower and 369 foot pounds of torque.  In addition, two wheel drive vehicles equipped with six speed transmissions will get EPA estimated mileage rates of 22 mpg in the city and 25 mpg in combined driving.  For those interested in four wheel drive vehicles, the mileage rates are 20 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in combined driving.

Duramax was created in 1998 as a result of a joint venture between General Motors and Isuzu to manufacture diesel engines.  Specifically, the goal was to manufacture the first high pressure, common rail, direct injection engine.  Prior to the Duramax engine, GM used an engine that was made entirely of iron in a V-8 configuration, was of the indirect injection type, took up 6.5 liter, rated at 215 horsepower and 440 foot pounds of torque.  For the most part, GM began installing 6.6 liter diesel engines in some of the full size pickups back in 2001.  As the demand evolved, so did the engine.  From 2001 until the present, there have been 5 variations until now when the 2.8 liter engine has been introduced into the midsize truck range.

Corolla, Matrix and Vibe Recall

Toyota has recalled over one million 2005-2008 Corolla and Matrix vehicles due to a defect in the engine control module. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the module can crack as a result of faulty manufacturing. If the module cracks, the engine might not start. If in operation, the driver might sense harsh shifting or the engine can stall resulting in a crash. The recalled vehicles are equipped with two-wheel drive and an 1ZZ-FE engine.  General Motors has also recalled approximately 200,000 2005-2008 Pontiac Vibes for the same defect. General Motors and Toyota created a joint venture to design and build the Vibe and as a result, used the same engine control module that was used in the Corolla and Matrix vehicles.  For additional information, please visit the NHTSA website at www.nhtsa.gov and reference NHTSA campaign number 10V384000 or contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.