What engine and transmission do you have? These engines behave differently depending on which transmission they're hooked up to plus there is a big difference in powebands between the 2 engines. The 1.2 reaches peak torque almost 1000 rpm later than the 1.3 which requires a higher rpm band and shift points. I never got to test drive a CVT Trailblazer, but I've had CVT transmisions before in other vehicles and never liked them due to them holding higher rpms. It seems like GM engineers intentionally made these 3 bangers operate at higher rpms probably because they don't like to be lugged down at lower rpms. 3 cylinder engines by nature have bad vibration problems at lower rpms so keeping the rpms up helps smooth everything out. I'm still impressed how peppy these engines are for their size.Just over 5200mi. Now myself. No major issues aside from the service messages has anyone else been annoyed with the rev hanging where it will stick at 3 to 4k longer then it has any reason to?
1.3 RS Model I have some idea of the issues involved and agree with your assessment it just sounds horrible when your driving and it makes the noise like your holding the gas all the way down parked. I think this is primarily a result of the 3 cylinder engine and way to many gears with the 9 speed automatic transmission with how high GM factory tuned these to hang to try and stay in the powerband. The problem happens when the transmission doesn't shift because of shitty safeguards or shift points you lose all the torque but the engine HP Is still going so it never gets a chance to shift and self correct properly. Mostly notice this getting on the highway or taking a corner fast and and accelerating off of it.What engine and transmission do you have? These engines behave differently depending on which transmission they're hooked up to plus there is a big difference in powebands between the 2 engines. The 1.2 reaches peak torque almost 1000 rpm later than the 1.3 which requires a higher rpm band and shift points. I never got to test drive a CVT Trailblazer, but I've had CVT transmisions before in other vehicles and never liked them due to them holding higher rpms. It seems like GM engineers intentionally made these 3 bangers operate at higher rpms probably because they don't like to be lugged down at lower rpms. 3 cylinder engines by nature have bad vibration problems at lower rpms so keeping the rpms up helps smooth everything out. I'm still impressed how peppy these engines are for their size.
Steve
I wondered how these like going through car washes.